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 ↗
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 ↗
A parked vehicle has its wheels turned toward the street and its backup lights come on. How should you treat these clues?
Correct answer: Expect that it may move into your path.
Vehicle lights and wheel position can warn of a vehicle about to move. Recognize the possibility early without assuming the other driver sees you.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 19: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Searching - Search for clues on the road ↗
Parked cars hide part of the sidewalk beside a playground. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: A person may enter the roadway from the hidden area.
Use extra care near playgrounds and residential areas. A blocked view can hide a pedestrian until they are close to your path.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 20: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Sharing the Road - Pedestrians ↗
You pass a tractor-trailer and discover that your exit is close ahead. Why is cutting directly in front and braking unsafe?
Correct answer: It removes stopping room the truck needs.
Large vehicles need substantial stopping room. Do not cut in closely after passing or force the truck to brake suddenly for your exit.
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, Front No-Zone ↗
You park facing uphill beside a curb on the right side of the road. Which front-wheel position helps keep the car from rolling into traffic?
Correct answer: Turn the wheels left, away from the curb.
For uphill parking with a curb on the right, turn the wheels away from the curb. The curb can then help restrain the car if it rolls backward; secure the vehicle as well.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 22: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Parking - Parking on a hill, uphill with curb diagram ↗
The road looks mostly clear on a cold morning. Where should you still be especially alert for ice?
Correct answer: On bridges and in shaded areas.
Bridges can freeze before other road surfaces, and shaded areas may remain icy. Do not assume a clear-looking approach means the next surface has equal traction.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 23: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Hazardous Conditions - Snow ↗
After drinking, a person has coffee and says that feeling more awake means it is safe to drive. What is the problem with that claim?
Correct answer: Coffee does not sober the person up.
Coffee is not a way to remove alcohol impairment. Do not equate feeling more awake with being sober or able to drive safely.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 24: Section 3 - Safe Driving, Dangerous Driving Behaviors - Drunk and Drugged Driving, only time ↗
Which placement is correct for an adult's lap-and-shoulder belt?
Correct answer: Lap portion low across the hips; shoulder portion across the chest.
Wear a snug lap belt low over the hips/upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the shoulder and chest. Do not route the shoulder belt behind the back or under an arm.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 26: Section 4 - Seat Belts; corroborated by NHTSA Seat Belts, Guidelines to buckle up safely ↗
A child has outgrown a harness seat and still fits an appropriate booster. Without the booster, the child slouches and the lap belt rides on the stomach. What should guide the choice?
Correct answer: Continue using the suitable booster until the belt fits correctly.
A usable buckle alone is not a proper belt fit. The child needs correct belt position and posture throughout the trip; follow the restraint's limits and applicable child-restraint requirements.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 27: Section 4 - Child Safety Seats, criteria for sitting without a booster; corroborated by NHTSA Seat Belts, Fitting a Child Correctly in a Seat Belt ↗
Which maneuver is prohibited by the symbol shown here?
Correct answer: Turning around to travel in the opposite direction
The U-shaped arrow under the red circle and slash means no U-turn. The symbol identifies the prohibited maneuver; it is not a warning about the road's shape.
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: No U-Turn. 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 change in the separation of traffic does this sign announce?
Correct answer: A median or divider will separate opposing roadways ahead
The divider at the upper part of the symbol indicates that a divided highway begins ahead. Opposing traffic will be on separate roadways; this is the counterpart of Divided Highway Ends.
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 Begins. 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. ↗
The red octagon appears inside a yellow diamond with an upward arrow. What should you expect?
Correct answer: A stop sign farther ahead
The yellow diamond is advance warning of a stop sign ahead. Distinguish it from the red octagonal stop sign at the actual control point.
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. ↗
Text-description practice: A yellow diamond contains a black plus-shaped roadway symbol. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: A crossroad where traffic may enter from either side
The plus-shaped roadway diagram warns of an intersection with a crossing road. It does not by itself establish which driver has priority or promise a clear route.
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: Intersections. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. ↗
Text-description practice: An orange-and-black DETOUR sign has an arrow pointing right. What is the sign directing you toward?
Correct answer: The indicated temporary alternate route
A detour sign guides traffic onto the indicated alternate route around a changed or obstructed route. Its arrow is route guidance, not parking permission or an exemption from other controls.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV39 (April 27, 2026), current-linked 40-page PDF; Section2 Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; physical 12, printed 10; Work-zone signs: Road Construction Ahead - Detour. Complete physical8-15 text and diagrams reviewed September13,2026. Road-sign recognition/meaning only; no signal or pavement-marking rule. ↗
