Washington Knowledge Test: 40 Questions and Where to Take It

New Washington residents and first-time drivers often make the same mistake: they show up at a Department of Licensing office expecting to take the written test on the spot. In Washington, that's usually not how it works. The Washington knowledge test is mostly given by DOL-approved driver training schools, which changes how you schedule, what you pay and where you sit. Here's the full picture, from the test format to what happens after you pass.

Washington knowledge test format

The test is short and the standard is clear:

Eight wrong answers is the most you can afford, so the test rewards steady, broad preparation rather than cramming one chapter. Questions mix road signs with situational rules: who yields at an uncontrolled intersection, how far to signal before a turn, what to do when a school bus stops, and how Washington handles impaired driving.

DMV Permit Prep's Washington permit test page and free practice tests mirror that mix, so you can see whether signs or rules are dragging your score down before test day.

Where to take it: driving schools vs DOL

This is the part that makes Washington different. Rather than testing everyone at licensing offices, Washington relies heavily on driver training schools that DOL has approved to give knowledge and skills tests. On DOL's own guidance, you schedule your test at a "training and testing location."

What that means in practice:

• You book with the school, not with DOL. Many schools offer appointments; some offer walk-in testing windows on set days.
• You'll usually need to be in DOL's system first. Some schools require that you've started an application or have a DOL record before they can submit your score.
• Bring photo ID. Testing locations verify who you are before you start.
• Your score goes to DOL electronically. You don't carry a paper result to the licensing office; the school reports it.

You don't have to be enrolled in a school's course to test there. Testing services are open to anyone who needs the test, including adults and people moving from another country.

If you're choosing a school for both training and testing, our guide on how to choose a driving school covers what to ask before you pay.

What it costs

DOL doesn't set one statewide price. Its guidance says the fee varies by location, so check with the testing site. Some schools charge per attempt, while others bundle a retake into the price. Ask before you book, and ask what the retake policy is if you don't pass the first time.

Languages and accommodations

According to DOL, the knowledge test is available in 12 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Arabic, Punjabi, Tagalog and Ukrainian. Not every school offers every language, so confirm with your testing location before you go.

If you need an accommodation for a disability, such as extra time or a reader, contact the testing location ahead of your appointment so they can arrange it. For a broader look at multilingual testing nationwide, see our post on taking the permit test in Spanish and other languages.

Instruction permit rules

Washington calls its learner's permit an instruction permit. There are two ways to get one as a teen:

1. Age 15, enrolled in driver training. If you're enrolled in an approved course, you can get your permit at 15, and the knowledge test requirement for the permit can be handled through your course.
2. Age 15½, not enrolled. You must pass the knowledge test (and vision screening) before DOL issues the permit.

With an instruction permit, you may drive only with a licensed driver who has at least five years of driving experience sitting beside you, or with a driver training instructor. The permit is valid for one year.

Teen driver's ed requirement

Washington requires drivers under 18 to complete an approved driver training course before getting an intermediate license. To move from instruction permit to intermediate license, a teen must:

• Be at least 16.
• Hold the instruction permit for at least six months.
• Complete driver training.
• Log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night, certified by a parent or guardian.
• Pass the knowledge test (if not already passed) and the driving skills test.
• Have no traffic violations or convictions during the permit period.

The intermediate license comes with restrictions. According to DOL, for the first six months you may not carry passengers under 20 unless they're immediate family; after that, no more than three passengers under 20 who aren't family. You also can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 25 or older is with you. These restrictions lift after a period of safe driving.

Washington has also been expanding driver training requirements to cover young adults. If you're between 18 and 24, check DOL's current rules before assuming you can skip a course.

Your pass is valid 2 years

Once you pass, your knowledge test result stays valid for two years. That matters in a few situations:

• Teens who test at 15½ have plenty of time to finish permit practice and driver training without retesting.
• Adults who pass but delay their skills test need to complete licensing within the two-year window, or they'll test again.
• New residents waiting on documents can test early and still use the result months later.

If you're unsure how Washington's 40 questions compare elsewhere, our state-by-state guide on how many questions are on the permit test puts it in context. For the official list of testing options and rules, see the Washington State Department of Licensing's driver training and testing page.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I take the Washington knowledge test?

Most people take it at a DOL-approved driver training school that offers testing. Schedule directly with the school, bring photo ID, and confirm they offer the test in your language.

How much does the WA knowledge test cost?

There's no single statewide price; DOL says the fee varies by testing location. Ask the school for its price and whether a retake is included.

Can I take the WA permit test online?

No. The official Washington knowledge test is taken in person at an approved testing location. Online tests, including ours, are practice tools to help you prepare.