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 ↗
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 ↗
On a straight road, what is the best way to search for developing hazards?
Correct answer: Keep scanning ahead and to the sides instead of fixating on one point.
Searching includes the whole traffic scene. Moving your eyes and looking ahead helps you recognize risks before they become immediate.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 19: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Searching - Looking ahead ↗
You have been driving beside the rear quarter of another car where its driver may not see you. What is the safer plan?
Correct answer: Adjust your position safely so you do not linger in its blind spot.
Avoid remaining in another driver's blind spot. Create a safer relative position without speeding or making an unsafe lane change.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 20: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Blind Spots - avoid someone else's blind spot ↗
A motorcyclist is riding near one side of a wide lane. Should you drive your car alongside in the same lane?
Correct answer: No; leave the rider the lane's maneuvering space.
Do not drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane. The rider may need its full width as traffic or road conditions change.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 20: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Sharing the Road - Motorcycles, never drive beside ↗
While slowly backing a car with an unobstructed rear window, how should you keep watch?
Correct answer: Look behind directly and keep checking both sides.
Mirrors do not provide a complete rearward view. Look back, move slowly and check both sides for approaching traffic or pedestrians throughout the maneuver.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 22: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Backing ↗
Before a snowy trip, you clear the windshield but leave a thick layer on the roof. What remains to be done?
Correct answer: Remove the snow and ice from the rest of the car too.
Clear the whole vehicle, including windows, mirrors, lights, roof, hood and rear. Snow or ice left on the car can obstruct your view or fly into other traffic.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 23: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Hazardous Conditions - Snow ↗
You are arranging an evening at which you plan to drink alcohol. Which transportation plan avoids having to judge your own driving fitness afterward?
Correct answer: Arrange a sober driver or another ride before drinking.
Plan a sober ride before alcohol can affect your judgment. A familiar route or a later feeling of confidence is not a safe transportation plan.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 25: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Dangerous Driving Behaviors - Drunk and Drugged Driving, sober ride planning ↗
During a traffic stop, an officer asks for a document in your glove compartment. What is the advised way to retrieve it?
Correct answer: Explain where it is, then reach for it slowly as directed.
Tell the officer where the requested document is and avoid sudden movements when retrieving it. Keep your hands visible as much as possible and follow instructions.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 26: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Traffic Stops - requested documents ↗
Before driving with children in the rear seat, what door-related precaution should you take?
Correct answer: Securely close the doors and use fitted child safety locks as intended.
Check that doors are closed and locked, and use the fitted child-lock feature. If a door must be opened, stop safely first; do not have children manage an unsecured door in motion.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 27: Section 4 - Child Safety Seats, when traveling with children ↗
Text-description practice: A rectangular ONE WAY sign has its arrow pointing right. What does that arrow establish?
Correct answer: Traffic on that roadway travels only to the right
The arrow on a One Way sign identifies the permitted direction of traffic on that roadway. It is not a U-turn instruction or a slower-traffic lane rule.
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: One Way. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. ↗
You are using the right-hand lane when you see this sign. What change in the roadway is ahead?
Correct answer: The right lane ends and traffic must merge left when safe
The right side of the lane diagram tapers inward. It warns that the right lane ends, so a driver there must find a safe opportunity to merge left.
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: Lane Reduction. 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. ↗
What does this arrow warn you to prepare for beyond the sign?
Correct answer: A series of turns or curves
The repeated bends indicate a winding road with a series of turns or curves. It is an advance warning about the route, not an instruction to weave across lanes.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 11, printed 9; Warning signs: Winding Road. 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. ↗
Text-description practice: A yellow diamond's route arrow bends sharply right and then sharply left. Which sequence should the driver expect?
Correct answer: A sharp right turn followed by a sharp left turn
Read the symbol from the bottom upward along the approaching route. This example warns of successive sharp turns, first right and then left, rather than a fork.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 11, printed 9; Warning signs: Sharp Right and Left Turns. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. ↗
Text-description practice: A yellow diamond depicts the underside of a long vehicle contacting raised railroad tracks. What is the particular hazard?
Correct answer: A low vehicle could drag or become hung up at the crossing
The symbol warns of a crossing profile that can catch the underside of low vehicles. This is ground-clearance recognition, not an overhead-height sign or a procedure for a vehicle stuck on tracks.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 11, printed 9; Warning signs: Low Ground Railroad Crossing. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. ↗
