{"slug":"state-permit-test-difficulty","title":"Hardest Permit Tests by State (2026): Pass Marks Ranked","description":"23 states publish both the question count and the pass mark for their permit test. Maryland asks for 88%, Massachusetts 72%. Figures quoted from each agency.","updated":"2026-09-09","url":"https://www.everyexamprep.com/reports/state-permit-test-difficulty","license":"Free to reuse and cite with attribution to Every Exam Prep and a link to the report URL.","columns":[{"name":"state","description":"State"},{"name":"questions","description":"Questions"},{"name":"pass_mark","description":"Pass mark"},{"name":"correct_to_pass","description":"Correct to pass"},{"name":"misses_allowed","description":"Misses allowed"},{"name":"notes","description":"Notes"},{"name":"source","description":"The publisher page this row was verified against."}],"rows":[{"state":"1. Maryland","questions":"25","pass_mark":"88%","correct_to_pass":"22 of 25*","misses_allowed":"3*","notes":"—","source":"https://mva.maryland.gov/licenses-ids/prepare-drivers-license-test/knowledge-tests"},{"state":"2. Virginia","questions":"40*","pass_mark":"85%*","correct_to_pass":"34 of 40*","misses_allowed":"6*","notes":"Two parts: all 10 road-sign questions must be correct before the 30-question general part opens, which is passed at 24 of 30. Combined figures shown; the effective pass mark is 100% on signs and 80% on the rest.","source":"https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/know-exam"},{"state":"3. Pennsylvania","questions":"18","pass_mark":"83%*","correct_to_pass":"15 of 18","misses_allowed":"3*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/pennsylvania-drivers-manual/online-drivers-manual/testing"},{"state":"4. Vermont","questions":"20","pass_mark":"80%*","correct_to_pass":"16 of 20","misses_allowed":"4*","notes":"—","source":"https://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/documents/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdf"},{"state":"5. Connecticut","questions":"25","pass_mark":"80%*","correct_to_pass":"20 of 25","misses_allowed":"5*","notes":"—","source":"https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/take-knowledge-vision-test"},{"state":"6. Iowa","questions":"25","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"20 of 25*","misses_allowed":"5*","notes":"—","source":"https://iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/driver-education/manuals-practice-tests/take-practice-test"},{"state":"7. Kansas","questions":"25","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"20 of 25*","misses_allowed":"5*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/dlhb.pdf"},{"state":"8. Missouri","questions":"25","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"20 of 25*","misses_allowed":"5*","notes":"—","source":"https://apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/DVSD/DE/faqs.html"},{"state":"9. Nevada","questions":"25","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"20 of 25","misses_allowed":"5*","notes":"Adaptive: the test stops as soon as 20 answers are correct or 6 are wrong.","source":"https://dmv.nv.gov/dltesting.htm"},{"state":"10. Arizona","questions":"30","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"24 of 30*","misses_allowed":"6*","notes":"—","source":"https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/written-and-verbal-tests"},{"state":"11. Maine","questions":"30","pass_mark":"80%*","correct_to_pass":"24 of 30","misses_allowed":"6*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/driver-licenses-and-ids/car-license/drivers-license-exam"},{"state":"12. Tennessee","questions":"30","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"24 of 30*","misses_allowed":"6*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classd/teengdl/knowledge-test-online.html"},{"state":"13. Oregon","questions":"35","pass_mark":"80%*","correct_to_pass":"28 of 35","misses_allowed":"7*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Forms/DMV/37.pdf"},{"state":"14. Louisiana","questions":"40","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"32 of 40*","misses_allowed":"8*","notes":"—","source":"https://public.powerdms.com/LADPSC/documents/347039"},{"state":"15. Washington","questions":"40","pass_mark":"80%*","correct_to_pass":"32 of 40","misses_allowed":"8*","notes":"—","source":"https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/do-i-need-take-test"},{"state":"16. Florida","questions":"50","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"40 of 50","misses_allowed":"10*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/licensing-requirements-teens-graduated-driver-license-laws-driving-curfews/class-e-knowledge-exam-driving-skills-test/"},{"state":"17. New Jersey","questions":"50","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"40 of 50","misses_allowed":"10*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.nj.gov/mvc/pdf/license/drivermanual.pdf"},{"state":"18. Utah","questions":"50","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"40 of 50*","misses_allowed":"10*","notes":"The 50-question closed-book version for never-licensed applicants; previously licensed applicants take a 25-question open-book test.","source":"https://dld.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Driver-Handbook-REV-3.2026.pdf"},{"state":"19. Wisconsin","questions":"50","pass_mark":"80%","correct_to_pass":"40 of 50","misses_allowed":"10*","notes":"Plus a separate 15-question Highway Signs Test passed at 12 of 15, scored on its own.","source":"https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds126-motorists-handbook.pdf"},{"state":"20. Oklahoma","questions":"20","pass_mark":"75%*","correct_to_pass":"15 of 20","misses_allowed":"5*","notes":"—","source":"https://oklahoma.gov/service/popular-services/written-test.html"},{"state":"21. Georgia","questions":"40*","pass_mark":"75%*","correct_to_pass":"30 of 40*","misses_allowed":"10*","notes":"Two sections of 20 questions, Road Rules and Road Signs, each passed separately at 15 of 20; totals shown are the two sections added together.","source":"https://dds.georgia.gov/testing-and-training/test-and-exams-information"},{"state":"22. Ohio","questions":"40","pass_mark":"75%","correct_to_pass":"30 of 40","misses_allowed":"10*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-gdl.aspx"},{"state":"23. Massachusetts","questions":"25","pass_mark":"72%*","correct_to_pass":"18 of 25","misses_allowed":"7*","notes":"—","source":"https://www.mass.gov/doc/learners-permit-knowledge-test-faqs/download"}]}