What happens if you fail the permit test?
Failing the knowledge test is common and not the end of anything: every state lets you take it again. What differs is how soon and how many times.
What to do next
- Find out which topics you missed. Some states show your result by section; otherwise use our practice tests, which keep track of your weak spots in your browser.
- Re-read those chapters of your state's handbook. Our explanations name the handbook section for every answer.
- Take the exam simulator for your state until you pass it three times in a row.
- Check your state's waiting period and fee below before you book again.
Retake rules by state
| State | Retakes |
|---|---|
| Alaska | If failed, the written test may be retaken the following day. |
| Arizona | Wait at least 7 days after failing a written or road test.. Up to 3 written-test attempts without paying another application fee. |
| California | Under 18: wait 7 days after a failed test, not counting the day you failed. The DMV lists no waiting period for applicants 18 and older.. You get 3 attempts to pass per application fee (the application is valid 12 months). After that you must reapply. |
| Colorado | @Home: as many times as needed, but no more than twice in one day. |
| Connecticut | If you fail the knowledge test you must wait seven days and pay $40 to reschedule. If you fail the vision test you can reschedule immediately. |
| Washington DC | Three full calendar days after a failed knowledge test (fail on Tuesday, retest Saturday). Cheating (phones, watches, study materials, talking) means a failed test and a 60-day wait.. If you fail six times within 12 months, you can't take a seventh test until 12 months after the first failure. |
| Georgia | After a 1st failure, wait until the next day. After a 2nd or later failure, wait 7 days. If you fail the road test because of an accident or traffic violation (ticketed or not), wait 30 days. All retests require an appointment and payment of the permit fee (no refunds).. You pay the $10 permit fee before testing, and again before every attempt. It is not refunded if you fail any part. |
| Hawaii | Wait 7 days after a failed knowledge test. Under state rules, a retest after a failed knowledge or road test must be at least one week and no more than thirty days later. |
| Idaho | 3 days after a failed knowledge test; the $5 knowledge test fee must be paid again.. ITD sets no limit on attempts. Each retest requires a 3-day wait and a new $5 fee. |
| Illinois | The SOS sets no general waiting period. If you are caught cheating, you fail and may not retake the written test for 30 days.. Three attempts to pass each exam within one year of the date the application fee was paid. |
| Indiana | If you fail the knowledge exam, wait until the next business day to retake it. Passing results are valid for 180 days. |
| Iowa | If you fail, you may retake the test when the examiner allows; there is no fixed waiting period. Test results are valid 180 days. |
| Kansas | Next working day. Re-exams within 6 months of the last exam cost $1.50; after 6 months a $3.00 abandonment fee is charged instead.. Four chances to pass; after the fourth failure, wait at least six months from the most recent failed exam. |
| Kentucky | If you fail the written test, you may come back the next available day to retake it. |
| Maryland | After a first failure, you can retest the next business day if an appointment is available. After failing two or more times, wait at least 7 calendar days before retesting. This applies to all noncommercial and commercial knowledge tests. |
| Massachusetts | If you fail, you pay the $30 exam fee again for another exam. If your permit expires, you must retake the exam. |
| Michigan | Next day (in-office failure ends testing for that day). In office: failing to get a passing score ends the testing process, and you must reschedule and retest on a different day. Online: up to two attempts per calendar day, paying the $6.50 fee each time; if you pass one section online but fail the other, you can finish the full test at a branch office at no charge. A passed knowledge test is valid for one year, but you must retake it if you apply for a new TIP after the old one expires. |
| Minnesota | Next day (only one written test per day). One written test per day; after two consecutive failures a $10 fee is charged for the third and each later test |
| Mississippi | All knowledge exams are taken in person. No cell phones, ear buds, smart watches or other electronics are allowed in the testing area. If you are caught cheating or with banned items, your test is cancelled and you may not test again for 6 months (appeal in writing within 30 days to [email protected]). |
| Missouri | No waiting period beyond the two-per-day limit.. Up to two written tests per day (statewide), during business hours, until you pass. |
| Montana | The license receipt is valid one year and allows three attempts within that year to pass all required examinations; then you must reapply. |
| Nebraska | A failed test can't be retaken the same day. Tests 1-3: one day between tests. Test 4: the current date plus 7 days.. No limit on tests 1-5. From test 4 the system asks whether the applicant has been told all options; after a 5th failure a supervisor gives test-6 instructions; after a 6th failure the applicant must complete an approved driver training course or wait 90 days from the last failure. |
| Nevada | If you fail, you can retake the test the next day. If you are disqualified online, you can retake it after 24 hours. |
| New Hampshire | 10 calendar days after a failed knowledge or road test. Missing a road test or cancelling with less than 24 hours' notice means a 30-day wait. |
| New Jersey | 7 days after a failed knowledge test; 14 days after a failed road test |
| New Mexico | Written test: no wait (same day allowed, up to two attempts per week). Road test: at least one week. After three failures of either test: six months.. You may retake the written test as soon as you want, even the same day, but no more than twice in one week. After failing the written or road test three times, you must wait six months from the application date before retesting. |
| North Carolina | Applicants who do not pass the knowledge test or driving test for a regular Class C license may retake the test in seven calendar days. |
| North Dakota | Next day. A failed test can't be retaken the same day.. One attempt per day ($5 per attempt). |
| Ohio | One day (at least 24 hours).. No limit in person (one attempt per day); online limited to two attempts in a six-month period. |
| Oklahoma | Wait at least one day before retesting.. No limit on attempts overall, but only two online attempts; after two online fails you must test in person. Each failed attempt adds $4 to the issuance fee. |
| Oregon | None required (same day possible). If you are caught cheating, you can't test for 90 days.. In an office: if you fail, you may test again the same day, depending on office testing resources. Online: at most 2 attempts in any 24-hour period and 4 online attempts in total per test type; after that you must test at a DMV office. |
| Pennsylvania | Next business day after a failure.. Only one attempt on any day, regardless of test location. |
| Rhode Island | Wait at least 8 days after a failed knowledge exam. |
| South Dakota | Next working day after a failure; at least two weeks if caught cheating.. 3 test attempts per fee paid, within 6 months. After 3 failures (or 6 months), you must pay the fee again. |
| Tennessee | Mandatory 1-day (24-hour) wait after failing; no test repeated the same day. Cheating = automatic failure and 30-day wait.. Online test: at most two attempts; the department may require a retake at a center. |
| Texas | Fee is paid before any exam. If the knowledge and driving exams are not passed on the first attempt, the application is held for 90 days; after 90 days or three failed exams, a new application and fee are required. |
| Utah | No fixed wait. You can take up to two tests per day; retests are by appointment.. Fee covers up to three attempts within 12 months; then a second fee for three more. Up to two tests per day. |
| Vermont | If you fail the knowledge test, wait at least one day before taking another. |
| Virginia | Under 18: must wait a full 15 days (fail Jan 1, earliest retake Jan 17). 18 and older: one attempt per day.. Once per business day. After three failures the applicant must complete the classroom component of driver education (or, for 18+, and for under-18s who already finished classroom driver ed, an 8-hour DMV-approved course based on the Driver's Manual) before a fourth attempt. Results valid 1 year; each retake requires a new application with identity and residency documents. |
| Washington | If you don't pass, there may be a waiting period before you can retest. |
| West Virginia | If you fail the knowledge or road skills test, you may not be tested twice within one week. Online (Know to Drive) test: wait seven days after failing; a passing online score is valid 6 months. |
| Wisconsin | Applicants who fail may retake the test no sooner than the next day.. The same test may be taken five times within a one-year period; after five failed attempts, special permission from DMV staff is needed. Online (ages 15-17): two attempts, then the third attempt must be at a DMV service center. |
| Wyoming | The same written test may be taken only twice in one day. Check with WYDOT before you go.. The same written test may be taken only twice in one day. |
From each state's licensing agency. States not listed don't publish a waiting period or limit, or we haven't confirmed it yet.