Topic 1 · Introduction
For the DMV written test, you must answer at least:
- Half of the questions correctly
- All questions correctly
- About 83% of questions correctly — correct answer
Why
The pass mark is about 83% — 38 of 46 questions for applicants under 18, 30 of 36 for adults.
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
More from Introduction
- If you are nervous on test day, you should:
- Why should you not just aim to pass the test?
- The DMV written test is based on information from:
- What is the best source for up-to-date driving laws for the written test?
- Why are examples in the manual useful?
- What is the first step toward getting a Class C driver’s license in California?