Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
California Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official DMV knowledge test with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
California permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- Check your state's official site
- Passing score
- 80%
- Minimum permit age
- 15½
- Fee
- $46 application fee (original Class C, valid for 12 months)
- If you fail
- You get three attempts per application; minors must wait 7 days (not counting the failure day) before retaking a failed knowledge test.
- Online testing
- Available in some cases
- Languages
- 35 languages (online knowledge test); in-office tests in a variety of languages
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free California practice tests
California Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
California Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
California Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in California
Drivers under 18 must hold an instruction permit for at least six months, complete driver education plus behind-the-wheel training, and log 50 hours of supervised practice (10 at night) before the driving test. For the first 12 months, the provisional license bars driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and carrying passengers under 20, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: DMV
California permit test FAQ
What score do you need to pass the California permit test?
You must score at least 80% to pass the California knowledge test, according to the DMV.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in California?
You can apply for a learner's permit in California at 15½, according to the DMV (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the California permit cost?
$46 application fee (original Class C, valid for 12 months) — as listed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the California permit test?
You get three attempts per application; minors must wait 7 days (not counting the failure day) before retaking a failed knowledge test. (per the DMV, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the California permit test online?
Yes, in some cases. The DMV offers an online option for the knowledge test — check eligibility on the official site.
What languages is the California permit test offered in?
35 languages (online knowledge test); in-office tests in a variety of languages (per the DMV, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in California?
Driver licensing in California is handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The official site is https://www.dmv.ca.gov/.
Where can I read the official California driver handbook?
The official California driver handbook is published by the DMV at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/. It is the source our practice questions are grounded in.