How Many Questions Are on the Permit Test? CA, TX, FL
By The Permi team · Updated
Short answer: It depends on the state. Florida's Class E knowledge exam has 50 questions and you need 40 right (80%). California requires 80% and Texas requires 70%, but neither state publishes an official question count.
This guide follows the state pages listed under Sources, checked in October 2026. Rules differ by state, so confirm the format with your own DMV office. For full state details see our California permit test, Texas permit test and Florida permit test guides.
How many questions are on the Florida permit test?
The Florida Class E knowledge exam is 50 multiple-choice questions. You need 40 correct, which is 80%. That means you can miss 10. Questions are drawn at random from a large bank, so memorizing a fixed list does not work. The exam is given in English only. A retake costs $10.
How many questions are on the California permit test?
The California DMV's instruction permit page gives the passing score as 80%. The DMV does not publish how many questions the test has. Third-party practice sites often quote 46 questions for teens and 36 for adults, but neither number appears on dmv.ca.gov, so treat 80% as the floor and confirm the format at your appointment.
What the California handbook does confirm is the attempt rule: you get three attempts before you must reapply, and minors wait seven days after a failed test.
How many questions are on the Texas permit test?
In Texas the permit is called a learner license. State rules require at least 70% on each knowledge test (road signs and road rules), and the exams are offered in English and Spanish (37 TAC §15.52). Neither DPS nor the rules publish a question count.
Teens can get a learner license between ages 15 and 17, and the knowledge exams are usually taken through a driver education course (you show proof of passing) or when you apply.
What we know at a glance
| State | Questions | To pass | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Not stated on the DMV permit page | 80% | Score yes, count no |
| Texas | Not published | 70% on each test | Score yes, count no |
| Florida | 50 | 40 right (80%) | Yes |
How to use this when you study
Treat the pass mark as the floor, not the goal. Aim for 90% or more in practice so one weak chapter does not sink you. Permi gives you questions written from your state's handbook with an explanation for every answer, and a practice exam that matches your state's pass mark. Start with the free 1-minute quiz, or get access to the full course. Our guide to free official practice tests lists what each state offers.
FAQ
How many questions are on the California permit test?
The DMV's permit page does not give a number. It gives 80% as the passing score. Confirm the count with the DMV before you go.
How many questions are on the Florida permit test?
Fifty multiple-choice questions. You need 40 right to pass.
What score do you need to pass the permit test?
Florida: 40 of 50 (80%). California: 80%. Texas: 70% on each knowledge test.
Is the number of questions the same for adults?
Florida's exam is 50 questions for every applicant. California and Texas do not publish counts, and the pass mark is the same for adults and teens. Confirm the format at your appointment.
Sources
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Class E knowledge exam and driving skills test, question count, passing score and retake fee.
- California DMV, Instruction and learner's permits, the 80% passing score.
- California DMV, Driver's Handbook, the testing process, attempts and waiting time.
- Texas Administrative Code, 37 TAC §15.52, 70% passing score and exam languages.
- Texas DPS, Learner license as a teen, age range and where the exam is taken.