Ace Your VA Permit Test: 15 Practice Questions You Need to Know for 2025
The first official step to getting behind the wheel in Virginia is passing the DMV's two-part knowledge exam. This test is designed to ensure you have a solid understanding of traffic signs, laws, and safety rules before you begin your supervised driving practice. The test is broken into two sections:
- Part One: Traffic Signs: 10 questions. You must answer all 10 correctly (100%) to pass this section.
- Part Two: General Knowledge: 30 questions. You must answer at least 24 correctly (80%) to pass this section.
All questions are taken directly from the Virginia Driver's Manual. To help you study and build your confidence, we’ve put together a list of 15 practice questions that cover the types of topics and formats you are guaranteed to encounter on the real test.
Permit Test Practice Questions
Part One: Traffic Signs
1. This sign (an octagon) means: a) Yield. b) Stop. c) Warning. d) No Passing.
Answer: b) Stop. Explanation: The octagon shape is used exclusively for stop signs to ensure they are instantly recognizable. You must come to a complete stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection.
2. This sign (a diamond shape, typically yellow) is a: a) Regulatory Sign (a law). b) Warning Sign (a potential hazard). c) Guide Sign (directions or information). d) Motorist Services Sign.
Answer: b) Warning Sign (a potential hazard). Explanation: Diamond-shaped signs are used to warn drivers of existing or potential hazards on or near the roadway, such as a sharp curve, slippery road, or an intersection ahead.
3. This sign (a triangle, red and white) means: a) Stop. b) Yield. c) School Crossing. d) No U-Turn.
Answer: b) Yield. Explanation: The inverted triangle shape is used exclusively for yield signs. You must slow down and be prepared to stop, letting other traffic and pedestrians go before you proceed.
4. This sign (a pentagon shape, typically yellow-green) indicates: a) A state park entrance. b) You are near a school or school crossing. c) A railroad crossing is ahead. d) A playground is nearby.
Answer: b) You are near a school or school crossing. Explanation: The five-sided pentagon shape is used exclusively for school advance and school crossing warning signs. When you see this sign, slow down and be extremely alert for children.
5. This sign (a circle with a black 'X' and 'RR') is an advance warning for a: a) Crossroads or intersection. b) Hospital zone. c) Road construction area. d) Railroad crossing.
Answer: d) Railroad crossing. Explanation: The round, yellow sign with a black "X" and "RR" is the advance warning sign that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Slow down, look, and listen for a train.
Part Two: General Knowledge
6. For the first year of holding a provisional license, a teen driver cannot carry more than how many non-family passengers under the age of 21? a) Zero b) One c) Two d) Three
Answer: b) One. Explanation: This is a key part of Virginia's Graduated Driver License (GDL) law. For the first year, you can only drive with one passenger under 21 who is not a family member.
7. A driver with a provisional license is not allowed to drive between what hours? a) 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. b) 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. c) Midnight and 4 a.m. d) There is no curfew.
Answer: c) Midnight and 4 a.m. Explanation: Virginia's GDL program imposes a curfew on provisional license holders between midnight and 4 a.m., with limited exceptions for work, school, or emergencies.
8. What is the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and over in Virginia? a) 0.08% b) 0.05% c) 0.04% d) 0.02%
Answer: a) 0.08%. Explanation: It is illegal for a person 21 or older to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. For drivers under 21, Virginia has a "Zero Tolerance" policy, meaning a BAC of 0.02% or higher is illegal.
9. When parking your vehicle facing uphill on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) Towards the curb. c) Away from the curb. d) It doesn't matter.
Answer: c) Away from the curb. Explanation: Turning your wheels away from the curb (to the left) ensures that if your vehicle's brakes were to fail, it would roll backward and the front tire would catch the curb, stopping the car. Remember the phrase "Up, Up, and Away."
10. To be eligible for a provisional license, a teen under 18 must have held their learner's permit for at least: a) 3 months. b) 6 months. c) 9 months. d) 12 months.
Answer: c) 9 months. Explanation: A teen driver must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of nine months and meet all other requirements before they can apply for a provisional license.
11. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means: a) You may pass if the way is clear. b) You are in a passing zone. c) You may not pass. d) The road is ending.
Answer: c) You may not pass. Explanation: A solid yellow line on your side of the center line marks a no-passing zone. You must stay in your lane until the line becomes dashed or the zone ends.
12. To get a provisional license, a teen driver must have a parent certify the completion of how many hours of supervised practice? a) 30 hours, with 5 at night. b) 45 hours, with 15 at night. c) 50 hours, with 10 at night. d) 60 hours, with 15 at night.
Answer: b) 45 hours, with 15 at night. Explanation: The GDL program requires 45 hours of certified behind-the-wheel practice, including a challenging 15 hours of nighttime driving, before a teen can be licensed.
13. A conviction for reckless driving in Virginia will add how many demerit points to your driving record? a) 3 points. b) 4 points. c) 6 points. d) 8 points.
Answer: c) 6 points. Explanation: Reckless driving is one of the most serious traffic offenses and carries the highest penalty of 6 demerit points.
14. When you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching with its lights and siren on, you must: a) Continue at the same speed. b) Stop immediately in your lane. c) Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. d) Speed up to get out of the way.
Answer: c) Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. Explanation: Virginia's "Move Over" law requires you to yield the right-of-way by pulling as far to the right as is safe and coming to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
15. If a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing on a divided highway, what must you do if you are traveling in the opposite direction? a) You must stop. b) You must slow down to 10 mph. c) You may proceed with caution. d) You must stop unless there is a physical barrier or median.
Answer: d) You must stop unless there is a physical barrier or median. Explanation: You do not have to stop for a school bus if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a roadway with a physical barrier or unpaved median separating the traffic. If there is only a painted line, you must stop.
How to Study: The absolute best way to prepare is to thoroughly read the Virginia Driver's Manual. Pay special attention to Chapter 2 for signs and Chapters 3 and 4 for rules of the road and GDL restrictions. Good luck!
