Virginia Learner's Permit Practice Test

Free practice questions based on the Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39). No sign-up: answer the questions, get your score, and see why each answer is right.

Start the 40-question test

The Virginia knowledge test

Part 1: Road Signs: 10 of 10 (100%)
Part 2: General Knowledge: 24 of 30 (80%)
Practice test: 40 questions in 2 parts

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sets this passing score. On the real exam, you must get every road sign question right before you move on to part two.

Practice by topic

Sample Virginia practice questions

What information do blue and white signs give?

Construction ahead
Motorist services
Speed limits
No passing zones

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Motorist services

Blue signs tell you about services such as fuel, food and rest areas.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 2: Traffic Signs, Sign Colors and Sign Shapes (pp. 6-7)

Which area counts as the passenger area under Virginia's open container rule?

The engine compartment
An unlocked glove compartment
A locked trunk
A roof cargo box

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An unlocked glove compartment

Any place the driver can reach, including an unlocked glove box, counts.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 5, Penalties: Alcohol and the Law (p. 30)

The red lights of a pedestrian hybrid beacon are flashing back and forth. What may you do?

Go with caution if the crosswalk is clear
Back up behind the stop line
Go without checking the crosswalk
Stay stopped until the beacon goes dark

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Go with caution if the crosswalk is clear

Alternating red flashes mean you may proceed carefully once no one is in the crosswalk.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 2: Traffic Signals (pp. 5-6)

On a highway posted at 70 mph, above what speed can you be charged with reckless driving regardless of the limit?

85 mph
80 mph
100 mph
75 mph

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85 mph

Driving over 85 mph can be charged as reckless driving whatever the posted limit.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Speed Limits (pp. 14-15)

You and an oncoming car are both turning left at an intersection. How should you turn?

One at a time, the larger vehicle first
Wait until the other car has turned
In front of each other, passenger sides side by side
Behind each other, driver sides side by side

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In front of each other, passenger sides side by side

Turning in front of each other keeps the paths from crossing.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Turning (p. 18)

Until what age must a child be secured in a booster or child safety seat in Virginia?

Until age 12
Until age 6
Until age 4
Until age 8

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Until age 8

Every child under 8 needs a booster or child safety seat.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 4: Child Safety Seats (p. 27)

What is Virginia's minimum liability coverage for property damage?

$50,000
$5,000
$20,000
$10,000

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$20,000

The minimum for property damage is $20,000.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 7, Other Important Information: Insurance Requirements (p. 34)

How close to an intersection may you park in Virginia?

No closer than 100 feet
No closer than 20 feet
No closer than 5 feet
No closer than 50 feet

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No closer than 20 feet

Parking within 20 feet of an intersection is not allowed.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Parking (p. 22)

A driver is tailgating you. What does the manual suggest?

Stop on the shoulder at once
Change lanes if possible or tap your brakes lightly
Speed up to lose them
Brake hard to warn them

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Change lanes if possible or tap your brakes lightly

Don't brake suddenly. Moving over or a light tap on the brakes can get them to pass or back off.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Maintaining a Space Cushion (p. 19)

A military convoy is moving along your road. What must you not do?

Keep a safe distance
Cut through or join it
Yield to it
Wait for it to pass

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Cut through or join it

Always yield to military convoys and never cut through or join them.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Yielding the Right-of-Way (p. 16)

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About these questions

We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (April 2026 PDF (created 2026-04-27), read 2026-11-07, plus dmv.virginia.gov pages on the knowledge exam, learner's permits and teen restrictions edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.