Washington Permit Practice Test (2026)
Reviewed by the DriveCar editorial team. Last updated .
Washington issues driver licenses and learner permits through the Department of Licensing (DOL). To get a learner permit, you must be at least 15 years old (with driver education) or 15 and a half without. You must pass a vision test and a written knowledge test. The Washington State Driver Guide is free on the DOL website.
Sourced from the official Washington State Department of Licensing Washington driver manual.
Washington permit test at a glance
Sources: Washington DOL Get your learner permit Washington State Driver Guide (plain-text PDF) Washington DOL Driver guides Washington DOL Do I need to take a test?
How to pass the Washington permit test
Read the Washington State Driver Guide cover to cover. The test has 40 questions. You must answer 32 right to pass. That is 80%. Take the free DOL practice test online. A passing score is good for 2 years, so plan your schedule. Get a full night of sleep before the test.
Retake policy
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait 4 hours before retaking. Each retest costs $10. After 3 consecutive failures, a 24-hour cooling-off period applies. A passing knowledge test is good for 2 years.
Washington driver-test resources
Compare nearby states
DMV rules vary state-by-state. If you also drive in or near Washington, these neighbors' tests are worth a look.
Washington DMV FAQ
How old do I need to be to get a Washington learner permit?
You must be at least 15 years old if you are enrolled in driver education. Without driver ed, you must be 15 and a half.
How many questions are on the Washington permit test?
The Washington knowledge test has 40 questions. You must answer 32 correctly to pass. That is 80%.
How much does the Washington learner permit cost?
The instruction permit fee is $35. Each knowledge test retake at a DOL kiosk is $10.