DMV Practice LabFind your state

DMV Practice Lab · Car practice sample

Virginia printable driving practice

20 questions · Choose one answer for each question. Check your choices against the answer key after you finish.

A short sample of car driving questions. Read the handbook to cover the other topics you need.

Practice online

Opens your browser’s print dialog. Choose a printer or Save as PDF where available. Check the preview before saving; the answer key begins on a new page.

Name: Date:

  1. 1. For normal steering, which grip gives you better control of the wheel?

    1. Hold the rim with your fingers and thumbs.
    2. Press against the rim with your palms only.
    3. Grip tightly with both hands crossed at the top.
    4. Steer mainly with one hand while the other rests.

    My answer:

  2. 2. At a yield-controlled roundabout entrance, a circulating vehicle is approaching your entry path. What is the safe choice?

    1. Wait for a suitable gap without forcing it to brake for you.
    2. Enter because arriving at the entrance gives you priority.
    3. Move partway in to make the circulating driver stop.
    4. Match its speed by entering beside it in the same lane.

    My answer:

  3. 3. You signal before a turn, with another driveway between you and your intended turn. What should you remember?

    1. The signal tells everyone the exact driveway you selected.
    2. Once signaling, you can stop checking nearby vehicles.
    3. Another driver may misunderstand where you intend to turn.
    4. The signal makes any driver at the first driveway wait.

    My answer:

  4. 4. A quiet rural road has hedges close to the pavement and several farms. What deserves special attention?

    1. Only traffic visible in your rearview mirror.
    2. Only the road's center line until you reach a town.
    3. Only vehicles traveling at the same speed as you.
    4. Hidden driveways and slow vehicles that may enter ahead.

    My answer:

  5. 5. Before crossing a shared-use path at a driveway, where should you look for approaching bicyclists?

    1. Only in the direction adjacent road traffic travels.
    2. In both directions along the path.
    3. Only behind the car nearest the driveway.
    4. Only for cyclists who sound a bell.

    My answer:

  6. 6. A truck ahead swings left as it prepares for a right turn. What should you do with the space between it and the curb?

    1. Stay out of it and allow the truck room to complete the turn.
    2. Use the opening if you can reach the corner first.
    3. Enter the opening as soon as the cab clears it.
    4. Follow closely into the opening behind the trailer wheels.

    My answer:

  7. 7. An oncoming driver leaves bright headlights on. What helps you keep a useful view without adding glare for that driver?

    1. Stare at the headlights to track the car continuously.
    2. Turn on your high beams until the other driver responds.
    3. Avoid staring into the beams and keep checking your road ahead.
    4. Look only at the road edge until the vehicles have passed.

    My answer:

  8. 8. On packed snow, you have ample room for an ordinary planned slowdown before a turn. Which approach is best?

    1. Reduce speed early and use gentle control inputs.
    2. Carry normal speed to the turn and brake sharply there.
    3. Alternate hard acceleration and braking to test grip.
    4. Wait until the car begins sliding before reducing speed.

    My answer:

  9. 9. A new medicine's label mentions dizziness, but you are unsure how that affects driving. What should you do before taking the wheel?

    1. Assume it is safe if it was sold without a prescription.
    2. Drive a familiar route to test whether the dizziness matters.
    3. Check the driving warnings and ask a pharmacist or clinician.
    4. Skip prescribed doses whenever a driving trip is planned.

    My answer:

  10. 10. Your car has front and side air bags. How should that affect belt use?

    1. Use the belt only when carrying front-seat passengers.
    2. Leave the shoulder belt off when side air bags are fitted.
    3. Use the belt only on roads where high-speed crashes are likely.
    4. Use the safety belt; air bags supplement its protection.

    My answer:

  11. 11. You face this sign at a junction. What instruction does it give before you continue?

    1. Slow down only if traffic is visible
    2. Stop only at a later junction
    3. Make a complete stop
    4. Do not enter the road at all

    My answer:

  12. 12. A driver reaches the island marked by this sign. Which side does the sign direct traffic to use?

    1. The right side of the island or obstruction
    2. The left side of the island or obstruction
    3. Either side, depending only on the driver's preference
    4. A right turn at the next intersection

    My answer:

  13. 13. Beyond this sign, which roadway arrangement should you anticipate?

    1. Opposing traffic without the present median or divider
    2. A new median separating the opposing directions
    3. A new lane reserved for passing on the right
    4. A dead-end roadway with no continuation

    My answer:

  14. 14. The triangular symbol is inside a yellow diamond below an upward arrow. What control is being announced?

    1. An unconditional stop at every approaching road
    2. The end of all intersection controls
    3. A lane reserved for slow-moving vehicles
    4. A yield sign farther ahead

    My answer:

  15. 15. Text-description practice: A yellow diamond contains a leaping deer silhouette. What does it identify?

    1. An area where deer may cross the roadway
    2. A route reserved for horseback riders
    3. The entrance to a livestock inspection station
    4. A requirement to stop at the sign every time

    My answer:

  16. 16. A road's posted speed felt comfortable earlier, but rain now makes the pavement slippery. What should guide your speed?

    1. The speed you maintained before the rain started.
    2. The posted number regardless of the pavement.
    3. The speed that lets you drive safely in the present conditions.
    4. The speed of the fastest vehicle still passing you.

    My answer:

  17. 17. You are preparing to move into a middle lane. A vehicle on the far side is signaling toward that same gap. What should you do?

    1. Continue because you signaled before reaching the gap.
    2. Delay the move until you know the gap will remain clear.
    3. Move halfway across the line to claim the space.
    4. Watch only the vehicle directly behind you.

    My answer:

  18. 18. Which observation lets you measure a following gap in seconds?

    1. Time from seeing its brake lights until they go out.
    2. Time from the lead car passing a fixed landmark until you pass it.
    3. Time while the lead car is hidden behind a curve.
    4. Time spent looking from one mirror to the other.

    My answer:

  19. 19. Before a planned slowdown, why should you know what traffic is doing behind you?

    1. It guarantees the following driver will stop in time.
    2. It helps you recognize a close or rapidly approaching follower.
    3. It lets you stop searching the road ahead.
    4. It makes your brake lights unnecessary.

    My answer:

  20. 20. You are ready to open your street-side door after parking. What should come first?

    1. Open the door partway to make approaching traffic move out.
    2. Look for passing vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
    3. Rely on the fact that the car is no longer moving.
    4. Listen for a horn and open the door if none sounds.

    My answer:

Check your work

Finish the questions first. The answer key is always included after the questions when you print.

Keep building your knowledge

Use the explanations to find topics to revisit. Online practice gives you feedback as you go.

Browse Virginia practice tests →Choose another state →

DMV Practice Lab · Virginia practice sheet · Read your handbook alongside these questions.