Preparing for the Alaska Knowledge Test

Before you study: who has to test

DMV requires the written test from anyone without a current Alaska license, anyone whose privilege expired over a year ago, and anyone whose privilege was revoked. Teens and adults with no driving history sit the identical Class D exam.

Motorcycles, mopeds and motor scooters have a separate test drawn from the motorcycle manual. Young drivers also meet another written test down the road: the alcohol awareness test, which must be passed before renewing a license issued under 21. That license expires 90 days after the 21st birthday.

While you study: what the manual covers

DMV says the questions come only from the Alaska Driver Manual: traffic laws, safe driving practice and recognizing highway signs. The manual is arranged by topic with a page index instead of numbered chapters, so let the index guide your study.

Neither the manual nor the permit page gives a question count or passing score. Study every topic rather than leaning on a number from an unofficial source.

A worked plan for a busy teen: one evening on alcohol and implied consent, one on belts and child seats, two on right of way and intersections, two on signs and signals, one on markings and night driving, and a final evening on the point system and the practice test.

• Page 11: points and reporting crashes
• Pages 14 to 19: alcohol, drugs, implied consent
• Pages 20 to 23: belts and child seats
• Pages 31 to 35: intersections and right of way
• Pages 38 to 53: traffic lights and signs
• Pages 54 to 57: driving at night, pavement markings

Testing option one: online at home

DMV's permit page sends you straight to KnowTo Drive, the state sanctioned online tester. The session is watched remotely, so plan on a laptop or desktop computer with a front facing webcam, internet, a mouse and a keyboard.

Its Alaska FAQ lists the price at $11.50 per try (credit card or PIN-less debit), a 25 minute time limit, and a 72 hour window after registering. Adults verify who they are through personal questions based on their I-94, alien registration number or Social Security number; anyone who fails that check has to test at DMV.

One caution for younger teens. KnowTo Drive's FAQ limits Class D online testing to residents aged 16 or more, even though DMV directs all permit applicants there. If your teen is 14 or 15, call DMV at 907-269-5551 before paying, or just test in person.

Testing option two: an office or a village proctor

Every DMV office gives the written test by appointment, and you can book through DMV's online services. Fail at an office, and the manual says you can come back the next day.

Approved proctors are listed by community on a DMV web page that also lists driving schools. Where there is no DMV office, a proctor lets your teen test close to home; phone ahead about when they test and what you need.

If you fail online: retakes and costs

A failed or disqualified online attempt can be followed by another try that same day, with four retries available. Five failed or disqualified online attempts lock you out of online testing for a year, after which you must test at DMV.

Each attempt is billed, so five misses add up to $57.50. If two attempts go poorly, stop, redo DMV's practice test and reread the weak sections before paying again.

On permit day: vision and reading help

DMV checks vision with a telebinocular device before issuing any permit or license. The standard is 20/40, measured in each eye or both eyes at once; a physician or optometrist can certify that you meet the standard instead.

Applicants who follow spoken English but find reading hard can ask for help: the manual allows someone to read the questions to you at an office, as long as you choose the answers yourself. For other accommodations, contact DMV's ADA Accommodations line before your appointment.