Practice test 1 of 10 — Virginia permit test

The correct answer to each question above, why it is right, and where it comes from. Try the test first.

1. Question 1: C. Stop, yield, or something is not allowed

   Red is used for stop, yield and signs that ban an action, such as do not enter.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Sign shapes and colors

2. Question 2: B. They may start to cross, watching for turning cars

   The walking person means people may start to cross, but they should still watch for cars that are turning.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Traffic signals

3. Question 3: A. Traffic moving in opposite directions

   Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Pavement markings

4. Question 4: D. They tell people where you are in an emergency

   Mile markers show your place on the highway, which helps you tell police or rescue workers where you are.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Guide and service signs

5. Question 5: D. There is a traffic light ahead

   This sign warns of a traffic light ahead. Be ready to stop if it is yellow or red.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs

6. Question 6: A. Pull over, then turn around safely

   The wrong way sign means you are heading into oncoming traffic. Pull to the side right away, then turn around safely.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs

7. Question 7: A. From a one-way street onto another one-way street

   Virginia allows a left on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop and yielding.

   Handbook: Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings — Traffic Signals

8. Question 8: B. Turn right at the intersection

   This sign means every vehicle in the right lane must turn right at the intersection.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs

9. Question 9: D. You may not park here

   This is a no parking sign. You may not leave your car parked in the area it covers.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs

10. Question 10: C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe

    This is a stop sign. You must come to a full stop and move on only when the way is clear.

    Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs

11. Question 11: D. To avoid hazards like potholes or gravel

    Potholes, gravel and wet patches are more dangerous on a motorcycle, so riders may move to avoid them.

    Handbook: Chapter: Sharing the road — Motorcycles

12. Question 12: C. It is getting ready to stop

    Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop. Slow down and get ready to stop.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — School buses

13. Question 13: D. Turn on hazards and pull off the road

    Try your hazard lights or high beams, then pull off the road as soon as you safely can.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Lights failure

14. Question 14: B. No, treat it like other traffic

    You must pull over for an emergency vehicle using its siren and lights. Without them, it is treated like other traffic.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — Emergency vehicles

15. Question 15: A. Toward the edge of the road

    With no curb, turn the wheels toward the edge of the road so the car rolls off the road, not into traffic.

    Handbook: Chapter: Parking and stopping — Parking on hills

16. Question 16: B. Traffic already on the highway

    When joining a highway, yield to traffic already on it and merge into a safe gap.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — Entering a roadway

17. Question 17: B. Insurance costs go up

    Insurance costs usually go up a lot after a conviction for driving under the influence.

    Handbook: Chapter: Alcohol, drugs and penalties — Penalties

18. Question 18: C. $250

    If you are convicted of using a handheld communications device in a Virginia highway work zone, you will be fined $250.

    Handbook: Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings — Work Zones

19. Question 19: C. Pull to the right and stay in the car

    Pull to the right when it is safe, stop, and stay in the car with your hands where the officer can see them.

    Handbook: Chapter: Parking and stopping — Traffic stops

20. Question 20: D. Keep a steady gap and watch for brake lights

    In heavy traffic keep a steady gap and watch for brake lights ahead so you can slow down smoothly.

    Handbook: Chapter: Speed and following distance — Following distance

21. Question 21: B. Before you start to drive

    Adjust your seat and mirrors before you start to drive, so you can see well and are not distracted on the road.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Vehicle equipment

22. Question 22: D. On the left

    You should normally pass on the left. Passing on the right is allowed only in certain cases.

    Handbook: Chapter: Turning, passing and lane use — Passing

23. Question 23: D. Suspend the license for 90 days and require a clinic

    With "18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months, DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days" and require a driver improvement clinic.

    Handbook: Section 5: Penalties — Other DMV Requirements, Suspensions and Revocations

24. Question 24: D. Move over a lane, or slow down

    Every state has a move over law. Move over a lane if you can, or slow down if you cannot.

    Handbook: Chapter: Sharing the road — Emergency and work vehicles

25. Question 25: B. Every few seconds

    Check your mirrors every few seconds so you always know what is behind and beside you.

    Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Seeing and scanning

26. Question 26: D. Turn them on so others can see you

    Turn on your headlights in rain so other drivers can see you; many states require it.

    Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Night and weather

27. Question 27: B. It keeps you in your seat in a crash

    A seat belt keeps you in your seat and lowers the chance of serious injury in a crash.

    Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Seat belts and airbags

28. Question 28: B. The permit holder's half-sister

    The supervisor "may be age 18, 19, or 20 if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step brother or stepsister."

    Handbook: Section 6: License Types — Learner's Permit

29. Question 29: C. More fines and a longer suspension or jail

    Driving while suspended usually leads to more fines, a longer suspension, and possibly jail.

    Handbook: Chapter: Alcohol, drugs and penalties — Penalties

30. Question 30: A. In the exit lane, after leaving the main lanes

    Keep your speed in the main lanes and slow down once you are in the exit lane.

    Handbook: Chapter: Turning, passing and lane use — Highway driving

31. Question 31: B. Slow down, honk, and steer right

    Slow down, warn the driver with your horn and steer right. Do not steer left into its lane, since it may move back.

    Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Defensive driving

32. Question 32: A. When you can see its headlights in your mirror

    Move back when you can see the car's headlights in your mirror, so you do not cut it off.

    Handbook: Chapter: Turning, passing and lane use — Passing

33. Question 33: C. Shift to neutral and brake

    Shift to neutral to cut power to the wheels, brake, and pull off the road when safe.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Stuck gas pedal

34. Question 34: C. Wait until it clearly starts to turn

    A turn signal is not a promise. Wait until the car clearly starts to turn before you pull out in front of it.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — Stop signs and intersections

35. Question 35: D. Slowly, watching for people

    Drive slowly in a parking lot and watch for people walking and cars backing out.

    Handbook: Chapter: Parking and stopping — Parking lots

36. Question 36: A. When its whole front shows in your mirror

    Wait until you can see the whole front of the truck in your mirror before moving in front of it.

    Handbook: Chapter: Sharing the road — Large trucks and buses

37. Question 37: D. The car on the through road

    At a T-intersection with no signs, traffic on the ending road yields to traffic on the through road.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — Uncontrolled intersections

38. Question 38: D. 10 days to 6 months

    A conviction for aggressive driving in Virginia can mean a license suspension of 10 days up to 6 months.

    Handbook: Section 3: Safe Driving — Aggressive Driving

39. Question 39: C. The lane just right of the center line

    When turning left onto a two-way street, finish in the lane just to the right of the center line.

    Handbook: Chapter: Turning, passing and lane use — Turns

40. Question 40: C. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

    For an emergency vehicle using its siren and lights, pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — Emergency vehicles