Virginia DMV Permit/Cheat sheet
Virginia DMV cheat sheet: every number on the permit test
Two parts: 10 road-sign questions that must ALL be correct, then 30 general knowledge questions with 24 correct (80%) to pass.
Speed limits (unless posted)
- 25 mph
- School, business and residential areasSection 3 — Speed limits (p. 15)
- 35 mph
- Unpaved roadsSection 3 — Speed limits (p. 15)
- 55 mph
- All other roadsSection 3 — Speed limits (p. 15)
- 20 mph over / 85 mph
- Driving 20 or more above the limit, or over 85 mph, can be charged as reckless drivingSection 3 — Speed limits (p. 14)
- $500 / $250
- Maximum work-zone speeding fine / handheld device fineSection 2 — Work zones (p. 10)
Distances
- 2 / 3 / 4 seconds
- Following distance under 35 mph / 35–45 mph / 46–70 mph on dry pavementSection 3 — Following distance (p. 19)
- 100 feet
- Signal at least three to four seconds, about this far ahead of a turnSection 3 — Turning (p. 18)
- 3 feet
- Minimum clearance when passing a bicyclistSection 3 — Bicycles (p. 20)
- 500 feet
- Headlights required when visibility drops to this; never follow an emergency vehicle closer; high beams dimmed for oncoming vehiclesSection 3 — Lights, Vehicles with flashing lights, Night driving (p. 16, 22, 23)
- 200 feet
- Use low beams when following within this distanceSection 3 — Night driving (p. 23)
Parking
- 1 foot
- Maximum distance from the curbSection 3 — Parking (p. 22)
- 15 feet
- No parking near a fire hydrant, or near the entrance of a fire, ambulance or rescue stationSection 3 — Parking (p. 22)
- 20 feet
- No parking near an intersectionSection 3 — Parking (p. 22)
- 50 feet
- No parking near a railroad crossingSection 3 — Parking (p. 22)
- 500 feet
- No parking near fire trucks or equipment answering an alarmSection 3 — Parking (p. 22)
Alcohol
- 0.08%
- DUI blood alcohol level for drivers 21 and olderSection 3 — Drunk and drugged driving (p. 24)
- 0.02%
- Illegal consumption of alcohol for a driver under 21 (up to but not including 0.08)Section 3 — Drunk and drugged driving (p. 24)
- 7 days
- Administrative license suspension for a first offense (refusal or 0.08+)Section 5 — Administrative license suspension (p. 30)
- 30 days
- Vehicle impoundment after driving on an alcohol-related suspensionSection 5 — Vehicle impoundment (p. 30)
Testing
- 10 of 10
- Sign questions you must answer correctly before part two opensSection 1 — Two-part knowledge exam (p. 3)
- 24 of 30
- Correct answers required on part two, the general-knowledge questions (80%)Virginia DMV — The Knowledge Exam page; Section 1 (p. 3)
- 15 days
- Wait to retake the exam if you are under 18Section 1 — Two-part knowledge exam (p. 3)
- Once per business day
- How often the knowledge exam can be takenSection 1 — Two-part knowledge exam (p. 3)
Rules people get wrong
- A single wrong answer on the ten sign questions ends the attempt, however well you know the rules.
- In Virginia a U-turn counts as two left turns, so a No Left Turn sign also bans U-turns.
- A school bus with flashing red lights stops traffic from both directions, except when you travel the opposite way on a road divided by a median or barrier.
- When two drivers reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- A red arrow bans turns unless a sign says Right on Red Arrow After Stop or Left on Red Arrow After Stop.
Save it as one poster
Knowing the numbers is half of it. Can you apply them?
The real test asks these as scenarios. Take the 20 free Virginia questions — each answer explains the rule and cites the handbook section. If you want the full bank and timed practice tests, it’s a one-time $8.99.