Virginia drivers applying for a learner's permit take the DMV knowledge exam. It has 10 road sign questions, which you must all answer correctly, and 30 general knowledge questions, of which you need 24 right. This page sums up the official rules in plain terms. It also has free practice sets for each topic, worked explanations of sample questions, and a study plan for the days before your test.

VA DMV Exam at a Glance

What changed for VA DMV in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Number of questions (Knowledge exam — Part one) changed to 10 road sign questions (previously 10 road-sign questions).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Number of questions (Knowledge exam — Part two) changed to 30 general knowledge questions (previously 30 general-knowledge questions).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy (Knowledge exam) changed to Under 18: wait 15 days; 18+: once per day; 3 fails require classroom portion (previously At most once per business day).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility (Learner’s permit) changed to Minimum age 15 years 6 months (previously Minimum age: 15 years and 6 months).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Renewal (Driver’s license) changed to Renew up to one year before expiration (previously Renewal available up to one year before expiration).^[3]

What the VA DMV is and how it works

According to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, “You must correctly answer 24 questions to pass”^[1]

The Virginia DMV knowledge exam checks that you know the state's motor vehicle laws, safe driving techniques and traffic signs before you drive on a learner's permit. You can take it at any DMV customer service center or in a classroom at a participating high school. Students who test at school get their results immediately.

The exam has a road sign part and a general knowledge part, and you must pass both. The road sign part has 10 questions, and you must answer all 10 correctly (100%). The general knowledge part has 30 questions, and you must answer 24 correctly (80%).

You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to apply for a learner's permit. The fee is $3 for the permit plus the yearly cost of a driver's license.

If you fail and you are under 18, you must wait a full 15 days before you retake the exam. If you are 18 or older, you can retake it once per day. After 3 failed attempts, you must complete a classroom portion before you can test again. If you don't get your permit or license within 1 year of completing the exam, you will have to retest.

Rules and fees can change. Check the details on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website (dmv.virginia.gov) before you go.

VA DMV content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official VA DMV content outline published by Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through VA DMV questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: How far from a crosswalk may you park in Virginia?

1. 10 feet
2. 15 feet
3. 20 feet
4. 25 feet

Answer: C. 20 feet

Explanation:

C (20 feet) is correct. Virginia law does not allow parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. That space lets approaching drivers see pedestrians, and lets people stepping off the curb see the traffic coming toward them.

• A (10 feet) and B (15 feet) are too close. A car parked there can still hide someone who is about to cross.
• D (25 feet) is a legal place to park, but it is not the legal limit. The question asks for the minimum distance, not a comfortable gap.

Rule to remember: keep at least 20 feet between your car and a crosswalk at an intersection. Parking distance questions are easy to mix up, so learn each one together with its reason. Here, the reason is that pedestrians need to be seen.

Example 2

Question: What is hydroplaning in Virginia driving contexts?

1. Skidding on ice
2. Loss of tire traction due to a layer of water between tires and road
3. Engine failure from flooding
4. Windshield fogging during rain

Answer: B. Loss of tire traction due to a layer of water between tires and road

Explanation:

B is correct. Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road. The tires ride on the water instead of gripping the pavement, so you lose traction and steering control.

• A describes a skid on ice. That is a different traction problem, caused by a frozen surface, not standing water.
• C, engine failure from flooding, is a mechanical problem and has nothing to do with tire grip.
• D, windshield fogging, affects what you can see, not how the car holds the road.

Rule to remember: slow down on wet roads, because higher speed makes hydroplaning more likely. If it happens, ease off the accelerator and steer straight ahead instead of braking hard.

Example 3

Question: When entering a highway from a private road in Virginia, who must yield?

1. The driver on the highway must yield
2. The driver entering from the private road must yield
3. Both drivers must stop and negotiate
4. The faster driver has the right of way

Answer: B. The driver entering from the private road must yield

Explanation:

B is correct. A driver coming onto a highway from a private road, driveway or alley must yield to all traffic already on the highway. Drivers on the highway have the right of way because they have no reason to expect you to pull out in front of them.

• A reverses the rule. Highway drivers do not have to stop for you.
• C is wrong because the law already says who yields, so nobody needs to stop and work it out.
• D is wrong because speed never decides right of way.

Rule to remember: whenever you leave a private road, driveway or alley to enter a public highway, you yield to everyone already on it. Wait for a safe gap before you pull out.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official Virginia Driver's Manual and the knowledge exam page on the DMV website so you know what the test covers. Then work through our sets in this order.

1. Signs first. Take VA DMV Traffic Signs until you get every question right, because the road sign part needs a perfect score. Learn signs by shape and color as well as by wording.
2. Rules of the road. Move on to VA DMV Road Rules, VA DMV Speed Limits and Right of Way and VA DMV Parking and Stopping Rules. When you miss a question, read the explanation and find the matching section in the manual.
3. Safe driving and laws. Continue with VA DMV Safe Driving, VA DMV Special Driving Conditions, VA DMV Alcohol and Drug Laws and VA DMV Driver Improvement and Points System.
4. Mixed review. Use VA DMV Driver's License as a mixed check. Try to score comfortably above 80% on general knowledge practice before you book your test.

Keep a list of the questions you missed, and the day before your test, go over only those. The waiting rules for retakes make it worth being ready on your first attempt.

Sources & last verified

1. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — number of questions, passing score, retake policy, validity (official source). “Part one: 10 road sign questions” Verified Oct 28, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
2. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — exam fee, eligibility (official source). “$3 learner’s permit fee plus the yearly cost of a driver’s license.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
3. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — renewal (official source). “You can renew online, by mail or in person as early as ONE year before your license expires.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
4. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — delivery (official source). “can be taken at any DMV customer service center or in classrooms at participating high schools” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
5. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — score release (official source). “Students immediately receive their test results.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.