Failed the Texas permit test: when you can retake it
Failing the written test is common and fixable. Here is what Texas says about retaking it, and a plan for the next attempt.
- How soon you can retake
- Not stated on the official page — ask your DMV office.
- Attempts
- application fee forfeited if any single exam failed three times
- Retest fee
- application fee covers attempts until 3 failures of a single exam or 91 days
- After repeated failures
- After three failures of a single exam the application fee is forfeited (reapply/pay again)
From the official source
The application fee shall be forfeited if the applicant fails any single exam three times.
Before your next attempt
- Write down the topics you got wrong: signs, right-of-way, speed limits, alcohol rules, distances. The retest usually draws from the same pool.
- Reread only those chapters of the official Texas handbook, not the whole book.
- Take our Texas practice tests until you score 90% or more three times in a row — the real pass mark is lower, so that is a safe margin.
- Use the mistake review: it shows only the questions you missed, with the handbook section for each.
- The night before, do one exam simulation and stop. Sleep beats cramming.
Practice for the retakeReview my mistakes
Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV.