Chapter 9 · Lesson 1 of 1
About the knowledge exam
3 min read · Knowledge Exam Sample Questions
Explanation
The driver’s knowledge exam is a multiple-choice test based on Indiana law, defensive driving practices, and the content of the driver’s manual. It’s required in several situations: applying for a learner’s permit, certain new-resident cases, renewing a license expired more than 180 days, renewing with six or more active points on your driving record, and some military-related renewal cases. On exam day, you must arrive at the branch at least 30 minutes before it closes to take the computer-based exam; if you fail, you must wait until the next business day to retake it.
The exam itself has two components: sign recognition, drawn from Chapter 6, and traffic rules and laws, drawn from Chapters 6, 7, and 8. To pass, you need 80% or higher correct on each component separately — scoring well on one component doesn’t make up for a low score on the other.
Example
An applicant scores 90% on the sign component but only 75% on the traffic-rules component. Because each component needs its own 80%, this applicant does not pass, even though the overall average is above 80%.
Common mistake
Assuming an overall average score is what matters. The manual requires 80% or higher on each component individually, not an averaged total.
What the manual says
On the actual knowledge examination, you must have 80% or higher correct on each component to pass the exam.
If you fail the knowledge exam, you must wait until the next business day to retake it.
Sources
- Manual p. 5
“The driver's knowledge exam is a multiple-choice exam based on Indiana law, defensive driving practices, and information contained in this driver's manual.”
- Manual p. 5
“Learner's permit applications”
- Manual p. 5
“An Indiana resident whose driver's license has been expired for more than 180 days”
- Manual p. 5
“A driver who has six or more active points on an Indiana driving record and is renewing their driver's license”
- Manual p. 5
“You must arrive at the branch at least 30 minutes before the branch closes to take the computer-based knowledge exam that day.”
- Manual p. 5
“If you fail the knowledge exam, you must wait until the next business day to retake it.”
- Manual p. 63
“There are two components to the practice knowledge examination for the Learner's Permit or Driver's License Exam. The first tests your knowledge of common signs you may encounter on the knowledge exam. The signs are found in Chapter 6 of the Driver's Manual. The second component will test your knowledge of traffic rules and laws you may encounter on the knowledge exam. The traffic rules and laws are found in Chapters 6, 7, and 8 of the Driver's Manual.”
- Manual p. 63
“On the actual knowledge examination, you must have 80% or higher correct on each component to pass the exam.”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3