Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
The verdict on

DMV Genie

70
User verdict / 100 High confidence Loved, with caveats

DMV Genie is a highly effective study tool for permit and CDL tests, with many users reporting success, but it faces significant criticism for its aggressive paywall, misleading pricing, and subscription issues.

4.8★ lifetime (182,479) Free + in-app purchases since 2012 by Elegant eLearning updated 0.6 mo ago recent negative 10% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Test Effectiveness Subscription & Pricing User Experience Content Relevance
5★217
4★27
3★10
2★3
1★24
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

DMV Genie is a popular app for preparing for driving tests, with many users crediting it for helping them pass. However, recent reviews highlight issues with its premium subscription model, including unexpected charges and a lack of free content, which contradicts its high lifetime rating.

What users like

  • Helps users pass permit and CDL tests, often on the first try.R3R4R6R8
  • Questions are often very similar or identical to actual DMV test questions.R14R17R34R35
  • Provides clear explanations for answers and builds confidence.R31R13R14R59
  • Offers an AI chatbot for better understanding of concepts.R82

What users complain about

  • Aggressive paywall limits free content, requiring payment for full tests or most questions.R15R21R23R26
  • Users report being charged unexpectedly after free trials or after cancelling subscriptions.R7R91R129R197
  • Actual test questions can be very different from those in the app, leading to failure.R33R46R84R174
  • Subscription options are confusing, with inconsistent pricing and difficulty cancelling.R7R12R158R197
  • Some users experience glitches, freezing, and issues with features like the challenge bank.R36R46R185R198
  • Lack of login options for restoring previous purchases or accessing web subscriptions.R99R198
  • Content may be outdated or not relevant for certain states/provinces.R250R266R270R279

Latest update · v11.6.2

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Minor performance improvements

Recurring themes

Test Effectiveness mixed
Many users report that the app's practice questions are highly accurate and helped them pass their permit or CDL tests on the first attempt. However, a significant number of users found the questions to be very different from the actual DMV exam, leading to failure or near-failure.R3R14R17R20
Subscription & Pricing negative
A major point of contention is the app's aggressive push for premium subscriptions, with much of the content locked behind a paywall. Users report confusing subscription options, inconsistent pricing between the App Store and the app itself, and unexpected charges after free trials or even after attempting to cancel.R7R12R15R21
User Experience mixed
While many praise the app's interface as easy to use and helpful for learning, others report glitches, freezing, repetitive questions, and difficulty navigating or accessing features like the challenge bank. Some also mention a lack of login options for existing users.R13R30R31R36
Content Relevance negative
Several users noted that the app's content, particularly for motorcycle tests or Canadian provinces, was outdated or did not match their specific state/province's exam. One DMV worker even stated the app has been out of date for 5 years.R33R250R266R270

Who it's for

This app is for individuals preparing for their permit or CDL driving tests who are willing to pay for a premium subscription, as many users found the paid content highly effective for passing R6R8R14. It is particularly useful for those who benefit from practice tests and detailed explanations R31R82. Skip this app if you are on a tight budget and expect a fully functional free experience, or if you are concerned about unexpected charges and confusing subscription models R23R91R197.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew negative, primarily due to payment and subscription issues, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are short and lack detail, while negative reviews are more descriptive regarding specific problems. The developer's notes about 'minor performance improvements' do not address the core issues raised by recent negative reviews, such as subscription problems or content relevance.

Frequently asked

Is DMV Genie truly free to use?
No, while the app is free to download, a significant portion of its content, including full tests and many questions, is locked behind a paywall, requiring a premium subscription to access R15R21R23R147.
Does DMV Genie help you pass the actual DMV test?
Many users report that DMV Genie's practice questions are very similar to or identical to those on the actual DMV test, helping them pass on their first attempt R17R20R34. However, some users found the app's questions to be very different from the real exam, leading to failure R46R84R250R279.
Are there issues with DMV Genie subscriptions and charges?
Yes, many users report issues with subscriptions, including unexpected charges after free trials, difficulty cancelling, and inconsistent pricing displayed in the app versus the App Store R7R91R129R197.
Is the app's content always up-to-date for all regions?
No, some users have reported that the app's content is outdated or not relevant for specific regions, such as certain Canadian provinces or for motorcycle tests, with one DMV worker stating it has been out of date for 5 years R250R266R270R279.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] 5/5 · US Success: This app helped me pass my online exams. Read the state manuals for any missing information you will need. Good luck!!
  2. [R4] 5/5 · US Awesome App: Perfect app that helped me study for my permit test!!
  3. [R6] 5/5 · US 🙌🏾Fail Proof🙌🏾: This app is an investment to say the least! 100% recommended.
  4. [R8] 5/5 · US Amazing!!: This is the real deal. The membership is totally worth it too! Passed with flying colors 🥳
  5. [R14] 5/5 · US Great app!!: Great app, using to study for CDL class A permit, was given the book but this makes it much easier and builds confidence better because of the in app practice test being extremely similar to the actual dmv tests
  6. [R17] 5/5 · US 100% suggest if you’re struggling with the Dmv test: This is the best app I ever found for the DMV It helped me pass all my test with flying colors. The same question as they ask you at DMV is the same practice questions that they ask you in here
  7. [R34] 5/5 · US Super helpful!: So many of the questions I saw in the actual test and the quizzes are the only thing that I feel actually prepared me. They have everything you might need on here, super helpful.
  8. [R35] 5/5 · US Permit Test: I got this app and passed first try. Went through all the practice tests. They were very accurate to the Minnesota permit test and helpful.
  9. [R31] 5/5 · US Worth Every Minute: I used this app every day leading up to my test and it really paid off. The questions are clear, the explanations help a lot, and it builds your confidence. Definitely one of the best study tools out there.
  10. [R13] 5/5 · US Thorough, organized content: Simple to use and learn from. Highly responsive to questions.
  11. [R59] 5/5 · US La mejor aplicación para estudiar: Gracias a esta aplicación pude pasar mi examen y obtener mi permiso. Estudiar con esta app fue muy fácil y práctico. Las preguntas son muy parecidas a las del examen real y las explicaciones ayudan mucho. La recomiendo al 100%. Mi consejo es estudiar y completar todos los niveles; al final hay un examen que te ayuda a saber qué tan preparado estás realmente. ¡Exc
  12. [R82] 5/5 · US Great App: This is a great app for learners. It has a great AI Chat bot that you can type to help you better understand why your answers may be right or wrong. It can give you hints and help you better understand the knowledge rather than just remembering the correct answers. I highly recommend.
  13. [R15] 3/5 · US Decent: It’s pretty good compared to some of the other apps for this the only thing is that you can’t do a full test without paying.
  14. [R21] 3/5 · US Could be better: Seems really dumb that I have to pay for all of the questions when the book they come from is free
  15. [R23] 2/5 · US It’s not as helpful as it easily could be.: The tests that are provided are great, however putting half of the information behind a paywall is legitimately despicable. I and many others use practice methods like this to prepare without a budget, seeing as how I don’t have one. This app also uses AI for easily googleable situations.
  16. [R26] 4/5 · US There’s a paid subscription 👎: Subscription is a bit of a dealbreaker, good otherwise.
  17. [R7] 1/5 · US Asks for Apple Password: Can’t use premium without entering Apple account password in the app. Never had this problem with app-purchases on any other app. Bizarre. Also the prices are all over the place. The App Store page says one thing, the app itself says another and my card charged a different price. This app used to be great.
  18. [R91] 1/5 · US Charged me $40: I cancelled my free trial a day before it was supposed to charge me and still got charged $40
  19. [R129] 1/5 · US Beware: Said it was free for trial 3 days but still charge me when unsubscribe.
  20. [R197] 1/5 · US DONT GET THIS APP: They feed of people getting the free day subscription then charging you $40 to use it a month. Some bs and a scam. Ontop of that theres no contact page you need to email 🤦‍♂️
  21. [R33] 1/5 · US Failed!: Did not help me pass my Motorcycle Written Test in my State
  22. [R46] 1/5 · US Way too expensive for something that doesn't help much more than the free handbook does: The questions are suuuper repetitive. There's a challenge bank to practice questions you've missed but it will give you the same questions over and over again anyways which makes the challenge bank useless. After taking the exam, you'll find out that the questions are very different from what this app provides
  23. [R84] 1/5 · US Not matching the actual DMV exam: I bought a $39 app to get my license. I spent two weeks taking the practice tests. The questions started repeating after a short while. However, during the actual DMV exam, I didn’t encounter a single question from the app. There were some similar ones, but only very remotely. I passed the test, but I was very close to failing.
  24. [R174] 2/5 · US Didn't help failed test day it was taken: Didn't pass when test was taken
  25. [R12] 4/5 · US Good app but confusing subscription options: I think this is the the best app for practicing for the test - all the other apps don't look as professional. Though, the subscription options for this app are confusing. In the In-App purchases section on the App Store, there are quite a few options, but seemingly no way to choose these options after the free trial of the app. It's also not clear what
  26. [R158] 3/5 · US Not bad: I’d say the cost is what gets me like is it not a bit much for 30/7 days😅 I think they should lower the cost overall tho the app is pretty good and I learn quick it’s just that I can’t access more lessons.
  27. [R36] 3/5 · US Not bad: It’s glitchy and freezy, asking you want trial but without is calm 6.8/10
  28. [R185] 3/5 · US Missed questions: Challenge bank questions not generating after clicking on missed questions
  29. [R198] 1/5 · US Strange support for this app: I paid for tests and started in web. I could not find any ways to login to this app. I was trying to reach support but there is no way to send message. It freezes.
  30. [R99] 2/5 · US Will not let me log in.: I purchased a lifetime subscription years ago. There is no option to log in to restore that since I switched devices. It only allows for an Apple ID, which I did not sign up with. I signed up on a personal computer.
  31. [R250] 1/5 · US I do not recommend for the motorcycle test: Poor… not one of the practice test questions on the so called cheat sheet is asked at the DMV test. I want my money back. This is a scam
  32. [R266] 1/5 · CA Canadian provinces removed?: Before I’m sure I was able to study for Canadian knowledge test but I recently logged in and it’s no longer available??
  33. [R270] 1/5 · CA can't use in sk: class 4 questions not from sk
  34. [R279] 1/5 · AU DONT USE THIS APP - OUT OF DATE: Don’t use this app to prepare for your DMV Learner Permit Exam!! I completed the app and got 100% on the 3 final exams and I just failed my actual DMV exam because NONE of the questions related to the actual exam!!! I then said this to the DMV worker and he said “yeah don’t use that it’s been out of date for 5 years” so this app is a complete waste of time and mone
  35. [R20] 5/5 · US yayyy: took my permit test this morning & passed first try! this was lowkenuinely all i used to study, fully recommend.
  36. [R30] 5/5 · US Amazing app: What’s great is the interface and they don’t really pepper you with premium. You can’t make a driving quiz app any better than this.
  37. [R147] 1/5 · US money hungry: sigh, another money hungry app. i couldn’t even begin a lesson or anything and it just automatically brought me to a paying page.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store