Virginia · Department of Motor Vehicles
Virginia’s knowledge test, given by the DMV, has 40 questions. The test has 2 parts: 10 road sign questions you must all get right, then 30 general knowledge questions where you need 24 right.
40
questions
34
right to pass
85%
passing score
Checked against the Virginia Driver’s Manual (April 27, 2026 edition) on October 25, 2026. How we check facts
Practice test
Pick an answer and check it. Every question comes with the reason behind the right answer and the sentence of an official document it rests on.
To pass here you need 9 of 10, since Virginia’s test asks for 85%.
Question 1 of 10 · Traffic signals and arrows
The answer is B: is about to close.
A steady yellow X means the lane you are in is about to be closed, and a red X will follow. Move into a lane with a green arrow while there is still room. It is the lane signal's version of a yellow light: a warning that red is next.
“A steady YELLOW X signal indication shall mean that the lane which the Yellow X signal indication is located over is about to be closed to vehicle traffic in that direction and shall be followed by a steady RED X signal indication”
Question 2 of 10 · Speed limits
The answer is C: the number on the sign
The posted limit does not rise because the cars around you are speeding. Keeping up with traffic is good advice only up to the number on the sign. A line of fast cars is no defense when you are the one stopped. If the limit leaves you slower than the rest, stay in the right lane.
“Speed Limit Signs—These black and white signs indicate the maximum legal speed allowed in ideal conditions.”
Question 3 of 10 · Snow and ice
The answer is B: much bigger
Stopping takes far longer on snow, and longer again on ice. Leave much more room than you would on a dry road, and more still where the road is icy. You cannot control how hard the driver ahead brakes. You can only control how much room you left.
“When the roadway is slippery, your tires do not grip as well. It will take longer to stop, and it will be harder to turn without skidding. Always reduce your speed if the road is wet or covered with snow or ice.”
Question 4 of 10 · Work zones and flaggers
The answer is C: Move into the left lane before yours ends.
The sign stands well before the closure so you have room to change lanes. Signal, check your mirror and blind spot, and take the first gap that opens. Where a sign tells you to stay in your lane up to a merge point, follow it instead.
“The Lane(s) Closed sign (see Figure 6H-1) shall be used in advance of that point where one or more through lanes of a multi-lane roadway are closed.”
Question 5 of 10 · Right-of-way
The answer is C: Wait until car A has cleared your path.
Anyone still in the intersection goes first, whatever your light says. Car A may have entered on a yellow and run out of time. Wait until it is clear of your path, then go. Moving now would drive you into its side.
“You should yield the right of way to”
Question 6 of 10 · Pedestrians and bicyclists
The answer is B: Yes. A bicycle is a vehicle.
On the road, a bicycle is a vehicle. The rider has the same rights and the same duties as you, and follows the same rules of the road. Share the road with them, and never force a rider off it.
“Bicycles are considered vehicles when on roadways. Bicyclists are required and expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles. As a motorist, you should know that a bicyclist has the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as you.”
Question 7 of 10 · Regulatory signs
The answer is A: turning around to head back
The U-shaped arrow in the red circle stands for a U-turn. That is the move where you swing around and drive back the way you came. It is banned here because the road is narrow, busy, or hides a turning car. A left turn is a different move and may still be allowed.
“If a No U-Turn (R3-4) sign (see Figure 2B-4) or a combination No U or Left Turn (R3-18) sign (see Figure 2B-4) is used, at least one should be used at a location specified for a No Left Turn sign.”
Question 8 of 10 · Distracted and aggressive driving
The answer is C: Before you start moving.
Set the route, the music, your seat and your mirrors before you move. Anything you settle while parked is one thing you will not be doing at 50 mph. If the route has to change on the way, stop somewhere safe to change it.
“You must pay attention to the driving task.”
Question 9 of 10 · Curves and hills
The answer is C: wants to keep going straight.
A moving car wants to keep going straight. In a curve the tires have to pull it round, and at too high a speed they cannot. The car then slides toward the outside of the curve, off the road or into the other lane. Slowing down before the curve is the fix, not more steering.
“This means if you are driving too fast on a curve, your vehicle is going to keep moving straight ahead instead of around the curve, no matter how much you try to steer it or slow it down to keep it in your lane. You will either run off of the road (on a left-bending curve) or go into the other lane of traffic (on a right-bending curve).”
Question 10 of 10 · Passing
The answer is B: No. An intersection is ahead.
Do not pass as you come up to an intersection. A driver pulling out of the cross street, or car A turning left, is not looking for you in the oncoming lane. An empty cross street can fill in a moment. Wait until you are through it.
“Do not attempt to pass when an oncoming vehicle is approaching, your view is blocked by a curve or a hill, at intersections, or before a highway-railroad crossing or bridge.”
These 10 questions are from the DMV Champ app’s practice set, last updated October 23, 2026. Spot a mistake in a question? Email us.
6
You need 34 of the 40 right.
The test has 2 parts: 10 road sign questions you must all get right, then 30 general knowledge questions where you need 24 right.
“The knowledge exam consists of two parts: Part one: 10 road sign questions All ten questions must be answered correctly Part two: 30 general knowledge questions You must correctly answer 24 questions to pass”
DMV Champ uses the same format for Idaho.
If you’re under 18 and fail, you must wait a full 15 days before you try again.
“If you fail the exam and you are under age 18, by law you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam.”
You get 1 try per business day.
“The exam may be taken only once per business day.”
After 3 failed tries, you must complete and pass the classroom part of driver education before a 4th try.
“If you fail the knowledge exam three times, you will not be able to take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the classroom component of driver education.”
It’s given by the DMV, on a computer at DMV customer service centers or in classrooms at participating high schools.
“The exam is multiple choice and can be taken on a computer at DMV customer service centers or in classrooms at participating high schools.”
The manual calls it the knowledge exam.
“The two-part knowledge exam is given on a computer and tests your knowledge of traffic signs, motor vehicle laws, and safe driving.”
You can book an appointment or walk in, and walk-ins must arrive by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays or 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays to test that day.
“Schedule an appointment for service Monday through Friday or stop by during office hours (no appointment). Walk-in applicants for the knowledge exam must be present by 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays in order to test that day.”
The test comes in English, American Sign Language, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin, also in traditional script), Dari, Farsi, French, German, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Kurdish, Mongolian, Nepali, Pashto, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Twi, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
“With the exception of the CDL HAZMAT knowledge exam (available only in English), the Driver, CDL and Motorcycle knowledge exams are available in the following languages:”
You can ask for an oral test at any DMV customer service center.
“Oral exams are also available by request at all DMV customer service centers.”
Test simulator
DMV Champ teaches every question with its explanation, then checks you with 5 simulated tests of 40 questions, graded against the 34-correct passing score. 35 topics in Virginia: the 34 every state tests, plus winter driving, because the Virginia handbook teaches it.
Download on the App Store