Virginia Driver’s License & Permit Practice Tests
Results
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#1. When you park and leave your car:
Whenever you park and leave your vehicle, always turn off the engine and set the parking brake. Take the keys and lock your vehicle.
#2. On a country road at night, a vehicle with high beams comes toward you. What should you do?
Make sure you have dimmed your own lights. Do not look directly at oncoming headlights. Glance toward the right side of the road, then look quickly ahead to determine the other vehicle’s position. Keep doing this until you have passed the other vehicle. Even if the other driver does not dim his headlights, do not turn on your high-beam headlights.
#3. If conditions such as road construction or bad weather make the posted speed unsafe, you must:
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.
#4. You have stopped your car. Before opening your door, you should always:
Be aware of other traffic when exiting your vehicle. Look for other cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians before opening the door.
#5. When you approach a traffic signal displaying a steady yellow light, you must:
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.
#6. Which is true about alcohol?
Alcohol is removed slowly by the body. Only time can decrease intoxication. Coffee, cold showers or exercise will not sober you up.
#7. During foggy weather, a driver should turn on the vehicle's high-beam headlights to increase the field of vision.
Fog reflects light and can reflect your own headlights back into your eyes. Use your low-beam lights when you encounter fog, dust, heavy rain, or snow.
#8. To avoid last-minute moves, you should:
Looking ahead will help you identify risks early and provide you with more time to react. Expert drivers try to focus their eyes 20 to 30 seconds ahead. In the city, that equals approximately one block. Avoid staring at the middle of the road. Scan from side to side, checking for traffic signs and signals, cars or people that might be in the road by the time you reach them.
#9. The most common mistake that drivers make when backing up is:
The most common mistake that drivers make when backing up is failing to look both ways behind them. Mirrors do not give you a full view. To see as much as possible, turn your body and head to the right and look out through the rear window. Back up slowly and check for pedestrians and approaching traffic by glancing quickly to either side.
#10. The safest place to install a child safety seat is:
The safest place to install a child safety seat is in the center of the back seat. Never place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side airbag turned on.
#11. When being passed by another car, you should:
When being passed, do not speed up. Stay in the proper lane. Maintain a steady speed or slow down.
#12. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit in school, business and residential areas is:
Legal speed limit in school zones, business or residential districts is 25 mph. You are required to travel 25 mph in a school zone only when indicated by a sign or signal. Otherwise, maintain the posted speed.
#13. A bicycle rider:
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.
#14. True or false? When passing a motorcycle, you must signal and change lanes, just like you would when passing a car.
Respect the vehicle space of a motorcycle and its position in traffic. Never drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane. Although a motorcycle is not as wide as the lane, the rider will use the entire lane as traffic situations and road conditions change. A slight change or debris on the road surface can be a major obstacle for a motorcyclist. Expect the motorcycle to make sudden moves within the lane.
#15. If a collision with a wild animal is unavoidable, it is best to:
If a collision with a deer or other animal is unavoidable, do not swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane, and come to a controlled stop. The safest alternative may be hitting the animal.
#16. You meet an oncoming school bus on an undivided roadway with two lanes. The bus displays flashing red lights. What should you do?
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.
#17. The most considerable risk with airbags is:
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.
#18. To avoid getting tired on a long trip, you should:
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
#19. Motor vehicles registered in Virginia must be inspected:
Your vehicle must pass an annual vehicle safety inspection and display a valid safety inspection sticker. In certain localities, your vehicle also must pass an emissions inspection.
#20. True or false? When entering an interstate from an entrance ramp, you have the right-of-way.
Drivers entering an interstate from an entrance ramp must yield the right-of-way to traffic already on the highway.
#21. Where are you likely to see this blue sign?
The purpose of the Railroad Emergency Notification System sign is to provide the public with critical emergency contact information at every highway-rail grade crossing. If a dangerous condition exists at a rail crossing, call the number listed on the emergency sign. This will allow the rail company to stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed. Be sure to give the posted crossing number so that the hazard can be identified correctly.
#22. At a four-way stop, a driver should always yield the right-of-way to:
At four-way stops, the first vehicle to stop should move forward first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
#23. When you drive through a work zone, you should:
Remember, the color orange marks a work zone and means slow down and be alert.
The lives of highway construction workers depend on drivers like you obeying the posted speed limits. Be alert to flashing arrow panels or messages, signs and flaggers which will control your actions in the area. When driving near the devices, keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane. Do not change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone.
#24. At speeds over 45, you should use a following distance of:
At speeds over 45 mph or when road conditions change, you should use a following distance of four seconds or more.
#25. Double solid white lines mean:
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.
| This Virginia Permit Practice Test | |
|---|---|
| Questions per test: | 25 |
| Question pool: | 500+ |
| Type of test: | Random multiple-choice / True or False |
| The Official Virginia Written Knowledge Test | |
|---|---|
| Questions on real exam: | Part I: 10 Part II: 25 |
| Passing score: | Part I: 100% Part II: 80% |
| Correct answers to pass: | Part I: 10 Part II: 20 |
| Allotted time to complete test: | No limit |
| Wait time before retest: | 1-15 days |
This Virginia (VA) Permit Practice Test
This practice test helps you prepare for the second part of your knowledge examination. It has 25 questions about Virginia traffic laws, standard road rules, and safe driving practices.
After each question, you can see whether your answer is correct. If your answer needs to be corrected, there is also a short explanation to help you understand the facts behind the question.
Keep the latest version of the Virginia Driver’s Manual handy and compare comments with the information in the manual. By reading up on your weaknesses, you will learn faster. If you don’t have the manual yet, you can quickly get the latest PDF version online .
Remember, we have designed the practice tests to help you study. Use them as a supplement to the Driver’s Manual – not instead of it.
Two-part Knowledge Examination
To get your learner’s permit or driver’s license in Virginia, you must pass a two-part knowledge examination:
A road sign identification test
A general knowledge test
The first test addresses ten road signs described in the driver’s manual. You must correctly identify all ten signs by shape, color, symbols, and messages. You can check your knowledge of the road signs here: Virginia road sign Recognition test .
It is imperative to know and understand all the road signs.
The second part will verify your general knowledge of laws, rules, and standard driving practices. On this part, the passing score is 80 percent. Out of 25 questions, you need to get at least 20 questions right to pass.
If you combine these two parts, the passing score is 86%, which is higher than in many other states .
On the practice tests, you should aim for a perfect score of 100%.
Who Must Pass the Virginia Knowledge Exam?
First-time applicants.
First-time applicants must always pass all tests, including the written knowledge exam.
Drivers who had their license revoked.
After a license revocation, DMV will restore your driving privilege only if you re-apply for a new driver’s license and pass all applicable tests again, including the written knowledge exam.
Drivers who let their license expire for more than a year.
Be sure to renew your driver’s license in time. If you let your license expire for more than one year, DMV may ask for a re-test.
Drivers with a foreign driver’s license.
DMV will typically waive the knowledge exam if you apply for a Virginia license and hold a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state. The same applies if you are 19 or older and have a valid license from Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea.
Applicants with a license from a country other than Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea who are at least 19 years old may convert their foreign license to a Virginia license only after successfully passing all tests.
Failing the Knowledge Exam
You can only take the written exam once per day.
If you fail the test and you are less than 18 years, you must wait 15 days before you can retake it. If you are 18 years or older, you can retake it the next business day – but must pay an additional testing fee.
If you fail the knowledge exam three times, you must complete a driver education course before you can take the test a fourth time. The course must be part of driver education at a driver training school approved by the DMV or the Department of Education. Note that driver improvement courses don’t meet this requirement!
Learn how to ace the DMV test !
Languages
The knowledge test is available in English and Spanish. But several other languages are also supported. For a complete list, check out dmv.virginia.gov .
Audio versions of the exam are available. Ask for a headset and audio support before you start the test.
Applicants with other needs or special help should inform a DMV staff member before the examination. We recommend that you call ahead and explain your situation. Such accommodations may not be available at driving schools.
Cheating
Remember, you can’t:
- Get help from others when taking the test.
- Help another person during the test.
- Try to get test questions or answers before the test.
- Give another person exam questions or answers.
- Use a cell phone or other electronic devices during the exam.
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