Failed the Virginia permit test: when you can retake it
Failing the written test is common and fixable. Here is what Virginia says about retaking it, and a plan for the next attempt.
- How soon you can retake
- under 18: full 15 days; 18+: one test per day
- Attempts
- three failures triggers course requirement
- Retest fee
- Not stated on the official page — ask your DMV office.
- After repeated failures
- Fail three times: must complete classroom portion of driver education (or 8-hour Driver's Manual course) dated after the third failure; reapply for permit each retake
From the official source
If you are under the age of 18, you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam. If you are age 18 or older, you are only eligible to test one time per day. Regardless of age, if you fail the exam three times, you must complete the classroom portion of a Virginia-approved driver education program...
Before your next attempt
- Write down the topics you got wrong: signs, right-of-way, speed limits, alcohol rules, distances. The retest usually draws from the same pool.
- Reread only those chapters of the official Virginia handbook, not the whole book.
- Take our Virginia practice tests until you score 90% or more three times in a row — the real pass mark is lower, so that is a safe margin.
- Use the mistake review: it shows only the questions you missed, with the handbook section for each.
- The night before, do one exam simulation and stop. Sleep beats cramming.
The real test: 40 questions, 34 correct to pass.
Practice for the retakeReview my mistakes
Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV.