What the Virginia Permit Test Is
Most states let you miss a few of everything. Virginia does not: one wrong sign ends the attempt, even if you know every rule. Read the full Virginia permit test format and rules for state-specific requirements. That changes how you should study, and it is why this guide starts with signs. You can begin with the free Virginia practice questions, with no signup.
Test Format at a Glance
| Item | Virginia DMV knowledge exam |
|---|---|
| Part one | 10 road-sign questions: all 10 must be correct |
| Part two | 30 general knowledge questions: 24 must be correct (80%) |
| Attempts per day | One per business day |
| Retake wait, under 18 | A full 15 days after a failed attempt |
| Retake, 18 and older | No set wait, but a $2 re-exam fee applies within 15 days |
| After 3 failures | You must complete the classroom part of a Virginia driver training school program before a fourth attempt |
| Study material | The Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) |
Sources: Virginia DMV — the knowledge exam and the Virginia Driver's Manual. Rules change, so confirm with the DMV before you test.
Step 1: Master the Signs First
Because part one allows no misses, signs are your gate. Take the road signs practice until you can name every sign by shape and colour without hesitating. The manual groups signs and pavement markings in Section 2, and some carry Virginia-specific wording: on a No Left Turn sign, the manual notes that in Virginia a U-turn counts as two left turns and is illegal where that sign is posted.
Step 2: Learn the Numbers the Manual Tests
Part two is mostly rules with numbers in them. These come straight from the manual:
- Following distance: 2 seconds under 35 mph, 3 seconds at 35 to 45 mph, 4 seconds at 46 to 70 mph. Add extra seconds in bad weather, heavy traffic or on poor pavement.
- Parking: not within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and not within 20 feet of an intersection.
- Passing a cyclist: at least three feet of clearance when the way is clear.
- Reckless driving: 20 mph or more over the speed limit, or any speed over 85 mph, can be charged as reckless driving, a misdemeanor.
Read the manual section behind every practice question you miss. Each QuizCram answer cites the manual section, so a wrong answer tells you where to look.
Step 3: Practice Full 40-Question Sets
The real exam gives you up to 40 questions in two parts, and you can miss at most 6 of the 30 rules questions and none of the signs. Practise in that shape and keep going until you score 38 or better twice in a row, with the signs perfect. Our cheat sheet and retake rules page cover the numbers and the retake limits in one place.
Step 4: Plan Your Attempt Around the Retake Rules
You can take the exam only once per business day. If you are under 18, a failed attempt means waiting a full 15 days, which is long enough to miss a planned road test slot. After three failures you cannot try a fourth time until you complete the classroom part of a driver training school program. So treat the first attempt as the one that counts, and do not book until your practice scores are steady.
Your permit lets you start supervised driving practice. See licensing and GDL for the Virginia rules on supervision and teen restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the Virginia permit test?
40, in two parts: 10 road-sign questions (all 10 correct) and 30 general knowledge questions (24 correct, 80%).
What happens if I miss one sign on the Virginia knowledge exam?
Part one needs all 10 signs correct, so one miss fails that part even if you ace the 30 rules questions. The parts are scored separately.
How long do I wait to retake the Virginia permit test?
You can take it once per business day. Under 18, you must wait 15 days after a failed attempt. At 18 and older there is no set wait, but a $2 re-exam fee applies within 15 days.
What if I fail the Virginia permit test three times?
The DMV requires you to complete the classroom part of a Virginia driver training school program before a fourth attempt.
Does a U-turn count as a turn in Virginia?
In Virginia a U-turn is treated as two left turns, so it is illegal where a No Left Turn sign is posted.
Are QuizCram questions the real Virginia DMV questions?
No. They are original practice questions written from the Virginia Driver's Manual, with the manual section cited on each answer. QuizCram is not affiliated with the Virginia DMV.
Sources
- Virginia DMV — the knowledge exam — two-part format, 10 of 10 signs, 24 of 30 rules, retake rules.
- Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39, April 2026) — following distance, parking distances, U-turn and cyclist rules, reckless driving, the 15-day wait under 18.
