The Washington permit test is the Driving Knowledge Exam from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), and you can take it at an approved driver training school or at a DOL driver licensing office. The DOL's Washington Driver Guide does not publish the number of questions or the passing score. Practice sites commonly say 40 questions and 80%, but treat that as unofficial.
Washington permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), dol.wa.gov |
| Minimum age | 15 if enrolling in driver training. 15 and a half if not |
| Questions and pass mark | Not published in the Driver Guide. Practice sites say 40 questions and 80%, which is unofficial |
| Where | At an approved driver training school exam location, or a DOL licensing office by appointment |
| Online test | No at-home online exam is listed |
| Score valid | 2 years. The permit is valid for 1 year |
| Fees | Not listed in the Driver Guide. Schools set their own exam prices. Check dol.wa.gov |
| Languages | Not listed in the Driver Guide. Ask DOL or your testing school |
How many questions are on the Washington permit test?
The DOL does not say in the Washington Driver Guide. Practice sites commonly report 40 questions with 80% needed to pass. If that is right, you would need 32 correct and could miss 8. Because the DOL does not publish the format, ask your driving school or the DOL office when you book, and aim to get everything right on practice tests.
What's on the test
Questions come from the Washington Driver Guide. Expect road signs, rules of the road, safe driving, and alcohol and drug laws.
- Road signs, signals and pavement markings.
- Signaling: signal at least 100 feet before you turn or change lanes.
- Parking: do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Alcohol: 0.08 for drivers 21 and older, and 0.02 for drivers under 21.
- School buses: never pass a school bus with flashing lights, and do not use a center turn lane to get around one.
Tested at driving schools, not only at DOL
Washington is different from most states. The DOL lists two ways to take your exams: at an approved driver training school's exam location, or at a DOL driver licensing office by appointment through License Express. Many teens take the knowledge exam through their driving school, and the school then enters the score into the DOL system. The Driver Guide says schools have 24 hours to enter your scores after you pass.
If you are enrolling in driver training, apply for your permit at a licensing office or online 1 to 10 days before your course starts, and give your WDL number to the school.
How to study for the Washington permit test
- Read the Washington Driver Guide one section at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Make a one-page list of numbers: 100 feet, 15 feet, BAC limits, ages and hours.
- Take Washington permit practice tests and explain each wrong answer out loud.
- Keep a cheat sheet of your own misses and review it the night before. Leave it at home on test day.
What to bring and how to book
Before applying for a permit, you need a WDL number, which you can get through the DOL. To book the exam, find an approved driver training school exam location on dol.wa.gov or schedule a DOL office appointment in License Express. For the permit itself, bring:
- Original proof of identity. Search "identification requirements" on dol.wa.gov for the current list.
- Your Social Security number, or a signed declaration if you do not have one.
- A parent or guardian if you are under 18.
- Payment for any DOL fees, plus the school's exam fee if you test at a school.
Can you take the Washington permit test online?
No at-home online knowledge exam is listed by the DOL. You take it in person at a driver training school exam location or a DOL licensing office. Some permit and license steps, like pre-applying, can be done online, but the exam itself is in person.
What happens if you fail the Washington permit test?
The Driver Guide does not list a waiting period or attempt limit. Ask your driving school or the DOL office about retake timing and any fee for another try, then study the sections you missed. Your passing score, once you get it, stays valid for two years.
Washington permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Washington permit test?
The DOL does not publish the number. Practice sites commonly say 40, which is unofficial.
How many questions can you miss on the permit test in Washington State?
The DOL does not publish a passing score. Practice sites say 80%, which would mean missing no more than 8 of 40. Confirm with your school or the DOL.
Where do you take the Washington permit test?
At an approved driver training school exam location, or at a DOL driver licensing office with an appointment.
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Washington?
15 if you are enrolling in driver training, and 15 and a half if you are not.
