In Virginia you can apply for a learner's permit at 15 years 6 months. The knowledge exam has two parts: 10 road sign questions, where you must get all 10 right, and 30 general knowledge questions, where you need 80 percent, which is 24 correct. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything on the official site. The official source is the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Driver's Manual.
Age and test format
The minimum age for a permit is 15 years 6 months. Part one has 10 road sign questions and every one must be correct. Part two has 30 general knowledge questions and you need at least 80 percent, or 24 correct. If you are under 18 and fail, you must wait 15 days before retesting. After three failed attempts, you must complete a Virginia-approved driver training school program.
Practice hours and time with the permit
- Applicants under 18 must hold the permit at least 9 months.
- A parent or guardian certifies at least 45 hours of supervised driving, with 15 of them after sunset.
- Under-18 applicants complete a state-approved driver education program.
Keep a log. It is much easier to write down each drive than to remember months later.
Rules you should know
- School buses: stop for flashing red lights and an extended stop sign from any direction, unless a median or barrier divides the road and you are on the opposite side.
- Blood alcohol: 0.08 percent or higher is DUI for drivers 21 and older. Under 21, 0.02 up to 0.08 is illegal consumption.
- 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.
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
- Holding a phone while driving is not allowed, except in an emergency or when lawfully parked.
Virginia's hydrant distance is 15 feet, while some other states use 10. If you study for more than one state, label your notes with the state.
Why details matter
Test writers like numbers: distances, ages, hours, and limits. When you read the manual, highlight every number and make a one-page summary. Review it before each practice test.
A simple study plan
- Read the Virginia Driver's Manual in short sessions, one chapter at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color first, since all 10 sign questions must be right.
- Take practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Repeat your weak topics, such as right of way or parking distances.
- Sleep well the night before and bring your documents.
Confirm current fees, documents and testing locations with the Virginia DMV at dmv.virginia.gov.
Tips for parents and guardians
Parents can make a big difference without taking over. Sit down with your teen once a week and ask them to explain a rule in their own words. If they can teach it back to you, they probably know it.
Look at the practice driving log together, plan a mix of daytime, night and bad weather drives, and keep the first drives in quiet places such as empty parking lots or calm neighborhood streets. Stay patient. Everyone is nervous at the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only signs and skipping the numbers and rules.
- Using a manual from a different state.
- Waiting until the night before to study.
- Rushing through questions without reading every answer.
- Forgetting to check the document list for your VA visit.
On test day
Arrive early, bring everything on the official list, and take a few slow breaths before you begin. Read each question twice. If a question is confusing, move on to the next one if the test allows it and come back later. Staying calm is part of passing.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the test covers.