---
title: "Washington knowledge test: pass mark, languages and where to start"
title_es: "Examen teórico de Washington: nota, idiomas y primeros pasos"
title_zh: "华州笔试入门：40 道题、中文考试与官方备考入口"
state: wa
published: 2026-10-13
html: https://usdmv.app/wa/blog/wa-knowledge-test-basics
markdown: https://usdmv.app/wa/blog/wa-knowledge-test-basics.md
---

# Washington knowledge test: pass mark, languages and where to start

Check the 32-out-of-40 pass mark, find official Chinese guides, confirm your testing location, and note the November 2026 course requirement.

- Español: Examen teórico de Washington: nota, idiomas y primeros pasos
- 中文: 华州笔试入门：40 道题、中文考试与官方备考入口

### Article — English

### Start with the official requirements

Washington's licensing agency is **DOL**. Its [testing requirements](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/do-i-need-take-test) say the knowledge test has **40 questions** and requires **32 correct answers**. A passing score is valid for two years. Whether you need this test depends on your licensing history; read the official table before booking.

### Chinese study and test options

The [official driver-guide page](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-guides) links to English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese editions. DOL lists 12 knowledge-test languages, including both Chinese versions. Confirm the language with your chosen testing location.

### Where to book and what to study

Use the [DOL training and testing directory](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-schools-and-testing-locations). Ask the location about booking, language, fees and any retest waiting period; do not assume every licensing office administers your test. Fees vary by location.

Read the handbook, then try DOL's [English sample questions](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-online-practice-test) or [Spanish sample questions](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/espanol-spanish-practice-test). These short samples are not a complete exam bank. Review parking and headlight distances in the [numbers quick-reference table](/wa#number-sheet).

### A requirement starting November 1, 2026

DOL says first-time Washington license applicants **under 25** must complete the free online [Work Zone and First Responder Course](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/work-zone-and-first-responder-course) when getting their first WA license on or after **November 1, 2026**. Eligibility depends on your age and licensing date; this is not a change to the 40-question test.

Sources checked **October 13, 2026**. [WA Driver](/wa) is now available on Google Play, with English, Spanish and Chinese practice and 40-question mock tests.

### Article — Español

### Empieza por los requisitos oficiales

La agencia de licencias de Washington es el **DOL**. Sus [requisitos de examen](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/do-i-need-take-test) indican **40 preguntas** y **32 respuestas correctas** para aprobar. El resultado aprobado vale dos años. La necesidad de examinarte depende de tu historial; consulta la tabla oficial.

### Manuales e idiomas

La [página oficial de manuales](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-guides) ofrece inglés, español, chino simplificado y tradicional. El DOL enumera 12 idiomas de examen, incluidos ambos chinos. Confirma el idioma con el centro elegido.

### Reserva y preparación

Busca en el [directorio de formación y exámenes del DOL](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-schools-and-testing-locations). Pregunta por reserva, idioma, tarifa y espera para repetir; no supongas que todas las oficinas administran el examen. Las tarifas dependen del centro.

Lee el manual y prueba las [preguntas oficiales en inglés](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-online-practice-test) o [español](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/espanol-spanish-practice-test). Son muestras breves, no el banco completo. Repasa con la [tabla de cifras](/wa#number-sheet).

### Un requisito desde el 1 de noviembre de 2026

Según el DOL, quienes obtengan su primera licencia de Washington con **menos de 25 años**, a partir del **1 de noviembre de 2026**, deben completar el [curso gratuito en línea de obras y emergencias](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/work-zone-and-first-responder-course). Depende de la edad y fecha de licencia; no cambia el examen de 40 preguntas.

Fuentes revisadas el **13 de octubre de 2026**. [WA Driver](/wa) ya está disponible en Google Play, con práctica en inglés, español y chino y simulacros de 40 preguntas.

### Article — 中文

### 先核对自己需要参加什么考试

华盛顿州的驾照管理机构是 **DOL**。官方[考试要求页面](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/do-i-need-take-test)公布：知识考试共 **40 道题，至少答对 32 道**，及格成绩有效期为两年。是否需要参加考试与已有驾照和申请情况有关，先看官方表格，再安排预约。

### 中文手册与中文考试

[DOL 官方手册页](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-guides)提供英文、西班牙文、简体中文和繁体中文版本。知识考试语言列表共 12 种，也包含两种中文。不同考点的语言安排需要提前确认，不能只看官网列表就默认现场一定有。

### 去哪里预约，先学什么

在 [DOL 培训机构与考点目录](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-schools-and-testing-locations)查询地点，再向考点确认预约方式、考试语言、费用和补考等待要求。不要默认每个驾照办公室都能安排你的笔试；考试费用也因考点而异。

先读手册，再做官方[英文练习题](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-online-practice-test)或[西班牙文练习题](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/espanol-spanish-practice-test)。这些短样题帮助熟悉问法，不是完整考试题库。复习数字时，直接查看[华州笔试数字速查表](/wa#number-sheet)，把停车和灯光规则的适用场景一起记住。

### 留意 2026 年 11 月 1 日起的新要求

DOL 公布：**2026 年 11 月 1 日或之后首次取得华州驾照、当时未满 25 岁**的申请人，需要完成免费的线上[施工区域与应急人员安全课程](https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/work-zone-and-first-responder-course)。是否适用看首次领证日期和当时年龄；这不是把 40 道知识考试改成另一套题。

资料核对日期：**2026 年 10 月 13 日**。[WA Driver](/wa) 已在 Google Play 上线，支持中英西三语练习和 40 题模拟考试。

Official rules: confirm on the state agency site. This is a study aid, not the DMV or MVC.