VA Permit practice Updated for 2026

Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test

Your Virginia test at a glance

Car learner knowledge exam

Two-part knowledge exam

Questions
40
Correct to pass
34
Passing score
Not published by Virginia DMV
Mistakes allowed
6

Important test rules

  • Part one: all 10 road-sign questions must be correct before proceeding.
  • Part two: at least 24 of 30 general-knowledge questions must be correct.
  • 34 total correct alone is not sufficient: no sign errors are allowed; up to six errors are possible only in part two.
Sources & exam details
  • 40 total questions, 34 minimum total correct and six permissible general-section errors are derived from the two published section counts.
  • Do not describe this as an unconditional 85% passing score. No distinct teen/adult question count is published; retake rules differ by age.

Independent practice. Read it alongside the official handbook.

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Virginia Practice Test 1

Practice mode
Question 1 of 15
  1. 1. For normal steering, which grip gives you better control of the wheel?
  2. 2. At a yield-controlled roundabout entrance, a circulating vehicle is approaching your entry path. What is the safe choice?
  3. 3. You signal before a turn, with another driveway between you and your intended turn. What should you remember?
  4. 4. A quiet rural road has hedges close to the pavement and several farms. What deserves special attention?
  5. 5. Before crossing a shared-use path at a driveway, where should you look for approaching bicyclists?
  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?
  7. 7. An oncoming driver leaves bright headlights on. What helps you keep a useful view without adding glare for that driver?
  8. 8. On packed snow, you have ample room for an ordinary planned slowdown before a turn. Which approach is best?
  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?
  10. 10. Your car has front and side air bags. How should that affect belt use?
  11. 11. You face this sign at a junction. What instruction does it give before you continue?
    Red eight-sided sign with a white border and white lettering.
  12. 12. A driver reaches the island marked by this sign. Which side does the sign direct traffic to use?
    White upright rectangle with a black arrow bending around a black shape.
  13. 13. Beyond this sign, which roadway arrangement should you anticipate?
    Yellow diamond showing opposite black arrows with a black shape between them near the bottom.
  14. 14. The triangular symbol is inside a yellow diamond below an upward arrow. What control is being announced?
    Yellow diamond with a black upward arrow above a small downward-pointing red-and-white triangle.
  15. 15. Text-description practice: A yellow diamond contains a leaping deer silhouette. What does it identify?
Review all 15 questions with answers
  1. 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 ↗

  2. 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 ↗

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

    Correct answer: Another driver may misunderstand where you intend to turn.

    A turn signal gives direction, not an exact destination. Stay alert for a driver who misunderstands your intention and pulls into your path.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 18: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Turn Signals ↗

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

    Correct answer: Hidden driveways and slow vehicles that may enter ahead.

    Rural driving calls for attention to hidden intersections, driveways and slow-moving farm vehicles, along with curves, hills and changing road conditions.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 19: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Searching - When driving in rural areas ↗

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

    Correct answer: In both directions along the path.

    Bicyclists may approach from either direction on shared-use paths and two-way facilities. Look both ways before crossing their path.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 20: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Sharing the Road - Bicycles ↗

  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?

    Correct answer: Stay out of it and allow the truck room to complete the turn.

    A large vehicle may need a wide approach to a turn. Do not squeeze between it and the curb, where its turn can close the available space.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 21: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Sharing the Road - Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, Buses and RVs, Wide Turns ↗

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

    Correct answer: Avoid staring into the beams and keep checking your road ahead.

    Do not retaliate with high beams or stare into the glare. Briefly use the road side as a reference while continuing to check ahead and the other vehicle's position.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 23: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Hazardous Conditions - Night Driving ↗

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

    Correct answer: Reduce speed early and use gentle control inputs.

    Packed snow can be as slippery as ice. For an ordinary planned maneuver, slow early and brake gently; this is not an emergency-braking instruction for every brake system.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 23: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Hazardous Conditions - Snow ↗

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

    Correct answer: Check the driving warnings and ask a pharmacist or clinician.

    Some prescription and nonprescription medicines can impair driving. Follow the warnings and get professional advice if unsure; do not change prescribed treatment on your own.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 25: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Dangerous Driving Behaviors - Drunk and Drugged Driving, medication labels; corroborated by FDA Some Medicines and Driving Don't Mix, How to Avoid Impaired Driving ↗

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

    Correct answer: Use the safety belt; air bags supplement its protection.

    Air bags are designed to work with safety belts, not replace them. Their presence does not remove the need for proper restraint.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 27: Section 4 - Air Bags; corroborated by NHTSA Air Bags, Protection ↗

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

    Correct answer: Make a complete stop

    The red octagon requires a complete stop. It is different from a yield sign, an advance warning of a stop, and a sign prohibiting entry.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 8, printed 6; Traffic Signs - Sign Shapes: Octagon (Stop). Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. Illustration: existing official FHWA 2009 panel, verified against the Virginia example; design provenance only, not an adoption claim. ↗

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

    Correct answer: The right side of the island or obstruction

    Keep Right directs traffic past the right side of the island, median or barrier shown by the symbol. It does not direct a turn at another junction.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 9, printed 7; Regulatory signs: Keep Right. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. Illustration: existing official FHWA 2009 panel, verified against the Virginia example; design provenance only, not an adoption claim. ↗

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

    Correct answer: Opposing traffic without the present median or divider

    This sign warns that the divided highway ends. The black divider is at the lower part of the symbol, and the road ahead carries traffic in both directions without that separation.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 10, printed 8; Warning signs: Divided Highway Ends. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. Illustration: existing official FHWA 2009 panel, verified against the Virginia example; design provenance only, not an adoption claim. ↗

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

    Correct answer: A yield sign farther ahead

    The upward arrow over the yield symbol is advance warning of a yield sign. It announces a later control rather than replacing it with a stop or lane-use rule.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 10, printed 8; Warning signs: Stop Ahead/Yield Ahead. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. Illustration: existing official FHWA 2009 panel, verified against the Virginia example; design provenance only, not an adoption claim. ↗

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

    Correct answer: An area where deer may cross the roadway

    The deer silhouette warns of an area where deer cross. Be alert and ready to slow or stop; the sign is not an animal-only route or an unconditional stop control.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 10, printed 8; Warning signs: Deer Crossing. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. ↗

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Your Virginia study guide

Read the study notes alongside the handbook, then check the licensing essentials below.

Before you apply

Virginia licensing essentials

From DMV. Check the requirements for your age and application.

Sources checked

What is the minimum age for a Virginia learner permit?

You must be at least 15 years and six months old to apply for a Virginia learner permit. Applicants under 18 need written parent or guardian consent unless legally emancipated. The permit allows the supervised-learning stage, not independent driving or automatic eligibility for a driver license.

Virginia DMV: Learner Permit (opens in a new tab)

What must I do to obtain a first Virginia learner permit?

Complete Virginia's permit application and present the required supporting documents to DMV. A first-time applicant must pass a vision screening and the two-part knowledge examination. Check DMV's document guidance before the visit so that your identity, residency and other required evidence match your application circumstances.

Virginia DMV: Learner Permit (opens in a new tab)

What must a Virginia teen complete after getting a learner permit?

For licensing before 18, Virginia requires at least nine months with a learner permit and completion of approved driver education. You also need 45 hours of supervised driving, including 15 after sunset. Finishing the knowledge test alone does not complete these teen licensing requirements.

Virginia DMV: Learner Permit (opens in a new tab)

Check the agency for updates before you apply.

Virginia permit test: frequently asked questions

How should I prepare for the Virginia permit test?

Read a section of the Virginia driver handbook, then try a short practice test. Review each explanation and revisit the rules behind your mistakes before you try again.

Are these Virginia permit practice tests free?

Yes. The Virginia practice tests are free and include answer explanations. No account is needed. Choose a test to begin.

How should I use the Virginia handbook with these questions?

Read the explanation after each answer. If a rule is unclear, find it in the handbook and explain it in your own words. Try the question again after you understand the rule.

Where can I practice Virginia road signs?

Open the Virginia road-sign section to practice recognizing shapes, colors and meanings. The illustrated sign guide also compares signs that look similar. Study the action each sign requires, then check the Virginia handbook for local rules that apply with it.

How can I review mistakes from my Virginia practice tests?

Use My mistakes to revisit questions saved from your Virginia car practice on this browser. Full test results also offer answer review and, when available, a retry of missed questions. Progress is stored on this device; it does not transfer automatically to another browser or phone.

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Choose your license type or a topic to review. Read the handbook, try a practice test, and return to any rules you missed.

Looking for a sign’s meaning? Compare road-sign pictures and meanings, then return to your state practice for local rules.