How Many Questions Are on the Washington Permit Test?
The Washington State Department of Licensing's knowledge test has 40 questions — a mix of multiple-choice and true/false — and you need to answer at least 32 of them correctly (80%) to pass.
The official test format
Unlike states that use multiple-choice questions exclusively, Washington mixes in true/false questions alongside the standard multiple-choice format.
The test is taken on a computer terminal at a DOL office or an approved driver training school, with no remote testing option.
Because DOL procedures and formats can change, always confirm the current requirements on the official Washington DOL website before your appointment.
How the questions are distributed by topic
The official test draws from the full Washington Driver Guide, covering right-of-way, signs and signals, and Washington-specific rules like the intermediate license restrictions and the E-DUI distracted-driving law.
Our free Washington permit practice tests cover 34 topic areas, including a dedicated set of sign-recognition questions, so you can see exactly which areas need more review.
How our practice tests are structured
Rather than mirroring the exact 40-question format, dmvwrittenexam.com splits its 148 original Washington permit questions into multiple 25-question practice tests, giving you far more repetitions than the official test alone would.
Each question includes an explanation and a source reference, so you learn why an answer is correct instead of just memorizing a letter or true/false.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Washington test use only multiple-choice questions?
No. Washington's 40-question knowledge test mixes multiple-choice and true/false questions, a less common format than the multiple-choice-only tests used in many other states.
Is the test scored as one combined result?
Yes. Unlike some states that split the exam into separately-scored sections, Washington scores all 40 questions together toward a single 80% threshold.
What happens if I don't pass the Washington permit test?
Retake policies, including any waiting period, are set by the DOL and can vary. Check with your local DOL office or the official DOL website for current retake rules.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Washington permit practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-20