Permit test by state/Washington

Washington permit test: 40 questions, 32 to pass

Washington’s learner permit knowledge test is run by the Washington State Department of Licensing. 40 questions · 32 correct to pass (80%) — you can miss 8.

Checked September 24, 2026 against the WA DOL — Driver training and testing. Rules change — confirm with the Washington State Department of Licensing before you test.

Questions40
Correct to pass32 (80%)
Wrong answers allowed8
Road signs scored separatelyNo separate minimum published
Study fromWashington Driver Guide

How to pass the Washington permit test on the first try

  1. Get the Washington Driver Guide. The test is written from it, so treat it as the syllabus, not background reading.
  2. Learn signs by shape and color first. Sign shapes are standardized nationally — an octagon is always stop, a triangle always yield, a diamond always a warning — so a sign you’ve never seen can still be read from its shape.
  3. Make a numbers sheet. Speed limits, following distances, parking distances and BAC limits are where most points are lost — they’re easy to confuse and easy to test.
  4. Practice at the real length. Take 40-question practice tests and don’t book the real one until you score 90% twice in a row — that leaves margin over the 8-miss limit.

Washington practice questions are in the works

We write every bank from the official handbook, with an explanation and a source note on each answer. Leave your email and we’ll send one message when the Washington bank opens — 20 questions free.

Meanwhile, our free guide to the most-missed DMV test concepts covers the rules that trip up drivers in every state.

Washington permit test FAQ

The standard car knowledge test has 40 questions and you need 32 correct to pass (80%).

8. Miss 9 and you fail.

The Washington Driver Guide. Every question on the real test comes from it. Start with road signs and right-of-way, then the numbers people forget: speed limits, following distances, and blood-alcohol limits.