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Virginia DMV Test Questions and Answers

These are the questions about Virginia's own rules: permit, license, fines, speed and parking. Signs and rules shared by all states are on separate pages.

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Alcohol and drugs

  1. In Virginia, a driver 21 or older is legally intoxicated starting at what blood alcohol content (BAC)?

    1. 0.05%
    2. 0.08%
    3. 0.10%
    4. 0.12%

    Answer: B. Virginia: 0.08% BAC or higher is the legal limit for drivers 21 and older.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 4if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher.

  2. In Virginia, a driver under 21 violates the law starting at what BAC?

    1. 0.00% (any alcohol)
    2. 0.02%
    3. 0.04%
    4. 0.05%

    Answer: B. Virginia: for drivers under 21 the limit is 0.02%.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 4illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08.

License rules

  1. In Virginia, what point total can lead to license suspension?

    1. 12 points in 36 months
    2. 15 points in 24 months
    3. 18 points in 12 months
    4. 18 points in 24 months

    Answer: C. Virginia: 18 points in 12 months can lead to suspension.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 5: Penalties

  2. In Virginia, how many of the ten traffic sign questions in part one of the knowledge exam must you answer correctly?

    1. 7
    2. 8
    3. 9
    4. All 10

    Answer: D. Part one: all ten sign questions must be correct. Part two: at least 80% correct.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1You must correctly answer all ten traffic sign questions in part one.

  3. In Virginia, an applicant under 18 who fails the knowledge exam must wait how long to retake it?

    1. 1 day
    2. 15 days
    3. 30 days
    4. 6 months

    Answer: B. Under 18: wait a full 15 days before retaking.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam.

  4. In Virginia, an adult must hold a learner's permit for how long before the first road skills test (unless they complete driver education)?

    1. 7 days
    2. 60 days
    3. 6 months
    4. 1 year

    Answer: B. Adults must hold the learner's permit for 60 days before the first road skills test.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1must hold the learner's permit for 60 days prior to the first road skills test.

  5. In Virginia, if you fail the road skills test, you must wait how long before taking it again?

    1. Two days
    2. One week
    3. 30 days
    4. Six months

    Answer: A. Two days; the test may be taken only once per business day.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1: TestingIf you fail the road skills test, you must wait two days to take it again.

  6. In Virginia, a driver under 18 with a third conviction for a demerit-point offense has the license revoked for:

    1. 90 days
    2. 6 months
    3. One year or until age 18, whichever is longer
    4. 5 years

    Answer: C. Second: 90-day suspension; third: revocation for one year or until 18, whichever is longer.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 5: Penalties

Parking

  1. In Virginia, when you parallel park, your wheels must be no more than how far from the curb?

    1. 6 inches
    2. 12 inches
    3. 18 inches
    4. 24 inches

    Answer: B. Virginia: park with your wheels within 12 inches of the curb.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Parking)You may not park more than one foot from the curb.

  2. In Virginia, you may not park within how many feet of a fire station driveway (on the same side of the street)?

    1. 10 feet
    2. 15 feet
    3. 20 feet
    4. 25 feet

    Answer: B. Virginia: do not park within 15 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Parking)within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station.

  3. In Virginia, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?

    1. 10 feet
    2. 15 feet
    3. 20 feet
    4. 25 feet

    Answer: B. Virginia: do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Parking)within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

  4. In Virginia, you may not park within how many feet of a railroad crossing?

    1. 40 feet
    2. 50 feet
    3. 75 feet
    4. 100 feet

    Answer: B. Virginia: do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Parking)within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

  5. In Virginia, you may not park within how many feet of an intersection?

    1. 5 feet
    2. 10 feet
    3. 20 feet
    4. 50 feet

    Answer: C. Do not park within 20 feet of an intersection.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Parking)within 20 feet of an intersection.

Rules of the road

  1. In Virginia, unless on official business, you may not follow a fire truck responding to an alarm closer than:

    1. 300 feet
    2. 350 feet
    3. 500 feet
    4. 1,000 feet

    Answer: C. Virginia: stay at least 500 feet behind a fire truck responding to an alarm.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3: Safe DrivingNever follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing.

  2. In Virginia, when must you turn on your headlights during the day?

    1. Never during the day
    2. Only in tunnels
    3. When you use your windshield wipers because of weather
    4. Only on interstates

    Answer: C. Virginia: headlights must be on when your wipers are in use because of rain, snow or other weather.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3You must use your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers as a result of bad weather.

  3. In Virginia, you must use low beams when you are following another vehicle within:

    1. 100 feet
    2. 150 feet
    3. 200 feet
    4. 300 feet

    Answer: C. Virginia: use low beams within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3whenever you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead.

  4. In Virginia, you must dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:

    1. 300 feet
    2. 350 feet
    3. 500 feet
    4. 1,000 feet

    Answer: C. Virginia: switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3another vehicle is within 500 feet coming toward you.

  5. In Virginia, you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder of a multi-lane road. You must:

    1. Keep your speed and lane
    2. Move out of the lane next to it if safe, or slow down
    3. Stop behind it
    4. Honk to warn the workers

    Answer: B. Virginia Move Over law: change lanes away from the stopped vehicle when safe; if you cannot, slow down.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3change to a lane not next to the vehicle.

  6. In Virginia, may an adult driver hold a cell phone to talk while driving?

    1. Yes, if traffic is light
    2. Yes, at red lights only
    3. No, only hands-free use is allowed
    4. Yes, outside cities

    Answer: C. Virginia: drivers may not hold a phone while driving; use a hands-free device.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding cell phones

  7. In Virginia, a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on the other side of a divided highway with a median. You:

    1. Must stop
    2. Do not have to stop, but should watch for children
    3. Must stop only if children are crossing
    4. Must sound your horn and pass

    Answer: B. Virginia: drivers on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median do not have to stop; drivers behind the bus must stop.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3You do not have to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction.

  8. In Virginia, you must signal at least how far before you turn or change lanes?

    1. 75 feet
    2. 100 feet
    3. 150 feet
    4. 200 feet

    Answer: B. Virginia: signal at least 100 feet before you turn or change lanes.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3three or four seconds, 100 feet, ahead of your turn.

  9. In Virginia, at speeds of 46–70 mph, the recommended following distance is:

    1. 2 seconds
    2. 3 seconds
    3. 4 seconds
    4. 6 seconds

    Answer: C. Under 35 mph: 2 seconds; 35–45 mph: 3 seconds; 46–70 mph: 4 seconds.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3

  10. In Virginia, at speeds under 35 mph, the recommended following distance is:

    1. 2 seconds
    2. 4 seconds
    3. 5 seconds
    4. 1 second

    Answer: A. Under 35 mph: 2 seconds; 35–45 mph: 3 seconds; 46–70 mph: 4 seconds.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3

  11. In Virginia, if you cannot change lanes away from a stopped emergency or highway vehicle, slow to 10 mph below the limit and pass at least how far to the left?

    1. One foot
    2. Two feet
    3. Ten feet
    4. Fifty feet

    Answer: B. Slow to 10 mph below the posted limit and pass at least two feet to the left.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3: Safe Driving

  12. In Virginia, you may not park within how far of where fire trucks are stopped answering an alarm?

    1. 15 feet
    2. 50 feet
    3. 100 feet
    4. 500 feet

    Answer: D. Not within 500 feet; never follow an emergency vehicle with flashing lights closer than 500 feet.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3: Safe DrivingYou may not park within 500 feet of where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm.

  13. The Virginia manual says expert drivers try to focus their eyes how far ahead?

    1. 20 to 30 seconds
    2. 2 to 3 seconds
    3. 5 seconds
    4. One minute

    Answer: A. 20 to 30 seconds ahead; check the rearview mirror about every 10 seconds.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3: Safe DrivingExpert drivers try to focus their eyes 20 to 30 seconds ahead.

  14. In Virginia, a first child restraint law violation is fined:

    1. $25
    2. $50
    3. $500
    4. $1,000

    Answer: B. $50; a second or later offense can mean a $500 penalty.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 4: Child Safety SeatsIf you are convicted of violating the child restraint law, you will be fined $50.

  15. In Virginia, it is illegal to transport children under what age in the bed of a pickup truck?

    1. 5
    2. 8
    3. 12
    4. 16

    Answer: D. Under 16 (with limited exceptions).

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 4: Child Safety SeatsIt is illegal to transport children under age 16 in the bed of a pickup truck

  16. In Virginia, on three-lane roads with a shared center left-turn lane, drivers may not travel in that lane farther than:

    1. 50 feet
    2. 500 feet
    3. 1,000 feet
    4. 150 feet

    Answer: D. No more than 150 feet.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markingsthey may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane.

Sharing the road

  1. In Virginia, when you pass a bicyclist, you must leave at least:

    1. 3 feet
    2. 5 feet
    3. 10 feet
    4. 15 feet

    Answer: A. Virginia: give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3State law requires motorists to pass cyclists with at least three feet of clearance.

Speed

  1. In Virginia, unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a business district is:

    1. 20 mph
    2. 25 mph
    3. 30 mph
    4. 35 mph

    Answer: B. Virginia: 25 mph in business districts unless posted otherwise.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Speed Limits)is 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas.

  2. In Virginia, unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed on highways outside cities is:

    1. 50 mph
    2. 55 mph
    3. 60 mph
    4. 65 mph

    Answer: B. Virginia: 55 mph on highways unless posted otherwise.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Speed Limits)

  3. In Virginia, unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a residential district is:

    1. 15 mph
    2. 20 mph
    3. 25 mph
    4. 30 mph

    Answer: C. Virginia: 25 mph in residential districts unless a sign shows otherwise.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Speed Limits)is 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas.

  4. In Virginia, the speed limit in a school zone when children are present is usually:

    1. 15 mph
    2. 20 mph
    3. 25 mph
    4. 30 mph

    Answer: C. Virginia: 25 mph in school zones when children are present, unless posted otherwise.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Speed Limits)is 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas.

  5. In Virginia, unless posted otherwise, the speed limit on unpaved roads is:

    1. 35 mph
    2. 25 mph
    3. 45 mph
    4. 55 mph

    Answer: A. Unpaved roads: 35 mph; school, business and residential areas: 25; other roads: 55.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Speed Limits)

  6. In Virginia, speeding becomes reckless driving when you drive:

    1. 5 mph over the limit
    2. 10 mph over the limit
    3. Over 65 mph anywhere
    4. 20 or more mph over the limit, or over 85 mph

    Answer: D. Reckless driving: 20+ mph over the limit or over 85 mph.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3 (Speed Limits)if you are driving 20 or more miles per hour (MPH) above the speed limit, or over 85 MPH.

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