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The Florida Class E knowledge exam, usually called the Florida permit test, has 50 multiple-choice questions and you need 40 correct (80%) to pass, according to FLHSMV. This page covers what is on it, where and how you can take it, what a retake costs and how to study for it.
Florida permit test: key facts
| Item | Florida rule |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50 multiple choice |
| Pass mark | 40 correct (80%) |
| Topics | Florida traffic laws, road signs, safe driving, and alcohol and drug effects |
| Online option | Under 18 only, through an approved third party administrator |
| 18 and over | In person |
| Retake fee after a fail | $10 per retest (s. 322.12, as of November 2026) |
| Study source | Florida Class E Driver License Handbook |
What is on the Florida Class E knowledge exam?
Florida law (s. 322.12(3)) says the Class E exam must test your ability to read and understand road signs and your knowledge of Florida traffic laws, including the laws on driving under the influence and the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving. At least 25 questions in the state’s question bank must cover bicycle and pedestrian safety.
FLHSMV sums it up as Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices and identifying traffic controls. In practice that means two kinds of question:
- Road rules: anything in the handbook, from right of way and speed to alcohol and the law and Florida license rules.
- Road signs and controls: regulatory, warning and guide signs, signals and markings. See US road signs by shape and color.
Can you take the Florida permit test online?
Yes, if you are under 18. FLHSMV lets any applicant under 18 take the Class E knowledge exam online through an approved third party administrator. Applicants 18 and over must test in person at a driver license office or tax collector office.
For the online exam, Florida law (s. 322.56(8)) requires:
- A parent, guardian or responsible adult gives the provider their driver license number and certifies they will monitor you during the exam.
- You answer personal security questions set before the exam.
- Before the learner’s license is issued, the same adult certifies to FLHSMV that they monitored you.
Passing online can trigger a free random retest at an office. See taking Florida tests with a third party administrator.
Before the exam: course and documents
- Under 18: you need the approved driver education course (DETS) before FLHSMV will issue your learner’s license.
- 18 and over, never licensed: you need the TLSAE course. See TLSAE and DETS explained.
- At the office: identity, Social Security number and address documents. Under 18s also need parental consent, signed in front of the examiner or a notary.
Vision and hearing exam
Every Class E applicant also takes an eyesight test, given by a driver license examiner or a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician, and a hearing test (s. 322.12(3)). If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them.
Language of the Florida knowledge exam
English only. FLHSMV moved all driver license knowledge and skills exams to English on February 6, 2026, removed printed exams in other languages and stopped allowing translation services. Older Florida pages and handbooks that list Spanish, Haitian Creole and other languages are out of date.
How to pass the Florida permit test
- Read the handbook in full. The questions come from the current Florida Class E Driver License Handbook.
- Use the FLHSMV study guide. FLHSMV publishes a study guide showing where each answer is in the 2023 handbook. Work through it with the handbook open.
- Learn the numbers. Know the Florida-specific figures: the learner hours, curfew times, points rules and blood alcohol limits. The learner’s license rules and curfew guides list them.
- Drill signs by shape and color until you can name any sign from a glance.
- Do not guess the alcohol section. See zero tolerance for under 21s.
If you fail
You can retake it. Each retest after a failed first attempt costs $10 under s. 322.12(1), as of November 2026. Wait times between attempts may vary by office or provider, so check before you rebook.
Common questions
How many questions can you miss on the Florida permit test?
10. You need 40 of the 50 correct.
Is the Florida permit test hard?
It rewards reading the handbook. The questions test Florida’s own rules, so general driving knowledge from movies or other states is not enough.
Can adults take the Florida knowledge test online?
No. FLHSMV limits the online exam to applicants under 18.
Do I need to take the knowledge test if I have an out of state license?
Usually not. Florida may waive the knowledge and skills tests if you surrender a valid license from another state, a Canadian province or the US Armed Forces (s. 322.12(1)). See moving to Florida.
How do other states’ permit tests compare?
See the US permit test by state.
Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.
Sources
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, announcement of English-only driver license knowledge and skills exams from February 6, 2026 (flhsmv.gov)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Class E Knowledge Exam & Driving Skills Test” (flhsmv.gov)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “General Information” (flhsmv.gov)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “2023 Florida Class E Driver Handbook Study Guide Answer Locations” (flhsmv.gov)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.12, Examination of applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.56, Contracts for administration of driver license examination” (leg.state.fl.us)