Pennsylvania DMV Permit Test Learner's Permit and Junior License Summary

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.

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.

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.

Drivers under 18 must wait six months from the date the permit was issued and have the 65 hours of practice certified before they can schedule the road test.

Wrong choices

• One year: One year is how long the permit is valid, not the waiting time.
• Three months: Three months is too short.
• Nine months: The waiting period is six months, not nine.

You may apply for a learner's permit on or after your 16th birthday. You cannot apply before you turn 16.

Wrong choices

• 15 and a half: You must be at least 16, not 15 and a half.
• 17: You do not have to wait until 17.
• 18: You do not have to wait until 18. Teens can start at 16 with a parent's or guardian's consent.

Of the 65 hours, at least 10 hours must be at night and at least 5 hours in bad weather. A parent or guardian certifies the hours.

Wrong choices

• At least 5 hours at night and 10 hours in bad weather: This switches the numbers. It is 10 at night and 5 in bad weather.
• At least 10 hours at night and 10 hours in bad weather: The bad weather requirement is 5 hours, not 10.
• At least 20 hours at night and no bad weather hours: Bad weather practice is required, and the night requirement is 10 hours.

During the first six months of a junior license, the driver may carry no more than one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family, unless a parent or guardian is in the car. After six months, the limit can rise to three.

Wrong choices

• None: One such passenger is allowed.
• Two: Two is more than allowed in the first six months.
• Three: Three is the limit only after six months, and only with a clean record.

PennDOT says if you fail the knowledge test, you may take it again on the next business day.

Wrong choices

• After 7 days: You do not have to wait a week.
• After 30 days: You do not have to wait 30 days.
• Only after 6 months: Six months is the permit holding period before the road test, not a wait to retake the knowledge test.

After six months, the passenger limit usually rises to three. But the increase does not apply to a junior driver who was partly or fully responsible for a crash or convicted of a driving violation. This driver stays at one such passenger.

Wrong choices

• Three: Three is allowed after six months only for a driver with no at-fault crash or driving conviction.
• Four: Four is never the limit for a junior driver.
• None: The driver is not barred from all passengers. One is still allowed.

The 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew has exceptions for employment, public or charitable service, and volunteer fire company duty. The driver must carry a signed (notarized) affidavit or other required document. Riding with a parent, guardian, or spouse 18 or older is also an exception.

Wrong choices

• On weekend nights: The curfew applies every night, including weekends.
• After holding the junior license for six months: The curfew does not end after six months. That date only affects passenger limits.
• When driving within 5 miles of home: There is no distance exception to the curfew.