Free Virginia DMV Practice Test 2026
These sample questions come from the same bank we use for full practice tests, and each one is drawn from the official Virginia driver handbook. Every answer explains why it is right — and why the tempting wrong answer is wrong, which is usually where the score is actually lost. For the current length and passing score of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles test, check the agency directly.
Two parts: 10 sign questions that must all be correct, then a general section needing 80%.
Exam format checked against Virginia DMV on 2026-07-27.
109 practice questions available for Virginia.
5 sample questions with answers
Signs & Signals
1. What should you do when approaching a railroad crossing with flashing lights?
- Stop and wait until trains pass and lights stop flashing
- Slow down and proceed if no train is visible
- Stop only if you can hear a train approaching
Correct answer: Stop and wait until trains pass and lights stop flashing
Why: The handbook clearly states to always stop when the light begins to flash and wait until all trains pass, tracks are clear, and lights stop flashing.
Right-of-Way Rules
2. At a green light without a green arrow, what must you do before turning left?
- Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection
- Only yield to pedestrians since you have the green light
- Proceed immediately since the light is green
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection
Why: The handbook states that when turning without a green arrow, you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection.
Alcohol & Drugs
3. Under Virginia's implied consent laws, when you operate a motor vehicle on public roads, you automatically agree to what?
- Take a breath test upon police request
- Submit to a field sobriety test upon police request
- Allow vehicle search if stopped for suspected DUI
Correct answer: Take a breath test upon police request
Why: Virginia's implied consent law means that by driving on public roads, you automatically consent to take a breath test if requested by police who have probable cause to suspect drinking or drug use.
Speed & Following Distance
4. You are driving 40 MPH on a dry road. What following distance should you maintain behind the vehicle ahead?
- 3 seconds
- 2 seconds
- 4 seconds
Correct answer: 3 seconds
Why: At 40 MPH, you are in the 35-45 MPH speed range, which requires a 3-second following distance on dry surfaces.
Parking Rules
5. When parking on a public road next to a curb, what is the maximum distance you may park from the curb?
- One foot
- Two feet
- Three feet
Correct answer: One foot
Why: Virginia law specifically states you may not park more than one foot from the curb when parking next to a curb.
What's on the Virginia knowledge test
The Virginia test draws on 12 subject areas. Our question bank covers all of them with 109 active questions written from the official handbook, so practice matches the range of what you can be asked rather than a narrow slice of it.
- Signs & Signals
- Regulatory, warning, and guide signs. Traffic signal phases and meaning.
- Right-of-Way Rules
- Who goes first at intersections, ramps, crosswalks, emergency vehicles.
- Alcohol & Drugs
- BAC limits, implied consent, zero tolerance, prescription drugs.
- Speed & Following Distance
- Posted limits, basic-speed law, following distance, stopping distance.
- Parking Rules
- Curb colors, hill parking, restricted zones, towing.
- Sharing the Road
- Bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, large trucks, school buses.
- License & Registration
- License classes, age requirements, registration, insurance.
- Emergencies & Collisions
- Brake failure, skids, what to do at a collision, reporting.
- Lane Usage
- Passing, lane changes, HOV/carpool, turn lanes, two-way left turn.
- Signaling & Turning
- Hand signals, turn signals, U-turns, three-point turns.
- Hazards & Defensive Driving
- Distractions, fatigue, road rage, blind spots, scanning.
- Special Conditions
- Night, fog, rain, snow, construction zones, school zones.
DLStudy is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Questions are written from the official handbook, not copied from the real exam.