PermitPal
Which States Let You Take the Permit Test Online?
Verified against official DMV sources · Updated July 12, 2026
As of July 12, 2026, 12 states let you take the learner's-permit knowledge test fully online from home — Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Vermont, West Virginia — while 11 more offer an online test with restrictions (Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin), and the remaining 27 states still administer the test in person only. Every online state still requires at least one DMV visit afterward (vision test, documents, photo) — "online" means the exam itself, not the whole permit.
12Fully online
11Online with limits
27In person only
Whether the official knowledge (written) test can be taken remotely, by state.
The full 50-state table
| State | Online test? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Alaska | ✓ Yes | Know To Drive (Alaska DMV online knowledge testing platform) · Applicants eligible for an instruction permit (age 14+); test taken via the state's official 'Know To Drive' online portal (knowtodrive.com/alaska) using a desktop/laptop with a front-facing webcam; identity verification required. · Still in person: Must still visit a DMV office to submit Form D1 application, parental consent forms, proof-of-relationship documents, take a vision test, and pay the $15 permit fee before the physical permit is issued. |
| Arizona | Partial | Permit Test @ Home (via AZ MVD Now, azmvdnow.gov) · Arizona teens under 18, tested through a parent/legal guardian's AZ MVD Now account (guardian must supervise/proctor the test) or via a participating Arizona professional driving school. Adults 18+ test in-office (or via driving school) rather than through this at-home program. · Still in person: After passing, applicant must still visit an MVD office/authorized third party with required documents, parent/guardian signature (or notarized application), vision test, and photo to have the physical permit issued. |
| Arkansas | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| California | Partial | DMV At-Home (Remote/Online) Knowledge Test · Two eligible groups only: (1) Californians under 18 applying for a driver's license/permit, and (2) new residents from out-of-state who need to take a knowledge test to transfer their license. Minors need parental consent for online monitoring. Test given twice online max; a 3rd failure requires an in-office test. · Still in person: Must still visit a DMV field office afterward to submit identity/residency documents, get photographed, give a thumbprint, and complete vision screening before the permit/license is issued. |
| Colorado | ✓ Yes | @Home Driving Knowledge Test (official platform: coathometesting.com) · Any Colorado resident old enough for an instruction permit, after pre-registering at myDMV.Colorado.gov. Applicants under 19 must have a proxy (age 19+) present to proctor the test. · Still in person: Must schedule and attend an in-person appointment at a State driver license office afterward to be issued the physical permit. |
| Connecticut | In person only | — |
| Delaware | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Florida | Partial | Online Class E Knowledge Exam via approved third-party administrators / DELAP high-school programs · Only applicants under 18 can take the Class E Knowledge Exam online, either through an FLHSMV-approved third-party administrator or through a DELAP-authorized high-school driver-education program. A notarized (or DL-examiner-witnessed) Parent Proctoring Form is required. Applicants 18+ cannot take it online and must test in person. · Still in person: Applicants randomly selected for mandatory retesting must retest at a driver license or tax collector office; a service-center visit is still required later to surrender the learner's license and get the actual driver license after passing skills testing. |
| Georgia | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Hawaii | ✓ Yes | Online Learner's Permit Test (statewide via knowtodrive.com/hawaii, effective Dec 11 2024) · Applicants 15 years 6 months or older, statewide (all counties participating). Applicants under 18 must have an adult (18+) present during registration. Requires a desktop/laptop with mouse, keyboard, and working webcam (no phone/tablet/touchscreen). One-hour time limit; offered in English and Spanish. · Still in person: Must schedule an appointment with a county driver licensing center and present all required documentation within 30 days of passing to actually obtain the learner's permit. |
| Idaho | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Illinois | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Indiana | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Iowa | Partial | Skip the Trip (Online Permit Test) · Applicants within 30 days of their 14th birthday and younger than 18, using a desktop/laptop (not phone/tablet) with internet access, proctored at home by a parent/guardian who holds a valid Iowa driver's license. Parent/guardian must submit an 'Application to Proctor Knowledge Exam' and wait 7-14 days for approval. · Still in person: After passing, the applicant must make an appointment and visit a DOT driver's license service center or county treasurer's office in person to be issued the physical instruction permit (documents, fee, etc.). |
| Kansas | ✓ Yes | KnowTo Drive Online · Any Kansas resident at least 14 years old; applicants under 18 must have a parent/guardian (KS resident, 18+) register and be present/co-verify. Requires desktop/laptop with keyboard, mouse, and webcam; $6.50-$10 per attempt (state press release cites $10 first test/$8.50 retest; program site cites $6.50); up to 4 attempts within 6 months before an in-person test is required. · Still in person: Physical permit issuance still requires an in-person Division of Vehicles/county treasurer office visit; after 4 failed online attempts in 6 months, applicant must test in person. |
| Kentucky | In person only | — |
| Louisiana | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Maine | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Maryland | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Massachusetts | Partial | RMV Online Permit Exam · Only Class D (passenger/car) and Class M (motorcycle) exams qualify. Applicant must first start the application online AND complete an in-person Service Center (or AAA, if member) visit for identity verification, vision exam, and photo. Only then are login credentials issued to take the knowledge exam online within 60 days. Requires a working webcam and a supported browser (Chrome 97+, Edge 94+, or IE11); no other people/pets in room, no reference materials, no other electronics. · Still in person: Mandatory in-person Service Center appointment BEFORE the online test is unlocked (identity verification, vision screening, photo). If the applicant fails, or prefers, testing can also be completed at the Service Center. |
| Michigan | Partial | KnowTo Drive (Michigan SOS Online Testing, michigan.gov/SOSOnlineTesting) · Eligible Michigan ADULTS aged 18 and over only. Requires proof of identity (SSN or legal presence) and a $6.50 convenience fee, desktop/laptop with front-facing webcam. Teens/minors under 18 seeking a learner's permit are NOT eligible and must test in person at a Secretary of State branch. · Still in person: After passing online, adults must still visit an SOS branch office in person to receive the physical operator's temporary instruction permit ($25 fee); minors must test in person entirely. |
| Minnesota | ✓ Yes | Minnesota DVS Online Class D Knowledge Test · Any Class D permit applicant; must be proctored remotely by an adult (21+) holding a valid Minnesota driver's license. Register at drive.mn.gov ('Take a Class D Knowledge Test'); receive email with test link, ticket number, and security code. Must test within 48 hours of registering, available Mon-Sat 6am-11pm, 30-minute time limit. Two free attempts online; after two failures, must schedule an in-person exam ($10 fee). · Still in person: Physical permit issuance still requires an in-person DVS/deputy registrar visit; after 2 failed online attempts, remaining attempts must be in person. |
| Mississippi | In person only | — |
| Missouri | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Montana | In person only | — (no online option published) |
| Nebraska | In person only | Still in person: Vision screening and written knowledge test administered at a Nebraska DMV driver licensing office (by appointment). (no online option published) |
| Nevada | ✓ Yes | KnowTo Drive Nevada (official DMV online written knowledge test) · Applicants using a desktop/laptop computer with a front-facing webcam (touch-screen devices, including phones/tablets, are not supported). Available in English and Spanish. · Still in person: Applicant must still visit a DMV office to be issued the physical permit/credentials after passing; a $25 testing fee applies ($10 for retests). |
| New Hampshire | In person only | Still in person: Knowledge test is a computer-based, touch-screen exam administered in person at a DMV office, by appointment only. (no online option published) |
| New Jersey | In person only | Still in person: Entire knowledge test must be taken in person at an MVC driver testing center after presenting 6 Points of ID. |
| New Mexico | In person only | Still in person: Knowledge exam is administered at MVD field offices, or may be provided by an MVD-contracted Driver Education School; no online/remote option is described. (no online option published) |
| New York | Partial | NY DMV online permit test (under-18 applicants) · Applicants under 18 years old only. A parent or guardian must supervise the test and the applicant's webcam must be enabled so DMV can capture images during the test. · Still in person: Applicants 18+ must test entirely in person. Even under-18 applicants who pass online must still visit a DMV office with identity/age/residency documents to complete the transaction and be issued the permit; DMV needs 3 business days to review the online results and ID documents before the office visit, or the applicant must retake the test in-office. |
| North Carolina | In person only | Still in person: Written knowledge test and road signs test are both administered in person at an NCDMV driver license office. |
| North Dakota | ✓ Yes | KnowTo Drive North Dakota (official NDDOT online knowledge testing platform) · Applicants with access to a desktop/laptop computer with a front-facing camera; available in English and Spanish with audio playback. · Still in person: After passing online, applicant must schedule an appointment at the nearest Driver License Office to complete the application and receive credentials. |
| Ohio | ✓ Yes | Ohio BMV Online Services knowledge test (for TIPIC / temporary instruction permit) · Applicants 19 and older may test independently online. Applicants 15.5 to under 19 must have a supervising adult present. Excludes applicants with suspended licenses, medical flags, active out-of-state licenses, or those seeking motorcycle/commercial credentials. · Still in person: Vision screening is performed at a deputy registrar license agency when purchasing the permit; applicant must visit a deputy registrar within 60 days of passing the online test to purchase the TIPIC. |
| Oklahoma | ✓ Yes | Service Oklahoma online written knowledge test (Know2Drive / service.ok.gov/writtentest) · Teens as young as 13.5 (farm permit) or 14+, and adults 18+, provided they do not have a suspended license in Oklahoma or elsewhere. Requires a computer with front-facing camera, microphone, and stable internet; under-18 applicants need a parent/guardian present for online identity verification. Limited to 2 online attempts before further attempts must be in person. · Still in person: Applicant must visit a Service Oklahoma location (or licensed operator) after passing to take the vision test and be issued the physical Learner Permit. |
| Oregon | ✓ Yes | Oregon DMV2U Online Knowledge Testing (Class C and motorcycle endorsement) · Applicants must have a valid Social Security number, use a desktop/laptop with mouse, keyboard, and functioning webcam (no touchscreens/mobile devices). Applicants under 18 require a proctor at least 21 years old (a proctor may supervise up to 2 tests in 24 hours). Not intended for those who already hold a valid license. · Still in person: After passing online, applicant must visit a DMV office with identification documents and, for minors, parent/guardian signature, to complete the permit application. |
| Pennsylvania | In person only | Still in person: Knowledge test (written or audio format) is administered in person at PennDOT Driver License Centers; only road test scheduling, not the knowledge test itself, is available online. |
| Rhode Island | In person only | Still in person: Entire knowledge exam; applicants 18+ must appear at DMV headquarters, 600 New London Ave, Cranston, by reservation only |
| South Carolina | In person only | Still in person: Entire knowledge exam; must visit an SCDMV branch before 4 p.m. to test |
| South Dakota | In person only | Still in person: Entire knowledge test; taken on computer at a local DPS driver exam station by appointment (no online/remote testing offered) (no online option published) |
| Tennessee | Partial | At-Home (Online) Knowledge Testing via Tennessee Proctor ID App · Applicants ages 15-17 who have a parent or legal guardian available to serve as proctor via the Tennessee Proctor ID App (max 5 applicants per proctor); computer/laptop/tablet required (no phones); max 2 online attempts before must test in person · Still in person: Applicants who fail the online test twice, or are otherwise ineligible for online testing (e.g., adults), must test at a Driver Service Center; final permit issuance/paperwork still requires a Driver Services visit |
| Texas | Partial | DPS Class C Knowledge (Learner's License) Test embedded in TDLR-approved driver education courses (e.g., Parent Taught Driver Education) · Teens age 15+ enrolled in a TDLR-approved Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) or approved online driver ed course; test taken online at home after completing Module/Unit 1 of the course · Still in person: Adults not using an approved driver-ed course, and anyone not completing the course-based exam, must test at a DPS office or approved third-party provider; the completion certificate/DL forms must still be brought to a local DPS office to receive the learner's permit (no online option published) |
| Utah | In person only | Still in person: Entire 50-question knowledge test; must be taken in person at a Driver License Division office by appointment (a separate 40-question online TSTT traffic-safety/trends exam requiring 100% is also required but is a distinct exam from the knowledge test itself) |
| Vermont | ✓ Yes | Vermont DMV Online Permit Application and Knowledge Test · All learner's permit applicants completing the online application and payment, able to upload/provide required proof-of-identity documents · Still in person: None for the knowledge test itself; permit issuance/document verification is completed as part of the same online process (no DMV office visit needed to take the test) |
| Virginia | Partial | Remote Testing in Schools (partnership between Virginia DMV and Department of Education / participating schools) · Students at participating public/private Virginia high schools enrolled in the DMV's Remote Testing in Schools program, tested in a school-proctored setting (not from home) · Still in person: After passing the remote school-based test, students must take their 'testing receipt' to a DMV customer service center for processing/permit issuance; students at non-participating schools or adults must test in person at a DMV office |
| Washington | In person only | Still in person: Entire knowledge test; must be taken in person at a DOL office or an approved driver training school testing location (no online option published) |
| West Virginia | ✓ Yes | KnowTo Drive (WV DMV's official online knowledge testing platform) · Any learner's permit applicant with a desktop or laptop computer that has a keyboard, mouse, and front-facing camera (phones not permitted); available in English and Spanish · Still in person: After passing online, applicant must schedule and attend an appointment at a local DMV Regional Office to present proof documents and receive the physical learner's/instruction permit |
| Wisconsin | Partial | KnowTo Drive online knowledge test (WisDOT DMV's contracted online testing vendor) · Students ages 15-17 who have completed the classroom portion of an approved driver training course, with the driver training school having notified DMV; test taken at home with parent/guardian supervision; max 2 online attempts, $10 fee per online attempt · Still in person: Students who pass online still need to visit a Wisconsin DMV Customer Service Center to obtain the physical instruction permit (described as about 15 minutes); in-office knowledge testing remains free and available for those not eligible/using the online option |
| Wyoming | In person only | Still in person: Entire knowledge test; taken on WYDOT's automated testing system at a local driver exam station/office (only practice tests, e.g. via GoWYLD.net, are available online) (no online option published) |
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How we verified this
Every "yes" and "partial" comes from an explicit statement on the state licensing agency's own website (program pages like Colorado's @Home Driving Knowledge Test or Service Oklahoma's online written test). Where an agency's pages describe only in-office testing and never mention a remote option, we mark the state "in person only" and note that no online option is published — we don't guess. Online-testing programs are the fastest-changing rules in licensing (several states added programs in the last two years); the date above is when each row was last checked.
Common questions
Can I really take the permit test from home?
In 23 states, yes — fully in 12, with age or program restrictions in 11. Most require a webcam, a desktop computer, and either remote proctoring or a parent/guardian proctor for minors.
Do I still have to go to the DMV if I pass online?
Yes, in every state — the online part is the knowledge exam only. You'll still visit an office for the vision test, documents, photo, and the physical permit.
Is the online test easier?
No — it's the same exam, same question count, same passing score. See your state's exact format in the passing-score calculator, then practice with a free state practice test.