What Grade Do You Need to Pass the DMV Written Test?

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is “how many questions will be on the test?”. This is closely followed by “what score do I need to pass?”. And, of course, the question with the answer that tends to shock people but also lends some insight into how much studying is required for the driver’s written test, “what is the overall pass rate for my state?”. Pass rate refers to the percentage who pass the written test after the first attempt.

Well, we decided to put the information into a document for easy reference. Pass rate isn’t available for every state, as every state doesn’t publish it, but we’ve included it where we could find it. And, it’s important to note that pass rate does fluctuate by month. We’ve included the most recently published and available data we could find.

For those with an interest in highest and lowest:

*State with the highest pass rate: Iowa and Massachusetts tie with an 80% pass rate

*State with the lowest pass rate: Mississippi with a 40% pass rate

*State with the lowest score required to pass the test: Vermont with a passing score of 64% correct

If you have any questions, or have other topics you’d like for us to cover, please email us at [email protected]

State # Questions Passing Score Pass Rate

Alabama 40 80% 45%
*Alaska 20 80% 50%
*Arizona 30 80% 40%
*Arkansas 25 80% 53.4%
*California 46 80% 45%
*Colorado 25 80% 68.2%
*Connecticut 25 80% 70%
*Delaware 30 80% Unknown
*Florida 40 75% 41.9%
*Georgia 40 75% Unknown
*Hawaii 30 83% Unknown
*Idaho 40 85% Unknown
*Illinois 35 80% 45%
*Indiana 50 84% Unknown
*Iowa 35 80% 80%
*Kansas 25 80% Unknown
*Kentucky 40 80% 70%
*Louisiana 40 80% Unknown
*Maine 30 80% 65%
*Maryland 20 70% 47.3%
*Massachusetts 25 72% 80%
*Michigan 50 80% Unknown
*Minnesota 40 80% 54%
*Mississippi 30 80% 40%
*Missouri 25 80% 38.6%
*Montana 33 80% Unknown
*Nebraska 25 80% 50%
*Nevada 50 80% 58.4%
*New Hampshire * 40 80% 75%
*New Jersey 50 80% Unknown
*New Mexico 25 72% 80%
*New York 20 70% 77.5%
*North Carolina 37 81% Unknown
*North Dakota 25 80% Unknown
*Ohio 40 75% Unknown
*Oklahoma 50 80% Unknown
*Oregon 35 80% 54%
*Pennsylvania 18 83% 45%
*Rhode Island 50 80% Unknown
*South Carolina 30 80% Unknown
*South Dakota 25 80% Unknown
*Tennessee 30 80% 50%
*Texas 30 70% Unknown
*Utah * 25 80% Unknown
*Vermont 20 64% 70%
*Virginia 46 80% Unknown
*Washington 40 80% 50%
*West Virginia 25 76% Unknown
*Wisconsin 50 80% 71.7%
*Wyoming 25 76% Unknown

*New Hampshire also has a timed test, and if candidates take more than 40 minutes to take the test they will fail the test

• Utah has an open book test.