500+ questions based on the official Virginia Driver's Manual. Realistic exam simulator with instant scoring. No signup required.
35 random questions, no timer. Virginia's DMV knowledge test has a 10-question sign portion (must answer all 10 correctly) plus a general knowledge section where you need 80% to pass.
Practice road signs exclusively — shapes, colors, and meanings. Perfect for targeting the sign section before your exam.
Test only the critical numbers — speed limits, distances, BAC limits, suspension periods. The most memorized facts on the real exam.
Fast 15-question session — perfect for a daily warm-up or quick review before bed.
Every question, random order, no timer. Best for deep study before your test date.
Key chapters from the official handbook — organized, summarized, and exam-focused. Read before your test!
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Everything important from the Virginia Driver's Manual — organized for the exam
Memorize these numbers first. Virginia test questions are frequently built around specific distances, speeds, BAC levels, and time periods. These come up constantly.
Road signs are tested heavily. Know each sign's shape, color, and meaning. The real test often shows a sign description and asks what it means.
| Shape | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Octagon (8-sided) | STOP — always and only | Stop sign |
| Triangle (pointing down) | YIELD — give right of way | Yield sign |
| Diamond | WARNING — hazard ahead | Curve, pedestrian, deer |
| Pentagon (5-sided) | SCHOOL ZONE | School crossing |
| Pennant (triangle right) | NO PASSING ZONE | No-passing pennant |
| Round (circle) | RAILROAD CROSSING advance warning | RR crossing sign |
| Rectangle (vertical) | REGULATORY — rules you must follow | Speed limit, turn restrictions |
| Rectangle (horizontal) | GUIDE or INFORMATION | Street name, mile marker |
| X-shaped crossbuck | RAILROAD CROSSING — treat like yield | Railroad crossbuck |
| Color | Category | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Regulatory — STOP / PROHIBIT | Stop, yield, do not enter, wrong way, no-turn circles |
| Yellow | WARNING | General hazard warnings — curves, hills, intersections, animals |
| Orange | WORK ZONE / CONSTRUCTION | Construction ahead — orange signs work with black-and-white regulatory signs while the work zone is active. Virginia: exceeding the posted limit in a highway work zone carries a fine of up to $500. Holding a handheld device in a work zone: $250. Look for Photo Speed Enforcement signs (Manual §2). |
| Green | GUIDE / DIRECTIONAL | Highway exits, distances, direction, mile markers |
| Blue | SERVICES | Gas, food, lodging, hospital, rest area |
| Brown | RECREATION / CULTURAL | Parks, campgrounds, historical sites, scenic areas |
| White | REGULATORY | Speed limits, lane rules, turn restrictions |
| Fluorescent Yellow-Green | WARNING — pedestrian / school / bike | School zones, crosswalks, bike lanes |
| Fluorescent Pink | INCIDENT MANAGEMENT | Crash clean-up, debris removal, temporary traffic control |
Right of way is the #1 failure topic on the DMV knowledge test. Master every scenario below — these questions will be on your exam.
| Signal | What You Must Do |
|---|---|
| Solid GREEN | Proceed — but yield to traffic already in intersection |
| Solid YELLOW | Prepare to stop if safe; proceed only if stopping would be dangerous |
| Solid RED | Stop completely; may turn right on red after stop and yield (unless posted) |
| GREEN ARROW | Protected turn — oncoming traffic must stop. You may turn in the arrow's direction, but still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. |
| YELLOW ARROW | Protected turn is ending — prepare to yield or stop |
| Flashing YELLOW ARROW | Unprotected turn — you MAY turn but MUST yield to oncoming and pedestrians |
| Flashing RED | Treat exactly like a STOP sign — stop, yield, proceed when safe |
| Flashing YELLOW | Caution — slow down and proceed carefully. Do not need to stop. |
| RED + GREEN ARROW | Stop for through traffic; turn in direction of arrow only |
| Signal NOT working | Treat as ALL-WAY STOP — all traffic stops |
DUI questions appear on virtually every DMV knowledge test. Know the BAC levels, implied consent law, and penalties. Virginia uses "DUI" (Driving Under the Influence).
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| BAC of 0.08%+ (driver 21+) | DUI under Virginia law. Administrative license suspension is 7 days for a 1st offense, 60 days (or until trial) for a 2nd, and until trial for a 3rd. Additional court suspension/revocation, fines and jail time follow conviction. If multiple DUI convictions, suspension/revocation periods run consecutively (Manual §5). |
| Impairment below the legal BAC limit | You can still be convicted of DUI below 0.08% if your driving is impaired. Drug impairment (prescription, OTC or illegal) carries the same penalties as alcohol DUI. Marijuana is legal to possess 21+, but driving under its influence is not (Manual §3). |
| Test refusal (implied consent) | Operating on Virginia public roads = you have consented to a breath test on request. Refusing triggers the same 7-day (1st) / 60-day or until-trial (2nd) / until-trial (3rd) administrative suspension as a 0.08%+ reading (Manual §5). |
| BAC — under 21 (Zero Tolerance) | BAC of 0.02% up to 0.08% = illegal consumption. Penalty: 1-year license suspension + $500 minimum fine OR at least 50 hours of community service. BAC of 0.08%+ under 21 = same adult DUI penalties (Manual §5). |
| Minor purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol (under 21) | Illegal. Using a fake ID to buy alcohol: $500+ fine, 50+ hours community service, up to 12 months jail, and mandatory license suspension of at least 6 months and up to 1 year. Providing alcohol to a minor: up to $2,500 fine, up to 1 year license suspension, and up to 12 months jail (Manual §5). |
| DUI-related crashes / injury | Injuring another person while DUI, involuntary manslaughter from DUI, and DUI-related crashes trigger mandatory court suspension or revocation. Vehicle is impounded 30 days on the spot if you drive after an alcohol-related suspension, with 90 more days possible on conviction. You may also owe up to $1,000 restitution for first-responder costs (Manual §5). |
School bus rules are heavily tested. In Virginia you must stop for a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when approaching from ANY direction on a highway, private road or school driveway. Exception: you do NOT have to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a roadway with a median or barrier — but stay alert for exiting children (Manual §3).
| Location | Minimum Clearance |
|---|---|
| Fire hydrant | 15 ft — do not park within 15 feet (Manual §3 — Parking) |
| Intersection | 20 ft — do not park within 20 feet of an intersection (Manual §3 — Parking) |
| Fire, ambulance, or rescue-squad station entrance | 15 ft — do not park within 15 feet of a station entrance (Manual §3 — Parking) |
| Bike lane | Never — parking in a bicycle lane is prohibited (Manual §3 — Parking) |
| Railroad crossing | 50 ft — do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing (Manual §3 — Parking) |
| Fire trucks answering an alarm | 500 ft — do not park within 500 feet of where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm (Manual §3) |
| Driveway entrance (public or private) | Not in front of — always prohibited |
| Disabled parking space / striped access aisle | Never — spaces marked with the disabled-parking sign and the striped access aisles beside them are reserved for permit holders (Manual §2 — Sign Shapes / §3 — Parking) |
| Inside an intersection or on a crosswalk | Never — always illegal |
| Handicapped space (without placard) | Never park here |
| Road with no curb (on the hard surface) | Never — may not park on the hard surface of a road when no curb is present (Manual §3 — Parking) |
| No Stopping zone | Never stop here, for any reason |
| No Parking zone | No parking — may stop to load/unload |
The rule: always turn wheels so that if the car rolls, it rolls away from traffic or is caught by the curb.
| Situation | Turn Wheels | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Facing DOWNHILL, WITH curb | RIGHT (into curb) | Car rolls into curb and stops |
| Facing DOWNHILL, NO curb | RIGHT (away from road) | Car rolls away from traffic |
| Facing UPHILL, WITH curb | LEFT (away from curb) | Car rolls back, caught by curb |
| Facing UPHILL, NO curb | RIGHT (away from road) | Car rolls away from traffic |
GDL questions appear on many tests. Know Virginia's Graduated Driver Licensing program, the restrictions in each phase, and the specific ages, hold periods, and curfew hours.
| Equipment | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Headlights (on) | Required from sunset to sunrise, any time you use your wipers for bad weather, and whenever visibility drops below 500 feet in rain, fog, snow or sleet (Manual §3 — Lights). |
| High beams (dim) | Switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following. Use low beams in heavy fog (high beams reflect back and reduce visibility) (Manual §3 — Night Driving). |
| Horn | Use to prevent a crash — not to express anger. Tap once to scare deer or large animals off the road. Do not use near horse-drawn buggies (Manual §2 / §3). |
| Turn signals | Signal at least 3–4 seconds (about 100 feet) before turning or changing lanes. After the turn or lane change, make sure the signal has canceled (Manual §3 — Turn Signals). |
| Safety inspection sticker | The vehicle you use for the road skills test must carry a valid Virginia safety inspection sticker, current license plates, registration and decals, and have working brakes, belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer (Manual §1 / §7). |
| TVs / video screens visible to driver | Prohibited while vehicle is in motion (navigation is excepted) |
| Muffler | Must prevent excessive or unusual noise |
| Brakes | Vehicle must have working brakes. Antilock brakes: consult your owner's manual — NEVER pump ABS brakes. Apply gently on slippery surfaces, release accelerator, avoid hard braking (Manual §3). |
| Wipers | Must adequately clean the windshield when used |
| Tire safety | Check pressure monthly and before long trips. Use the penny test: insert Lincoln's head into the tread — if any part of his head is covered, your tread is safe. Correct PSI is on the driver-side door jamb or owner's manual (Manual §7 — Tire Safety Inspection). |
| Snow & ice | Remove snow and ice from the entire car — roof, hood, rear, all windows, mirrors, lights — before driving. Consider snow tires or chains. Bridges freeze before road surfaces (Manual §3 — Snow). |
| Hazard lights | For use when parked/stopped in an emergency — not while driving normally |
| Seat belts & child restraints | Driver and all passengers (front AND rear) must wear safety belts. Anyone transporting someone under 18 must ensure the minor is in a belt, booster or child seat. Children under age 8 must use a child safety seat or booster. Children should ride rear-facing from birth to age 2. Child-restraint violation: $50 first offense, up to $500 subsequent (Manual §4). |
A proven 4-phase approach that builds real understanding — not just memorization. Work through each phase at your own pace, and you'll walk into the DMV ready to pass on your first try.
| Your Score | Status | What to Do Next |
|---|---|---|
| Under 75% | Needs more work | Go back to Phase 3 — run Weak Spots mode on your wrong answers. Re-read the Study Guide for those topics. Then try the simulator again. |
| 75% – 89% | Almost there | Run Weak Spots on what you missed, then take the simulator again. You're close — one more round should get you there. |
| 90%+ | Ready! 🎉 | Run the simulator one more time to confirm. Score 90%+ twice → you are ready for the real test. |
Before you walk into the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office:
Part 1: all 10 sign questions correct to unlock Part 2 · Part 2: 80% to pass general knowledge · one attempt per business day
The official driver's manual from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (publication DMV 39) — the single source of truth for the written test.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) · Published by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Download Official Manual →Source: Virginia DMV · Free download
We've distilled the official manual into 12 focused study sections. Every number, rule, and fact verified against the handbook. Click any topic to start studying.
The Virginia DMV knowledge test has two parts on a computer. Part 1 is 10 traffic sign questions — you must answer all 10 correctly to unlock Part 2. Part 2 is multiple-choice general knowledge; you must score at least 80% to pass. You may take it only once per business day.
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence. Drivers 21 or older are DUI at a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Under 21 is zero-tolerance: a BAC of 0.02%–0.08% is "illegal consumption" (1-year suspension + $500 fine or 50 hrs community service); 0.08%+ carries adult DUI penalties.
Virginia uses a 2-/3-/4-second rule: 2 seconds under 35 mph, 3 seconds at 35–45 mph, 4 seconds at 46–70 mph. Pick a fixed object — if you reach it before counting "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two…" you are following too closely. Increase the count in bad weather, heavy traffic, behind a large vehicle, behind a motorcycle or bicycle, or when tailgated (Manual §3).
A Virginia learner's permit allows you to drive only when a licensed driver 21+ is in the front passenger seat (or a sibling/legal guardian 18–20). Applicants 19+ must hold the permit 60 days or present a driver-education certificate before the first road skills test. Full teen minimum ages and GDL specifics are in the Parents in the Driver's Seat (DMV 16) publication at dmv.virginia.gov.
Yes, this practice site is completely free. Every question is verified against the Virginia Driver's Manual.
Dial 911 for any emergency. For Virginia road conditions or construction information before your trip, visit virginiadot.org or 511virginia.org, or dial 511 (Manual §2).
Virginia's written exam is administered by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and is the only state test that splits into two computer-based parts: a 10-question traffic-sign screen where you must answer every sign correctly to unlock Part 2, followed by a multiple-choice general-knowledge section that requires 80% to pass. All questions are drawn from the official Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39). Virginia also enforces one of the stricter hands-free laws in the Mid-Atlantic — holding a phone or any wireless device while driving is prohibited for every driver regardless of age, and holding a device in a highway work zone is a separate $250 fine.
Virginia uses the term DUI (Driving Under the Influence). The adult BAC limit is 0.08%; under-21 drivers fall under a 0.02% Zero Tolerance rule charged as "illegal consumption." Administrative license suspension is automatic the moment an officer charges you: 7 days for a first offense, 60 days or until trial for a second, and until trial for a third. Any DUI with a juvenile passenger (age 17 or younger) adds a mandatory 5-day jail term plus a $500–$1,000 fine. Vehicle impoundment is 30 days on the spot if you drive after an alcohol-related suspension, with another 90 days on conviction. Every fact on this page is verified against the Virginia Driver's Manual published by the Virginia DMV.
Virginia's learner's permit lets you drive only with a licensed supervisor age 21 or older in the front passenger seat (or 18–20 if the supervisor is your legal guardian, sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling). Applicants 19 and older must either hold the permit for 60 days or present a certificate of driver's-education completion before their first road skills test. If you fail the knowledge exam and are under 18, state law requires a 15-day wait before you may retake it; fail three times and you must complete an 8-hour driver's-manual course before a fourth attempt. The full teen timeline — Learner's Permit age, intermediate license curfew, and passenger restrictions — lives in Virginia DMV's Parents in the Driver's Seat (DMV 16) publication at dmv.virginia.gov.
This free practice test is verified against the Virginia Driver's Manual and built for anyone testing at DMV customer service centers in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington, Alexandria, Newport News, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Lynchburg, Fairfax and Charlottesville — plus every other DMV location in the Commonwealth. There is never a fee to practice here. For the official application fees, appointment booking, and the current accepted-document list, visit dmv.virginia.gov.
Permit rules vary between states. If you or someone you're helping is testing in a different state, we have free practice tests verified against each state's current manual: