Pennsylvania DMV written test
Pennsylvania DMV Cheat Sheet
The Pennsylvania knowledge test facts in one place, checked against Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) sources and last verified November 2026.
The numbers
Pennsylvania DMV test numbers to memorize
The Pennsylvania knowledge test has 18 questions and you need 15 correct, which is 83 percent. You can miss 3. The test is given by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
18
Questions on the test
15
83% to pass
Correct answers needed
3
Questions you can miss
16
Minimum age
- Time limit
- The agency does not publish a time limit for the knowledge test, so we do not state one.
- Test fee on record
- $35.5. The agency's fee page decides exactly what this covers, so confirm it before you go.
- Format
- Computer-based at PennDOT Driver License Center. Available in written and audio format.
- Online test
- Not offered. You test in person.
- Appointment
- Not required. Walk-ins accepted at all Driver License Centers. No appointment needed.
Before you go
Documents to bring in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) asks for these documents for the permit test. Check the agency's current list before you go, because requirements change.
0 of 5 done
- Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
- Social Security card
- 2 proofs of Pennsylvania residency
- Parental consent (if under 18)
- Social Security card or tax records with SSN
If you fail
If you fail: Pennsylvania retake rules
If you fail the knowledge test you can retake it the following business day. PennDOT publishes no limit on knowledge-test attempts and charges no separate test or retest fee: testing is covered by your permit or license application fee. Road-test retakes are limited to 3 per learner's permit, with a 1-day wait if you are 18 or older and a 7-day wait if you are under 18. After 3 failed road tests, or if your permit expires, you must file a DL-31 permit extension for $6.00.
- Attempt limit: the agency does not publish one that we could confirm.
- Retest fee: the agency does not publish a per-attempt retest fee that we could confirm.
- Must file a new permit application (DL-31, Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application to Add/Extend/Replace/Change/Correct) and pay the $6.00 extension fee to keep testing.
- Must obtain a new Knowledge Test Authorization / reapply for the commercial learner's permit after three failed knowledge-test tries on a KTA.
Some retake details for Pennsylvania are not published by the agency (Agency does not publish: retake fee), so confirm them with PennDOT before you rely on them.
Who can test
Age and permit rules in Pennsylvania
- Under 18
- Must be at least 16. Must have parental consent. Must complete 65 hours of supervised driving (10 at night, 5 in bad weather) before the road test. Junior license restrictions until age 18.
- Permit versus license
- A learner's permit allows supervised driving with a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat. Must hold for at least 6 months before taking the road test.
- Where the test is given
- In-person at any PennDOT Driver License Center across the commonwealth.
- How you get results
- Immediate. Pass/fail shown on screen after completing the test.
Study material
Languages and handbook
Our record of exam languages for Pennsylvania: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Cambodian, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Mandinka, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
The study source is the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (2024-2025 edition). The agency also publishes a Spanish version of the driver manual.
From learner data
Most missed Pennsylvania practice questions
These free Pennsylvania questions have the lowest correct rates among learners on DMV IQ. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 5 and only questions with enough answers are listed. Each one shows the right answer, so read the reasoning in the handbook, not just the answer.
- 1
If you double your speed, your braking distance increases by about:
Four times
About 30% get it right
- 2
Defensive drivers constantly:
Ask 'what if' questions
About 35% get it right
- 3
A hand signal with the left arm extended downward means:
Slowing down or stopping
About 50% get it right
- 4
If the road is wet, you should reduce your speed by:
5-10 mph or more
About 50% get it right
- 5
A center lane marked on both sides by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line is used for:
Left turns from either direction
About 50% get it right
- 6
You park on a hill where there is no curb. Your front wheels should point:
Toward the edge of the road
About 55% get it right
Your plan
Free Pennsylvania study checklist
Work through the free practice runs and topic cards, and tick each one off. Your ticks stay on this device.
Test yourself on the Pennsylvania questions
Free practice tests and topic cards, each question with a hint and an explanation from the driver manual.
Start free practice test 1