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Virginia · Permit test

The Virginia Driver's Manual

The Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) is the DMV's free study guide, and every knowledge exam question comes from it. The current PDF was published in April 2026. You can read it as one file, section by section, or as an interactive online study guide with practice questions, in English or Spanish.

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

Where to get it

  • The complete manual as a PDF, or each of its eight sections as separate PDFs.
  • The interactive Driver's License Study Guide, which adds practice questions to each section.
  • El Manual de Conductor de Virginia (DMV 39S) and the Guía de Estudio in Spanish.
  • Printed copies at DMV customer service centers.
Virginia Driver's Manual (PDF) ↗Interactive study guide ↗Manual in Spanish ↗

What's in it

SectionCovers
1. TestingThe two-part exam, road skills test and vision standards
2. Signals, signs and pavement markingsEverything for part one of the exam
3. Safe drivingSpeed limits, right-of-way, following distance, sharing the road, hazards, alcohol and crashes
4. Seat belts, air bags and child safety seatsWho must buckle up and child seat rules
5. PenaltiesSuspensions, demerit points and alcohol laws, including the under-21 rules
6. License typesPermit, license, CDL, school bus and motorcycle
7. Other important informationMoving to Virginia, registration, inspections and insurance
8. Sample knowledge examTen practice questions with answers

What to study hardest

Section 2 first, because part one is 10 sign questions with no room for a mistake. Then section 3, which is the biggest and supplies most of part two. These Virginia numbers are worth memorizing:

  • Default speed limits of 25, 35 and 55 mph, and reckless driving at 20 over or above 85 mph.
  • Following distance of 2, 3 or 4 seconds depending on speed.
  • Stay 500 feet behind an emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
  • No parking within 15 feet of a hydrant, 20 feet of an intersection or 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
  • Children under 8 in a child seat or booster, and a 0.02% BAC limit for drivers under 21.

Other manuals

  • Motorcycle Operator Manual (DMV 2), for the motorcycle knowledge exam.
  • Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual (DMV 60A) and its Virginia supplement (DMV 60V), for the CDL tests.
  • Parents in the Driver Seat (DMV 16), a short guide for parents on the permit and teen license rules.
Motorcycle Operator Manual (PDF) ↗Commercial Driver's Manual (PDF) ↗Parents in the Driver Seat (PDF) ↗

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?Road testThe Virginia DMV road skills testDriver'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 rulesPractice testVirginia DMV practice testWhere to learnWhere to study for the Virginia permit test
Sources: Virginia DMV and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

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