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You must obtain a learner's permit before you operate a motor vehicle on public roadways in Pennsylvania. You will need to take and pass the vision, knowledge and road tests to get your driver’s license. The Pennsylvania DMV written test covers the information found in the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual, and includes questions on road rules, traffic laws, road signs and markings, and safe driving practices. The PA DMV written test consists of 18 questions, and you'll need at least 15 correct answers to pass (83%). After passing the DMV knowledge test, the examiner will give you a learner's permit, which is valid for 1 year.
1. This sign means:
bicycle crossing sign
Warning: a bike-way crosses the roadway ahead.
Bicycle zone ahead.
The lane ahead is reserved for bicycles.
Bicycles must yield to vehicles ahead.
2. If you see a “lane closed ahead” sign you should:
speed to the end of the closed lane and try to get into the other lane.
merge into the correct lane when it is safe.
make a U-turn. You are on the wrong side of the road.
None of the above.
3. This sign tells drivers that:
must turn sign
they must stop at the next intersection.
they cannot go straight ahead.
left and right turns are not allowed.
a divided highway is ahead.
4. The traffic light is green and you want to drive straight through an intersection. If a car is already in the intersection and is making a turn, you must:
drive through the intersection. You have the right-of-way.
wait for the next green light.
enter the intersection and then stop.
let that car complete its turn before you enter the intersection.
5. If your car breaks down on the highway, you should:
use your four-way flashers to warn other drivers.
flash your headlights at oncoming traffic.
sound your horn to warn passing vehicles.
stop in the right lane.
6. Service signs are ____ with ____ letters and symbols.
blue; white
white; green
green; white
white; black
7. A broken white line:
marks the right edge of the roadway.
means passing or crossing is prohibited in that lane.
separates two lanes traveling in the same direction.
None of the above.
8. When a hazard is seen ahead, reaction distance:
is how far a vehicle will continue to travel, in ideal conditions, before the driver hits the brakes.
is the sum of perception distance and braking distance.
equals total stopping distance minus perception distance.
None of the above.
9. If you are under age 21, and are convicted of carrying a false ID card, you will be required to pay a fine and your license will be suspended for:
90 days.
30 days.
six months.
three years.
10. After an emergency vehicle passes you with its siren on, you must:
drive as fast as the emergency vehicle.
reduce your speed and drive near the curb.
drive closely to emergency vehicle.
avoid driving closer than 500 feet behind the emergency vehicle.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

You are eligible to obtain a learner's permit in Pennsylvania when you reach the age of 16. After 65 hours of supervised driving and the road test, you can apply for a junior license. An unrestricted license (class C) is issued at the age of 18, or for individuals under 18 with a junior license, provided they have maintained a clean record for one year and have completed an approved driver's education course.

Visit one of the Pennsylvania driver license centers to take your DMV written test.

You'll need to bring the following documents:

The DMV written test in Pennsylvania is available in both written and audio formats. It is provided in Arabic, Albanian, Burmese, Chinese (Mandarin), Dari, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandingo, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Additionally, if you are deaf or hearing impaired, you have the option to request an interpreter at least two weeks in advance.
To prepare for the DMV written test, read the Pennsylvania Driver's Handbook or use the audio version. Verify your knowledge with the free tests at the end of chapters 2, 3, 4, and sign up for DMV Premium to access all our practice tests. Once your scores are good, you are ready for the real exam.

The DMV written test in Pennsylvania consists of 18 questions covering topics such as road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. If you have carefully read the manual and taken various practice tests, you should be able to answer each question without any problem.
You can make up to 3 mistakes on the Pennsylvania DMV written test. To pass, you need to answer at least 15 questions correctly, achieving an 83% accuracy rate. Take your time to read each question accurately.

If you have a learner's permit and are under 18, you are permitted to drive only under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old or a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18 with a license. The supervisor must be seated in the front seat. Upon obtaining a junior driver's license:
  • You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or your spouse who is at least 18 years of age. Exceptions apply for volunteering or work activities, but you must present a certificate of authorization.
  • During the first six months, you may transport only one non-sibling passenger under 18, unless supervised by a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18 with a license. After six months, unless you have been convicted after a crash, you may drive with a maximum of three passengers under 18 (except for siblings), unless accompanied by a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18 with a license. 

A learner's permit in Pennsylvania is valid for one year. If it expires, the renewal cannot be completed online and you are required to complete the Form DL-31 at a Pennsylvania DMV Office. It's important to note that if you haven't taken or successfully completed the road test within three years of your physical examination, you must submit a new permit application and retake the DMV written test.
If you do not pass your DMV written test in Pennsylvania, you must wait until the next business day to make another attempt. Focus on the sections of the manual you have overlooked to have a deep understanding of the road rules.

PA DMV Permit Practice Test

Number of questions: 18
Correct answers to pass:15
Passing score:83%
Minimum age to apply: 16
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