Virginia DMV Permit Test PDF: Signs + Knowledge Questions (2026)
Reviewed by Chad HenryAfter 25 years of teaching driver education
Virginia's two-part test (and the perfect-score section)
The Virginia DMV knowledge exam has two parts, and the first one is unforgiving:
- Road signs - 10 questions, and you must get all 10 right. Miss one and you fail, however well you do on the second part.
- General knowledge - 30 questions, and you need 24 correct (80%).
The whole exam is taken in person at the DMV. If you are under 18 and fail, Virginia law (Va. Code 46.2-334.1) makes you wait at least 15 days before retesting.
Virginia knowledge test - verified facts
- Questions on the test
- 40
- To pass
- at least 10 of 10 on Road Signs and at least 24 of 30 on General Knowledge
- Permit
- Learner's Permit
- Minimum age
- 15½ years old
- If you fail
- Under 18: not eligible for retesting for at least 15 days after failing (Va. Code 46.2-334.1). Wait for adults and any attempts limit not verified.
- Online test
- No - the knowledge test must be taken in person.
The Virginia test is scored in separate parts, so the limit applies to each part: you can miss at most none of the 10 Road Signs questions (all must be correct) and 6 of the 30 General Knowledge questions. Missing more than that on either part fails the test, even if your combined score is high.
Official source: Virginia DMV driver handbook · facts last reviewed 2026-09-28
5 Virginia-specific questions from the PDF
In Virginia, driving how much over the speed limit is charged as reckless driving?
- A. 20 mph or more over the limit
- B. 5 mph over
- C. 10 mph over
- D. 15 mph over
Show answer
A. 20 mph or more over the limit - In Virginia, exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or more is reckless driving - a criminal misdemeanor, not just a ticket.
Source: Virginia handbook, PDF p.16, Section 3 - Speed
In Virginia, driving faster than what speed is reckless driving regardless of the posted limit?
- A. 85 mph
- B. 75 mph
- C. 80 mph
- D. 90 mph
Show answer
A. 85 mph - In Virginia, driving over 85 mph can be charged as reckless driving regardless of the posted speed limit, as can driving 20 mph or more above the limit. Reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor.
Source: Virginia handbook, PDF p.16, Section 3 - Speed
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in Virginia business, residential, and school areas is:
- A. 25 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 35 mph
Show answer
A. 25 mph - Virginia's default limit for business, residential, and school areas is 25 mph unless a sign states otherwise.
Source: Virginia handbook, PDF p.17, Speed limits
In Virginia, the default speed limit on unpaved roads is:
- A. 35 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 45 mph
- D. 55 mph
Show answer
A. 35 mph - Virginia sets a default 35 mph limit on unpaved roads, and 55 mph on most other roads unless posted otherwise.
Source: Virginia handbook, PDF p.17, Speed limits
In Virginia, it is illegal to:
- A. Hold a handheld cell phone while driving
- B. Use a hands-free device
- C. Drive with daytime running lights
- D. Use cruise control on the highway
Show answer
A. Hold a handheld cell phone while driving - Virginia law prohibits holding a handheld personal communications device while driving.
Source: Virginia handbook, PDF p.26, Distracted driving
Master the signs before anything else
A 100% requirement means the road-sign section deserves its own study session. Learn every sign by shape and colour, then by symbol, until you can name each one instantly. Our complete road signs guide and the Virginia road signs test cover all of them. Don't move on to general knowledge until you can score 10 out of 10 every time.
Virginia rules the knowledge section loves
Virginia has some of the strictest speed laws in the country, and the state questions above reflect them:
- Reckless driving by speed: driving 20 mph or more over the limit, or faster than 85 mph anywhere, is reckless driving - a criminal offence, not a simple ticket.
- Default speed limits: the unposted limits in business, residential and school areas, and on unpaved roads.
- Distracted driving: holding a handheld phone while driving is illegal.
- Under-21 BAC: 0.02.
Permit facts
- Minimum age: 15½.
- Fee: $3 for the learner's permit (Va. Code 46.2-335).
- Driver education is required under 18.
- Practice: 45 hours, at least 15 after sunset, certified by a parent or guardian.
Work through the PDF on paper, then use the Virginia online practice tests. Our Virginia simulator enforces the same two-part rule, so you'll know whether your signs are truly perfect before test day.
All state PDFs · How many questions you can miss in every state