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Am I Ready for the Texas Permit Test?
12-question diagnostic · 4 easy, 4 medium, 4 hard · Updated July 12, 2026
Twelve questions, deliberately mixed: four easy, four medium, four of the hardest in our verified Texas bank. The real test needs 70% — but a diagnostic this short needs a margin, so read your result like this: 10+ of 12, you're ready to book; 8–9, you're close — drill the 25 hardest first; below that, work the full test ladder before test day.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. When a person drinks alcohol, one of the first driving abilities to be affected is:
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Correct answer: Judgment and the ability to reason
Alcohol first impairs judgment and reasoning, along with vision and reaction time, which is why a drinking driver makes poor, risky decisions.
2. What does a Texas learner license (instruction permit) allow a student driver to do?
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Correct answer: Practice driving only while a qualified licensed driver rides in the front passenger seat
A learner license lets a student practice driving only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience, seated beside the driver, and not intoxicated or asleep.
3. When you leave your parked vehicle, what should you do?
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Correct answer: Turn off the motor, set the parking brake, and remove the key
Before you walk away from a parked car, turn off the motor, set the parking brake, and take the key with you.
4. If you are in a crash that injures or kills someone, you must:
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Correct answer: Immediately stop at the scene (or as close as possible) and remain there
In a crash involving injury or death you must immediately stop at or near the scene, remain there, and provide your information and reasonable assistance.
5. A licensed driver supervising someone with a learner license must be at least how old and have how much driving experience?
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Correct answer: At least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience
The supervising driver must be at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience, must sit beside the learner, and cannot be intoxicated, asleep, or otherwise unable to respond to the driver.
6. At speeds of 30 mph or less in good conditions, what is the minimum following time behind the car ahead?
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Correct answer: 2 seconds
For speeds of 30 mph or less in good road conditions, keep a minimum of 2 seconds between your car and the one ahead. Above 30 mph, increase that to a 4-second gap.
7. Which of these situations requires you to give a signal?
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Correct answer: Pulling away from a parking space parallel to the curb
You must always signal when you change lanes, make a turn, pull away from a parallel parking space, slow down or stop, enter or leave a highway, or pull over to the side of the road.
8. You should notify law enforcement as soon as possible after a crash when:
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Correct answer: There is an injury or death, a vehicle cannot be moved, a driver leaves, or you suspect a driver is intoxicated
Call law enforcement right away if there is an injury or fatality, a vehicle cannot be moved off the road, a driver leaves the scene, or you suspect a driver is intoxicated.
9. When must you turn on your headlights?
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Correct answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, or whenever you cannot see clearly for 1,000 feet
Texas requires headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise, or any time people or vehicles cannot be seen clearly for at least 1,000 feet.
10. Leaving the scene of a crash that results in a person’s death (hit-and-run) is:
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Correct answer: A second-degree felony
Failing to stop and remain at a crash that causes death is a second-degree felony punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and 2 to 20 years in prison.
11. Which following interval does the handbook recommend as the best practice for a beginning or less experienced driver?
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Correct answer: A four-second interval
Using a four-second following interval is the best practice for a beginning or less experienced driver, giving extra time to recognize and react to hazards.
12. Why is it important that your signal lights work properly, especially at night?
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Correct answer: Hand and arm signals are usually difficult to see during non-daylight hours
You may use turn signal lights or hand and arm signals, but hand signals are usually hard to see during non-daylight hours — so it is important to keep your signal lights in working order.
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