Virginia DMV permit practice test
25 questions written from the Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), covering signals and pavement markings, road signs, sharing the road, emergencies, safe and defensive driving and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why. The real Virginia DMV test has 40 questions and you need 34 right.
-
Question 1At a steady red light with no stop line, where must you stop?
Show answer
D: Before entering the intersection or before reaching the crosswalk. With no stop line, Virginia's manual says to stop before entering the intersection or before reaching the crosswalk, and stay stopped while the light is red unless a turn is allowed. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Traffic Signals: Red light, page 7.
-
Question 2What does a red-and-white color combination on a sign generally convey?
Show answer
C: Stop, yield, do not, and no. In Virginia's manual, red with white conveys stop, yield, do not and no, as on stop, yield, do not enter and wrong way signs. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Sign Colors, page 8.
-
Question 3Which type of vehicle must always stop at railroad crossings, even when the lights are not flashing?
Show answer
D: School buses. The manual notes that school buses must always stop at railroad crossings, even when the lights are not flashing. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Railroad crossings, page 12.
-
Question 4Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?
Show answer
A: Get out right away and run diagonally away from the tracks toward the oncoming train. Get out immediately and run diagonally away from the tracks, in the direction the train is coming from. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Railroad crossings: stalled vehicle, page 12.
-
Question 5When is it safe to start across railroad tracks?
Show answer
C: Only when there is room for your whole vehicle on the other side. Never start across unless you can clear the tracks completely; make sure there's room on the other side. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Railroad crossings, page 12.
-
Question 6If you are convicted of speeding in a Virginia highway work zone, the fine can be up to:
Show answer
C: $500. Exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone can bring a fine of up to $500. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Work zones, page 12.
-
Question 7When driving through a work zone lined with drums and cones, you should:
Show answer
D: Keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the posted speed limit. Near work zone devices, keep in the middle of the lane and obey the posted limit; don't change lanes until you're completely clear. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Work zones: Traffic Control Devices, page 12.
-
Question 8How should you handle rumble strips placed across the lanes before a work zone?
Show answer
C: Drive slowly over them. Rumble strips should be slowly driven over, not swerved around. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Rumble Strips Ahead, page 13.
-
Question 9On an unmarked two-lane road in Virginia, may you pass a slow-moving vehicle?
Show answer
B: Yes, on the left, if no signs prohibit passing and the way is clear. On an unmarked two-lane road you may pass a slow vehicle on the left if no signs prohibit passing and the way is clear. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Pavement Markings, page 13.
-
Question 10Generally, what does a red-painted curb mean?
Show answer
A: Do not stop, stand or park. A red curb generally means do not stop, stand or park. Check with the locality for specific meanings. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Painted curbs, page 15.
-
Question 11When you drive out of a driveway, alley or parking lot onto a street, you must:
Show answer
C: Stop before crossing the sidewalk or entering the street. You must always stop when entering a street or crossing a sidewalk from a driveway, alley, building or parking lot. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Stopping, page 17.
-
Question 12If you fail to obey a police officer's signal to stop and the pursuing officer is killed as a direct result, you are guilty of:
Show answer
A: A Class 4 felony. The manual states you will be guilty of a Class 4 felony in that situation. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Stopping, page 17.
-
Question 13Who must yield when entering a roundabout?
Show answer
C: Entering traffic, to pedestrians and traffic already in the circle. Entering traffic must yield to pedestrians and to traffic already in the circle. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Roundabouts, page 18.
-
Question 14For drivers 21 and older in Virginia, what blood alcohol content (BAC) is considered driving under the influence?
Show answer
C: .08 percent or higher. Drivers 21 or older are considered DUI with a BAC of .08 percent or higher. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Drunk and Drugged Driving, page 26.
-
Question 15In Virginia, what must you do before turning right on a steady red light?
Show answer
C: Come to a complete stop, look both ways and yield to pedestrians and other traffic. Right on red is allowed in Virginia only after a complete stop, and you must yield to pedestrians and other traffic, watching for motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Traffic Signals: Right turn on red, page 7.
-
Question 16Black-and-white signs, such as speed limit signs, convey:
Show answer
D: Regulatory information. Black with white conveys regulatory information, meaning the operation is regulated by law. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Sign Colors, page 8.
-
Question 17A slow-moving vehicle emblem (orange triangle) must be shown by vehicles traveling at:
Show answer
B: 25 mph or less. Slow-moving vehicles traveling at 25 mph or less, such as farm equipment and horse-drawn vehicles, must display this sign on public highways. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Slow Moving Vehicles, page 13.
-
Question 18You notice a dangerous condition at a railroad crossing. What should you do?
Show answer
C: Call the number on the crossing's emergency sign and give the posted crossing number. Call the number on the emergency sign and give the crossing number so the railroad can stop or reroute trains. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Railroad crossings: emergency notification sign, page 12.
-
Question 19What is the fine for using a handheld communications device in a Virginia highway work zone?
Show answer
C: $250. A conviction for using a handheld communications device in a highway work zone carries a $250 fine. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Work zones, page 12.
-
Question 20Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit in Virginia school, business and residential areas?
Show answer
C: 25 mph. Unless posted otherwise, the maximum for passenger vehicles and motorcycles in school, business and residential areas is 25 mph. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Speed Limits, page 17.
-
Question 21As you leave a work zone, when may you change lanes?
Show answer
D: When you are completely clear of the work zone. Stay in your lane and keep your speed as you leave; don't change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Work zones: Traffic Control Devices, page 12.
-
Question 22According to the Virginia manual, wet pavement can do what to your braking distance?
Show answer
A: Double it. Braking distance depends on pavement condition; wet pavement can double your braking distance. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Stopping Distance, page 17.
-
Question 23How close may you follow an emergency vehicle that has its lights flashing?
Show answer
C: No closer than 500 feet. Never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights: Approaching vehicles - same direction, page 18.
-
Question 24Generally, a yellow-painted curb means:
Show answer
A: Stop only long enough to load or unload, and stay with your car. Yellow generally means stop only long enough to load or unload, and stay with your car. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Painted curbs, page 15.
-
Question 25The car ahead of you stops at a stop sign and then goes. What should you do?
Show answer
A: Stop at the sign yourself, then proceed when the way is clear. Each driver must stop. When the car ahead proceeds, you stop at the sign and go when the way is clear. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39): Stopping, page 17.
Answer every question to see your score.
More Virginia practice tests
- Practice test 225 questions
- Practice test 325 questions
- Practice test 425 questions
- Practice test 525 questions
- Practice test 625 questions
- Practice test 725 questions
- Practice test 825 questions
- Practice test 925 questions
- Practice test 1025 questions
- Practice test 1125 questions
- Practice test 1225 questions
- Practice test 1325 questions
- Practice test 1425 questions
- Exam simulatorThe real format, 40 questions
How to use these tests
Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses the same number of questions and passing score as the real test.
Our own questions, written from the Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) and checked against it. Not affiliated with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Found a mistake? Tell us.