Virginia DMV practice test

Official handbook

Key numbers from the handbook

Questions about the Virginia test

All 52 questions and answers

Read the bank before a mock test. Each answer names the handbook section and the printed page.

1. 1.How many times may you take the Virginia knowledge exam in one business day?

   Testing

   • Once

   The manual says the exam may be taken only once per business day. Handbook: Two-part knowledge exam, page 3.

2. 2.What happens after you fail the knowledge exam three times?

   Testing

   • You must pass the classroom part of driver education first

   After three failures you may not take the exam again until you complete and pass the classroom component of driver education. Handbook: Two-part knowledge exam, page 3.

3. 3.What must the vehicle you bring to the road skills test have?

   Testing

   • A valid safety inspection sticker, plates, registration card, decals and working safety equipment

   The vehicle needs a safety inspection sticker, plates, registration card, decals, working brakes, belts, horn, lights, signals, mirrors and speedometer. Handbook: Road Skills Test, page 4.

4. 4.How many hours is the course that satisfies Virginia's three-times-failure requirement?

   Testing

   • Eight hours

   The manual describes an 8-hour course based on the Virginia Driver's Manual. Handbook: Two-part knowledge exam, page 3.

5. 5.What visual acuity do you need for an unrestricted Virginia driver's licence?

   Testing

   • 20/40 or better in one or both eyes

   An unrestricted licence needs 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes. Handbook: Vision Standards, page 4.

6. 6.What visual acuity is needed when a licence restricts you to daylight driving?

   Testing

   • 20/70 or better in one or both eyes

   A daylight-only restriction needs 20/70 or better vision. Handbook: Vision Standards, page 4.

7. 7.What does the C restriction on your Virginia licence mean?

   Testing

   • Corrective lenses must be worn while driving

   A C on the licence means you must wear glasses or contact lenses when you drive. Handbook: Vision Screening, page 4.

8. 8.At what speed can a driver in Virginia be charged with reckless driving?

   Safe Driving

   • 20 MPH or more above the limit, or over 85 MPH

   Virginia law allows a reckless driving charge at 20 or more MPH above the limit or over 85 MPH. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 14.

9. 9.A speed limit is:

   Safe Driving

   • The maximum legal speed under ideal conditions

   A speed limit is the maximum legal speed you may travel under ideal conditions. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 14.

10. 10.When must you drive slower than the posted limit?

    Safe Driving

    • In school zones, work zones and when conditions make the posted speed unsafe

    You must slow down in school and work zones and whenever conditions make the posted speed unsafe. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 14.

11. 11.Where should your hands sit on the steering wheel?

    Safe Driving

    • At 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock, held with fingers and thumbs

    The manual puts your hands at 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock, held with the fingers and thumbs. Handbook: Hand Position, page 14.

12. 12.What is the manual's following distance from 35 to 45 MPH?

    Safe Driving

    • Three seconds

    The space cushion table gives three seconds from 35 to 45 MPH. Handbook: Maintaining a Space Cushion, page 19.

13. 13.What is the manual's following distance below 35 MPH?

    Safe Driving

    • Two seconds

    The space cushion table gives two seconds under 35 MPH. Handbook: Maintaining a Space Cushion, page 19.

14. 14.What is the manual's following distance from 46 to 70 MPH?

    Safe Driving

    • Four seconds

    The space cushion table gives four seconds from 46 to 70 MPH. Handbook: Maintaining a Space Cushion, page 19.

15. 15.The two-, three- and four-second cushions stop working above what speed?

    Safe Driving

    • 70 MPH

    The manual notes the cushions do not work if you are speeding over 70. Handbook: Maintaining a Space Cushion, page 19.

16. 16.When should you increase your following distance?

    Safe Driving

    • Behind a large vehicle, in bad weather or heavy traffic, when exiting an expressway, behind a motorcycle or bicycle, or when tailgated

    The manual lists six situations in which to increase your following distance. Handbook: Maintaining a Space Cushion, page 19.

17. 17.What should you do if a driver is tailgating you?

    Safe Driving

    • Move over if you can, or tap your brakes to show your brake lights and slow down

    Do not brake suddenly; move over if possible, or tap the brakes to flash your brake lights and slow down. Handbook: Maintaining a Space Cushion, page 19.

18. 18.What is the front No-Zone of a truck?

    Sharing the Road

    • The space you leave in front after passing, where cutting in forces the truck to brake hard

    The front No-Zone is the gap in front of a truck that you leave after passing it. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Trucks, page 21.

19. 19.How long may a truck and its trailer be?

    Sharing the Road

    • As long as 65 feet

    The manual says a truck and its trailer may be as long as 65 feet. Handbook: Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, Buses and RVs, page 21.

20. 20.How far behind a large vehicle can its blind spot stretch?

    Sharing the Road

    • Approximately 200 feet

    The manual says the blind spot behind a truck, bus or RV stretches approximately 200 feet. Handbook: Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, Buses and RVs, page 21.

21. 21.Why should you look for the whole front of a truck in your mirror before pulling in front of it?

    Sharing the Road

    • So the driver can see you and you keep a safe gap

    Seeing the whole truck first means you pull in with enough clear road to be safe. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Trucks, page 21.

22. 22.What speed range may a low speed vehicle travel at?

    Sharing the Road

    • 21 to 25 MPH

    Low speed vehicles have a maximum speed ranging from 21 to 25 MPH. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Trucks, page 21.

23. 23.On what kind of road may a low speed vehicle be driven?

    Sharing the Road

    • Roads with a speed limit of 35 MPH or less

    Low speed vehicles may be used on public roads with speed limits of 35 MPH or less. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Trucks, page 21.

24. 24.What is Virginia's rule on holding a cell phone while driving?

    Safe Driving

    • Prohibited except in a driver emergency or when lawfully parked or stopped

    Virginia law prohibits holding a cell phone or other wireless device except in an emergency or when parked or stopped. Handbook: Distracted Driving, page 24.

25. 25.Roughly what share of Virginia traffic crashes is attributed to driver distraction?

    Safe Driving

    • About 17 percent

    The manual says distraction accounts for roughly 17 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia. Handbook: Distracted Driving, page 24.

26. 26.Which of these does not prevent drowsy driving?

    Safe Driving

    • Rolling down the window and chewing gum

    The manual says a window, gum, the radio, caffeine and energy drinks do not prevent drowsy driving. Handbook: Drowsy Driving, page 24.

27. 27.Between what hours do researchers say three out of ten drivers are drunk?

    Safe Driving

    • 10 PM to 2 AM

    Researchers estimate that from 10 PM to 2 AM three out of every ten drivers are drunk. Handbook: Drunk and Drugged Driving, page 24.

28. 28.What do the manual's No-Zones around a truck include?

    Sharing the Road

    • The sides, the front and the rear, plus the blind spots

    No-Zones on the side, front and rear include the blind spots where your car disappears. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Trucks, page 21.

29. 29.Before driving with a light or medium trailer, which check belongs in the list?

    Sharing the Road

    • That the safety chains are properly attached

    The pre-trip list includes the ball-mount pin, coupler, safety chains, electrical plug and the lights. Handbook: Light to Medium Trailers, page 21.

30. 30.At what blood alcohol content is a Virginia driver 21 or older under the influence?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • .08 percent or higher

    Legally, drivers 21 and older are under the influence at a BAC of .08 percent or higher. Handbook: Drunk and Drugged Driving, page 24.

31. 31.At what BAC can a driver under 21 be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • At least .02 but less than .08

    A driver under 21 can be convicted of illegal consumption at .02 but below .08. Handbook: Drunk and Drugged Driving, page 24.

32. 32.Can you be convicted of DUI in Virginia with a BAC below .08?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • Yes, if your driving is impaired

    If your driving is impaired you can be convicted of DUI even with a BAC below .08. Handbook: Drunk and Drugged Driving, page 24.

33. 33.What share of drivers arrested for DUI in Virginia are social to moderate drinkers?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • Nearly 50 percent

    The manual says nearly 50 percent of drivers arrested for DUI are social to moderate drinkers. Handbook: Drunk and Drugged Driving, page 24.

34. 34.How long is your vehicle impounded if you drive after an alcohol-related licence suspension?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • 30 days

    Driving after an alcohol-related suspension brings an immediate 30-day impoundment. Handbook: Vehicle Impoundment, page 30.

35. 35.What extra penalty applies to a DUI with a passenger aged 17 or younger?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • A mandatory five-day jail term and a fine of at least $500 and up to $1,000

    A DUI with a juvenile passenger adds a mandatory five-day jail term and a $500 to $1,000 fine. Handbook: Transporting Children While Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, page 30.

36. 36.What is the fine for providing alcohol to someone under 21 or to an intoxicated person?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • Up to $2,500, plus up to a one-year suspension and 12 months in jail

    Providing alcohol illegally carries a fine up to $2,500, a suspension of up to one year and 12 months in jail. Handbook: Providing Alcoholic Beverages, page 31.

37. 37.What is the minimum fine for a driver under 21 who uses a fake ID to buy alcohol?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • At least $500

    Misrepresentation of age brings a fine of at least $500 and at least 50 hours of community service. Handbook: Misrepresentation of Age, page 31.

38. 38.What community service does a driver under 21 face for using a fake ID?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • At least 50 hours

    Misrepresentation of age requires at least 50 hours of community service. Handbook: Misrepresentation of Age, page 31.

39. 39.Can DMV suspend your licence for late child support payments?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • Yes, if payments are 90 days or $5,000 late

    DMV suspends driving privilege for payments 90 days or $5,000 late, or for failing to appear in court. Handbook: Suspensions for Failing to Satisfy Child Support-Related Requirements, page 30.

40. 40.What does Virginia's open container rule allow the police to do?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • You can be charged with drinking while operating if you have an open container in the passenger area and signs of drinking

    An open container in the passenger area with part of its contents removed, plus signs of drinking, can mean a charge. Handbook: Open Alcohol Containers in Vehicles, page 30.

41. 41.What are the licence points that get a Virginia driver suspended?

    Alcohol and Penalties

    • 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months

    DMV suspends driving privileges for 18 points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months. Handbook: Driver Record and Point System, page 29.

42. 42.How far should you move your seat back from the steering wheel in a car with air bags?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • At least ten inches

    The manual says to move your seat back at least ten inches from the steering wheel. Handbook: Air Bags, page 27.

43. 43.How should you tilt an adjustable steering wheel?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • Downward, so the bag points at your chest

    Tilting the wheel downward points the air bag at your chest instead of your head and neck. Handbook: Air Bags, page 27.

44. 44.Up to what age are children safer buckled in the back seat?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • 12

    The manual says children 12 and under are safer buckled up in the back seat. Handbook: Air Bags, page 27.

45. 45.What is the fine for a first child-restraint violation in Virginia?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • $50

    A first conviction is fined $50, and a second or later offence can mean $500. Handbook: Child safety seats, page 27.

46. 46.Where is the safest place to install a child safety seat?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • The centre of the back seat

    The manual says the safest place for a child safety seat is the centre of the back seat. Handbook: Child safety seats, page 27.

47. 47.Who may grant a waiver from the child restraint law?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • A licensed physician, in writing

    A licensed physician may waive the law in writing when a restraint would be unreasonable. Handbook: Child safety seats, page 27.

48. 48.What is the safest way to hold a child in a car?

    Seat Belts and Child Safety

    • In the back seat in a child safety seat

    The manual says never to hold a child on your lap; use a child safety seat in the back seat. Handbook: Child safety seats, page 27.

49. 49.How long do you have to get a Virginia licence after moving to the state?

    Licences and Records

    • 60 days

    A new resident who drives must obtain a Virginia licence within 60 days of moving. Handbook: New to Virginia, page 33.

50. 50.How soon must you notify DMV of a new address?

    Licences and Records

    • Within 30 days

    You must notify DMV within 30 days of moving, because the post will not forward your licence. Handbook: Address Changes, page 33.

51. 51.Where do you get a new Virginia driver's licence?

    Licences and Records

    • By mail, for security

    For security, DMV mails new licences instead of issuing them in customer service centers. Handbook: Receiving License by Mail, page 33.

52. 52.What must you carry while driving with a learner permit?

    Licences and Records

    • The learner permit

    A learner must carry the permit while driving. Handbook: Learner's Permit, page 32.

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