Highest score
Connecticut currently has the highest DMV Friction Score at 74.5/100, combining official process friction with learner practice friction.
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Current public data report
Updated July 12, 2026. Aggregate data only. 50 states + DC.
America's Permit Test Difficulty & DMV Friction Index
A state-by-state report that combines official DMV rules with aggregate Driving-Tests.org learner behavior to show where permit-test preparation and the licensing path take the most work.
0-100 Index scale
DMV Friction Score measures how much friction a learner may face from permit-test preparation through the licensing path. It blends official requirements (42%) with Driving-Tests.org learner-friction signals (58%). Higher means more process burden, tougher thresholds, or more practice needed before confidence. For road-rule knowledge gaps, use the Road Rules Confusion Index.
Color scale Lower friction to higher friction
Lower Moderate Elevated Higher
Key findings this month
Publishable angles, already written
Each finding is designed to give a reporter a defensible national or local hook without forcing them to reverse-engineer the dataset.
Official burden
Delaware has the highest official-process friction score, driven by requirements such as test length, passing threshold, fees, retake rules, supervised hours, driver ed, online testing, and appointments.
Learner friction
Tennessee shows the highest learner-friction signal in Driving-Tests.org data, based on practice-to-pass proxy, repeat-practice proxy, missed-question concentration, and confidence-time proxy.
Access friction
In 27 jurisdictions, the current official source layer does not show a clearly published statewide at-home permit-test path. 8 source-review-needed jurisdictions are excluded from that count. 23 jurisdictions require or effectively require appointments for at least part of the testing path.
Missed topic
Ohio has the sharpest current missed-question concentration: Laws & Penalties at 52.8% wrong-answer rate among eligible learner activity.
Jurisdictions measured50 + DC
Every state plus the District of Columbia is represented in the public-process layer.
Highest DMV Friction Score74.5
Connecticut has the current highest-friction score.
No statewide at-home path found27
Jurisdictions where the current official source layer does not show a clearly published statewide path.
Data source14.3M
Aggregate practice answers in the current 30-day learner layer.
Statewide official path 11
A clearly published statewide official at-home permit-test path is present in the source layer.
Partial or county-dependent 5
At-home access appears age-limited, provider-dependent, or locally administered.
No statewide path found 27
The current official source layer does not show a clearly published statewide at-home permit-test path.
Source review needed 8
These rows are not included in the no-path count until source status is clarified.
State drilldown
Localize the story by state
Select a state to get a local lede, official-process context, learner-friction signals, and copy-ready rows.
Friction rank #46 of 51
Texas has a 57.9/100 DMV Friction Score.
Higher scores mean more process burden or more learner struggle before test day. Rank #1 is the highest-friction jurisdiction in the current dataset.
33.3official-process frictionHigher = more requirements or access burden
75.7learner-friction signalHigher = more practice struggle
40.7%wrong-answer rate, top topicLaws & Penalties
392Kpractice-answer sampleCurrent 30 days
Official process
Learner reality
So what?
Official vs. learner friction
See why the composite score moves
The scatterplot separates official-process burden from aggregate learner struggle, so a state with high learner friction but low official friction does not look like a ranking error.
X-axis: Official Process Score. Y-axis: Learner Friction Score. Upper-right states carry both kinds of friction; upper-left states are easier on paper but harder in learner behavior.
Official Process Score Learner Friction Score High official burden + high learner struggle Low official burden + high learner struggle High official burden + low learner struggle Low official burden + low learner struggle
Top 10 component mix
The two segments show the public official-process score and the Driving-Tests.org learner-friction score behind each top overall state.
Linkable rankings
Tables that invite a citation
These lists are intentionally framed around licensing friction and learner preparation, not driver quality.
Highest DMV Friction Scores
| Overall rank | State | DMV Friction | Official | Learner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Connecticut | 74.5 | 66.3 | 80.4 |
| #2 | New Hampshire | 72.6 | 72.7 | 72.5 |
| #3 | Delaware | 71.8 | 73.0 | 71.0 |
| #4 | Louisiana | 71.0 | 66.2 | 74.4 |
| #5 | Florida | 69.3 | 53.2 | 80.9 |
| #6 | Kentucky | 68.4 | 63.8 | 71.7 |
| #7 | Virginia | 68.2 | 70.8 | 66.4 |
| #8 | Rhode Island | 68.0 | 71.1 | 65.8 |
| #9 | Maine | 67.9 | 65.2 | 69.8 |
| #10 | Georgia | 67.6 | 61.5 | 72.1 |
Highest official-process friction
| Official rank | State | Official | DMV Friction | Learner | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Delaware | 73.0 | 71.8 | 71.0 | #3 |
| #2 | New Hampshire | 72.7 | 72.6 | 72.5 | #2 |
| #3 | Rhode Island | 71.1 | 68.0 | 65.8 | #8 |
| #4 | Virginia | 70.8 | 68.2 | 66.4 | #7 |
| #5 | New Jersey | 68.3 | 66.8 | 65.7 | #12 |
| #6 | Connecticut | 66.3 | 74.5 | 80.4 | #1 |
| #7 | Louisiana | 66.2 | 71.0 | 74.4 | #4 |
| #8 | Maine | 65.2 | 67.9 | 69.8 | #9 |
| #9 | Michigan | 64.3 | 65.1 | 65.7 | #18 |
| #10 | Kentucky | 63.8 | 68.4 | 71.7 | #6 |
Highest learner-friction signal
| Learner rank | State | Learner | DMV Friction | Official | Overall rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Tennessee | 82.4 | 63.8 | 38.1 | #27 |
| #2 | Florida | 80.9 | 69.3 | 53.2 | #5 |
| #3 | Connecticut | 80.4 | 74.5 | 66.3 | #1 |
| #4 | North Dakota | 76.7 | 65.3 | 49.5 | #16 |
| #5 | Texas | 75.7 | 57.9 | 33.3 | #46 |
| #6 | Wisconsin | 75.6 | 67.4 | 56.0 | #11 |
| #7 | New Mexico | 75.3 | 63.8 | 47.8 | #26 |
| #8 | Ohio | 75.0 | 65.3 | 52.0 | #17 |
| #9 | South Dakota | 75.0 | 65.6 | 52.6 | #15 |
| #10 | Louisiana | 74.4 | 71.0 | 66.2 | #4 |
All-state data table
Raw fields behind every DMV Friction Score
This is the fact-checking layer: official-process fields, learner-friction signals, sample size, eligibility status, and source URL for all 50 states plus DC.
| Overall rank | State | DMV Friction | Official | Learner | Test rules | Cost / retake | Age / hold | Driver ed / hours | Access | Learner sample | Top missed topic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Connecticut CT | 74.5 Higher friction | 66.3 11/11 fields | 80.4 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $40 7 days | 16 120 days with driver ed; 180 days with home training | Required for under-18 applicants through one of three pathways 40 hrs supervised | No (in-person at select DMV Hub offices) No clearly published statewide path found Testing by appointment only at select DMV Hub offices | 149,041 answers 3,740 learners | Stop & Yield Signs 47.6% | State source |
| #2 | New Hampshire NH | 72.6 Higher friction | 72.7 9/11 fields | 72.5 5/5 signals | 40 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $50 10 days | 15 1/2 No formal permit system; Youth Operator license rules apply | Required for under-18 applicants 40 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Varies by location | 83,999 answers 1,715 learners | Laws & Penalties 40.9% | State source |
| #3 | Delaware DE | 71.8 Higher friction | 73.0 11/11 fields | 71.0 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $40 10 days | 16 12-month GDL period | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | No published official at-home permit-test path No clearly published statewide path found Online scheduling recommended; road-test days are limited | 27,442 answers 683 learners | Emergency Vehicles 37.4% | State source |
| #4 | Louisiana LA | 71.0 Higher friction | 66.2 11/11 fields | 74.4 5/5 signals | 40 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $32.25 Next day | 15 180 days with TIP | Required for all applicants; hours vary by age 50 hrs supervised | No (testing through private driving schools) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment with a private driving school required | 117,985 answers 2,805 learners | Pavement Markings 40.5% | State source |
| #5 | Florida FL | 69.3 Higher friction | 53.2 11/11 fields | 80.9 5/5 signals | 50 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $48.00 48 hours | 15 12 months | TLSAE required; under-18 driver-ed requirement expanding from 2025 50 hrs supervised | Yes (through approved third-party providers) Statewide official at-home path found Walk-ins available at many offices | 615,014 answers 12,777 learners | Laws & Penalties 52.7% | State source |
| #6 | Kentucky KY | 68.4 Higher friction | 63.8 11/11 fields | 71.7 5/5 signals | 40 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $12 Next business day | 15 180 days | Required for under-18 applicants 60 hrs supervised | No (in-person at Kentucky State Police stations) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required at Kentucky State Police testing stations | 398,531 answers 9,623 learners | Yielding to Others 38.5% | State source |
| #7 | Virginia VA | 68.2 Higher friction | 70.8 10/11 fields | 66.4 5/5 signals | 40 questions 85.0% pass threshold | $3 15 days (under 18); 1 day (18+) | 15 1/2 9 months | Required for under-18 applicants 45 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Appointment required at DMV | 255,547 answers 7,397 learners | Lane Changes & Passing 37.0% | State source |
| #8 | Rhode Island RI | 68.0 Higher friction | 71.1 11/11 fields | 65.8 5/5 signals | 40 questions 70.0% pass threshold | $26.50 8 days | 16 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person only) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required | 48,250 answers 1,211 learners | Pavement Markings 40.7% | State source |
| #9 | Maine ME | 67.9 Higher friction | 65.2 10/11 fields | 69.8 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $35 1 business day | 15 6 months for ages 15-20 | Required for applicants under 18 70 hrs supervised | No (in-person at BMV branches) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins accepted, but appointments reduce long waits | 41,579 answers 984 learners | Parking 34.5% | State source |
| #10 | Georgia GA | 67.6 Higher friction | 61.5 11/11 fields | 72.1 5/5 signals | 40 questions 75.0% pass threshold | $10 Next business day | 15 12 months + 1 day | Joshua's Law applies to under-18 applicants 40 hrs supervised | No (in-person at DDS centers) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required at most DDS centers | 213,966 answers 5,969 learners | Traffic Signals 42.2% | State source |
| #11 | Wisconsin WI | 67.4 Higher friction | 56.0 9/11 fields | 75.6 5/5 signals | 50 questions 80.0% pass threshold | FREE (knowledge test is free) 1 day | 15 1/2 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Varies by location | 175,666 answers 4,518 learners | Laws & Penalties 45.5% | State source |
| #12 | New Jersey NJ | 66.8 Higher friction | 68.3 11/11 fields | 65.7 5/5 signals | 50 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $10 Next business day | 16 6-month practice period | Six hours of professional behind-the-wheel instruction required 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at MVC agencies) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required | 440,818 answers 8,198 learners | Sharing the Road 30.9% | State source |
| #13 | Utah UT | 66.0 Higher friction | 63.2 11/11 fields | 68.0 5/5 signals | 50 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $19.00 Same day | 15 6 months for ages 15-17 | Required for most applicants ages 15-18 40 hrs supervised | No (in-person at Driver License Division office) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required at DLD office | 118,189 answers 2,941 learners | Laws & Penalties 39.0% | State source |
| #14 | Minnesota MN | 65.8 Higher friction | 61.4 11/11 fields | 68.9 5/5 signals | 40 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $29.50 Next day | 15 6 months for under-18 applicants | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Partial (DVS stations and third-party testing) Partial, age-limited, or county-dependent path Appointment required at DVS exam stations; third-party rules vary | 544,119 answers 11,985 learners | Turning & U-Turns 33.8% | State source |
| #15 | South Dakota SD | 65.6 Higher friction | 52.6 11/11 fields | 75.0 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $28.00 Next business day | 14 275 days, or 180 days with driver ed | Reduces holding period and can waive knowledge test for some minors 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at driver exam stations) No clearly published statewide path found Road-test appointment recommended or required well ahead | 75,204 answers 1,524 learners | Laws & Penalties 41.9% | State source |
| #16 | North Dakota ND | 65.3 Higher friction | 49.5 9/11 fields | 76.7 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $15 Next business day | 14 12 months | Required for applicants under 16 50 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Varies by location | 105,248 answers 2,184 learners | Laws & Penalties 46.1% | State source |
| #17 | Ohio OH | 65.3 Higher friction | 52.0 11/11 fields | 75.0 5/5 signals | 40 questions 75.0% pass threshold | $25.75 Next business day | 15 1/2 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person only) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins available | 752,856 answers 18,480 learners | Laws & Penalties 52.8% | State source |
| #18 | Michigan MI | 65.1 Higher friction | 64.3 11/11 fields | 65.7 5/5 signals | 50 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $25 Next business day | 14 3/4 6 months at Level 1 plus Level 2 period | Segment 1 before permit, Segment 2 before road test 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at Secretary of State offices) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required in most offices | 323,923 answers 8,125 learners | Adverse Conditions 33.0% | State source |
| #19 | Montana MT | 65.0 Higher friction | 53.8 10/11 fields | 73.1 5/5 signals | 33 questions 82.0% pass threshold | $23.58 Next business day | 14 1/2 6 months | Required for younger teen applicants 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at driver exam stations) No clearly published statewide path found Varies by station | 55,519 answers 1,293 learners | Laws & Penalties 43.1% | State source |
| #20 | Oregon OR | 65.0 Higher friction | 53.3 9/11 fields | 73.4 5/5 signals | 35 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $5 Same day | 15 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Road-test appointment required | 141,923 answers 3,221 learners | Pavement Markings 42.0% | State source |
| #21 | Hawaii HI | 64.6 Elevated friction | 56.4 11/11 fields | 70.6 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $2 7 days | 15 1/2 180 days | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Yes (KnowToDrive, with county issuance step) Statewide official at-home path found After online test, permit issuance is scheduled through the county system | 82,793 answers 1,614 learners | Adverse Conditions 36.9% | State source |
| #22 | North Carolina NC | 64.5 Elevated friction | 54.2 11/11 fields | 71.9 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $20 Next business day | 15 12 months | Required for under-18 applicants 60 hrs supervised | No (in-person at DMV offices) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins available at most offices | 862,914 answers 20,166 learners | Adverse Conditions 40.2% | State source |
| #23 | Idaho ID | 64.4 Elevated friction | 59.6 11/11 fields | 67.9 5/5 signals | 40 questions 85.0% pass threshold | $20 3 days | 14 1/2 6 calendar months plus supervised-hour requirement | Required for under-17 applicants; optional later 50 hrs supervised | No (county driver's license office required) No clearly published statewide path found Varies by county | 84,308 answers 1,912 learners | Yielding to Others 36.8% | State source |
| #24 | Maryland MD | 64.4 Elevated friction | 61.7 11/11 fields | 66.3 5/5 signals | 25 questions 88.0% pass threshold | $0 Next business day | 15 3/4 9 months for many under-18 applicants | Required for all new non-commercial Class C applicants 60 hrs supervised | No (in-person at MVA full-service branches) No clearly published statewide path found Appointment required via myMVA | 204,720 answers 5,478 learners | Impaired & Distracted Driving 32.9% | State source |
| #25 | Mississippi MS | 64.3 Elevated friction | 52.5 11/11 fields | 72.9 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $7 Next business day | 15 12 months for under-17 applicants | Required for hardship license pathway; not the standard path 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at Driver License Stations) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins accepted; appointments recommended | 296,377 answers 7,510 learners | Pavement Markings 39.0% | State source |
| #26 | New Mexico NM | 63.8 Elevated friction | 47.8 10/11 fields | 75.3 5/5 signals | 25 questions 72.0% pass threshold | $10 Same day (max 2 per week) | 15 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Appointment at MVD field offices | 57,074 answers 1,192 learners | Laws & Penalties 39.0% | State source |
| #27 | Tennessee TN | 63.8 Elevated friction | 38.1 11/11 fields | 82.4 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $10.50 24 hours | 15 180 days | Required for Level 1 license applicants 50 hrs supervised | Partial (ages 15-17 via Tennessee Proctor ID App) Partial, age-limited, or county-dependent path Walk-ins at Driver Services centers | 516,811 answers 12,042 learners | Laws & Penalties 50.5% | State source |
| #28 | Vermont VT | 63.8 Elevated friction | 52.0 11/11 fields | 72.4 5/5 signals | 20 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $32 1 day | 15 1 year | Required for 16-17 Junior license applicants 40 hrs supervised | Yes (fully online learner permit test) Statewide official at-home path found Road-test appointment required; knowledge test online | 28,543 answers 627 learners | Yielding to Others 42.5% | State source |
| #29 | District of Columbia DC | 63.2 Elevated friction | 54.7 11/11 fields | 69.4 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $20 3 full calendar days | 16 6 months, waived for some older applicants | Supervised driving certification required 40 hrs supervised | Yes (virtual or proctoring-center knowledge test options) Statewide official at-home path found Appointment required for virtual or proctored testing options | 42,391 answers 1,026 learners | Lane Changes & Passing 41.8% | State source |
| #30 | Nebraska NE | 63.0 Elevated friction | 53.1 10/11 fields | 70.2 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $9.25 Next business day | 14 12 months for School Learner's Permit; 6 months for standard LPE | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at DMV offices) No clearly published statewide path found Varies by location | 42,349 answers 1,279 learners | Adverse Conditions 40.0% | State source |
| #31 | Alabama AL | 62.8 Elevated friction | 51.7 11/11 fields | 70.8 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $5 Next business day | 15 6 months | Conditional 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person only at ALEA offices) No clearly published statewide path found Yes (appointments required at alabamadl.alea.gov; limited walk-ins) | 277,503 answers 7,200 learners | Parking 38.6% | State source |
| #32 | New York NY | 62.5 Elevated friction | 52.0 11/11 fields | 70.1 5/5 signals | 20 questions 70.0% pass threshold | $80 Next business day | 16 6 months or approved driver ed completion | Five-hour pre-licensing course required before road test 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at DMV offices or approved schools) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins available at most offices | 582,312 answers 16,263 learners | Adverse Conditions 41.0% | State source |
| #33 | Washington WA | 62.4 Elevated friction | 55.5 9/11 fields | 67.4 5/5 signals | 40 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $25 1 day | 15 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants before license 50 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Varies by provider and location | 456,900 answers 9,650 learners | Laws & Penalties 34.7% | State source |
| #34 | Indiana IN | 61.2 Elevated friction | 55.2 11/11 fields | 65.6 5/5 signals | 50 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $9 Next business day | 15 180 days | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at BMV branches) No clearly published statewide path found Knowledge test walk-in; skills test appointment | 387,763 answers 10,551 learners | Laws & Penalties 33.0% | State source |
| #35 | Pennsylvania PA | 61.2 Elevated friction | 49.4 11/11 fields | 69.7 5/5 signals | 18 questions 83.0% pass threshold | $35.50 7 days | 16 6 months | Not mandatory, but can reduce supervised hours 65 hrs supervised | No (in-person at PennDOT or approved third-party centers) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins available at most locations | 299,139 answers 6,975 learners | Impaired & Distracted Driving 34.2% | State source |
| #36 | Illinois IL | 60.8 Elevated friction | 53.5 11/11 fields | 66.0 5/5 signals | 35 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $20 Next business day | 15 9 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at Secretary of State facilities) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-in knowledge testing available at many facilities | 622,132 answers 15,294 learners | Turning & U-Turns 36.0% | State source |
| #37 | West Virginia WV | 60.3 Elevated friction | 48.8 10/11 fields | 68.6 5/5 signals | 25 questions 76.0% pass threshold | $7.50 7 days | 15 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Yes (KnowTo Drive, webcam-proctored) Statewide official at-home path found Varies by location | 149,384 answers 3,438 learners | Emergency Situations 35.7% | State source |
| #38 | Massachusetts MA | 60.2 Elevated friction | 51.8 10/11 fields | 66.2 5/5 signals | 25 questions 72.0% pass threshold | $30 1 day | 16 6 consecutive months with a clean record | Required for under-18 JOL applicants 40 hrs supervised | Partial (identity visit first, then online exam) Partial, age-limited, or county-dependent path RMV appointments required; road tests often book far ahead | 504,267 answers 12,605 learners | Laws & Penalties 41.4% | State source |
| #39 | Nevada NV | 60.2 Elevated friction | 49.0 11/11 fields | 68.3 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $18.50 1 day | 15 1/2 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Yes (KnowToDrive with webcam) Statewide official at-home path found Appointment required at DMV offices | 189,872 answers 4,561 learners | Parking 33.7% | State source |
| #40 | South Carolina SC | 60.1 Elevated friction | 46.0 11/11 fields | 70.3 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $2.00 2 days | 15 180 days for under-18 applicants | Required for conditional or special restricted applicants 40 hrs supervised | No (in-person at SCDMV branches) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-in knowledge testing; some road-test appointment windows | 275,784 answers 7,267 learners | Speed & Regulatory Signs 38.5% | State source |
| #41 | Oklahoma OK | 59.8 Elevated friction | 40.9 9/11 fields | 73.5 5/5 signals | 20 questions 75.0% pass threshold | $4 Next business day | 15 1/2 6 months | Required for under-18 applicants 50 hrs supervised | Not published Source review needed - excluded from no-path count Varies by location | 179,594 answers 4,302 learners | Laws & Penalties 39.0% | State source |
| #42 | California CA | 59.6 Elevated friction | 61.6 11/11 fields | 58.1 5/5 signals | 46 questions 83.0% pass threshold | $46 Under 18: 7 days. 18+: next business day | 15 1/2 6 months | Required for applicants under 17.5 50 hrs supervised | Yes (online option with webcam rules) Statewide official at-home path found Appointment recommended and schedulable online | 1,742,058 answers 41,227 learners | Yielding to Others 27.4% | State source |
| #43 | Wyoming WY | 59.2 Elevated friction | 38.3 10/11 fields | 74.4 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $10 Same day (max 2 per day) | 15 10 days | Required for some younger licensing paths 50 hrs supervised | No (in-person at driver exam stations) No clearly published statewide path found Varies by station | 90,223 answers 1,492 learners | Adverse Conditions 39.1% | State source |
| #44 | Missouri MO | 59.0 Elevated friction | 42.6 11/11 fields | 70.8 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $3.50 1 day | 15 12 months or until age 16 | Required for under-16 permit applicants 40 hrs supervised | No (in-person at license offices) No clearly published statewide path found Walk-ins available at most offices | 412,406 answers 10,990 learners | Impaired & Distracted Driving 39.4% | State source |
| #45 | Colorado CO | 58.3 Elevated friction | 48.4 11/11 fields | 65.4 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $16.80 Next business day | 15 12 months | Required for younger teen applicants; awareness-program alternatives apply by age 50 hrs supervised | Yes (@Home Driving Knowledge Test) Statewide official at-home path found Online pre-registration required for @Home testing | 227,358 answers 5,737 learners | Lane Changes & Passing 34.6% | State source |
| #46 | Texas TX | 57.9 Elevated friction | 33.3 11/11 fields | 75.7 5/5 signals | 30 questions 70.0% pass threshold | $16 Next business day | 15 6 months | Required for applicants under 25 30 hrs supervised | Yes (through approved online driver education courses) Statewide official at-home path found Walk-in or appointment | 392,085 answers 7,325 learners | Laws & Penalties 40.7% | State source |
| #47 | Iowa IA | 57.2 Elevated friction | 38.4 10/11 fields | 70.8 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $8 Next business day | 14 12 months | Required for under-18 applicants 20 hrs supervised | Partial (parent-proctored at-home option) Partial, age-limited, or county-dependent path Varies by location | 60,846 answers 1,476 learners | Lane Changes & Passing 39.1% | State source |
| #48 | Kansas KS | 56.3 Elevated friction | 43.8 10/11 fields | 65.4 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $6.50 Next business day | 14 12 months | Required for applicants under 16 50 hrs supervised | Yes (KnowTo Drive from home) Statewide official at-home path found Varies by location | 225,014 answers 5,111 learners | Pavement Markings 32.6% | State source |
| #49 | Alaska AK | 53.0 Moderate friction | 29.7 11/11 fields | 69.9 5/5 signals | 20 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $15 Next business day | 14 6 months | Not generally required before the permit 40 hrs supervised | Yes (via KnowTo Drive; webcam required) Statewide official at-home path found Road-test appointment required; online knowledge test does not need a DMV appointment | 22,087 answers 544 learners | Emergency Situations 37.3% | State source |
| #50 | Arkansas AR | 49.8 Moderate friction | 27.6 10/11 fields | 65.9 5/5 signals | 25 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $5 5 calendar days | 14 6 months | Not state-mandated for the standard pathway 0 hrs supervised | No (in-person at State Police driver examination stations) No clearly published statewide path found Recommended; walk-ins accepted at some locations | 182,571 answers 4,594 learners | Lane Changes & Passing 35.4% | State source |
| #51 | Arizona AZ | 48.4 Moderate friction | 27.0 11/11 fields | 63.9 5/5 signals | 30 questions 80.0% pass threshold | $7 Next business day | 15 1/2 6 months | Optional; can reduce supervised hours 30 hrs supervised | Partial (Permit Test @ Home for under-18 applicants) Partial, age-limited, or county-dependent path Knowledge test usually does not require an appointment; road test does | 78,742 answers 2,212 learners | Laws & Penalties 35.1% | State source |
Comparison mode
Build a local rivalry in one table
Compare neighboring states, a regional cluster, or a state against the current highest-friction state.
Story angles by beat
Turn the index into a pitchable article
Different desks need different frames. These angles keep the story specific without drifting into "bad drivers" territory.
Local news
How a state compares nationally, what makes the permit path harder, and which rule category learners miss most before test day.
Education
Where official requirements and learner behavior suggest the biggest comprehension gaps before licensing.
Transportation safety
Which pre-licensing knowledge gaps show up around yielding, penalties, intersections, adverse conditions, or emergency rules.
Parents and consumers
What families should budget for, how long the process can take, and what learners tend to repeat before feeling ready.
Press kit
Reporter-ready exports and attribution
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All-state CSV
Includes rank, score, public-process inputs, learner-friction signals, sample size, and eligibility fields.
Rankingstate, rank, DMV Friction Score, official score, learner score
Officialtest length, pass threshold, retake wait, fee, age, supervised hours, driver ed, online path, at-home access status, appointment friction
Learnerpractice-to-pass proxy, repeat-practice proxy, missed-topic concentration, confidence-time proxy
Trustanswer sample, eligibility, suppression reason, source URL
State press card
A lightweight SVG visual for the selected state, built to avoid tiny labels and clipped numbers.
National SVG chart
A ready-to-embed visual that shows the highest DMV Friction Scores and the official-vs-learner split behind them.
Snapshot status
Current edition and change tracking
The score updates from the current source layer, while the template stores one monthly baseline automatically for defensible change tracking.
Current editionJuly 2026
Current public report generated from the live state data layer.
Learner data windowJun 12, 2026 - Jul 12, 2026
Latest 30-day aggregate practice activity window.
Official source layerCurrent cycle
Official fields are maintained from state DMV/DOT source pages with URLs in the table and CSV.
Trend statusBaseline saved
This edition is stored automatically. Month-over-month movers appear after the next monthly snapshot exists.
| Edition | Data window | CSV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | Jun 12, 2026 - Jul 12, 2026 | Download current CSV | Launch baseline - no month-over-month movement yet. |
Methodology
How the score is calculated
The report is designed as a current public data asset. Individual learner records are never published.
Official process layer
Official-process fields are maintained from state DMV/DOT source pages and verified in the Driving-Tests.org state data layer. This layer includes test length, passing threshold, fees, retake rules, supervised hours, driver ed, online testing, appointment friction, permit hold, unique law context, and official source URLs.
At-home access status
The at-home permit-test field separates statewide official paths, partial or county-dependent paths, no clearly published statewide path found, and source-review-needed rows. Source-review-needed rows are not included in the no-path count.
Learner friction layer
Uses aggregate Driving-Tests.org signals: practice-to-pass proxy, repeat-practice proxy, question-miss concentration, confidence-time proxy, and first-try score gap.
Weighting
DMV Friction Score = Official Process Score x 0.42 + Learner Friction Score x 0.58. The learner layer is based on aggregate Driving-Tests.org behavior, not official DMV pass-rate data.
Thresholds
State rows remain visible, but learner-friction fields are marked below threshold unless the current 30-day window has at least 1,000 eligible practice answers.
Representativeness
The learner layer reflects Driving-Tests.org practice behavior. It should not be read as official DMV applicant behavior or a state DMV pass/fail statistic.
Boundary
This page measures licensing-process and learner-preparation friction. It does not measure road skill, crash risk, DMV employee quality, or whether a state has good or bad drivers.
About the source
Driving-Tests.org
Driving-Tests.org is a US driver-education resource from Elegant E-Learning. The site helps learner drivers prepare for state-specific permit tests, CDL exams, motorcycle tests, road signs, and driver's handbooks.
Andrei Zakhareuski
Founder of Driving-Tests.org. Provides industry context on learner-driver preparation and state permit-test trends.
Steven D. Litvintchouk
Editorial reviewer. Helps keep explanations aligned with state source material and driver-education practice.
Media contact
For methodology questions, state-specific clarification, or source details, email info@driving-tests.org.
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