How Many Questions are on the California Permit Test?

Last Updated: October 10, 2021 |
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If you’re headed for the California DMV to get your provisional driver’s license, you might be wondering how many questions are on the California Permit Test.  The written test consists of 46 multiple choice and true or false questions.  These questions cover the topics of alcohol awareness, general road rules, road signs, and car preparedness.  To pass your exam, you must answer 39 of your 46 questions correctly.  The California permit test requires a higher accuracy rate than most states with an 85% score required to achieve aptitude.  

How Much Does the Permit Test Cost in California?

The cost of your California driver’s permit at the DMV is $38.  This fee covers your provisional learner’s permit and driver’s license.  If you do not meet the requirements of achieving a driver’s license within a calendar year, your application will be void and you will have to begin the process all over again.  This includes any and all fees.

What Happens if I Fail My California Permit Test?

The $38 fee you pay at the DMV covers up to three attempts at passing your written learners permit test.  If you fail your test, you will have to wait 7 days before you can take the written permit test again.  This 7-day span does not include the day you took your initial test.  If you are over the age of 18, you only need to wait 24 hours to take the test again.  If you fail your exam three times, you will have to go back to the beginning of the process, fill out a new application, and pay the appropriate fees.

How to Pass Your CA Permit Test

Make sure to prepare for your CA permit test.  California Drivers Education is massively helpful for anyone trying to pass their exam.  We recommend DriversEd.coach for any and all new drivers in California.  They’re the very best at online California drivers ed.

A written practice test with a great company like DMV-written-test is also a really helpful option.  In California, DMV Written test takes questions from the actual exam and runs you through them before you arrive at the DPS.  Seeing questions beforehand can be massively helpful and DMV-written-test does just that in the state of California.