What's the Passing Score on the Washington Permit Test?
The Washington DOL's written knowledge test requires answering at least 32 of 40 questions correctly, an 80% passing threshold, across a mix of multiple-choice and true/false questions scored as one combined result.
How the score is calculated
An 80% threshold on 40 questions means you can miss up to 8 and still pass, but missing more typically means a retest is required.
The DOL sets and can adjust this threshold, so confirm the current passing score on the official Washington DOL 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 Washington 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 Washington applicants commonly lose points
The intermediate license's two-tiered passenger restriction — zero non-family passengers under 20 for the first six months, then up to three afterward — trips up applicants who assume a single flat rule applies the whole time.
Washington's E-DUI law is broader than test-takers often expect: it bans essentially any handheld interaction with a phone, not just texting, and applies as a primary offense.
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 Washington permit test?
With a passing score of 80% on 40 questions, you can miss up to 8 and still pass. Confirm the current format and threshold with the Washington DOL.
Are true/false questions weighted differently than multiple-choice questions?
No — all 40 questions count equally toward the same 80% passing threshold, regardless of whether a given question is multiple-choice or true/false.
Does completing driver's education change the passing score I need?
Driver's education affects eligibility and timelines for younger applicants, but the knowledge test's passing score itself is set by the DOL and doesn't change.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Washington permit practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-20