Pennsylvania Retake Rules & Pass Rates

Next business day. PennDOT publishes no attempt cap for the knowledge test.

Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 1: Tests, Knowledge Test section · Verified Aug 2026

No retake fee. The knowledge test carries no PennDOT fee, so a retake costs nothing.

Source: No retake fee. The PennDOT Driver Licensing Fee Chart (FS-DLF, July 2025) lists no knowledge-test or road-test retake fee. PennDOT Online Driver's Manual, Chapter 1 (Testing): a failed knowledge test may be retaken "the following business day"; "You have three chances with each learner's permit to pass the road test before the expiration date of the learner's permit." · Verified Aug 2026

77% pass; 2020-2023 pooled; all tests administered (first attempts not separated); knowledge test. The figure comes from a 2024 analysis of test results supplied by 36 state licensing agencies, pooled across 2020 to 2023. It counts every test administered, so retakes are mixed in with first attempts.

Source: USA TODAY Blueprint, 'Nearly 35% fail driver's license tests: Indiana leads the way' (Apr 18, 2024), analysis of test results provided by each state's licensing agency ("We analyzed knowledge and skill driver's license test results from 36 states from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. Test results were provided by the state organization overseeing driver's licensing and motor vehicles.") · Verified Aug 2026