On an unposted two-lane residential street that is not part of the state primary system or a limited-access highway, what is Virginia's ordinary maximum speed limit?
Correct answer: 25 mph
Section 46.2-874 sets a 25 mph default in business and residential districts, but excludes the specified limited-access, four-or-more-lane and state-primary highways. The scenario excludes those roads and any different lawful posting.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-874, entire section; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A Virginia highway has an unstabilized dirt-and-gravel surface and no posted speed limit. What statutory maximum applies?
Correct answer: 35 mph
Section 46.2-873.1 sets 35 mph on nonsurface-treated roads made of earth-aggregate or aggregate materials not stabilized with bituminous or cementitious material. An authorized increase or decrease is not effective until posted.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-873.1, entire section; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A passenger car travels on an ordinary paved rural Virginia highway outside any business, residential or school zone. No different lawful limit applies. What general maximum governs?
Correct answer: 55 mph
Section 46.2-870 supplies the 55 mph general limit for passenger motor vehicles, subject to other limits in the article. Higher 60 or 70 mph limits require the specified roadway and lawful posting; they are not a general rural-road allowance.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-870, first through third paragraphs; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
Driver A travels 75 mph where the applicable maximum is 55 mph. Driver B travels 86 mph where it is 70 mph. Under Virginia's speed-based reckless-driving rule, which driver meets a trigger?
Correct answer: Both A and B
Section 46.2-862 covers driving at least 20 mph over the applicable maximum or in excess of 85 mph regardless of that maximum. A is 20 over; B exceeds 85. These are the statutory speed triggers, not permission to drive unsafely below them.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-862, entire section; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 14, physical PDF p. 16: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=16. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
In daylight, rain requires a driver's windshield wipers to run continuously. Although vehicles remain visible well beyond 500 feet, what does Virginia law require?
Correct answer: Turn on the required headlights and illuminating devices
Section 46.2-1030(A)(iii) independently requires the prescribed headlights and illuminating devices when wipers are in use because of the listed weather. The question uses continuous rain operation, not the section's intermittent-misting exception.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1030, subsection A, clause (iii) and intermittent-misting proviso; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 22, physical PDF p. 24: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=24. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
During daylight haze, people and vehicles ahead are not clearly discernible at 500 feet. The windshield is dry and the wipers are off. Which legal lighting duty applies?
Correct answer: Use the required headlights and illuminating devices
Under section 46.2-1030(A)(ii), unfavorable atmospheric conditions that prevent persons or vehicles from being clearly discernible at 500 feet trigger the lighting requirement. This is separate from the sunset and wiper triggers.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1030, subsection A, clauses (i) through (iii); complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 22, physical PDF p. 24: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=24. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
Virginia law requires low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within what distance, and when following another vehicle within what distance?
Correct answer: 500 feet oncoming; 200 feet following
Section 46.2-1034 specifies 500 feet for an approaching oncoming vehicle and 200 feet when approaching from behind or following a vehicle traveling in the same direction. It also separately requires low beams on sufficiently lighted highways.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1034, entire section, second and third sentences; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 23, physical PDF p. 25: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=25. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A driver cannot leave the required clearance while passing a pedal bicycle within the existing lane. What does Virginia's bicycle-passing statute require?
Correct answer: Change lanes for the pass and leave at least three feet
Section 46.2-839 requires a reasonable passing speed and at least three feet to the left, returning right only when safely clear. If the lane is too narrow to do that within the lane, the driver must change lanes; if a safe pass is unavailable, wait.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-839, entire section; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 17, physical PDF p. 19: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=19. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A slowly moving pedal bicycle is ahead on a road with two solid yellow centerlines. With all other passing restrictions satisfied, can the driver cross those lines for the pass?
Correct answer: Yes, but only if the movement can be made safely
Section 46.2-804(6) expressly permits crossing double solid yellow lines to pass a pedestrian or a human-powered device, including a bicycle, if safe. This does not remove section 46.2-839's clearance requirement or other applicable restrictions.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-804, subdivision 6; also section 46.2-839; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 18, physical PDF p. 20: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=20. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A marked middle left-turn or holding lane has a solid line beside a broken line on each side. To reach a left turn, how far may a vehicle travel in that lane under Virginia law?
Correct answer: No farther than 150 feet
Section 46.2-804(5) allows entry into the described middle lane for a left turn into a road or entrance, but limits travel in that lane to 150 feet. It is not an unlimited approach lane.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-804, subdivision 5, second sentence; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 18, physical PDF p. 20: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=20. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A car ahead has signaled a left turn. The only way around its right side is along the paved shoulder. No signs authorize shoulder driving and no emergency applies. May the following driver pass there?
Correct answer: No; the left-turn signal does not authorize shoulder passing
Section 46.2-841 permits certain safe passes on the right, but prohibits doing so on the shoulder or off the pavement or main traveled roadway, except where lawfully placed signs permit driving on paved shoulders. The stated left turn does not itself authorize the shoulder route.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-841, subsections A(1) and B; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 17, physical PDF p. 19: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=19. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A properly marked yellow school bus is stopped to unload children on the opposite side of a road. A paved two-way left-turn lane separates the directions, but there is no barrier or unpaved divider. No authorized person directs traffic. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop for the bus
Section 46.2-859(A) requires a stop when approaching such a loading or unloading school bus from any direction. A paved center turn lane alone is not the physical-barrier or unpaved-area exception in subsection B(1).
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-859, subsections A, B(1) and C; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A loading school bus is on the other roadway of a divided highway, separated from yours by a physical barrier. That barrier has a gap for an intersection. What does the current Virginia exception say about the gap?
Correct answer: It does not by itself cancel the separated-roadway exception
Section 46.2-859(B)(1) explicitly applies whether a physical barrier or unpaved separation is continuous or segmented as necessary for intersections or turning vehicles. The scenario places the bus on the separated other roadway; this is not a paved-center-lane case.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-859, subsection B(1), including second sentence; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
You have stopped behind a properly marked school bus unloading children. The children are clear of the roadway, but the bus remains stopped. No authorized traffic direction changes the situation. When may you proceed under the bus-stop rule?
Correct answer: After everyone is clear and the bus is put in motion
Section 46.2-859(A) requires remaining stopped until all the individuals are clear of the highway, private road or school driveway and the bus is put in motion. Merely satisfying one condition or waiting a chosen interval is insufficient.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-859, subsection A; complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
A school bus is discharging children onto property immediately adjacent to a school. A duly authorized uniformed school crossing guard directs you to pass the bus. How does Virginia's school-bus stop law treat this situation?
Correct answer: It provides an exception for that authorized direction
Section 46.2-859(B)(2) permits the stated exception when loading or discharge is from or onto property immediately adjacent to a school and a law-enforcement officer or duly authorized uniformed school crossing guard directs passage. Proceed carefully as directed.
Source: Code of Virginia, § 46.2-859, subsection B(2); complete current official section body and relevant exceptions read September 13, 2026. Supporting handbook context: Virginia Driver's Manual, DMV 39 (April 27, 2026), printed p. 15, physical PDF p. 17: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf#page=17. Current statute controls where the handbook summary differs. Retained primary-source-bodies.md in virginia-rules-source-assets-2026-09-13. ↗
