PermitPal
Permit Test Passing Score Calculator
All 50 states · Car, motorcycle & CDL · Updated July 12, 2026
Pick your state and license type to see exactly how many questions you'll face, how many you can miss, and the score you need. Every number comes from the state's official driver manual or licensing agency — the same verified data behind the PermitPal app.
Across the country, 36 of 50 states use the classic 80% passing standard for the car permit test. The strictest written test is Maryland at 88%. The longest standard exam is Florida's at 50 questions; the shortest is Pennsylvania's at 18. CDL knowledge tests follow the federal 80% standard in every state — 50 General Knowledge, 25 Air Brakes, and 20 Combination questions in most, with a handful of states publishing their own counts.
📱 Knowing the passing score is step one — hitting it is the app's job. PermitPal in your browser runs mock exams in your state's real format (same question count, same passing score, same sections for CDL) so test day feels like practice. All 50 states, car + motorcycle + CDL, English and Spanish. Free to start, $29.99 once. Also on the App Store and Google Play.
Every state's passing score
Car permit test — all 50 states
| State | Test version | Questions | Can miss | Need correct | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Class D knowledge exam | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Alaska | Class D knowledge test | 20 | 4 | 16 | 80% |
| Arizona | Arizona written permit test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Arkansas | Knowledge exam | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| California | Under 18 | 46 | 8 | 38 | 83% |
| 18 or older | 36 | 6 | 30 | 83% | |
| Colorado | Driving Knowledge Test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Connecticut | Class D knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Delaware | Class D knowledge test | 32 | 6 | 26 | 81% |
| Florida | Class E Knowledge Exam | 50 | 10 | 40 | 80% |
| Georgia | Knowledge Exam (Road Signs + Road Rules) | 40 | 10 | 30 | 75% |
| Hawaii | Category 3 knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Idaho | Class D knowledge test | 40 | 6 | 34 | 85% |
| Illinois | Class D knowledge exam | 35 | 7 | 28 | 80% |
| Indiana | Knowledge exam (Signs + Rules) | 40 | 8 | 32 | 80% |
| Iowa | Operator knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Kansas | Class C knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Kentucky | Class D written test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Louisiana | Class E knowledge test | 40 | 8 | 32 | 80% |
| Maine | Class C knowledge test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Maryland | Class C knowledge test | 25 | 3 | 22 | 88% |
| Massachusetts | Class D learner's permit exam | 25 | 7 | 18 | 72% |
| Michigan | Michigan knowledge test | 40 | 8 | 32 | 80% |
| Minnesota | Class D knowledge exam | 40 | 8 | 32 | 80% |
| Mississippi | Class R knowledge test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Missouri | Class F knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Montana | Class D knowledge test | 33 | 6 | 27 | 80% |
| Nebraska | Class O knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Nevada | Class C knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| New Hampshire | Operator knowledge test | 40 | 8 | 32 | 80% |
| New Jersey | Basic license knowledge test | 50 | 10 | 40 | 80% |
| New Mexico | Class D knowledge test | 25 | 7 | 18 | 70% |
| New York | Class D / DJ / E | 20 | 6 | 14 | 70% |
| North Carolina | Knowledge & road-sign exam | 35 | 7 | 28 | 80% |
| North Dakota | Class D knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Ohio | Ohio knowledge exam | 40 | 10 | 30 | 75% |
| Oklahoma | Class D written test | 20 | 5 | 15 | 75% |
| Oregon | Class C knowledge test | 35 | 7 | 28 | 80% |
| Pennsylvania | Class C knowledge test | 18 | 3 | 15 | 83% |
| Rhode Island | Operator knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| South Carolina | Class D knowledge exam | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| South Dakota | Class 5 knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Tennessee | Class D / PD knowledge test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Texas | Class C knowledge exam | 30 | 9 | 21 | 70% |
| Utah | Class D knowledge test | 50 | 10 | 40 | 80% |
| Vermont | Operator knowledge test | 20 | 4 | 16 | 80% |
| Virginia | Two-part knowledge exam | 40 | 6 | 34 | 85% |
| Washington | Driving Knowledge Exam | 40 | 8 | 32 | 80% |
| West Virginia | Class E knowledge test | 25 | 6 | 19 | 76% |
| Wisconsin | Class D knowledge test | 50 | 10 | 40 | 80% |
| Wyoming | Class C knowledge test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
Motorcycle test — all 50 states
| State | Test version | Questions | Can miss | Need correct | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Alaska | Class M knowledge test | 20 | 4 | 16 | 80% |
| Arizona | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Arkansas | Motorcycle knowledge exam | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| California | Motorcycle (M1/M2) | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Colorado | Motorcycle written test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Connecticut | Motorcycle knowledge test | 16 | 3 | 13 | 80% |
| Delaware | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Florida | Motorcycle Knowledge Practice | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Georgia | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 6 | 19 | 75% |
| Hawaii | Category 2 knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Idaho | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 3 | 22 | 85% |
| Illinois | Class M/L knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Indiana | Motorcycle knowledge exam | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Iowa | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Kansas | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Kentucky | Motorcycle written test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Louisiana | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Maine | Motorcycle knowledge test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| Maryland | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 3 | 22 | 88% |
| Massachusetts | Class M learner's permit exam | 25 | 7 | 18 | 72% |
| Michigan | Michigan motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Minnesota | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Mississippi | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Missouri | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Montana | Motorcycle written knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Nebraska | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Nevada | Class M knowledge test (practice) | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
| New Hampshire | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| New Jersey | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| New Mexico | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 7 | 18 | 70% |
| New York | Class M / MJ | 20 | 6 | 14 | 70% |
| North Carolina | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| North Dakota | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Ohio | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 6 | 19 | 75% |
| Oklahoma | Motorcycle written test (practice) | 25 | 6 | 19 | 75% |
| Oregon | Motorcycle endorsement knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Pennsylvania | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 4 | 21 | 83% |
| Rhode Island | Motorcycle knowledge practice | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| South Carolina | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| South Dakota | Class 2 knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Tennessee | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Texas | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 7 | 18 | 70% |
| Utah | Motorcycle written knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Vermont | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Virginia | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Washington | Motorcycle knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| West Virginia | Class F knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Wisconsin | Class M knowledge test | 25 | 5 | 20 | 80% |
| Wyoming | Class M knowledge test | 30 | 6 | 24 | 80% |
CDL knowledge tests — all 50 states
| State | General Knowledge | Air Brakes | Combination | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Alaska | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Arizona | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Arkansas | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| California | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Colorado | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Connecticut | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Delaware | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Florida | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Georgia | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Hawaii | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Idaho | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Illinois | 30 Q · miss 6 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Indiana | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Iowa | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Kansas | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Kentucky | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Louisiana | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Maine | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Maryland | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Massachusetts | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Michigan | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Minnesota | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Mississippi | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Missouri | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Montana | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Nebraska | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Nevada | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| New Hampshire | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| New Jersey | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| New Mexico | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| New York | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| North Carolina | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| North Dakota | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Ohio | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Oklahoma | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Oregon | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Pennsylvania | 70 Q · miss 14 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Rhode Island | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| South Carolina | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| South Dakota | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Tennessee | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Texas | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Utah | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Vermont | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Virginia | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Washington | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| West Virginia | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Wisconsin | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
| Wyoming | 50 Q · miss 10 | 25 Q · miss 5 | 20 Q · miss 4 | 80% |
📥 Download this table as CSV — question counts, max misses and passing percentages for every state and license type. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: just credit “GetPermitPal.com” with a link.
Common questions
How many questions can you miss on the permit test?
It depends on the state — anywhere from 3 to 10 on the standard car test. Pick your state above for the exact number.
Is the passing score the same for teens and adults?
The percentage usually is, but several states give different test lengths by age — California, for example, gives under-18 applicants 46 questions and adults 36. The calculator shows each version where a state has more than one.
What's the CDL passing score?
80% on every knowledge test, in every state — that's the federal standard. The General Knowledge test is 50 questions in most states (miss up to 10), Air Brakes 25 (miss 5), and Combination Vehicles 20 (miss 4).
Do some states have extra rules beyond the overall score?
Yes. New York requires at least 2 of 4 road-sign questions correct; Virginia requires a perfect 10/10 on its road-sign part; Georgia and Indiana score their signs and rules sections separately; Nevada's test ends the moment you've passed or failed. The calculator flags these under the score board.