The Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) is the written theory exam every Australian learner driver must pass before getting behind the wheel. This page gives you a free downloadable DKT practice test PDF so you can study offline, print it out, or work through questions on any device without an internet connection.
The DKT is administered across all Australian states and territories, but the format differs by state. In NSW — the most commonly referenced version — you face 45 multiple-choice questions drawn from the NSW Driver Knowledge Test Guide. You need 41 correct answers out of 45 to pass (though many sources cite 43/45; the official NSW standard as of 2026 is 41 correct). The test is timed at 30 minutes, though most candidates finish well within that window.
Other states run their own versions. Victoria's equivalent is the Learner Permit Knowledge Test (LPKT): 32 questions, 30 needed to pass, in-centre only. Queensland uses a 30-question format. South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the NT each set their own question counts and pass marks. The road rules themselves — drawn from the Australian Road Rules framework — overlap substantially, but state-specific additions mean you must study the guide for the state where you're sitting the test.
Why use a practice test PDF? Printed or offline study lets you work away from a screen, annotate questions, focus on weak areas without distraction, and simulate the test conditions that matter most. Use the download below to get started.
Questions: 45 multiple-choice. Time allowed: 30 minutes. Pass mark: 41 correct out of 45. Testing authority: Service NSW / Transport for NSW (RMS). Where: Service NSW service centres and selected online via the Service NSW portal. Fee: $50+ AUD (included in learner licence application fee — check current Service NSW schedule). Minimum age: 16 years. Study guide: NSW Driver Knowledge Test Guide (free at service.nsw.gov.au).
The DKT question bank draws exclusively from the official state road rules handbook. Understanding what the test covers helps you allocate study time where it matters most.
Give way rules are the most heavily tested area. You need to know who yields at intersections without traffic signals, how roundabouts work (give way to vehicles already in the roundabout), and the correct behaviour at T-intersections, uncontrolled crossroads, and merging situations. These require memorised rules — your intuition about who "should" go first often differs from the legal requirement.
Default urban speed limit in NSW: 50 km/h where no sign is posted. School zones: 40 km/h during operating hours (displayed on signs). Shared zones: 10 km/h. Work zones: posted limit applies. The DKT tests whether you know these default limits — not just posted ones — because most candidates assume a sign is always present when it isn't.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits are mandatory knowledge. General licence holders: 0.05 BAC maximum. Learner and P1/P2 provisional licence holders: 0.00 — zero alcohol, no exceptions. Professional drivers of heavy vehicles, buses, and taxis: 0.02. Drug-driving laws prohibit driving with any detectable quantity of illicit substances regardless of impairment level. The DKT asks specific questions about these thresholds.
Regulatory signs (white background, red border or black on white) tell you what is legally required or prohibited — stop, give way, speed limits, no entry. Warning signs (yellow diamond shape) alert you to hazards ahead — sharp curves, pedestrian crossings, school zones, animals. Directional and information signs (blue or green) guide navigation. The DKT includes image-based sign questions; similar-looking signs with different meanings trip up many candidates.
Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal unless using hands-free. Learner and P1 licence holders in NSW cannot use a phone at all, even hands-free. Fatigue rules require stopping and resting if drowsy — specific rest requirements apply for long-distance driving. The DKT tests both the rules and the penalties for breach.
Basic pre-drive safety knowledge is included: checking mirrors, seatbelts (driver responsible for ensuring all under-16 passengers are belted), tyre condition, brake function, and lights. These questions are generally straightforward but are easy marks to lose through carelessness.
The DKT format varies enough between states that you must use the correct study guide for your state. Here's how the three largest states compare.
NSW (New South Wales): 45 questions, 41 correct to pass, 30 minutes. Tested at Service NSW centres or online via the Service NSW portal. Study guide: NSW Driver Knowledge Test Guide. Cost: included in learner licence fee (~$50+ total). The online option makes NSW one of the more accessible states for remote learners.
VIC (Victoria): The equivalent is called the Learner Permit Knowledge Test (LPKT). 32 questions split into road rules and hazard perception preparation sections. You need 30/32 to pass. In-centre only at VicRoads — no online option. Study guide: Road to Solo Driving handbook (vicroads.vic.gov.au). The proportional pass mark is tighter than NSW — fewer questions means fewer errors allowed.
QLD (Queensland): 30 multiple-choice questions covering road rules, traffic signs, and safe driving. Pass mark is 27/30. Tested at Queensland Transport and Main Roads offices. Study guide: The Queensland Road Rules Summary (tmr.qld.gov.au). Queensland also offers an online theory test option.
For all other states and territories — SA, WA, TAS, ACT, NT — consult your state's transport authority website for the current question count, pass mark, and available study materials. The underlying road rules framework is national but local additions and variations mean your state guide is the only source that guarantees accuracy.
Work through the practice test questions in the PDF without looking at the answers first. Score yourself, then review each wrong answer against your state's official handbook to understand why the correct answer is right — not just what it is. This active review is where most learning happens.
Combine PDF practice with online timed tests to build speed and familiarity with the computer-based format used in actual DKT centres. For additional online practice, use the full practice tests available at DKT Practice Test Online NSW — they cover the same question types and difficulty level as the real test.