Virginia Phones & Distraction practice test

Key Virginia facts: Phones & Distraction

• Virginia law bans holding a phone or other wireless device while driving, except in an emergency or when lawfully parked or stopped. Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)
• A phone may be used for navigation if the driver is not holding it or entering information. Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)
• Driver distraction accounts for about 17 percent of traffic crashes in Virginia each year. Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)
• Using a handheld device in a highway work zone brings a $250 fine. Section 2: Work Zones (pp. 10-11)
• Under DMV's teen driving restrictions, a teen may not use a cell phone while driving, hand-held or not, except in a driver emergency while lawfully parked or stopped. Cellular Telephone/Wireless Telecommunications Device Restrictions

Sample Phones & Distraction questions

When should you set your radio, GPS and other controls?

• Whenever traffic is light
• At the first red light
• While on the highway
• Before you start driving

Show the answer

Before you start driving

Set up devices as soon as you get in, before the car moves.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)

Under Virginia's teen driving restrictions, may a 17-year-old use a hands-free phone while driving?

• No, not even hands-free
• Yes, on highways only
• Yes, with a parent's permission
• Yes, hands-free is fine

Show the answer

No, not even hands-free

The teen rules ban phone use while driving, hand-held or not; a phone may be used only in an emergency while parked or stopped.

Source: Virginia DMV: Teen Driving Restrictions, Cellular Telephone/Wireless Telecommunications Device Restrictions

When may a Virginia driver use a phone for navigation?

• Only on interstates
• Never
• Any time, even while holding it
• When not holding it or typing in information

Show the answer

When not holding it or typing in information

Navigation is allowed if the phone is not held and you are not entering information.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)

About what share of Virginia traffic crashes involves driver distraction each year?

• About 1 percent
• About 17 percent
• About 50 percent
• About 90 percent

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About 17 percent

Distraction accounts for roughly 17 percent of crashes in the state.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)

You need to look up an address on your phone. What should you do?

• Do it while driving slowly
• Pull over and stop in a safe place first
• Hold the phone at the top of the wheel
• Do it at a red light

Show the answer

Pull over and stop in a safe place first

Stop somewhere safe before doing anything that takes your attention off driving.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)

What is the fine for using a handheld phone in a Virginia highway work zone?

• $100
• $250
• $25
• $2,500

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$250

Handheld device use in a highway work zone brings a $250 fine.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 2: Work Zones (pp. 10-11)

May an adult driver hold a phone while driving in Virginia?

• Yes, for short calls
• No, except in an emergency or while lawfully parked or stopped
• Yes, at speeds under 25 mph
• Yes, outside work zones

Show the answer

No, except in an emergency or while lawfully parked or stopped

Virginia bans holding a phone while driving, with narrow exceptions.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)

Is driving distracted around pedestrians and cyclists against Virginia law?

• No, only texting is illegal
• Yes, it is illegal
• Only at night
• Only in school zones

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Yes, it is illegal

Virginia law forbids careless, distracted driving near pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Sharing the Road (pp. 20-21)

Which mistake is common among young distracted drivers?

• Using turn signals too early
• Stopping too far from the line
• Driving too slowly in the left lane
• Following too closely

Show the answer

Following too closely

Loss of control, tailgating and failing to yield are common for young distracted drivers.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24)

Where young drivers are barred from using a phone, what use is still allowed?

• Checking a map on a side road
• Calling for help in an emergency
• Texting a parent at a red light

Show the answer

Calling for help in an emergency

Emergency calls are the usual exception to these bans.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License to Drive, p. 3; Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 3, Drivers Under Age 21; Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Ohio Revised Code 4511.205; North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4, Your Driving: Distracted Driving (pp. 41-42); What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24; Virginia DMV: Teen Driving Restrictions, Cellular Telephone/Wireless Telecommunications Device Restrictions; Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 1, 1.8 Intermediate driver license; Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 2, Safe Driving Practices: Distractions (p. 24); Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6, Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, p. 79; Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Safe Driving Tips, Using a cell phone while driving, printed p. 18 (PDF p. 21); Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 11, Pay Attention – Be Alert, p. 61; Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 2, Before You Get Behind the Wheel, Connecticut Cell Phone Laws, p. 13; Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Vol. 1, Ed. 10, October 2026), Chapter 4, Safe Driving, Distracted Driving Law, PDF p. 58

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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.