You see this sign by the road. What does it tell you?
A school zone or school crossing In Virginia's manual, the pentagon is kept for school zones and school crossings. Slow down and watch for children, because the speed limit can drop at school times.
What does a yellow sign like this one usually mean?
A warning about a hazard or change ahead Yellow with black is the color code for a warning, such as a curve, a stop ahead or a road that's slippery when wet. Slow down and be ready for what the sign describes.
Signals like these hang over the lanes on some Virginia roads. If the red X is lit above your lane, what should you do?
Never drive in that lane A red X is a lane use signal that means the lane is closed to you. You must not drive in a lane marked with a red X. A green arrow means you may use the lane.
The center lane of the road has these markings. How can you use it?
For left turns, traveling no more than 150 feet in it This is a shared center turn lane. Drivers going either way may use it to turn left, but Virginia's manual says you may not travel more than 150 feet in it.
What is the youngest age you can apply for a Virginia learner's permit?
15 years and 6 months You must be at least 15 years and six months old to apply for a Virginia learner's permit. You also pass a vision screening and the two-part knowledge exam.
You're 16 and you fail the knowledge exam. When is the earliest you can take it again?
After a full 15 days By law, if you're under 18 you must wait a full 15 days before retaking the knowledge exam. Fail on January 1 and the earliest retest is January 17. Adults can test once a day.
Before a driver under 18 can get a license, a parent must certify how much supervised driving?
At least 45 hours, with 15 after sunset A parent or guardian signs the driver education completion certificate to confirm at least 45 hours of driving, 15 of them after sunset. This applies to drivers under 18.
If you're under 18, when are you not allowed to drive (unless an exception applies)?
From midnight to 4 a.m. Drivers under 18 may not drive between midnight and 4 a.m. Exceptions include driving to or from work or a supervised school, civic or religious activity, emergencies, and driving with a licensed parent or adult in the front seat.
Two cars reach an intersection with no signs or signals at the same time. Who goes first?
The driver on the right When vehicles from different directions arrive at the same time and there are no signs or signals, the driver on the left must let the driver on the right go first. The same rule applies at all-way stops and at dead traffic lights.
A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on an undivided road. You're coming toward it from the other direction. What must you do?
Stop and stay stopped until everyone is clear and the bus moves You must stop for a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and its stop sign out, from any direction. Stay stopped until all children are clear and the bus moves again. Only a median or barrier between you and the bus lets oncoming traffic keep going.
An ambulance with its lights flashing is ahead of you, going the same way. How close may you follow it?
No closer than 500 feet Never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing. If one comes up behind you with lights or a siren, pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes.
You pass a stopped vehicle on the highway that has its hazard flashers on. What does Virginia law require?
Change lanes and go by with caution When you pass a stopped vehicle showing hazard flashers, caution signs or lit flares, you're required to change lanes and proceed with caution. For emergency vehicles and tow trucks, if you can't safely change lanes, slow down and pass carefully.
Unless a sign says otherwise, what is the speed limit in a Virginia residential area?
25 mph With no posted sign, the limit for cars and motorcycles is 25 mph in school, business and residential areas, 35 mph on unpaved roads, and 55 mph on all other roads.
In Virginia, at what speed can you be charged with reckless driving, whatever the posted limit?
20 mph or more over the limit, or over 85 mph Driving 20 mph or more over the limit, or faster than 85 mph, can bring a reckless driving charge. That's a misdemeanor criminal offense, with possible fines, suspension and jail.
You're driving at night on a highway with your high beams on. When must you switch to low beams?
When an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet, or you're within 200 feet of a car ahead Dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. When following, use low beams whenever you're within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead, so you don't blind the driver through their mirrors.
Under Virginia law, until what age must a child ride in a child safety seat or booster seat?
Until age 8 All children under 8 must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. Children should ride rear facing until at least age 2, or as long as the seat maker allows.
When may a Virginia driver hold a cell phone while the car is moving?
In a driver emergency Virginia law bans holding a phone or other wireless device while driving, except in a driver emergency or when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped. A phone can be used for navigation if you aren't holding it or typing.
A driver under 21 can be convicted of illegally drinking alcohol with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least:
0.02% Virginia has a zero tolerance law for underage drinking. Under 21, a BAC of at least 0.02% but under 0.08% can bring a conviction, a one-year license suspension and a $500 minimum fine or 50 hours of community service.
How close to a fire hydrant may you park?
No closer than 15 feet You may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. The manual also bans parking within 20 feet of an intersection and within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
A deer runs into the road and you can't avoid hitting it. What does the manual tell you to do?
Brake firmly, stay in your lane and come to a controlled stop If a crash with a deer or other large animal can't be avoided, don't swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane and come to a controlled stop. Then report it to law enforcement.
Virginia · Permit test
