How Many Points Can You Miss and Still Pass The Written Test For California Driver's License?
You have completed the Drivers Ed course and made an appointment at the California DMV to take the written test to get your learner's permit. Your nerves are probably shot, as you are worried about passing this test and then getting your driving lessons started. You may be wondering, how many questions can you miss on the drivers test and still pass? We have all the details for the California driver's license written test here!
How Many Questions Can You Miss On The Permit Test?
For the written test, you are going to be tested on a wide variety of topics, which were all covered during your Drivers Ed course. These topics include:
- Lane markings
- Lane usage
- Driving on freeways
- Railroad crossings
- Road hazards
- Speed and speed limits
- Safe driving practices
- Sharing the road with others
- Accident responsibility
- Traffic lights and signals
- Turns
- Traffic signs
- Right-of-way
- Seat belts and child restraints
- Maintaining a space cushion
- Driving with special vehicles (e.g., school buses)
- Improving traffic flow
- Visual scanning
- Passing and lane changes
- Parking (including on hills)
- Driving in inclement weather
- DUI/drugs
How Many Questions Are On The DMV Written Test?
There are three different versions of the written test when it comes to driver's licenses in California. So, how many questions are on the DMV test? Each test has a different number of questions. The tests depend on what type of applicant you are:
- Provisional License Applicants: Written test has 46 questions.
- Adult Original License Applicants: Written test has 36 questions.
- License Renewal Applicants: Written test has 18 questions.
How Many Questions Can You Get Wrong On The Permit Test?
We know there are three different versions of the written test when it comes to driver's licenses in California. So, how many questions can you miss on the written test? Each test has a different amount of questions you can get wrong and still pass. The tests depend on what type of applicant you are:
- Provisional License Applicants: Maximum of eight errors allowed to still pass.
- Adult Original License Applicants: Maximum of five errors allowed to still pass.
- License Renewal Applicants: Maximum of three errors allowed to still pass.
Practice Makes Perfect
You know the saying, so you will definitely want to apply that logic before heading in to take your written test. There are options out there for you, as Coastline offers free 2021 DMV practice tests. They are 100% free and you can take them as many times as you'd like. The California DMV also provides example tests that you can practice with, which you can find here.
While taking these practice tests, it can also be a very good idea to study the California Driver Handbook. You can use this online version or a hard-copy version is also available for free at any DMV location.
What Happens If You Don't Pass?
For provisional license applicants, if you happen to fail the written test, you are required to wait seven days (not including the day the test was failed) before you are eligible for a retest.
The California DMV requires that seven-day wait period because they want to provide you with sufficient time to study the California Driver Handbook and keep taking those practice tests.
If you are unsuccessful in passing the written test after three attempts, you will have to pay a new license application fee in order to take the written knowledge test again. We wish you all the best and are pulling for you to pass the test.
Online Driver’s License Testing Option
The California DMV recently announced certain customers can take the driver’s license knowledge test online. This will give certain customers the ability to take the driver’s license knowledge test in the comfort of their own home before heading to the DMV office.
Who is eligible to take the online driver's license testing option? This online exam is available for Californians renewing their license, adults getting their license for the first time and who don't have a California ID, and Californians getting a REAL ID or motorcycle license for the first time.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.
About the Author
Nigel Tunnacliffe is the co-Founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the country, on a mission to eradicate car crashes. An experienced founder and technology executive, Nigel and his team are shaking up the automotive industry by taking a technology-centric approach to learning and driver safety. Having served over 100,000 driving students across 500+ cities, Coastline was recently named the 6th fastest-growing education company in America by Inc. Magazine. Nigel is a frequent podcast guest and quoted driving education expert for major publications such as Yahoo!, GOBankingRates, and MSN.