Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 2026
This page covers what you need to know for the Virginia driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Virginia-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Virginia driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Virginia test has 35 questions and you need 28 correct (80%) to pass.
When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Virginia-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.
Virginia Permit Test and Licensing Facts
| Knowledge Test | 35 questions, must score 28/35 (80%) to pass |
| Minimum Permit Age | 15 years 6 months |
| Minimum License Age | 16 years 3 months |
| Speed Limits | Highway: up to 70 mph | Residential: 25 mph | School Zone: 25 mph |
| DUI Law | BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%) |
| Point System | Points range from 3 to 6 (demerit). Safe driving earns +1 positive point per year. -18 demerit points in 12 months triggers suspension. |
Rules Specific to Virginia
- Virginia uses a unique positive/negative demerit point system — safe driving earns positive points that offset demerits
- Reckless driving in Virginia (20+ mph over limit or 85+ mph) is a criminal misdemeanor, not just a traffic ticket
- Virginia radar detectors are illegal — the only state besides DC that bans them
Sample Virginia Permit Test Questions
These questions cover rules that are specific to Virginia. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.
In Virginia, what is the legal BAC limit for drivers age 21 or older?
- A. 0.05%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.15%
Answer: 0.08%. In Virginia, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is the per se limit for DUI for drivers 21 or older.
In Virginia, what can happen if you are caught speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit?
- A. You receive only a warning
- B. There is no penalty
- C. You must retake your driver’s exam
- D. You can be charged with reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor
Answer: You can be charged with reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Virginia law allows drivers speeding 20 mph or more over the limit to be charged with reckless driving, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
In Virginia, what is the night driving curfew for drivers under 18 (unless an exception applies)?
- A. No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- B. No driving between midnight and 4 a.m. unless for work, school, emergencies, or other permitted reasons
- C. No driving between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
- D. No night driving at all until age 18
Answer: No driving between midnight and 4 a.m. unless for work, school, emergencies, or other permitted reasons. Virginia imposes a midnight–4 a.m. curfew on drivers under 18, with limited exceptions such as work, school activities, emergencies, or other allowed purposes.
In Virginia, during the first year after getting a driver’s license, how many passengers under 21 (besides immediate family) may a new driver typically carry?
- A. No more than one
- B. No more than two
- C. No more than three
- D. No limit
Answer: No more than one. Virginia’s provisional license rules generally limit new drivers to one passenger under 21 (other than immediate family) during the first year, unless an exception applies.
In Virginia, what happens if you accumulate 18 demerit points within 12 months?
- A. You must complete a driver improvement clinic
- B. Your license is suspended for 90 days
- C. You receive only a warning
- D. There is no penalty
Answer: Your license is suspended for 90 days. In Virginia, accumulating 18 demerit points in 12 months can result in a 90-day license suspension.
What score do you need on part two of the Virginia knowledge exam?
- A. 70%
- B. 75%
- C. 80%
- D. 85%
Answer: 80%. Part two tests general knowledge, and you must answer at least 80 percent correctly.
If you fail the Virginia knowledge exam and are under 18, how long must you wait to retake it?
- A. 1 day
- B. 7 days
- C. 15 days
- D. 30 days
Answer: 15 days. By law, applicants under 18 must wait a full 15 days before retaking the exam.
Unless posted otherwise, what is the Virginia speed limit in school, business, and residential areas?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 20 mph
- C. 25 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: 25 mph. The default is 25 mph in school, business, and residential areas, 35 mph on unpaved roads, and 55 mph elsewhere.
What is Virginia's default speed limit on unpaved roads?
- A. 25 mph
- B. 35 mph
- C. 45 mph
- D. 55 mph
Answer: 35 mph. Unpaved roads default to 35 mph.
In Virginia, you may not park within how many feet of an intersection?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: 20 feet. Don't park within 20 feet of an intersection or 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
How close may you park to fire trucks or equipment answering an alarm in Virginia?
- A. No closer than 100 feet
- B. No closer than 250 feet
- C. No closer than 500 feet
- D. No closer than 1,000 feet
Answer: No closer than 500 feet. You may not park within 500 feet of where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm.
When must Virginia drivers use headlights in bad weather?
- A. Only after sunset
- B. When visibility is reduced to 500 feet, and whenever wipers are used due to bad weather
- C. Only in fog
- D. Never during the day
Answer: When visibility is reduced to 500 feet, and whenever wipers are used due to bad weather. Use headlights when rain, fog, snow, or sleet reduce visibility to 500 feet, and whenever wipers are on because of weather.
When following another vehicle in Virginia, within what distance should you use low beams?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: 200 feet. Use low beams within 200 feet of a vehicle you're following, and when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.
What is the fine for using a handheld device in a Virginia highway work zone?
- A. $50
- B. $125
- C. $250
- D. $500
Answer: $250. Using a handheld communications device in a highway work zone brings a $250 fine; speeding there can cost up to $500.
What does Virginia's Move Over law require for stationary vehicles with hazard lights or flares?
- A. Nothing
- B. Change lanes if reasonable, or proceed with caution
- C. Stop behind them
- D. Honk
Answer: Change lanes if reasonable, or proceed with caution. Change to a lane not next to stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and vehicles showing hazards or flares, or proceed with caution.
What happens after a Virginia driver's second demerit-point conviction for a violation committed under age 18?
- A. A warning
- B. A 90-day suspension
- C. A 1-year revocation
- D. A fine only
Answer: A 90-day suspension. A second conviction for a violation committed under 18 brings a 90-day suspension; a third brings a revocation of one year or until 18.
What must Virginia vehicle owners do if they don't carry liability insurance?
- A. Nothing
- B. Pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee
- C. Register as a farm vehicle
- D. Get a special plate
Answer: Pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee. You must have liability insurance or pay the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee to register a vehicle.
When must Virginia officers send a crash report to DMV?
- A. For any crash
- B. When there's injury, death, or total property damage over $3,000
- C. Only if someone dies
- D. Only for interstate crashes
Answer: When there's injury, death, or total property damage over $3,000. Officers report crashes with injury, death, or total property damage over $3,000 to DMV.
Can you turn right on a red arrow in Virginia?
- A. Yes, after stopping
- B. No, turns on red arrows are prohibited unless a sign allows it
- C. Only at night
- D. Only from the left lane
Answer: No, turns on red arrows are prohibited unless a sign allows it. Virginia prohibits turns at red arrows unless signs say 'Right on Red Arrow After Stop' or 'Left on Red Arrow After Stop'.
Virginia Permit Test FAQ
How many questions are on the Virginia permit test?
The Virginia knowledge test has 35 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 28 correct answers (80%) to pass.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Virginia?
The minimum age for a learner's permit in Virginia is 15 years 6 months. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16 years 3 months.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Virginia?
Virginia calls impaired driving DUI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.
How does the Virginia driver point system work?
Points range from 3 to 6 (demerit). Safe driving earns +1 positive point per year. -18 demerit points in 12 months triggers suspension.
What are the default speed limits in Virginia?
Typical limits in Virginia are up to 70 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 25 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.
Sources
The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Virginia government sources:
- https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/exams/manual
- https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dmv39a.pdf
- https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39c.pdf
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-833/
- https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/forms/dmv39.pdf
Facts and questions last checked against the Virginia Driver's Manual on September 26, 2026.
Laws change. Always check the current Virginia driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Virginia government agency.