Wisconsin Road Signs & Driver Knowledge Test Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 50
- Passing score
- 80% (40 of 50 on the knowledge test; 12 of…
- Exam fee
- $0
- Governing body
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation
The Wisconsin Road Signs & Driver Knowledge Test is the written exam new drivers take before getting a permit or license. It is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Division of Motor Vehicles and checks whether you can identify road signs and apply the state's traffic laws.
Overview
The knowledge test covers road signs, rules of the road, and safe driving practices drawn from the official Wisconsin Motorists Handbook. Road signs are not folded into a single combined score — Wisconsin gates them into their own section.
- A 50-question knowledge test covering signs, laws, and safe driving
- A separate 15-question highway signs test focused specifically on identifying and understanding road signs
Exam format
The knowledge test includes 50 questions, and you need to answer 80% of them correctly to pass. The highway signs portion is scored separately: it has 15 questions, and you need 12 correct (also 80%) to pass that section.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the official WisDOT knowledge test?
The official knowledge test administered by WisDOT includes 50 questions.
What is the passing score for the Wisconsin knowledge test?
You must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly to pass.
Does Wisconsin have a separate test for road signs?
Yes. WisDOT scores a separate 15-question highway signs test, and you need to answer 12 of those questions correctly (80%) to pass it.
What happens if I fail the Wisconsin knowledge or signs test?
If you don't pass, you can typically retake the test, though your local DMV office may set waiting periods or limits on same-day retakes. Check with your local Wisconsin DMV office for current retake rules.
Who administers the Wisconsin driver knowledge and road-signs test?
The test is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Division of Motor Vehicles.
Sources
- 1.Wisconsin driver knowledge test — official test description — Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Division of Motor Vehicles (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- Wisconsin knowledge tests - Wisconsin DMVWisconsin DMV (WisDOT)wisconsindot.gov
- Instruction permit (temps) - Wisconsin DMVWisconsin DMV (WisDOT)wisconsindot.gov
- DMV fees - Wisconsin DMVWisconsin DMV (WisDOT)wisconsindot.gov
- Wisconsin driver knowledge test — official test descriptionWisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Division of Motor Vehicleswisconsindot.gov
Last verified against the official exam content outline: