The Virginia knowledge (permit) test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can describe the two parts of the Virginia knowledge exam.
• You can explain why the sign section needs special preparation.
• You can state the retest wait for under-18s.
• You can explain what happens after three failed attempts.
• You can build a study plan from the Virginia Driver's Manual.

What you need to know and understand

• The exam has two parts: road signs first, then general knowledge about laws and safe driving.
• DMV requires every sign question to be answered correctly before you move on to the general knowledge part.
• The general knowledge part needs a score of at least 80 percent, as DMV describes it.
• Questions are based on the Virginia Driver's Manual, and distracted driving is one of the required subjects.
• If you are under 18 and fail, you must wait at least 15 days before retesting.
• If you are 18 or older, you may take the exam only once per day.
• After three failures, you must complete a course before a fourth attempt.
• You also need to pass a vision screening to get the permit.

How the two parts work

Part one shows you traffic signs and asks what they mean. DMV says this part has 10 sign questions, and you must get all 10 right to continue. Part two is multiple choice on traffic laws and safe driving: 30 questions, of which you need 24 correct (80 percent) to pass. Formats can change, so confirm the current details with Virginia DMV before test day.

The exam is taken on a computer at a DMV customer service center, or in the classroom at some participating high schools. An oral exam is available on request at DMV.

If you do not pass

• Under 18: wait at least 15 days before your next attempt.
• After a third failure: complete the classroom part of driver instruction at a licensed driver training school or an approved course before trying again.
• If you are 18 or older, or under 18 and have already finished the classroom part, the law also allows a course based on the Virginia Driver's Manual, in a classroom or online, from a licensed provider. DMV's own guidance points to the classroom part of an approved driver training school program, so ask DMV which course it will accept before you enroll.
• After the course, DMV will give you the exam again.

A study plan that works

1. Read the whole Virginia Driver's Manual once, slowly.
2. Learn sign shapes and colors until you can name each sign on sight. One wrong answer in part one stops the exam.
3. Reread the sections on right of way, speed limits, school buses, alcohol and distracted driving.
4. Take practice tests, such as the site's Virginia permit practice test, until you score well above 80 percent every time.
5. Book your DMV visit when you are consistently passing.

Common mistakes

• Studying only general questions and guessing the signs. The sign section needs a perfect score.
• Rushing. Read every option before choosing, especially on questions about distances and limits.
• Retesting too soon. Under-18s must wait 15 days after a failure.
• Using unofficial question lists instead of the current Virginia Driver's Manual.

Test yourself: The Virginia knowledge (permit) test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Virginia Permit Practice Test
• Virginia Permit Test and Learner’s Permit
• Virginia Driver’s License Over 18