What to Bring to the DMV Permit Test and the Road Test

Book an appointment first

In most cases you need to plan your visit ahead of time.

• California: you apply for an instruction permit and then visit a DMV office; you can schedule an appointment for the visit. Knowledge tests are not available at DMV offices after 4:30 p.m., and the drive test is booked through the DMV appointment system.
• Texas: appointments are made through Driver License Services – Appointments. A road test can be booked up to 180 days in advance, and the Customer Service Center cannot schedule, reschedule or cancel road tests.
• Pennsylvania: appointments are required for the non-commercial road test. You can schedule online or by calling 717-412-5300.
• New York: if you are under 18, you can take the permit test online and then make an appointment at a DMV office. Plan ahead: the DMV needs three business days to review your results and documents. For the road test, arrive up to 15 minutes early; if you are late, you may have to reschedule.

Documents for the permit (knowledge) test

All five states ask you to prove who you are, and several also ask for your Social Security number and address. Always bring originals.

• New York: a completed Application for a Permit (MV-44) and proofs of identity, age and residence (the full list is on form ID-44). If you took the test online, bring the originals of the documents you uploaded.
• California: your California ID card or proof of identity and residency. For a REAL ID license, two residency documents are required.
• Texas: proof of identity, Social Security number, proof of Texas residency, evidence of current Texas registration for each vehicle you own (this applies only to new residents surrendering an out-of-state driver license), and proof of insurance for each vehicle or a statement that you do not own a vehicle.
• Florida: first-time applicants for an original Florida driver license must provide two forms of identification and proof of date of birth, residential address and Social Security number.
• Pennsylvania: a physical exam from a doctor and the completed Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application (DL-180), proof of identity, two proofs of residency if you are 18 or older, and your Social Security card.

Glasses and the vision test

A vision test is part of getting a permit. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them.

• New York: you need 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you need lenses to pass, a "B" restriction is placed on your permit or license.
• California: if you take the vision test with glasses or contacts, your license will have a corrective lenses restriction. If you do not pass, you will be asked to have your eye doctor complete a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62).

Fees and how to pay

• California: the fee for an original Class C driver's license is $46. A behind-the-wheel retest costs $9.
• Florida: an original Class E license, which includes the learner's license, costs $48. A knowledge retest is $10 and a skill retest is $20.
• Pennsylvania: the initial permit and 4-year license cost $45.50 (fee chart dated July 2025). PennDOT accepts debit and credit cards, checks and money orders; cash is not accepted except at one Harrisburg counter.
• New York and Texas: you pay a permit or application fee; check the current amount on the official fee chart before your visit.

Documents and a licensed driver for the road test

• New York: your physical photo learner permit, your original Pre-Licensing Course Certificate (MV-278) – copies are not accepted – and, if you are under 18, a Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262). The accompanying driver must be over 18 if they drive you to the test, or over 21 if you drive there yourself, and must show a physical driver's license; Mobile ID is not accepted. No other passengers are allowed.
• California: your instruction permit and another California-licensed driver who is at least 18 (25 if you are a minor).
• Texas: one valid form of identification. No pets or unauthorized passengers are allowed in the car.
• Florida: no other passengers are permitted during the exam, unless a language interpreter is needed.
• Pennsylvania: your valid learner's permit, the parent or guardian certification (DL-180C) for 65 hours of practice if you are under 18, and the valid license of the person accompanying you (at least 21, or a parent, guardian or spouse who is 18 or older). Without the original documents, you will not be given the test.

The car for the road test

You bring your own car, and the examiner checks it before the test. If it fails the check, there is no test that day.

• Registration and insurance are required in all five states. In Texas you do not have to be listed on the policy, but you cannot be an "excluded driver". In Pennsylvania you show the registration card and proof of current insurance.
• Inspection: New York requires valid inspection; Texas requires unexpired inspection; Pennsylvania checks for a valid inspection sticker and, if required, an emissions sticker.
• License plates: New York requires permanent plates (in-transit permits are not allowed). Texas requires two plates, except single out-of-state or temporary plates, and does not allow dealer plates.
• Working equipment: Florida will not give the test if the horn, rear-view mirror, turn signals, steering, brakes or tires are defective, if there is no driver's side windshield wiper or if the headlights do not work. Texas also checks the speedometer, brake lights, seat belts and that both front doors open normally. California requires at least 1/32 inch of tire tread, does not allow a donut spare, and needs a horn that can be heard from 200 feet.
• Rental car: in California your name must be on the rental contract.