For normal steering, which grip gives you better control of the wheel?
Correct answer: Hold the rim with your fingers and thumbs.
Use a secure finger-and-thumb grip and a relaxed, upright posture. Pushing with your palms alone is not the grip recommended by the handbook.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 14: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Hand Position ↗
A road's posted speed felt comfortable earlier, but rain now makes the pavement slippery. What should guide your speed?
Correct answer: The speed that lets you drive safely in the present conditions.
A posted limit does not make that speed safe in poor conditions. Reduce speed when weather or road conditions require it.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 14: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Speed Limits ↗
You recognize that the car ahead has stopped, but your foot has not yet applied the brake. What is happening during that interval?
Correct answer: Your car is still covering reaction distance.
Reaction distance is the travel between recognizing a problem and applying the brakes. Stopping space must allow for this travel as well as braking.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Stopping Distance ↗
Two stops begin at the same speed with the same car. One road is dry and the other is wet. Why should you plan more room on the wet road?
Correct answer: Wet pavement can increase the distance traveled while braking.
Braking distance depends on pavement and tire conditions as well as speed and brake condition. Do not assume a dry-road stopping distance will work on wet pavement.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Stopping Distance ↗
Your car has functioning four-wheel antilock brakes. Which habit should you avoid when braking hard?
Correct answer: Repeatedly pumping the brake pedal.
Do not pump antilock brakes. Learn the particular car's system from its owner's manual; ABS instructions are not interchangeable with non-ABS techniques.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Antilock Brakes ↗
You are approaching an unfamiliar roundabout. What preparation is most helpful before reaching its entrance?
Correct answer: Identify your exit and follow the approach's lane guidance.
Read the approach's street, direction and lane guidance early. Roundabout layouts vary; advance planning avoids a last-moment maneuver inside the circle.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 17: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Roundabouts - tips for driving safely; corroborated by VDOT Roundabout webpage, updated March 27, 2026, How to Navigate; linked Navigating a Roundabout brochure ↗
At a yield-controlled roundabout entrance, a circulating vehicle is approaching your entry path. What is the safe choice?
Correct answer: Wait for a suitable gap without forcing it to brake for you.
Traffic entering a roundabout yields to traffic already circulating. Enter only when the path and gap are safe, also checking for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 16: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Roundabouts; continued on printed p. 17; corroborated by VDOT Roundabout webpage, updated March 27, 2026, What is a roundabout ↗
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?
Correct answer: Delay the move until you know the gap will remain clear.
A lane-change check must include drivers moving into the same lane from elsewhere. A signal announces intention; it does not reserve the gap.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 17: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Changing Lanes ↗
Another driver has begun passing your car. How can you help the pass finish safely?
Correct answer: Keep a steady speed or ease off rather than accelerating.
When being passed, do not speed up. Maintaining a steady speed or slowing permits the other driver to complete the maneuver.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 17: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Passing - When being passed ↗
Your right tires drift onto a level shoulder. Why is a sudden sharp turn back toward the lane dangerous?
Correct answer: It can over-correct the car and cause a loss of control.
Do not panic or yank the wheel. Reduce speed gradually and make a controlled return when safe; a sharp over-correction can make the rear of the car slide.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 18: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Over-correcting ↗
While waiting to turn left across opposing traffic, how should you hold the front wheels until you actually turn?
Correct answer: Keep them pointed straight ahead.
Straight wheels reduce the chance of being pushed into opposing traffic if struck from behind while waiting. Turn the wheels when beginning the actual turn.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 18: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Turning - To make a left turn ↗
You finish a lane change and the turn signal is still flashing. What should you do?
Correct answer: Cancel it so it does not suggest another move.
Check that the turn signal has stopped after a turn or lane change. A continuing signal can mislead surrounding drivers.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 18: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Turn Signals ↗
