Pennsylvania learner's permit and knowledge test

Pennsylvania knowledge-test format

Pennsylvania's knowledge test covers traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws and safe-driving practices. It has 18 multiple-choice questions and you need 15 correct answers to pass. If you fail, PennDOT allows another attempt on the next business day.

18 questions, 15 correct

PennDOT states that the knowledge test has 18 multiple-choice questions and requires 15 correct answers. It measures your knowledge of traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws and safe-driving practices.

PennDOT offers written/audio testing in many languages

PennDOT publishes a list of languages available on request at Driver License Centers, including English, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian, among others. Voice testing is also available on request.

The steps to a Pennsylvania driver license

You can apply for a Pennsylvania non-commercial learner's permit at age 16. The process starts with Form DL-180 and its health-care-provider section, then identity documents, vision screening, the knowledge test and finally the road test.

1. Step 1. Complete the Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application, Form DL-180.
2. Step 2. Have the health-care-provider section completed; the physical cannot be dated more than six months before your 16th birthday.
3. Step 3. If you are under 18, complete the Parent or Guardian Consent Form, DL-180TD.
4. Step 4. Take the required original identity/date-of-birth document, signed Social Security card and fee to a Driver License Center.
5. Step 5. Pass vision screening and the 18-question knowledge test.
6. Step 6. Practice on the learner's permit and meet the under-18 training rules if they apply to you.
7. Step 7. Schedule and pass the road test.

Before you go: requirements and documents

Standard learner's-permit checklist

• Completed Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application, Form DL-180.
• Original proof of date of birth and identification from PennDOT's accepted list; photocopies are not accepted.
• Signed Social Security card.
• Applicable permit/license fee.
• If under 18, completed Parent or Guardian Consent Form, DL-180TD.

The DL-180 also includes your health-care-provider section

Your health care provider completes the medical section of DL-180. If your provider or optometrist does not perform the vision test, PennDOT tests your vision at the Driver License Center.

Fees

PennDOT's current fee table lists the combined Initial Permit and Four-Year License fee at $45.50. The Initial Permit and Two-Year License option for age 65+ is $33.50.

See the full Pennsylvania fee guide →

Pennsylvania learner's permit rules for drivers under 18

Pennsylvania's non-commercial learner's permit starts at age 16. Drivers under 18 have extra requirements before the road test: parental consent, a six-month permit period and 65 hours of supervised driving.

Start with the learner's permit at age 16

Applicants cannot apply for the non-commercial learner's permit before their 16th birthday. An applicant under 18 also submits the Parent or Guardian Consent Form, DL-180TD.

Six months and 65 supervised hours before the road test

Pennsylvania requires an under-18 driver to wait at least six months from the permit issue date and complete 65 hours of supervised driving before the road test. The 65 hours include at least 10 hours at night and 5 hours in bad weather.

Junior-license restrictions continue after the road test

PennDOT's Young Driver information describes restrictions for junior drivers, including a general 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. nighttime restriction and passenger limits, with listed exceptions. Review the current Young Driver page when you move from the permit to a junior license.

First Pennsylvania driver license for adults 18+

An adult who has never been licensed still begins with Pennsylvania's non-commercial learner's-permit process: DL-180, required documents, vision screening, the knowledge test, practice and a scheduled road test.

Adults start with the same learner's-permit application

Complete DL-180 and the health-care-provider section, bring the required original identity/date-of-birth proof, signed Social Security card and fee, then pass vision and knowledge testing at a Driver License Center.

The six-month/65-hour rule is an under-18 requirement

PennDOT identifies the mandatory six-month permit period and 65 supervised hours as requirements for applicants under 18. Adult first-time drivers should still practice until they can safely perform the skills evaluated on the road test.

Schedule the road test when you are ready and eligible

Pennsylvania requires a road-test appointment. Bring the valid permit, original vehicle insurance and registration, and the accompanying driver's valid license. A maximum of three road-test attempts is allowed on each permit.

• Pennsylvania road test

Appointments and office visits

A standard learner's-permit knowledge test is taken at a PennDOT Driver License Center after you complete the application steps. A non-commercial road test requires an appointment and can be scheduled online or through PennDOT's call center.

Open the appointment guide →

Pennsylvania PennDOT office and testing locations

PennDOT's official locator lets you search by ZIP code, city or address and filter by the service you need. It covers PennDOT Driver License and Photo Centers; approved business partners and third-party testers use separate locator resources.

After the permit: prepare for the road test

Pennsylvania's non-commercial road test requires an appointment. Bring your valid learner's permit, the required under-18 forms if applicable, original insurance and registration for the vehicle, and the accompanying driver's valid license.

What to bring to the road test

• Your valid learner's permit.
• If under 18, the Parent or Guardian Certification Form DL-180C and DL-180TD as required by PennDOT.
• Original valid proof of vehicle insurance.
• Original valid vehicle registration.
• The accompanying driver's valid driver's license.

The examiner checks the vehicle and your driving

PennDOT's road test is given on the road. The manual explains that the examiner first checks the vehicle's required equipment and controls, then evaluates driving skills. Review parking, observation, traffic controls, turns, lane position and safe vehicle control before test day.

A permit includes up to three road-test attempts

PennDOT allows a maximum of three road-test attempts on each permit. If you are under 18 and fail, the published waiting period before another attempt is seven days; applicants over 18 must wait at least one day.

PennDOT-authorized third-party testing locations can also administer non-commercial skills tests. Contact the approved provider directly for its availability and fee.

Open the full road-test guide →

Practice for the Pennsylvania knowledge test

Pennsylvania missions are not live in Road to Permit yet. For now, use the current Pennsylvania Driver's Manual, PennDOT practice resources and the free Pennsylvania guides on this site.

Open Pennsylvania study guide →

What to study

Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.

1. 1Use PennDOT's current manual as the source of truth
2. 2Study the chapters that PennDOT tests
3. 3Pair the manual with PennDOT practice material
4. 4Know the three basic sign categories
5. 5Study signals and pavement markings too
6. 6Use PennDOT's own sample questions
7. 718 questions, 15 correct
8. 8PennDOT offers written/audio testing in many languages
9. 9A failed knowledge test can be retaken the next business day

Pennsylvania permit test: questions and answers

Complete Pennsylvania driver guide

Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.