Photo: AHeneen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The West Virginia DMV knowledge exam has at least 25 questions from the Driver’s Licensing Handbook, and you must get 19 of 25 right to pass. It is timed, and unanswered questions count as wrong. This practice test gives you 30 original, unofficial questions built from the handbook’s chapters, so the first 25 work as a full-length mock and the last 5 are extra practice.
West Virginia knowledge exam at a glance
| Item | Rule (WV DMV handbook) |
|---|---|
| Questions | At least 25 |
| To pass | 19 of 25 correct (76%) |
| Time | Timed; unanswered questions are marked wrong |
| Fee | $7.50 per attempt (as of November 2026) |
| Fail | No retest within one week |
Documents, the audio option and test-day rules: West Virginia DMV permit test, 19 out of 25 to pass.
Mock test tips
- Give yourself a time limit and do not stall. Answer every question, then go back.
- Score questions 1 to 25 as your mock result. 19 or more is a pass.
Signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 8)
1. A sign with eight sides is always:
- A. A school sign
- B. A yield sign
- C. A stop sign
- D. A railroad sign
Answer: C. Only STOP signs are octagons. Handbook Chapter V: signs.
2. A yellow diamond sign means:
- A. A service
- B. A regulation
- C. A warning of a condition ahead
- D. A route
Answer: C. Warning signs are yellow diamonds. Handbook Chapter V: signs.
3. A round yellow sign with an X and RR warns of:
- A. A crossroad
- B. Road repairs
- C. A rest area
- D. A railroad crossing ahead
Answer: D. Slow down, look and listen. The crossbuck marks the crossing itself. Handbook Chapter V: railroad crossings.
4. A steady yellow light means:
- A. The light will soon be red; stop if you can do so safely
- B. Speed up
- C. Stop at once, even in the intersection
- D. Go as on green
Answer: A. Do not race a yellow light. Handbook Chapter V: traffic lights.
5. A flashing red light means:
- A. Go
- B. Yield to the right
- C. Slow down
- D. Stop completely, then go when it is safe
Answer: D. Treat it as a STOP sign. Handbook Chapter V: flashers.
6. A broken yellow center line on your side means:
- A. Turn lane
- B. One-way road
- C. Passing is allowed when the way is clear
- D. No passing
Answer: C. A solid yellow line on your side means you may not pass. Handbook Chapter V: pavement markings.
7. Lane-use signals show a green arrow over your lane. This means:
- A. The lane is closed
- B. Change lanes now
- C. Bus lane only
- D. You may use the lane
Answer: D. A green arrow opens the lane; a red X closes it; yellow means prepare to leave it. Handbook Chapter V: lane-use signals.
8. Orange signs mean:
- A. A school
- B. A park
- C. A work zone ahead
- D. A hospital
Answer: C. Slow down, merge early when a lane is closed and follow flaggers. Handbook: work zones.
Rules of the road (questions 9 to 14)
9. Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit in a West Virginia school zone while children are present?
- A. 25 mph
- B. 20 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 15 mph
Answer: D. The handbook lists 15 mph for school zones while children are present. Handbook Chapter VI: speed.
10. Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit in business or residential areas in West Virginia?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 45 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: B. The handbook lists 25 mph for business and residential areas. Handbook Chapter VI: speed.
11. Two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Who goes first?
- A. The larger car
- B. The car that honks
- C. The car on the right
- D. The car on the left
Answer: C. Yield to the driver on your right when you arrive together. Handbook Chapter VI: right of way.
12. When turning left at a green light without an arrow, you must:
- A. Turn from the right lane
- B. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- C. Wait for red
- D. Turn before oncoming cars
Answer: B. A plain green light does not protect your left turn. Handbook Chapter VI: turns.
13. Entering an interstate, you should:
- A. Use the acceleration lane to reach traffic speed and merge into a gap
- B. Expect traffic to stop
- C. Stop at the end of the ramp
- D. Merge slowly
Answer: A. Signal, check your blind spot and merge at speed. Handbook Chapter VII: interstate driving.
14. You missed your interstate exit. You should:
- A. Stop and wait
- B. Go on to the next exit
- C. Make a U-turn across the median
- D. Back up on the shoulder
Answer: B. Never back up or cross the median on an interstate. Handbook Chapter VII: exiting.
Following distance and space (questions 15 to 17)
15. In good conditions, the handbook’s following distance check says you are too close if you pass the fixed object before you finish counting:
- A. One thousand three
- B. One thousand five
- C. One thousand one
- D. One thousand ten
Answer: A. Keep at least three seconds in good conditions. Handbook Chapter VI: following distance.
16. How much following distance does the handbook advise when it is dark or raining?
- A. The same as normal
- B. Ten seconds
- C. Two seconds
- D. At least four seconds
Answer: D. Increase to at least four seconds in darkness or rain. Handbook Chapter VI: following distance.
17. How much following distance should you leave on ice or snow?
- A. At least six seconds
- B. Three seconds
- C. Four seconds
- D. One car length
Answer: A. The handbook says at least six seconds on ice or snow. Handbook Chapter VI: following distance.
Sharing the road (questions 18 to 20)
18. A school bus stops with red lights flashing on a four-lane highway that is not an interstate. You are on the other side. You must:
- A. Stop only if children are crossing
- B. Keep going
- C. Stop, because only on interstate highways may oncoming traffic across the median continue
- D. Slow to 20 mph
Answer: C. On all highways, streets, parking lots and private roads, traffic in both directions stops. The only exception is oncoming traffic across the median on an interstate. Handbook: school bus rules.
19. What is the minimum penalty for a first offense of passing a stopped school bus in West Virginia?
- A. 3 points only
- B. A warning
- C. A $50 fine
- D. At least 60 days’ license suspension and at least a $500 fine, or up to six months in jail
Answer: D. Later offenses carry bigger penalties. Handbook: school bus rules.
20. Must you stop for a school bus loading students on school property?
- A. Only in the morning
- B. Yes
- C. No, only on public roads
- D. Only if a crossing guard is present
Answer: B. The handbook says to stop for a bus receiving or discharging students on school property or private property too. Handbook: school bus rules.
Alcohol, drugs and phones (questions 21 to 24)
21. What is West Virginia’s alcohol rule for drivers under 21?
- A. The 0.08 limit applies
- B. 0.05 is allowed
- C. Zero tolerance: any measurable alcohol can cost your license
- D. Only applies at night
Answer: C. West Virginia has a zero tolerance law for drivers under 21. Handbook Chapter III: underage drinking and driving.
22. Under West Virginia’s implied consent law, if you are arrested for DUI you are deemed to have agreed to:
- A. A vision test
- B. A driving test
- C. Pay a toll
- D. A chemical test to find your alcohol content
Answer: D. Refusal brings its own revocation. Handbook Chapter III: implied consent.
23. Can a West Virginia driver under 18 use a phone hands-free while driving?
- A. Yes
- B. Only for GPS
- C. Only at stop lights
- D. No. Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless communication device except to call 911
Answer: D. Handbook, citing WV Code 17B-2-3a. Adults may only use devices hands-free.
24. What is the only thing that lowers your BAC?
- A. A cold shower
- B. Food
- C. Time
- D. Coffee
Answer: C. The handbook notes BAC can keep rising for hours after the last drink. Handbook Chapter III: alcohol.
West Virginia GDL rules (questions 25 to 30)
25. On a Level 1 instruction permit, who must be in the front passenger seat?
- A. A parent only
- B. A licensed driver 21 or older
- C. No one
- D. Any licensed driver
Answer: B. Level 1 drivers always drive with a licensed driver 21 or older beside them. GDL rules.
26. When may a Level 1 permit holder drive?
- A. Only in daylight
- B. Only between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- C. Only on weekends
- D. Any time
Answer: B. Level 1 permit holders may drive only from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. GDL rules.
27. How many non-family passengers may a Level 1 permit holder carry, besides the supervisor?
- A. Three
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. None
Answer: C. Level 1 drivers may carry no more than two non-family passengers in addition to the supervising driver. GDL rules.
28. To move to a Level 2 license you need, among other things:
- A. 30 days on Level 1
- B. Nothing; it is automatic at 16
- C. Only a written test
- D. 180 consecutive conviction-free days on Level 1, a road skills test, and a 50-hour log (10 at night) or driver ed
Answer: D. You must also be at least 16. GDL rules.
29. In the first six months of a Level 2 license, how many non-family passengers under 20 may ride with you?
- A. Two
- B. None
- C. Three
- D. One
Answer: B. In the second six months, one non-family passenger under 20 is allowed. Handbook: Level 2 GDL.
30. Speeding in a school zone carries how many points in West Virginia?
- A. 3
- B. 6
- C. 2
- D. 10
Answer: B. The handbook point table lists 6 points for speeding in a school zone. Handbook Chapter II: points.
Score your mock
| Questions 1 to 25 correct | Result |
|---|---|
| 23 to 25 | Ready to test |
| 19 to 22 | A pass. Study the misses before test day. |
| 18 or fewer | A fail. Reread Chapters V to VII. |
Then do questions 26 to 30 as extra practice on the GDL rules and points. The WV DMV website also has a sample test. Full details of each level: West Virginia GDL levels explained and the 50 hour driving log.
Common questions
Are these the real WV DMV test questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice questions based on the West Virginia Driver’s Licensing Handbook.
How many questions can I miss on the West Virginia permit test?
6. You need 19 of 25 correct.
How long do I have for the test?
The test is timed. Ask at the testing location for the exact limit.
What if I fail?
You cannot retest within one week. Each attempt costs $7.50.
Is there an audio version?
Yes, with headphones, for applicants with reading difficulties. Staff cannot read or explain questions.
Where are tests for other states?
See US permit practice tests by state, or the full route in learning to drive in West Virginia.
Sources
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s Licensing Handbook” (webapps.transportation.wv.gov)
- West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL)” (dmv.wv.gov)