What's the Passing Score on the Tennessee Permit Test?
Tennessee's written knowledge test requires answering at least 24 of 30 questions correctly, an 80% passing threshold, within a 60-minute time limit — whether you test at home via the Proctor ID App or in person at a Driver Services Center.
How the score is calculated
An 80% threshold on 30 questions means you can miss up to 6 and still pass, but missing more typically means a retest is required.
TDOSHS sets and can adjust this threshold, so confirm the current passing score on the official Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website before your appointment.
Setting a practice target
Since 80% is the minimum, a reasonable practice goal is to consistently score 90% or higher across all 34 Tennessee permit topic areas before your appointment, giving yourself a safety margin.
Our practice tests show your score as a percentage immediately after each set, along with a topic-by-topic breakdown so you know exactly which rules to review again.
Where Tennessee applicants commonly lose points
Tennessee's zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21 surprises applicants who assume a low-but-nonzero threshold applies — in Tennessee, any detectable amount of alcohol at all triggers the law.
The Intermediate Restricted license's passenger and curfew rules, including the parent-designated 21+ driver exception, are a common source of missed questions.
Reviewing the explanation after every practice question, not just whether you got it right, is the fastest way to close these gaps before test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions can I miss on the Tennessee permit test?
With a passing score of 80% on 30 questions, you can miss up to 6 and still pass. Confirm the current format and threshold with TDOSHS.
Is the passing score different for the at-home Proctor ID App test?
No — both formats use the same 30-question test, 80% threshold, and 60-minute time limit; only the location and supervision differ.
Does completing driver's education change the passing score I need?
Driver's education can affect licensing timelines for younger applicants, but the knowledge test's passing score itself is set by TDOSHS and doesn't change.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Tennessee permit practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-20