Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT)
Pennsylvania Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official PennDOT Knowledge test (18 multiple-choice questions on traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws, and safe driving practices) 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.
Pennsylvania permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- 18
- Passing score
- 15 of 18 correct (83.3%)
- Minimum permit age
- 16
- Fee
- $45.50 for the initial (non-commercial) learner's permit and four-year license combined; $33.50 for the initial permit and two-year license at age 65+; $6.00 to add, extend, or replace a Class A, B, or C permit.
- If you fail
- If you fail the knowledge test, you may retake it the following business day; the test may be taken only once per day regardless of location. Each learner's permit allows three chances to pass the road test before the permit expires, and drivers under 18 who fail the road test must wait seven days to retake it.
- Online testing
- In person only
- Languages
- The knowledge test is offered in written and audio formats, upon request at all Driver License Centers, in 30 languages including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Nepali, and Vietnamese.
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 Pennsylvania practice tests
Pennsylvania Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
Pennsylvania Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
Pennsylvania Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania licenses young drivers in three stages: learner's permit, junior license, and unrestricted license. Permit holders under 18 must complete a six-month skill-building period and 65 hours of adult-supervised practice — including at least 10 hours at night and 5 hours in bad weather — before taking the road test for a junior license. Junior license holders may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (documented work, volunteer, or charitable travel excepted) and, for the first six months, may carry no more than one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family unless a parent or guardian is in the vehicle (then no more than three).
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: PennDOT
Pennsylvania permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Pennsylvania permit test?
The official Pennsylvania Knowledge test (18 multiple-choice questions on traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws, and safe driving practices) has 18 questions, according to the PennDOT (verified 2026-08-18).
What score do you need to pass the Pennsylvania permit test?
You must answer 15 of 18 questions correctly (83.3%) to pass the Pennsylvania Knowledge test (18 multiple-choice questions on traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws, and safe driving practices).
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Pennsylvania?
You can apply for a learner's permit in Pennsylvania at 16, according to the PennDOT (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the Pennsylvania permit cost?
$45.50 for the initial (non-commercial) learner's permit and four-year license combined; $33.50 for the initial permit and two-year license at age 65+; $6.00 to add, extend, or replace a Class A, B, or C permit. — as listed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the Pennsylvania permit test?
If you fail the knowledge test, you may retake it the following business day; the test may be taken only once per day regardless of location. Each learner's permit allows three chances to pass the road test before the permit expires, and drivers under 18 who fail the road test must wait seven days to retake it. (per the PennDOT, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the Pennsylvania permit test online?
No. The Pennsylvania Knowledge test (18 multiple-choice questions on traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws, and safe driving practices) is administered in person through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT), not online.
What languages is the Pennsylvania permit test offered in?
The knowledge test is offered in written and audio formats, upon request at all Driver License Centers, in 30 languages including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Nepali, and Vietnamese. (per the PennDOT, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in Pennsylvania?
Driver licensing in Pennsylvania is handled by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT). The official site is https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv.html.