DMV Test Difficulty by State — All 50 States Ranked (2026)

By DMV Master Editorial Team Verified Source: official state driver handbooks
Quick Answer

Based on passing threshold and test length, Indiana has the hardest DMV written test in the US in 2026 (50 questions, 84% to pass), while New York has the most forgiving format (20 questions, 70% to pass). Pennsylvania runs the shortest test in the country at 18 questions; Indiana the longest at 50. Passing thresholds nationwide range from 70% to 88%.

Hardest

Indiana

50 questions · 84% to pass

Most forgiving

New York

20 questions · 70% to pass

Shortest test

Pennsylvania

Only 18 questions — but 83% required

Longest test

Indiana

50 questions · 84% to pass

The full 2026 ranking

Rank 1 = hardest. Click any state for its free practice test. Score combines passing threshold (70%) and test length (30%), normalized across all 50 states.

Rank State Questions To pass Misses allowed Difficulty score
1 Indiana 50 84% 8
84.4
2 Idaho 40 85% 6
79
3 California 46 83% 8
76.8
4 Maryland 25 88% 3
76.6
5 Florida 50 80% 10
68.9
6 Michigan 50 80% 10
68.9
7 Nevada 50 80% 10
68.9
8 New Jersey 50 80% 10
68.9
9 Utah 50 80% 10
68.9
10 Wisconsin 50 80% 10
68.9
11 Virginia 35 83% 6
66.5
12 Kentucky 40 80% 8
59.5
13 Louisiana 40 80% 8
59.5
14 Minnesota 40 80% 8
59.5
15 New Hampshire 40 80% 8
59.5
16 Washington 40 80% 8
59.5
17 Illinois 35 80% 7
54.8
18 Iowa 35 80% 7
54.8
19 Oregon 35 80% 7
54.8
20 Montana 33 80% 6
53
21 Pennsylvania 18 83% 3
50.6
22 Alabama 30 80% 6
50.1
23 Arizona 30 80% 6
50.1
24 Delaware 30 80% 6
50.1
25 Hawaii 30 80% 6
50.1
26 Mississippi 30 80% 6
50.1
27 South Carolina 30 80% 6
50.1
28 Tennessee 30 80% 6
50.1
29 Arkansas 25 80% 5
45.5
30 Colorado 25 80% 5
45.5
31 Connecticut 25 80% 5
45.5
32 Kansas 25 80% 5
45.5
33 Missouri 25 80% 5
45.5
34 Nebraska 25 80% 5
45.5
35 North Carolina 25 80% 5
45.5
36 North Dakota 25 80% 5
45.5
37 Oklahoma 25 80% 5
45.5
38 Rhode Island 25 80% 5
45.5
39 South Dakota 25 80% 5
45.5
40 Wyoming 25 80% 5
45.5
41 Alaska 20 80% 4
40.8
42 Vermont 20 80% 4
40.8
43 Georgia 40 75% 10
40.1
44 Ohio 40 75% 10
40.1
45 Maine 35 74% 9
31.5
46 West Virginia 25 76% 6
29.9
47 Massachusetts 25 72% 7
14.3
48 New Mexico 25 72% 7
14.3
49 Texas 30 70% 9
11.2
50 New York 20 70% 6
1.9

Methodology

Difficulty score = 70% × passing threshold + 30% × test length, each min-max normalized across all 50 states, scaled 0–100. A stricter passing bar dominates the score because it directly determines how many mistakes end your attempt; a longer test contributes because it widens the material you must actually know.

Question counts and passing scores are compiled from each state's official driver handbook and licensing agency, and verified as of July 16, 2026. This index measures the written knowledge test format only — it does not incorporate road-test difficulty, wait times, or graduated-licensing requirements.

The underlying data for every state is published on its practice test page and license guide.

Journalists & bloggers — cite freely

This data is free to reference with attribution. Suggested citation: "DMV Master 2026 Test Difficulty Index, dmvmaster.org" with a link to this page. For state-specific data pulls or comment, email pass@dmvmaster.org.

Per-state fact sheets available on request. We respond within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

Which state has the hardest DMV written test?

By passing threshold and test length, Indiana has the hardest DMV written test in 2026: 50 questions with 84% required — only 8 wrong answers allowed. Practice the Indiana test →

Which state has the easiest DMV written test?

New York has the most forgiving format: 20 questions with a 70% passing score. Practice the New York test →

Which state has the shortest DMV test?

Pennsylvania — just 18 questions, though it requires 83% to pass. The longest is Indiana at 50 questions.

What passing score do most states require?

Most states require 80%. The strictest threshold is 88% (Maryland); the most lenient is 70% (Texas, New York).

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