Testing Requirements
Virginia's knowledge exam has two parts. You must answer all 10 traffic-sign questions correctly before continuing, then score at least 80% on the general-knowledge portion. Applicants under 18 who fail must normally wait 15 days before retesting; applicants 18 or older may retest on the next business day. After three failures, additional driver-education requirements apply before another attempt.
An unrestricted license generally requires vision of at least 20/40, while restricted daylight driving may be available with qualifying reduced vision. For the road skills test, provide a properly registered vehicle with a valid Virginia safety inspection and working brakes, lights, signals, mirrors, tires, safety belts, and other required equipment. The examiner evaluates observation, vehicle control, signaling, lane position, speed, stopping, and right-of-way decisions.
Signals, Signs, and Pavement Markings
A steady red signal requires a complete stop. A right turn on red is permitted after stopping and yielding unless a sign prohibits it; a left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street when otherwise lawful. A red arrow prohibits movement in the arrow's direction, while flashing red is treated like a stop sign and flashing yellow calls for caution.
Learn sign shapes as well as their messages: an octagon means stop, a triangle means yield, a diamond warns of hazards, and a pentagon marks a school area or crossing. Yellow pavement lines separate opposing traffic and white lines divide same-direction lanes. Cross broken lines only when safe, obey solid-line restrictions, stop before crosswalks or stop bars, and follow lane-use arrows through intersections.
Safe Driving and Right-of-Way
Unless signs provide another limit, Virginia allows up to 70 mph on designated interstates, commonly 55 mph on public highways, and often 25 mph in school, business, or residential areas. A posted limit is not automatically safe in rain, fog, snow, darkness, congestion, or near pedestrians. Adjust speed early and leave additional stopping room whenever conditions deteriorate.
Virginia describes following space with its two-, three-, and four-second guidance, increasing the interval with speed and risk. Yield to a driver on the right when arriving simultaneously at an uncontrolled intersection, to oncoming traffic before turning left, and to pedestrians in crosswalks. Give funeral processions, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles the space and priority required by law.
Seat Belts, Airbags, and Child Safety
Virginia requires the driver and front-seat passengers to wear safety belts, and passengers under 18 must be restrained regardless of seating position. The driver should adjust the seat and head restraint, keep a safe distance from the airbag, and make sure loose objects and passengers cannot interfere with vehicle control.
Children under eight years old must ride in an approved child-restraint device appropriate for their size. Infants and young children should remain rear-facing until they reach the seat manufacturer's forward-facing minimums, and a rear-facing restraint must never be placed in front of an active passenger airbag. The safest location for children is generally the rear seat.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Penalties
The prohibited BAC level is 0.08% for most drivers age 21 or older, while drivers under 21 face Virginia's zero-tolerance consequences at 0.02%. DUI laws also cover illegal drugs and prescription or over-the-counter medicine that impairs driving. A driver can be arrested below a numeric BAC threshold when behavior and evidence show impairment.
Virginia's implied-consent law requires a driver lawfully arrested for DUI to submit to the required breath or blood testing. Refusal creates separate license consequences, and an administrative suspension can begin immediately after a failed or refused test. DUI penalties may include license loss, fines, jail, treatment, ignition-interlock requirements, and increased insurance costs.
Learner Permits and License Types
A Virginia learner's permit is available at age 15 years and 6 months. A qualifying minor may receive a driver's license at age 16 years and 3 months after holding the permit for at least nine months, completing approved driver education, and satisfying supervised-driving requirements. Permit and provisional drivers must follow the applicable supervision, passenger, nighttime, and device-use restrictions.
Use the license class and endorsements required for the vehicle being operated, and obey every restriction printed on the credential. Notify the DMV within 30 days after changing your address. Driving privileges can be suspended or revoked for unsafe driving, excessive violations, DUI, failure to maintain required coverage, or violating permit and provisional-license conditions.
Vehicles, Insurance, and Collisions
Virginia vehicles must be properly titled and registered, carry the legally required financial responsibility, and pass the required safety inspection. New residents generally must complete Virginia licensing and vehicle requirements within the applicable deadlines. Before driving, check tires, brakes, lights, signals, mirrors, windows, wipers, restraints, and fluid levels so a preventable equipment problem does not become a crash.
After a collision, stop immediately, protect the scene, help injured people, and contact emergency services when necessary. Exchange identification, registration, and insurance information and complete any required police or DMV report. Never leave the scene, and if the crash involves an unattended vehicle, make a reasonable effort to find the owner and leave the information required by law.
How to Prepare for the Knowledge Exam
Because the first portion of Virginia's computer-based exam requires a perfect sign score, study sign shapes, colors, symbols, signals, and pavement markings until recognition is immediate. Then review numerical rules separately: permit ages, retest waiting periods, speed limits, following intervals, BAC thresholds, child-restraint ages, and reporting or notification deadlines.
On scenario questions, identify the hazard before choosing an action. The safest lawful answer usually involves reducing speed, increasing space, yielding, checking a blind spot, or stopping before the conflict develops. Read every condition carefully—especially the driver's age, road type, signal state, weather, and whether a sign changes the normal rule.