Virginia Driver’s License & Permit Practice Tests

Allow extra space when following large vehicles that block your view ahead. The extra space allows you to see around the vehicle and allows the other driver to see you.

If you are a new Virginia resident and drive, you must obtain a Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of moving here.

You must, however, title and register your vehicle and obtain Virginia license plates within 30 days of moving to Virginia.

You must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when you approach from any direction on a highway, private road, or school driveway. Stop and remain stopped until all persons are clear, and the bus moves again.

You must also stop if the bus is loading or unloading passengers and the signals are not on.

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

The legal speed limit on public roads not part of the interstate system is 55 mph. On unpaved roads the speed limit is 35 mph. In school, business and residential areas, the speed limit is 25 mph.

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

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

A fluorescent and reflective orange triangular sign indicates slow-moving vehicles, such as farm and construction equipment operating on public highways. Be prepared to adjust your speed or position when you see a vehicle with this sign.

The biggest risk is being too close to the airbag. An airbag needs about 10 inches of space to inflate.

If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, move your seat back so that you are at least ten inches from the steering wheel. If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.

If you park next to a curb, pull close to it. You may not park more than one foot from the curb.

Yellow circular lights or arrows are caution warnings. The light is about to change. If you have not entered the intersection, stop if you can do so safely. If you are already in the intersection, go through it. Do not speed up to beat the light.

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.

Rolling down a window, chewing gum, turning up the radio, or consuming caffeine, energy drinks or other stimulants do not prevent drowsy driving and are not reliable methods for staying awake.

Double solid white lines are used to designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when used to separate HOV lanes from the other lanes of an expressway. You may not cross these lines.

When emergency vehicles approach you in the opposite lane on an undivided highway, you must pull over to the edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.

You should always try to keep up with the normal flow of traffic, while not exceeding the posted speed limit. Some collisions are caused by driving too slowly and backing up traffic. When road surfaces and traffic are normal, the law prohibits blocking traffic through slow driving. A conviction of impeding traffic will add three demerit points on your driving record.

If your car stalls on the tracks and a train is approaching, do not hesitate. Get out of the car right away and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train.

You must run in the direction of the oncoming train to avoid being struck by the debris from the accident.

Blind spots are danger areas where vehicles around you cannot be easily seen. Before driving, adjust your vehicle’s mirrors. Make sure the inside rear-view mirror frames the entire back window. Adjust both side mirrors so you can barely see the sides of your vehicle.

The best way to see a car in your blind spot is by quickly turning your head and glancing over your shoulder to ensure the way is clear before changing lanes or passing another vehicle.

Avoid driving in someone else’s blind spot. This can be just as dangerous as not checking your own blind spot. Speed up or drop back – but don’t stay in the other driver’s blind spot.

When the law requires vehicles to have their headlights on, it is illegal to use only the parking lights.

When on the road, drivers should not use cell phones, computers, or other distracting devices except to report a crash or emergency. There is, however, no general prohibition on cell phone use while driving in Virginia.

Virginia law prohibits drivers under age 18 from using cell phones or any other wireless communication device while driving except in a driver emergency and the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.

Text messaging or reading of text messages while driving is illegal for all drivers

All children under age eight must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat when riding in vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1968. Children age eight or older, but younger than age 18, must be properly secured in a safety belt, booster seat or child safety seat.

All three cars. It is important to remember that there are several no-zones (blind spots) in which a truck driver cannot see other vehicles. These areas include both sides, rear, and front of the truck.

Speed up to the flow of traffic when leaving the entrance ramp or acceleration lane. Avoid coming to a complete stop. You must yield the right-of-way to traffic already on the highway. Enter the right-hand lane when safe.

Bicycles are considered vehicles and have the same right-of-way as motor vehicles. Bicyclists are allowed to ride in the center of the lane, when necessary, such as when they are about to turn left or when the lane is too narrow to share side-by-side with a car.

When entering a roadway from a private road or driveway, you must stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians. Stop at the sidewalk, or if there is no sidewalk, at a point prior to entering the roadway.

In your lifetime, there’s a 50-50 chance that you’ll be involved in an alcohol-related crash.