The Virginia permit test has 40 questions in two parts: 10 road sign questions, which you must answer all correctly, and 30 general knowledge questions, where you need 24 right. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) gives the test on a computer at its customer service centers, and the signs part is where most people get caught.
Virginia permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.virginia.gov) |
| Minimum age | 15 years and 6 months |
| Questions | 40: 10 road signs plus 30 general knowledge |
| Pass mark | Signs: 10 of 10. General knowledge: 24 of 30 |
| Where | On a computer at a DMV customer service center, or in class at participating high schools |
| Online test | No at-home online test |
| Fee | $3 learner's permit fee plus the yearly driver's license cost ($4 a year, $20 minimum) |
| Languages | 26 languages, including English, Spanish and American Sign Language |
| Retakes | Under 18: wait 15 days. 18 and older: one try per day |
How many questions are on the Virginia permit test?
The Virginia permit test has 40 questions. Part one is 10 road sign questions and part two is 30 general knowledge questions. DMV says all ten sign questions must be answered correctly, and you must answer 24 general knowledge questions correctly to pass.
How many questions can you miss on the Virginia permit test?
Zero on the signs part and up to 6 on the general knowledge part. One wrong sign answer means you do not pass, no matter how well you do on the rest.
What's on the test
Both parts come from the Virginia Driver's Manual. The signs section tests shapes, colors and meanings. The general knowledge section covers motor vehicle laws and safe driving.
- Road signs: regulatory, warning and guide signs, plus signals and pavement markings.
- School buses: stop for flashing red lights and an extended stop sign, unless you are on the other side of a divided road with a median or barrier.
- Alcohol: 0.08 or higher is DUI for drivers 21 and older. Under 21, a BAC of 0.02 up to 0.08 is illegal.
- Parking: stay 15 feet from a fire hydrant and 20 feet from an intersection.
- Following distance: 2 seconds under 35 mph, 3 seconds at 35 to 45 mph, 4 seconds at 46 to 70 mph.
- Phones: holding a phone while driving is not allowed, except in an emergency or when lawfully parked.
Why all 10 sign questions must be right
Virginia is unusual because one part of the test has no room for error. In our experience, people who already drive are the ones most likely to miss a sign question, because they recognize signs on the road but have never had to name them on a test. Treat the signs section like a vocabulary quiz and drill it daily.
Make a deck of sign flash cards and go through it until you can name every sign in two seconds. Then mix the deck and do it again.
How to study for the Virginia permit test
- Start with road signs, since all 10 must be right. Learn them by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Read the Virginia Driver's Manual one section at a time.
- Write down every number (following distances, parking distances, BAC limits).
- Take Virginia permit practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Try DMV's own sample knowledge exam on dmv.virginia.gov before test day.
What to bring and how to book
You apply and test in person at any DMV customer service center. Schedule an appointment on dmv.virginia.gov, or walk in. Walk-ins must arrive by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays or 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays to test that day. Bring originals, not copies:
- A completed Application for a Virginia Driver's License (DL 1P).
- One proof of identity.
- One proof of legal presence.
- Two proofs of Virginia residency.
- Proof of your Social Security number, if one was issued to you.
- If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian's written consent on the application.
Can you take the Virginia permit test online?
No. Virginia does not offer an at-home online permit test. DMV says the exam is taken on a computer at a customer service center or in classrooms at participating high schools.
What happens if you fail the Virginia permit test?
If you are under 18, you must wait a full 15 days before retaking the exam. If you are 18 or older, you can test once per day. If you fail three times, you must complete the classroom part of a Virginia-approved driver education program, finished after your third failure, before you can test again.
Virginia permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Virginia permit test?
40: 10 road sign questions and 30 general knowledge questions.
How many questions can you miss on the Virginia permit test?
None on the road signs part and up to 6 on the general knowledge part. You need 10 of 10 signs and 24 of 30 general questions.
Can you take the Virginia permit test online?
No. It is taken on a computer at a DMV customer service center or at participating high schools.
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Virginia?
At least 15 years and 6 months.
What languages is the Virginia permit test in?
DMV offers the driver knowledge exam in 26 languages, including Spanish and American Sign Language.
