The Texas DMV test, and how to pass it
Also for CDL: air brakes and combination. Both are federal, so they are the same test in every state.
To pass any Texas knowledge exam you need a grade of 70 percent or better, which the Texas Department of Public Safety states in the Texas Driver Handbook and sets by rule in the Administrative Code. TxDPS does not publish how many questions the Class C exam contains, so any site quoting an exact number is not citing DPS.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026), Chapter 1; 37 TAC s. 15.52, checked September 9, 2026. TxDPS.
The format, and where each number comes from
| Questions | Not published by the agencyTexas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026) and dps.texas.gov, checked September 9, 2026TxDPS does not publish the number of questions on the Class C knowledge exam. What it does publish is the pass mark, so we give that instead of repeating a count with no source behind it. |
| Correct to pass | Not published as a countTexas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026), Chapter 1, checked September 9, 2026Expressed as a percentage rather than a count, because the count is not published. |
| Pass mark | 70%Texas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026), Chapter 1; 37 TAC s. 15.52, checked September 9, 2026The handbook states it plainly: a grade of 70 percent or better passes any knowledge exam. The same threshold is set by rule in the Texas Administrative Code. |
| Learner permit age | 15, and only after completing the classroom phase of driver educationTexas Driver Handbook DL-7, Chapter 1; Transportation Code s. 521.1601, checked September 9, 2026 |
| Supervised hours | 30 hours, of which at least 10 must be at nightTxDPS graduated driver licensing requirements, checked September 9, 2026On top of 7 hours of in-car instruction and 7 hours of in-car observation within the driver education course. |
| Retakes | Three attempts per application, then a new application and feeTexas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026), checked September 9, 2026An application is held for 90 days after a first failure. After 90 days, or after three failed exams, a new application is required. |
What Texas asks that other states do not
Texas requires driver education of every first-time applicant under 25, not just teenagers, which catches adults moving from other states. Every applicant must also complete the Impact Texas Drivers video course before the driving exam. There is no points system on a Texas licence at all: instead a driver becomes a habitual violator at four convictions in 12 months. Drivers under 18 face a total wireless ban including hands-free, and the adult supervising a learner commits a criminal offence if they sleep, are intoxicated or are otherwise not paying attention. Posted limits run to 85 mph on some highways, the highest in the country, and annual safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles ended on 1 January 2025.
| Pass mark | 70 percent on any knowledge exam |
| Driver education | Required for every first-timer under 25 |
| Points system | None. Four convictions in 12 months is habitual |
| Minimum insurance | 30/60/25 |
| Move over | Slow to 20 mph below the limit |
Our Texas paper carries 24 questions on rules like these, plus 70 on the parts that do not change between states, such as federal sign shapes and right of way.
What the exam covers
These are the sections of the Texas Driver Handbook, form DL-7, revised January 2026 that the knowledge exam is drawn from, in the handbook’s own order.
- Your licence to drive. Learner rules, driver education, the habitual violator count and licence validity.
- Right of way. Intersections, yielding, emergency vehicles and who goes first in Texas.
- Signs, signals and markers. Turning on red, dark signals, and what Texas markings require.
- Passing and turning. Overtaking, shoulder use and signalling requirements.
- Speed and parking. Texas speed limits, the 85 mph maximum and stopping rules.
- Alcohol and drugs. Zero tolerance, DWI thresholds and implied consent in Texas.
- Special situations. Move over, school buses, phones, pickup beds and inspections.
- Sharing the road. Motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians and the Class M rules.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook, form DL-7, revised January 2026. Read the official handbook.
Common questions
How many questions are on the Texas permit test?
TxDPS does not publish the number of questions on the Class C knowledge exam. What it does publish is the pass mark: 70 percent. TxDPS does not publish the number of questions on the Class C knowledge exam. What it does publish is the pass mark, so we give that instead of repeating a count with no source behind it.
How old do you have to be to get a learner permit in Texas?
15, and only after completing the classroom phase of driver education.
How many supervised driving hours does Texas require?
30 hours, of which at least 10 must be at night. On top of 7 hours of in-car instruction and 7 hours of in-car observation within the driver education course.
How many times can you retake the Texas permit test?
Three attempts per application, then a new application and fee. An application is held for 90 days after a first failure. After 90 days, or after three failed exams, a new application is required.
Other states: all US permit practice tests.
Sources: Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division; Texas Driver Handbook, form DL-7, revised January 2026. Checked 9 September 2026. Original practice questions, not the official examination questions, and not affiliated with or endorsed by TxDPS.