DMV Genius for iPhone review: preparation for the written driving test

By Leanna Lofte
last updated

Getting ready to take the written driving exam to get or renew your license? For many of us, this exam is very stressful and difficult to pass since it always asks questions involving scenarios that we don't regularly encounter. With DMV Genius, you can study for this exam while on the go.

DMV Genius is a free app to download, but restricts you to just one exam from three states. For $2.99, you can unlock four more exams in any state. Each state is a separate purchase.

Each sample test comes with 20 multiple choice questions. These questions are tailored specifically for your state and are very similar to what you would see on the real exam. In fact, many of the questions are identical to questions you'll encounter on the on the actual test.

Each question in DMV Genius has 4 multiple choice options. Simply tap the answer you think is correct. If you're right, it will highlight with green and receive a little checkmark. If you get the question wrong, a pop up will appear telling you you're wrong and an explanation of the correct answer. The selection will also be highlighted with red.

With each question, you can also ask for a hint.

Once you answer all 20 question in DMV Genius, you'll be informed if you failed or passed and the statistical breakdown of your score. Each time you retake a test, the questions get shuffled.

The Good

  • Awesome way to prepare for the written driving test
  • Questions are real questions that may appear on your test
  • Hints and explanations for each question

The Bad

  • If a choice is too long, it scrolls

The bottom line

DMV Genius is a fantastic way to study for that pesky writing driving test, especially for teens or anyone who's taking the test for the first time. And since it's on your iPhone, you can study while experiencing those horrid wait times at DMV right before your test!

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Leanna Lofte
Leanna Lofte

Former app and photography editor at iMore, Leanna has since moved on to other endeavors. Mother, wife, mathamagician, even though she no longer writes for iMore you can still follow her on Twitter @llofte.

8 Comments
  • Dear Leanna,
    love the review - thank you for sharing our app with your readers! I hope it'll help them pass their permit test with flying colors!
    We would also appreciate any feedback as to how we can deal with multiple-line questions. Although we would love to keep the answers short, sometimes it's just impossible to do that. We'll keep thinking though :)
    Once again, thank you and have a great day!
    PS: we have just submitted an update to the App Store with cool motivational pass/fail images that are displayed before the user sees the score. Here's an example: http://bit.ly/JUEEbE
  • Not a supporter. If you need an iPhone app to help you pass a driving test, you don't belong behind the wheel. What are you going to do? Roll up to a four way stop (with three other people, at the same time) and fire up your app because you can't remember who has the right of way? Next.
  • You're joking, right? Does that mean you're not a supporter of physical sample tests at the back of the DMV manual that's meant to help you study? This is a study guide. No one is telling anyone to use it as a reference while driving. It wouldn't even work anyway. It's not a reference, it's a bunch of randomized test questions.
    Are you against SAT prep too? (my guess is you didn't even read the review)
  • Your "guess" is as baseless as your rebuttal.
  • Leanna-Nice review - does the exam on the free version cover California? My daughter is taking the written exam in California... or do I need the paid app for California?
  • Yep! You get a free test from any state you want. In fact, the screenshots in the review were from the free sample test :)
    But if you want the other 4 CA test, you'll need to upgrade.
  • Thanks...appreciate the feedback...
  • I agree with Vinnie. If you need a review before you renew your drivers license, you shouldn't be driving in the first place. Do us all a favor and sell your car and use public transportation. I for one would feel safer.
    Other options is choose your opening paragraph better.