Now, as excited as you might be to finally take the road test and get your driver’s license, you do have one initial hurdle to get across – the DMV’s written knowledge test. This test serves as a foundational element to gauge your understanding of your state’s current traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and other things you’ll need to know about driving. However, for all you students out there over 18, how many questions are there on the DMV test?
Well, the specifics of the test – including the number, format, and type of questions – may vary slightly from one state to another, but at the end of the day, the purpose of the DMV’s written knowledge test is to evaluate whether or not you know the rules of the road. So, for folks who are applying for a driver’s license for the first time, or for those who are seeking to reinstate a suspended one, passing the DMV’s written knowledge test is a must.
1) How Many Questions Are There On The Test?
That said, how many questions are we talking about here? It’s worth bearing in mind that the number of questions on the DMV’s written knowledge test for over 18-year-olds varies based on the state. For most states, the number of questions varies from 30 to 50, but some feature way fewer questions. For example, in California, there are 36 questions in the test, but in New York, there are only 20 questions. This variation mainly comes down to the specific driving laws that are in each state, and the differing aspects of driving in each one.
I’ve prepared a complete table down below for how many questions there are in each state’s DMV written knowledge test for applicants over 18, so I hope it’s easier for you to refer to. Meanwhile, we also have to discuss the passing grade for the DMV’s written knowledge test, which in most states, is consistently pegged at 80% or above.
In other words, you’ll have to get at least 80% of the questions correct to pass. You could do all the maths yourself by referring to the table below, but taking California as an example… Out of 36 questions, you’ll need to get at least 29 right. Meanwhile, if we’re looking at New York, out of 20 questions, you’ll need to get a minimum of 16 correct to pass.
2) Number Of Questions On The Test Per State
And if you’re wondering about how many questions are on the DMV written knowledge test for applicants over 18, here’s a breakdown per state:
| State | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 30 |
| Alaska | 20 |
| Arizona | 30 |
| Arkansas | 25 |
| California | 36 |
| Colorado | 25 |
| Connecticut | 25 |
| Delaware | 25 |
| Florida | 50 |
| Georgia | 40 |
| Hawaii | 30 |
| Idaho | 40 |
| Illinois | 35 |
| Indiana | 50 |
| Iowa | 35 |
| Kansas | 25 |
| Kentucky | 40 |
| Louisiana | 40 |
| Maine | 30 |
| Maryland | 25 |
| Massachusetts | 25 |
| Michigan | 50 |
| Minnesota | 40 |
| Mississippi | 30 |
| Missouri | 25 |
| Montana | 33 |
| Nebraska | 25 |
| Nevada | 50 |
| New Hampshire | 40 |
| New Jersey | 50 |
| New Mexico | 25 |
| New York | 20 |
| North Carolina | 25 |
| North Dakota | 25 |
| Ohio | 40 |
| Oklahoma | 20 |
| Oregon | 35 |
| Pennsylvania | 18 |
| Rhode Island | 25 |
| South Carolina | 30 |
| South Dakota | 25 |
| Tennessee | 30 |
| Texas | 30 |
| Utah | 50 |
| Vermont | 20 |
| Virginia | 35 |
| Washington | 40 |
| West Virginia | 25 |
| Wisconsin | 50 |
| Wyoming | 25 |
3) Structure Of The Written Knowledge Test
When you’re ready to take the DMV’s written knowledge test, it might help to know how the test is structured and formatted, too. Thankfully, it’s pretty consistent across all states’ DMVs, where their written knowledge test is composed of multiple-choice questions. These questions typically are derived from each state’s official DMV or driver’s handbook, which outlines every single thing about the state’s driving laws, regulations, and other safe driving practices.
So, I still maintain, after all these years, that the DMV’s official handbook is probably the best study material you could ask for prior to taking the written knowledge test. I’ll discuss further down below on what type of questions you’ll be quizzed on, but in general, they’ll encompass understanding road signs, signals, road markings, right-of-way rules, and legal aspects about owning and operating a vehicle, such as car insurance and vehicle registration.
Some states will also include questions that are more specific to local laws, such as driving in tough weather, unique traffic regulations that only apply per state, or state-specific penalties and violations. With all these topics in mind, it’s a good thing that the test is multiple choice since you’ll be offered a set of possible answers to choose from.
4) Types Of Questions That’ll Be In The Test
Speaking of, here’s a general breakdown of the more common types of questions that you’ll be quizzed on in the DMV’s written knowledge test:
- Traffic Signs And Signals – You’ll be quizzed on being able to recognize and understand all the various road signs and what they mean, such as stop signs, yield signs, or speed limit signs. It will also quiz you on traffic signals and what they mean for different driving scenarios.
- Road Markings – Additionally, the test will make sure that you understand what different road markings mean, like crosswalks, turn lanes, and the difference between solid and broken lines. It’s vital for you to properly maintain lane discipline on highways and intersections.
- Right-of-Way Rules – Besides that, you’ll also be quizzed on the right-of-way rules and when to yield to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The test will likely ask about what you’ll have to do in different situations, such as coming across four-way stops, roundabouts, or merging into a highway.
- Safe Driving Practices – These types of questions will generally quiz you about how to properly maintain a safe following distance from another car, using the headlights in different weather conditions, or understanding the hazards that come with driving while distracted or impaired.
- State-Specific Laws – Once again, each state’s DMV will include state-specific laws, so the test will focus on the rules or regulations that are unique to the state where you’re taking the test in. This could include topics like using a phone while driving, child safety seat requirements, as well as the penalties for driving under the influence.