Virginia Driver’s License & Permit Practice Tests

Slow down if you see a deer near or crossing the road. Deer frequently travel in groups, there are likely more deer nearby.

It is never allowed to drive around or under a lowered gate at a railroad crossing

A person that had too much to drink must not drive. If possible, they should arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or call a cab.

Remember, alcohol-related crashes are not accidents. They can be prevented. The only way to avoid the risks of drinking and driving is to decide before you start drinking that you are not going to drive.

Bicycles are considered vehicles and have the same right-of-way as motor vehicles. Bicyclists are also expected to obey the same traffic rules and regulations as other vehicle drivers.

Your grip on the steering wheel is important. If your steering wheel were a clock, your hands should be at the 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock positions. Hold the wheel with your fingers and thumbs. Avoid gripping it with your palms. Gripping the steering wheel as described diminishes the risk of hand, wrist, or arm injury if the airbag is deployed.

Virginia law requires motorists to use headlights during inclement weather such as rain, fog, snow, or sleet when visibility is reduced to 500 feet. You must use your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers as a result of bad weather.

If both sides of the center lane are marked by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line, drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns. However, they may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane.

If you run off the road, do not panic. Stay on the shoulder and gradually reduce your speed. Ease up on the gas pedal and use your brakes carefully. Regain control, look in the direction you want to go, then turn slowly back onto the road.

Too often motorists panic, over-correcting, and steer abruptly to return to the road.

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions. You may drive slower than the posted speed, but it is illegal to drive any faster. By law, you must drive slower if conditions such as road construction or bad weather make the posted speed unsafe.

If the orange stripes slant down to the right, go to the right. If the stripes slant to the left, go to the left.

When traveling in the same direction as the bus, you must always stop and remain stopped until all children clear the roadway and the bus moves again.

Lane use signals indicate lanes where you can and cannot drive during different hours of the day.

• Red X: Never drive in a lane marked with a red X signal.
• Yellow X: A yellow X signal means that you should move out of the lane as soon as safely possible.
• Green Arrow: You are permitted to drive in a lane marked with a green arrow signal.
• Left-turn Arrow: You are permitted to enter in a lane marked with a one-way or two-way arrow only to turn in the direction of the arrow.

Driving while you are sleepy reduces your ability to drive effectively. Your reaction time is slower, awareness is decreased, and judgment is impaired.

To avoid falling asleep at the wheel:

• Get plenty of quality sleep before a trip.
• Limit long distance driving. Stop at least every two hours for rest.
• Keep the temperature cool in your vehicle.
• Talk with passengers but not to the point of distraction.
• Keep your eyes moving and check your mirrors often.
• If possible, drive with a companion and switch drivers

When driving at 50 mph, use a four-second rule to determine if you are following far enough behind the vehicle ahead of you.

Wearing seat belts, also called safety belts, can double your chances of surviving a crash and more than double your chances of avoiding serious injury. Your shoulder and lap belts should be snug. Remember to wear your lap belt low on your lap and against your thighs. Wear your shoulder belt over your shoulder and across your chest. Never wear your shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.

Before you return to the right lane, look at your interior rear-view mirror. Return to the right lane as soon as you can see the front of the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror.

It is illegal to transport children under age 16 in the bed of a pickup truck, even if equipped with a camper shell.

Watch for ice on bridges and in shady areas. Bridges freeze before other road surfaces.

Always approach bridges, shaded spots, overpasses and turns slowly.

If you receive 18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months, DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days and require that you complete a driver improvement clinic.

Headed either uphill or downhill and there is no curb, turn the wheels so the car will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

When police, fire and rescue vehicles or ambulances approach you from behind your vehicle using a siren, flashing lights or both, you must immediately yield the right-of-way.

Even correctly adjusted mirrors will leave blind spots behind both sides of your vehicle. Expect vehicles to be in those blind spots you cannot see in your rearview or side mirrors. Quickly glance over your shoulder and check for any vehicles that may be in your blind spot.

Legal speed limit in school zones, business or residential districts is 25 mph.

At a red light, come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, before entering the intersection or before reaching the crosswalk. Remain stopped as long as the signal is red, unless turns are allowed.

When approaching intersections without traffic signals or signs yield to any vehicle that reaches an intersection before you. If you get there at the same time, you must yield to the motorist on the right.