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Virginia · Permit test

The Virginia DMV road skills test

Virginia's driving test is called the road skills test. If you're under 18, you take it as part of your driver education course, not at the DMV. Adults who skip driver education take it at a DMV customer service center after holding a permit for 60 days. It's always on real roads, in English, in a car you provide.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Who tests where

You areWhere you take the road test
Under 18At the end of your driver education course, given by the school
18 to 20, before January 1, 2027At DMV after 60 days on the permit, or skipped if you finish driver education
18 to 20, from January 1, 2027Through driver education, which becomes required, after 90 days on the permit
21 and olderAt DMV after 60 days on the permit, or skipped if you finish driver education

If you hold a valid license from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, France, the Republic of Korea or Taiwan, you usually don't need the road test at all.

Taking it at the DMV

  1. Pass the knowledge exam and hold your learner's permit for at least 60 days.
  2. Practice the tasks on the In-Car Maneuvers Observation Record (CSMA 19). A licensed driver signs it to confirm they rode with you and you followed the permit rules.
  3. Fill in form CSMA 140.
  4. Book a road skills test at a customer service center, Monday to Friday, or walk in by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays or 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
  5. Arrive 15 minutes early with your permit and the CSMA 19 or a driver education certificate.
CSMA 19: In-Car Maneuvers Observation Record (PDF) ↗CSMA 140 (PDF) ↗

The car you bring

  • It must have a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates, registration card and decals.
  • Brakes, seat belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer must all work.
  • A rental or Zipcar is fine only if you're listed as an authorized driver. An autocycle can't be used.
  • If you bring a translator, the car needs back-seat belts, because translators ride in the back.

On the day

The test is on public roads. DMV stopped closed-course testing after September 29, 2024. It's given in English, but since September 30, 2024 you may bring a translator or ASL interpreter who is at least 18 and holds a U.S. license. They may only translate the examiner's instructions. DMV doesn't provide translators.

DMV doesn't publish a list of the maneuvers it scores. The CSMA 19 checklist is the best guide to what you may be asked to do.

If you fail

You can take the road test once per business day. After a first or second fail you wait two days. After three fails at DMV, you must complete the in-vehicle part of driver education at an approved school before a fourth try.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewVirginia DMV permit testAppointmentsBooking a Virginia DMV appointmentWhat to bringWhat to bring for a Virginia permit, license or IDOnline testCan you take the Virginia permit test online?Driver's licenseHow to get a Virginia driver's license45-hour logThe Virginia 45-hour driving logDMV officesVirginia DMV offices and phone numberLost or renewLost, replacing or renewing a Virginia licenseDMV formsVirginia DMV forms for a permit and licenseMotorcycleVirginia motorcycle permit and licenseCDL permitVirginia CDL permit testOther languagesTaking the Virginia permit test in Spanish or another languageRoad signsThe Virginia road signs testRetakesFailed the Virginia permit test? Retake rulesDriver's manualThe Virginia Driver's ManualPractice testVirginia DMV practice testWhere to learnWhere to study for the Virginia permit test
Sources: Virginia DMV, Virginia Driver's Manual, section 1 and 1 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.