Guide · Updated Oct 21, 2026
Failed CDL Permit Test: Retake Waits by State
There is no national limit on how many times you can fail the CDL permit test. Each state sets its own wait and fee, and most let you retake after a short wait. Find your state in the table below. For the pass mark and permit fee in every state, see the CDL permit test facts by state.
Last checked October 21, 2026. The federal rules we read, 49 CFR 383.25 and 383.135, require at least 80% to pass. They do not set a retake wait or a cap. Those come from your state. To see how many wrong answers cost you the test, read the questions you can miss on the CDL permit test.
What to do after you fail
Failing happens a lot. Treat it as a map of what to study. Read what happens if you fail the CDL permit test for the steps that come next, and use the 9-point checklist for being ready for the CDL permit test before you rebook.
- Ask the testing office your wait. Ask how long before you can retest, whether it counts business days, and what the fee is.
- Find the topic you missed. Your score report may list the areas. If it does not, think back to which questions felt blank.
- Retake with exam-style practice. Do timed sets on the topic you missed, then a full general knowledge set. Our general knowledge practice test is a good place to start. To see how long the tests run, read how many questions are on the CDL test.
- Watch your CLP clock. A permit lasts up to one year under 49 CFR 383.25(c). Some states give less. If it runs out, you may start the tests over. See how long a CDL permit is good for.
- Plan for the 14 days. Federal rule 383.25(e) says you cannot take the skills test in the first 14 days after your CLP is issued.
FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC. It offers free exam-style practice tests built from the official CDL manual. FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
Before you rebook: 3 questions
- What does my score report show? Look for the score per test, the topic areas missed, and the date. If the report has no topics, ask the clerk if one is available.
- What is my weak topic? Pick the one or two areas where you missed the most. Study those first, then take a full set again.
- When does my CLP expire? Count the days. If your retake plus the skills test will not fit before it expires, ask about renewal now. Check your permit card for the date.
A note on waits. Some states count business days and some count calendar days. Count business days only if your state manual or DMV page says so. If it just says "days", ask the office.
Retake rules by state
We built this table from state manuals and official .gov pages, read October 21, 2026. Each row links to the page we used. Rules change, so confirm with your testing office. "Not stated" means the page we used does not say. Ohio and Massachusetts are on the list because they are large states. We did not find a retake rule on the .gov pages we could read.
| State | Wait before retest | Max tries / limits | Retest fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Not stated | Application stays active 90 days. After 90 days or 3 failed tries, new application | New application fees after that | DPS form |
| California | None | 3 tries per test. Fail the same test 3 times and the application is no longer valid | Not stated | DMV page |
| Florida | Not stated | Not stated | $10 knowledge retest | fee page |
| Georgia | 2 days after any failure | Not stated | $10 test fee, kept by DDS if you fail | manual |
| Pennsylvania | Not stated | 3 tries on one knowledge test application | Not stated | fact sheet |
| Ohio | Not published in the state manual (check with your DMV) | Not published in the state manual (check with your DMV) | Not published in the state manual (check with your DMV) | None found |
| Illinois | Not stated for fails 1 and 2. 30 days after 3 fails of a test, 90 days after 6, 1 year after 9 | Waits above apply per test | Fee again after each wait | SOS FAQ |
| North Carolina | One try per test per day | 3 tries per application fee. After 3 tries on the general test you pay a new application fee for 3 more | $51.50 application fee covers 3 tries | manual |
| New York | Not stated | No limit, but the office staff decide when you retest | Not stated | manual |
| Tennessee | Next day | Not stated | Not stated | manual |
| Virginia | Next business day (one test per business day) | Not stated | Not stated | DMV page |
| Michigan | 1 day | One test per day from each testing category | Not stated | SOS page |
| New Jersey | 7 days between attempts | As many tries as you need within 180 days | Not stated | MVC FAQ |
| Indiana | Next business day | One test per day | Not stated | manual |
| Washington | Not stated | Test fee covers 1 try per knowledge test, taken within 90 days of the receipt | New fee for each extra try | DOL page |
| Arizona | Next business day | Unlimited | Not stated | MVD page |
| Massachusetts | Not published in the state manual (check with your DMV) | Not published in the state manual (check with your DMV) | Not published in the state manual (check with your DMV) | None found |
| Missouri | May retake right away, but the examiner can send you back on a later day | Not stated | Not stated | state rule |
| Maryland | Next business day after the first fail. 7 calendar days after two or more fails | Not stated | Not stated | MVA page |
| Wisconsin | Next day | 5 tries on the same test in one year, then you need DMV staff permission | Not stated | DOT page |
| Alaska | Once per day | No limit stated | Not stated | manual |
| Colorado | Not stated | Not stated | $11.50 written retest | fee page |
| Connecticut | New appointment and new Form R-229a | Not stated | Test fee again ($16 general, $5 each endorsement) | DMV page |
| District of Columbia | 3 calendar days, retake on the 4th day | Fail 6 times in 12 months and the 7th test waits until 12 months after the first fail | $10 per test, pass or fail | DMV page |
| Idaho | 3 days | Not stated | $5 | ITD guide |
| Kansas | Not stated | Not stated | $1.50 retest (within 6 months of the last exam) | fee sheet |
| Kentucky | 24 hours | No limit on the general test | General test: no retest fee. Combination, air brake and endorsement tests: $5 per retest after the first fail | manual |
| Louisiana | May retake once the same day, if time allows | Not stated | Not stated | manual |
| Montana | Next working day the exam station is open | Not stated | Not stated | manual |
| New Mexico | Tests offered up to twice a week | No yearly limit | Not stated | MVD page |
| North Dakota | One try per day | Not stated | $5 per try | DOT page |
| Oklahoma | 1 day at CareerTech testing sites | Not stated | Not stated | CareerTech page |
| Rhode Island | 7 days | Not stated | Not stated | DMV page |
| South Carolina | Next day | 3 tests on the original application fees. Added tests after you hold a permit cost extra | $2 per test, every try | manual |
| Utah | Not stated | Each core test can be taken twice before the retake fee | $26 to retake the written test | DLD page |
| West Virginia | 7 days | 3 tries per $32.50 fee | $32.50 buys 3 tries | manual |
| Wyoming | Not stated | Retake only the test you failed | Not stated | DOT page |
We did not find a retake rule in our records for Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont. Check with your DMV. The same goes for any row that says "Not stated".
Fees and permit costs are in CDL permit cost by state. Skills test retests work differently. See the CDL road test guide. If you failed that one, read about a failed CDL road test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your state licensing agency has the final word.
Practice next
Rules, fees and test details differ by state. Pick yours:
Common questions
How many times can you fail the CDL permit test?
The federal rules we read, 49 CFR 383.25 and 383.135, set the 80% passing score but no national cap on retakes. Each state decides. Some set no limit, like Arizona and New York. Others cap tries, like California (3 per test) and Wisconsin (5 on the same test in one year). Check the table above for your state.
How soon can you retake the CDL permit test?
It depends on the state. California lists no wait. Maryland allows the next business day after a first fail. Georgia says 2 days, Idaho 3 days, and New Jersey, Rhode Island and West Virginia say 7 days. Some states count business days, so read your manual.
Do I pay again if I fail the CDL permit test?
Often yes. Florida lists a $10 knowledge retest fee. Utah lists $26 after two tries on a core test. Some states cover a set number of tries with one fee, like North Carolina and West Virginia (3 tries). Ask the office what your retake will cost before you book.
Sources
- 49 CFR 383.25: Commercial learner's permit (CLP)
- 49 CFR 383.135: Passing knowledge and skills tests
- Texas retake rule source
- California retake rule source
- Florida retake rule source
- Georgia retake rule source
- Pennsylvania retake rule source
- Illinois retake rule source
- North Carolina retake rule source
- New York retake rule source
- Tennessee retake rule source
- Virginia retake rule source
- Michigan retake rule source
- New Jersey retake rule source
- Indiana retake rule source
- Washington retake rule source
- Arizona retake rule source
- Missouri retake rule source
- Maryland retake rule source
- Wisconsin retake rule source
- Alaska retake rule source
- Colorado retake rule source
- Connecticut retake rule source
- District of Columbia retake rule source
- Idaho retake rule source
- Kansas retake rule source
- Kentucky retake rule source
- Louisiana retake rule source
- Montana retake rule source
- New Mexico retake rule source
- North Dakota retake rule source
- Oklahoma retake rule source
- Rhode Island retake rule source
- South Carolina retake rule source
- Utah retake rule source
- West Virginia retake rule source
- Wyoming retake rule source
- Illinois Secretary of State: CDL FAQ
Rules and numbers can differ by state. See how we source facts.