Pennsylvania Permit Test Passing Score: 15 of 18 Correct, 83% Required

Pennsylvania requires you to answer 15 out of 18 questions correctly on the permit test. You can miss a maximum of 3 questions before the test terminates with a fail.

Pennsylvania PennDOT Permit Test Scoring

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation administers an 18-question computerized exam. The test stops immediately when you miss your 4th question.

• Total Questions: 18 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving.
• Passing Score: 15 correct answers equals 83.3%.
• Margin for Error: 3 incorrect answers allowed.
• Automatic Termination: Missing 4 questions ends the test instantly since passing becomes mathematically impossible.

If you score 14/18 (78%), that is a fail. PennDOT allows another knowledge-test attempt on the following business day. The three-attempt limit applies to the road test, not the standard non-commercial knowledge test.

Do You Have to Get Every Road-Sign Question Correct to Pass the Pennsylvania Permit Test?

No. PennDOT gives the standard knowledge-test passing requirement as 15 correct out of 18 overall, not a perfect score on signs. See the road-sign guidance for the separate regulatory road-sign examination provision.

Is the Pennsylvania Permit-Test Passing Score the Same for Adults and Teens?

Yes. The standard non-commercial knowledge test uses the same 15-of-18 passing score for adult and teen applicants.

Pennsylvania PennDOT's Complete Permit Score Breakdown

These figures compare answer totals out of 18. The kiosk may stop before all 18 answers are recorded once the outcome is decided.

For example, 13 correct answers and four wrong answers total 17 questions. The fourth error makes reaching 15 correct out of 18 impossible.

In Philadelphia, someone confused yield and stop sign questions, accumulating 4 errors by question 16. They returned the following business day.

Another applicant in Allentown barely scraped by with exactly 15 correct, missing questions on the 65-hour supervised driving requirement for junior drivers.

Does the Passing Score Change for an Audio or Translated Pennsylvania Knowledge Test?

No separate passing score is published for an audio or translated version of the standard non-commercial knowledge test. The standard requirement remains 15 correct answers out of 18.

Where to Check Pennsylvania Permit Test-Day Documents and Fees

Check the permit application and document guidance for forms, identification, and medical certification, and the fee guidance for current costs.

The scoring rule remains the same: 15 correct answers out of 18 are required to pass.

After You Pass the Pennsylvania PennDOT Permit Test

Once you reach 15 correct answers, you have passed the knowledge test and can complete the remaining permit-issuance steps at PennDOT.

Next, follow the supervision and practice requirements for your age and check the road-test eligibility guidance.