DMV Washington · Fees, age, and practice test
Washington Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Start the free Washington practice testSourced procedural facts for Washington DMV, plus a free 500-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
Free Washington DMV practice test with 500 practice questions written from the official Washington State Driver Guide, each with an explanation and a handbook page citation. No signup and no ads. The Washington permit test has 40 questions, and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass. Page updated 2026-10-15.
Also here: exam simulator in the real test format, flashcards for the whole bank, a one-page cheat sheet, handbook lessons, chapter by chapter, and audio read-aloud for questions.
How many questions are on the Washington permit test?
The Washington permit test has 40 questions, and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass.
See the official source · Checked 2026-10-18 against the official text on file.
How much does the Washington permit test cost?
The knowledge-test fee varies by approved testing location.
- Learner permit / application fee: $35 for the first one-year learner permit.
- Initial driver license fee: $111 for a six-year or $131 for an eight-year first standard driver license, including application, issuance and technology fees.
Source: Washington State Department of Licensing · Fee source checked 2026-10-05. Our 500-question Washington practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Is the Washington permit test hard?
You can miss up to 8 of the 40 questions and still pass with 32 correct (80%).
Every question comes from the Washington State Driver Guide, so reading it and practicing until you pass consistently is the most direct preparation.
What do I need to bring to the Washington DMV for a permit?
The official Washington checklist for a permit has 10 items, covering application, identity, Social Security number, residency, parent or guardian, driver education, fees and vision test.
Who this list covers: First-time standard passenger-vehicle learner permits completed in person with a photograph: age 15 with approved driver training, or age 15 years 6 months and older through the knowledge-test route. Includes citizens and noncitizens. Excludes enhanced/REAL ID credentials, transfers and road tests.
- Pre-apply for a WDL number and complete the permit application
- An accepted original identity-document combination
- Parent/guardian identity documents if using that alternative
- Evidence of your current name if your documents differ
- Your SSN if assigned, or the no-SSN declaration
- Your current Washington residential address for the application
- Under 18: An authorized adult’s permission and relationship documents
- Training enrollment or a passed knowledge test
- Payment for the permit and any testing-provider charge
- Be ready for any required vision or medical screening
Source: official Washington document list · Checked 2026-10-05. Conditions and exceptions for each item are on the full printable checklist, with a source for every item.
Practice the Washington permit test now
500 questions written from the official Washington driver manual. Free, no signup, with an explanation and the manual quote for every answer.
Your 3-stage Washington study path
- Stage 1: Study the sheets. Read the Washington cheat sheet for signs, numbers, and must-know rules.
- Stage 2: Drill topics. Run the free Washington practice test with instant explanations until weak topics turn green.
- Stage 3: Simulate the exam. Take the timed exam simulator under graded practice conditions.
Washington verified practice bank · 500 questions · Page updated 2026-10-15
Before your Washington knowledge test
Cost details
- Testing and driver-training charges are additional to the $35 permit fee; ask the testing provider for its price. Official cost source
- The first standard license is a separate $111 six-year or $131 eight-year transaction. Official cost source
Before you apply
These notes cover selected application steps. Check the linked official instructions for the full requirements for your situation.
- Pre-apply through License Express to get your WDL number; give it to your driver training school if enrolling. Official application instructions
- Choose the training or knowledge-test route for your age. Under-18 applicants need consent, and photo permits require an office appointment with identity documents. Official application instructions
Cost and application notes checked .
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years old if enrolled in driver training; 15 and a half if waiting until age 18 for a license
Permit fee
$35 for the first one-year learner permit.
Initial license fee
$111 for a six-year or $131 for an eight-year first standard driver license, including application, issuance and technology fees.
Questions on the knowledge test
40 questions
Passing score
32 out of 40 correct answers (80%)
Retake fee
The retest fee varies by testing location; confirm the provider’s charge.
Supervised driving before road test
40 hours of daylight and 10 hours of night driving with someone licensed for at least 3 years
What to bring
Washington Driver License number, proof of identity documents for a photo permit, parent or guardian if under 18, documents showing parent or guardian connection, and the $35 permit fee
Find an office / appointment
Appointments and Locations page with online scheduler; different office types have separate scheduling.
REAL ID status
Washington does not issue a REAL ID-branded card; instead offers the Enhanced Driver License (EDL) as its equivalent. Requires U.S. citizenship, proof of WA residency, and SSN. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Minimum age 16. Requires a valid WA driver license and knowledge and skills tests; riders under 18 must pass an approved 2-wheel safety course and have parental consent.
Commercial license (CDL)
18 for intrastate-only, 21 for interstate. Requires DOT medical certificate/physical, knowledge test, skills test, and a commercial learner's permit (CLP) first.
Official source: Washington State Department of Licensing
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) site.
Washington DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fee | $35 for the first one-year learner permit. | source |
| Initial license fee | $111 for a six-year or $131 for an eight-year first standard driver license, including application, issuance and technology fees. | source |
| Retake fee | The retest fee varies by testing location; confirm the provider’s charge. | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Washington DMV practice test (500 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Washington driver license covers
Initial license fee: $111 for a six-year or $131 for an eight-year first standard driver license, including application, issuance and technology fees. (official source)
REAL ID status: Washington does not issue a REAL ID-branded card; instead offers the Enhanced Driver License (EDL) as its equivalent. Requires U.S. citizenship, proof of WA residency, and SSN. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Washington DMV site for exact card timelines.
Getting a license in Washington
Getting your first permit
In Washington, the minimum permit age is 15 years old if enrolled in driver training; 15 and a half if waiting until age 18 for a license. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: washington Driver License number, proof of identity documents for a photo permit, parent or guardian if under 18, documents showing parent or guardian connection, and the $35 permit fee. Appointments and Locations page with online scheduler; different office types have separate scheduling.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
Before the road test, the state requires 40 hours of daylight and 10 hours of night driving with someone licensed for at least 3 years.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
Washington does not issue a REAL ID-branded card; instead offers the Enhanced Driver License (EDL) as its equivalent. Requires U.S. citizenship, proof of WA residency, and SSN. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: minimum age 16. Requires a valid WA driver license and knowledge and skills tests; riders under 18 must pass an approved 2-wheel safety course and have parental consent. For a commercial license (CDL): 18 for intrastate-only, 21 for interstate. Requires DOT medical certificate/physical, knowledge test, skills test, and a commercial learner's permit (CLP) first.
The Washington bank has 500 questions across 9 topics
Test day: what to bring and where to go: a printable Washington checklist of the documents for the permit test, plus the official office finder and appointment links.
Study the handbook, chapter by chapter: 18 free lessons that boil the Washington driver manual down to the rules and exact numbers on the test, each quoted with its page.
The Washington questions learners miss most: ranked from anonymous first-attempt answers on this site, each with the correct answer and its handbook lesson.
One Washington permit test question a day
A free email each morning with one real practice question, the answer at the bottom, and the manual page it comes from. Confirm by email first; unsubscribe in one click.