Virginia driving rules and permit test guide

You must answer all ten sign questions correctly before you can take Part 2. Part 2 is multiple choice. The manual does not say how many questions it has.

After three failures, applicants 18+ may take an 8-hour DMV-approved course based on the manual; under-18 applicants must have finished the classroom part of driver education first.

The interactive DMV study guide has practice questions in English and Spanish.

If traffic lights are not working, all vehicles must stop before entering.

Yield to pedestrians and traffic before turning.

Same stop-and-yield rules as right on red.

You need not stop if the bus is on the other side of a divided highway separated by a physical barrier or unpaved area. Passing a stopped school bus is reckless driving; caught on bus camera it is a $250 civil penalty.

On an undivided highway, also pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

For vehicles with blue, red, or amber emergency lights, a violation is reckless driving. For other stopped vehicles (hazards, flares, signs), it is a traffic infraction. Does not apply in highway work zones.

Applies when the pedestrian is within the driver's lane. A violation is a traffic infraction, but a Class 1 misdemeanor if it seriously injures or kills a vulnerable road user.

Not required where an officer or traffic light controls the crossing. Violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

You may cross a double solid yellow line to pass a bicycle, pedestrian, or other human-powered device if it is safe.

Finish passing before a No Passing zone begins.

These are for dry roads; add more time in bad weather, heavy traffic, or poor road conditions.

The Code default for interstates is 55 mph; 70 mph applies only where signs show it. Some named 4-lane highways may be posted 60 mph.

Reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor, not just a ticket.

The $500 work zone speeding fine applies only when workers are present and signs post the limit and penalty. Reckless driving can still be charged. The manual says to stop when signaled by flaggers.

Intermittent wipers in mist are excepted. The wipers rule is secondary (no stop for it alone) and carries no demerit points.

Stop when signals flash, a gate is down, a flagman signals, or a train is visibly close. Never drive around lowered gates; don't start across unless you can fully clear the tracks.

Roundabouts are circular intersections with a center island and one or more lanes.

Also no parking within 500 feet of a fire truck answering an alarm, in bike lanes, double parked, or in front of driveways. The manual sets no separate distance from stop signs; just never park on a crosswalk.

Goal: if the car rolls, it rolls into the curb or off the road, away from traffic.

Exceptions: lawfully parked or stopped, reporting an emergency, emergency vehicle drivers on duty, CB/ham radios. Fines: $125 first offense, $250 second; mandatory $250 in a highway work zone. In effect since Jan 1, 2021.

A BAC of .08 or higher triggers an automatic administrative license suspension.

Class 1 misdemeanor: 1-year license loss and a $500 minimum fine or 50 hours of community service.

A breath test is required; a blood test is used if breath testing is unavailable or for suspected drugs. Applies to all drivers, licensed in Virginia or not.

A first refusal also brings an immediate 7-day administrative suspension. Virginia updated this law in 2026, so check the current Code for details.

Since July 1, 2025 adults in every seat must buckle. Adult fine is $25 civil penalty, no points. Passengers under 18 fall under the child restraint law, and the driver is responsible.

Child seats go in the back seat (front only if no back seat and the airbag is off). Fine is $50, up to $500 for a second offense.