Pennsylvania DMV Permit Test: Learner's Permit and Junior License Concepts
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Overview
Pennsylvania lets new drivers build skill in steps. This chapter covers how to get a learner's permit, how much supervised practice you need before the road test, and the limits that come with a junior license.
You may apply for a learner's permit on or after your 16th birthday. To get it you pass a vision screening and the 18-question knowledge test, answering at least 15 correctly. If you fail, you may retake the test on the next business day. The permit is valid for one year, and it can be extended if you need more practice time.
If you are under 18, you must hold your permit for six months and complete at least 65 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours at night and 5 hours in bad weather. A parent or guardian signs a form certifying these hours before you take the road test.
Passing the road test gives a teen a junior license. A junior driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless an exception applies, such as work or volunteer fire company duty, or a parent, guardian, or spouse 18 or older is in the car. During the first six months, a junior driver may carry only one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family unless a parent or guardian is in the car. After six months the limit rises to three, but not for a driver who has been partly or fully responsible for a crash or convicted of a driving violation.
Key concepts
Learner's permit
You may apply on or after your 16th birthday. After you pass the knowledge test, the permit is valid for one year, with extensions for drivers who need more practice time.
Memory tipAge 16, valid one year.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Knowledge test
18 multiple choice questions on traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws, and safe driving. You must answer at least 15 correctly. If you fail, you may retake it on the next business day.
Memory tip15 of 18: you can miss only 3.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Supervised practice (under 18)
Hold the permit for six months and complete at least 65 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, including at least 10 hours at night and 5 hours in bad weather. A parent or guardian certifies the hours.
Memory tip6 months, 65 hours, 10 night, 5 bad weather.
Source: PennDOT, Young Driver · as of 2025
Junior license curfew
A junior license holder may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions include work, public or charitable service, and volunteer fire company duty with a signed affidavit, or riding with a parent, guardian, or spouse 18 or older.
Memory tipHome by 11, not out before 5.
Source: PennDOT, Young Driver · as of 2025
Junior license passengers
For the first six months, no more than one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family, unless a parent or guardian is in the car. After six months, up to three such passengers, but not for a driver who was partly or fully responsible for a crash or was convicted of a driving violation.
Memory tipOne friend for six months, then three if your record is clean.
Source: PennDOT, Young Driver · as of 2025
Often tested
- You may apply for a learner's permit on or after your 16th birthday.
- Pass the knowledge test with at least 15 of 18 correct.
- Under 18: hold the permit six months and log 65 hours, including 10 at night and 5 in bad weather.
- Junior license: no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies.
- Never carry more passengers than there are seat belts.
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. How many questions must you answer correctly to pass the Pennsylvania knowledge test?
- ① 12 of 18
- ② 14 of 18
- ③ 15 of 18
- ④ All 18
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Answer: ③ 15 of 18
Key point: Knowledge test: at least 15 of 18 correct
The knowledge test has 18 multiple choice questions, and you must answer at least 15 correctly to pass.
Wrong choices
- 12 of 18: 12 correct is not enough to pass.
- 14 of 18: 14 correct is one short of the passing score.
- All 18: You do not need a perfect score. You may miss up to 3 questions.
Question 2. A learner under 18 must complete how many hours of supervised driving before the road test?
- ① 30 hours
- ② 50 hours
- ③ 100 hours
- ④ 65 hours
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Answer: ④ 65 hours
Key point: Under 18: at least 65 hours of supervised driving
Learners under 18 must complete at least 65 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice, including at least 10 hours at night and 5 hours in bad weather, before the road test.
Wrong choices
- 30 hours: 30 hours is far below the requirement.
- 50 hours: 50 hours was the old requirement. It is now 65 hours.
- 100 hours: 100 hours is more than the law requires.
Question 3. A driver with a junior license may not drive alone during which hours?
- ① 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- ② 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- ③ 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- ④ Midnight to 6 a.m.
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ① 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Key point: Junior license curfew: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
A junior license holder may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless an exception applies, such as work or volunteer fire company duty, or a parent, guardian, or spouse 18 or older is in the car.
Wrong choices
- 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.: The curfew starts at 11 p.m., not 9 p.m., and ends at 5 a.m.
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.: The curfew starts at 11 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m.
- Midnight to 6 a.m.: The curfew starts at 11 p.m., not midnight, and ends at 5 a.m.
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