Virginia Driver License: Testing, Licenses and Vehicle Requirements

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Testing, Licenses and Vehicle Requirements. Free, no account needed.

1. A new resident already holds a valid driver's license issued by South Korea. Which test must they still complete at the DMV?

Both the knowledge exam and road skills test
Vision screening
Road skills test
Knowledge exam

Answer: B — Vision screening

Every applicant takes the vision screening regardless of license history; a South Korean license exempts the holder from the knowledge exam (and separately from the road test).

2. On the computerized knowledge exam, an applicant answers 9 of the 10 traffic sign questions in part one correctly. What happens next?

They receive a warning but may still start part two
They proceed to part two since they scored above 80%
They must answer only the missed question again to proceed
They cannot start part two; all ten sign questions must be answered correctly first

Answer: D — They cannot start part two; all ten sign questions must be answered correctly first

All ten sign questions must be answered correctly before part two can begin.

3. After passing part one of the knowledge exam by answering all ten sign questions correctly, what score must an applicant get on part two to pass?

75 percent
80 percent
70 percent
90 percent

Answer: B — 80 percent

Part two, the general multiple-choice section, requires 80 percent to pass.

4. An applicant fails the knowledge exam at 9 a.m. Can they return to the same DMV office that afternoon to try again?

No, the exam may be taken only once per business day
Yes, as many times as they want in one day
Yes, but only after completing a short review course
No, they must wait a full 15 days regardless of age

Answer: A — No, the exam may be taken only once per business day

The knowledge exam can only be attempted once per business day; the 15-day wait applies specifically to applicants under 18.

5. The knowledge exam is already offered in an applicant's native language through the audio version. Can the applicant instead bring a personal translator to help with the exam?

No, translators are not allowed for languages the exam is already offered in
No, translators are never allowed even for languages that are not offered
Yes, translators are always allowed to assist with wording
Yes, but only for part one

Answer: A — No, translators are not allowed for languages the exam is already offered in

Because the exam's audio version already covers many languages and American Sign Language, translators are barred for those offered languages.

6. A 17-year-old applicant fails the knowledge exam on January 1. What is the earliest date they may retake it?

January 17
January 16
January 15
January 8

Answer: A — January 17

Applicants under 18 who fail must wait a full 15 days, so failing on January 1 means the earliest retake is January 17.

7. An adult applicant has failed the knowledge exam three times. What must they do before a fourth attempt?

Obtain a note from an eye-care professional
Pass a road skills test first
Complete the classroom part of driver education, or an approved 8-hour course based on the manual
Wait 30 days and then retry

Answer: C — Complete the classroom part of driver education, or an approved 8-hour course based on the manual

Three knowledge exam failures require completing the classroom portion of driver education or an approved 8-hour course before a fourth try.

8. An applicant is taking the computerized knowledge exam. Which action is allowed?

Checking a fact on a cell phone during the exam
Writing down an exam question to pass along afterward
Asking a nearby applicant what a sign means
Taking the exam with the audio version in a language other than English

Answer: D — Taking the exam with the audio version in a language other than English

The exam is offered with an audio version in many languages and in American Sign Language. Getting help, helping anyone, seeking or sharing questions, and cell phone use are all prohibited.

9. A new resident holds a valid driver's license from Taiwan. Which is true?

They must take both the knowledge exam and the road skills test
They are exempt from the knowledge exam but must still take the road skills test
They are exempt from both the knowledge exam and the road skills test
They are exempt from the road skills test but must still take the knowledge exam

Answer: D — They are exempt from the road skills test but must still take the knowledge exam

Taiwan appears only on the road skills test exemption list, not on the knowledge exam exemption list of other states, Canada, Germany, France, and South Korea.

10. An applicant plans to take the road skills test in their own autocycle, which has current registration and inspection. Is this acceptable?

Yes, as long as the inspection sticker is valid
Yes, but only if a driving instructor rides along
No, autocycles cannot be used for the road skills test regardless of documentation
No, only rental vehicles are permitted for the test

Answer: C — No, autocycles cannot be used for the road skills test regardless of documentation

Autocycles are excluded outright from the vehicle an applicant may supply for the road skills test.

11. An 18-year-old got their learner's permit 30 days ago and has not taken driver education. Can they take the road skills test now?

Yes, but only if a parent supervised at least 30 driving hours
No, applicants must be 21 to take the road skills test
Yes, there is no minimum holding period for applicants 18 or older
No, they must hold the permit 60 days first, unless they complete approved driver education

Answer: D — No, they must hold the permit 60 days first, unless they complete approved driver education

Applicants 18 or older must hold the learner's permit 60 days before the first road test unless they complete approved driver education.

12. An applicant fails the road skills test on a Monday. How soon may they retake it?

They must wait until completing driver education
The next business day
Two days later
Fifteen days later

Answer: C — Two days later

After a single road skills test failure, the required wait is two days (the 15-day wait and driver education requirements apply to other situations).

13. An applicant's vision screening shows 20/70 vision in their better eye and a 70-degree horizontal field. Which license do they qualify for?

A license with the C restriction for corrective lenses only
An unrestricted license
No license until vision improves
A daylight-only license

Answer: D — A daylight-only license

20/70 vision and a 70-degree field meet the daylight-only standard, not the stricter 20/40 and 110-degree unrestricted standard.

14. A learner's permit holder wants their 19-year-old brother, a licensed driver, to supervise their practice driving. Is this allowed?

No, the supervisor must always be at least 21
No, only a parent or legal guardian may supervise under age 21
Yes, because a sibling supervisor may be 18, 19 or 20
Yes, but only if the brother has held his license for at least 60 days

Answer: C — Yes, because a sibling supervisor may be 18, 19 or 20

A supervisor may be 18, 19, or 20 if they are the permit holder's legal guardian or sibling, including a brother.

15. A 20-year-old just got their learner's permit and has not taken driver education. When can they apply for a driver's license?

After holding the permit for 60 days
After holding the permit for 30 days
Immediately, since driver education is not required after age 18
Only after passing the road skills test twice

Answer: A — After holding the permit for 60 days

At 19 or older, an applicant must hold the permit 60 days, or present a driver education certificate instead, before applying for a license.

16. Which vehicle can be legally driven with a regular driver's license rather than a CDL?

A passenger bus
A school bus for 16 or more occupants
A tank vehicle hauling hazardous materials
A small truck under 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL rules

Answer: D — A small truck under 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL rules

A driver's license covers any vehicle or small truck under 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL rules; the other options require a CDL.

17. A school bus is built to carry 15 occupants including the driver. What is required of the person driving it?

A CDL only if the route crosses county lines
A full CDL with school bus and hazmat endorsements
No special license, since it is under the CDL threshold
A regular driver's license plus the commercial driver and school bus tests for an endorsement, with the 15-occupant limit printed on the license

Answer: D — A regular driver's license plus the commercial driver and school bus tests for an endorsement, with the 15-occupant limit printed on the license

A 15-occupant school bus needs no CDL, only the commercial driver and school bus tests for an endorsement, with the occupant limit printed on the license.

18. A traveler buys an "international driver's license" from a website before a trip abroad. What is true of this document?

It is a valid substitute for a driver's license anywhere in the world
It is valid as long as the traveler is not currently suspended
It is valid only in Canada, Germany, France, South Korea and Taiwan
It is invalid, since only AAA issues legitimate international driving documents, which are translations, not licenses

Answer: D — It is invalid, since only AAA issues legitimate international driving documents, which are translations, not licenses

Legitimate international driving documents are translations issued by AAA, not licenses; internet-marketed versions are invalid.

19. What is the legal classification of selling a fake driver's license document?

A Class 1 misdemeanor
It is legal as long as it is labeled "novelty item"
A felony
A traffic infraction

Answer: A — A Class 1 misdemeanor

Selling any fake license document is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

20. After passing all required tests, can an applicant pick up their physical license the same day at a DMV customer service center?

Yes, licenses are printed on-site at every office
No, it must be picked up in person at the DMV within 30 days
Yes, but only at the central DMV headquarters
No, the license is mailed and customer service centers do not issue it directly

Answer: D — No, the license is mailed and customer service centers do not issue it directly

Licenses arrive by mail, and for security reasons customer service centers do not issue them directly.

21. A licensed driver moves to a new address within Virginia. Within how many days must they notify DMV?

60 days
30 days
15 days
90 days

Answer: B — 30 days

DMV must be notified of a move within 30 days because the Postal Service will not forward a license.

22. Someone moves to Virginia and plans to keep driving their car. Within how many days must they title and register the vehicle and get plates, compared to getting their Virginia driver's license?

30 days for the vehicle, 60 days for the license
60 days for the vehicle, 30 days for the license
30 days for both
60 days for both

Answer: A — 30 days for the vehicle, 60 days for the license

A new resident must get a Virginia license within 60 days but must title, register, and plate the vehicle within the shorter window of 30 days.

23. Where must license plates be displayed on a vehicle that does not have permanent plates?

Front and rear
Front and rear, but decals are optional
Rear only
Front only

Answer: A — Front and rear

Plates go on both the front and rear with month-and-year decals in their designated spots, except for permanent plates.

24. How often must a vehicle pass a safety inspection in Virginia?

Annually
Only when it changes ownership
Every two years
Only in localities that require emissions testing

Answer: A — Annually

Every vehicle passes an annual safety inspection and displays the sticker; emissions inspections are an added requirement in some localities only.

25. Using the penny test to check tire tread, a driver inserts a penny into a tire groove and part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread. What does this indicate?

The test is inconclusive and a gauge is needed
The tire pressure is too low
The tread is worn out and the tire needs replacing
The tread depth is safe

Answer: D — The tread depth is safe

If any part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread in the penny test, the tread is considered safe.

26. A vehicle owner does not want to buy liability insurance but still wants to register their car for a year. What is their option?

There is no way to register without insurance
Pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee, which allows registration but provides no coverage
Pay a $600 noncompliance fee
Post a $1,000 bond with the court

Answer: B — Pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee, which allows registration but provides no coverage

Paying the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee is the alternative to carrying liability insurance, though it buys no coverage.

27. For a liability policy issued after January 1, 2022, what is the minimum required coverage for property damage?

$30,000
$50,000
$25,000
$20,000

Answer: D — $20,000

The property damage minimum for policies since January 1, 2022 is $20,000, unchanged from the earlier requirement.

28. A driver is caught operating a vehicle registered without insurance and without having paid the uninsured motor vehicle fee. What must they do to restore their driving privilege?

Pay a $500 fee and show proof of a future inspection
Pay a $600 noncompliance fee (or join a payment plan) and have their insurer file a certificate of coverage
Wait 60 days with no further action needed
Pay a $30,000 bond directly to the DMV

Answer: B — Pay a $600 noncompliance fee (or join a payment plan) and have their insurer file a certificate of coverage

Driving privileges stay suspended until the $600 noncompliance fee (or a payment plan) is paid and the insurer files a certificate of coverage.

29. Which of these people is eligible to register to vote at a DMV office?

A U.S. citizen who is 17 and will not turn 18 until after the next general election
A U.S. citizen who is 18 but is a resident of another state, visiting Virginia
A permanent resident (not a citizen) who is 18 and lives in Virginia
A U.S. citizen living in Virginia who will turn 18 before the next general election

Answer: D — A U.S. citizen living in Virginia who will turn 18 before the next general election

Voter registration at DMV requires U.S. citizenship, Virginia residency, and being 18 by the next general election.

30. A 16-year-old applicant checks "yes" to organ, eye and tissue donation on their permit application. What happens?

The choice is honored immediately since it was marked on the application
The choice is not binding; parents or guardians make the final decision
The applicant must wait until age 18 to submit any answer
The DMV rejects the application until the box is left blank

Answer: B — The choice is not binding; parents or guardians make the final decision

Donation designations are only honored at 18 or older; for applicants under 18, parents or guardians make the final decision.