Lessons · The tests

Your knowledge test day at the DMV

Book an appointment, bring your identity and residency documents, the $46 fee and your glasses, and start the test before 4:30 p.m. One right answer out of three, 80% to pass, three tries, 7 days between tries if you are under 18. The permit never lets you drive alone.

Source: California DMV, Learner's Permits; Driver's Licenses (Situation #2: three attempts at each knowledge test); Teen Driver Tips (Test Preparation); Licensing Fees; Fast Facts FFDL 5 (Application Process)

Also drawn from:

California DMV, Fast Facts FFDL 19, Provisional Licensing (rev. 7/2019), Instruction Permit Requirements (to pass the knowledge test, you may miss no more than 8 questions)
California Driver's Handbook (2025), Section 3: The Testing Process > Knowledge Tests (no testing aids, such as the handbook or a cell phone)

Next step: Getting a permit and a license

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