Short answer: the California permit (knowledge) test is widely reported to have 46 questions for applicants under 18 and 36 questions for applicants 18 and older. The DMV says you need 80% to pass. Here is what the official sources say and what they leave out.
What the DMV publishes
- Passing score: the DMV’s instruction permit page says the knowledge test is multiple choice, based on the California Driver’s Handbook, and that the passing score is 80%. (source)
- Attempts: you get three attempts to pass before you must reapply. Applicants under 18 must wait 7 days to retake a failed knowledge test, not counting the day they failed. (source)
- Study aids: you cannot use the handbook, a phone or other aids during the test. (source)
Where the 46 and 36 come from
We could not find the number of questions on any current DMV page. The 46/36 figures trace back to a DMV research report from 2006, and they are repeated by most test-prep sites. Older sources say you need 38 of 46 or 30 of 36 correct (about 83%). At the 80% the DMV publishes today, the minimum would be 37 of 46 or 29 of 36. Treat the counts as likely but unconfirmed, and aim for well above 80% in practice.
| Applicant | Questions (reported) | Correct needed (older sources) | Correct needed at the DMV’s 80% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 46 | 38 | 37 |
| 18 and older | 36 | 30 | 29 |
Practice with the 80% mark
All five of our practice tests use the 80% passing mark: 37 correct out of 46. Start with California Permit Practice Test 1. Every answer links to the handbook section it is based on. See all tests on the California permit test page.
Last checked November 3, 2026. RoadQuizzer is not affiliated with the California DMV or any government agency. Confirm current rules on dmv.ca.gov.