Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 24
- Questions40
- Correct to pass34
- Passing score85%
- Minimum age15 years 6 months
-
1. You are driving through a residential area where parked cars hide the side streets. What is the safest approach?
Show answer
Answer C: Slow down and cover the brake as you pass each opening
Where parked vehicles hide side streets and driveways, lower speed and a covered brake buy the time you lose in sight distance.
-
2. You turn from asphalt onto a loose gravel road. What should you do about your speed?
Show answer
Answer D: Lower it, since grip is reduced and stopping takes longer
Loose gravel gives far less grip than pavement, so speed must come down for both steering and stopping.
-
3. How should a lap and shoulder belt be positioned?
Show answer
Answer A: Lap belt low across the hips and shoulder belt across the chest and collarbone
The lap belt must bear against the strong pelvic bones rather than soft organs, and the shoulder belt must cross the rib cage and collarbone so crash forces spread over the skeleton.
-
4. You reach an intersection with no signs, signals or markings clearly before a vehicle that is approaching on your right. What is the rule?
Show answer
Answer B: You may go first because you got there first
At an uncontrolled intersection the first driver to arrive goes first; the yield to the right rule only settles a tie.
-
5. A high-occupancy vehicle lane is separated from the general lanes by a pair of solid white lines with a gap every so often. Where may you enter or leave it?
Show answer
Answer D: Only at the openings where the solid lines are broken
The solid lines forbid crossing, so entry and exit are limited to the designated openings where the marking is broken.
-
6. This sign is still standing late at night, and nobody is working. What should the driver assume?
Show answer
Answer B: The layout may still be altered, so the same care and reduced speed apply
Narrowed lanes, shifted alignments, dropped pavement edges and parked equipment remain overnight, so the hazard does not end when the crew goes home.
-
7. A hot drink tips over onto your lap while you are driving. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Keep hold of the wheel and stop when it is safe
The spill is painful but the crash risk comes from letting go of the wheel or braking suddenly, so keep control and deal with it once you are stopped.
-
8. Who may supervise a Virginia learner's permit holder from the front passenger seat?
Show answer
Answer D: A licensed driver at least 21 years of age, or a licensed sibling, step sibling or legal guardian aged 18 to 20
Virginia requires a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat, although a legal guardian, brother, sister, half sibling or step sibling aged 18, 19 or 20 may supervise instead.
-
9. You are overtaking in a short passing lane on a two-lane road and it is about to end. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Finish the pass and move back to the right before it ends
The added lane ends and the traffic returns to a single lane in each direction, so the pass has to be complete before the pavement runs out.
-
10. The road ahead is broken up with potholes and rough patches. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Slow down, since a hole hit at speed can wreck a tire or wheel
A lower speed cuts the impact on tires, wheels and suspension and gives you time to choose a line through the rough surface.
-
11. A pedestrian starts to cross against a Do Not Walk signal, right in front of you. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Slow or stop and let the person reach safety
Even when a pedestrian is crossing unlawfully, a driver must take reasonable care to avoid hitting that person.
-
12. You are in a marked passing zone but a steady stream of oncoming traffic is coming toward you. What does the broken center line allow?
Show answer
Answer C: A pass only when the road is clear, so you have to stay behind
A passing zone marks where the sight distance is adequate, but it never gives permission to enter a lane that another vehicle is occupying.
-
13. What does Virginia law say about a television receiver installed in a vehicle so that its moving images are visible to the driver?
Show answer
Answer D: No vehicle registered in Virginia may be equipped with or use a television receiver whose moving images are visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion
Virginia law prohibits equipping a registered vehicle with a television receiver, or using one, such that moving images are visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion.
-
14. A sign with a brown background and a white legend guides road users to
Show answer
Answer B: parks, campgrounds and other recreational or cultural sites
Brown is reserved for recreational and cultural interest area signing, such as parks, historic sites and scenic areas.
-
15. At roughly what speed can hydroplaning begin when a lot of water is lying on the road?
Show answer
Answer C: At speeds as low as about 35 mph
With enough water and less than perfect tread, a tire can start to ride on the water at around 35 mph, well below normal highway speeds.
-
16. The low sun is directly ahead and glare makes it hard to see. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Slow down, use the sun visor or sunglasses, and increase following distance
Sun glare can hide pedestrians, brake lights and signals. Reducing speed and adding space gives you time to react to what you cannot yet see.
-
17. A vehicle coming toward you has drifted into your lane. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Slow down, sound the horn, flash your lights and steer to the right if possible
Moving right gives the other driver space to recover and keeps you out of the lane they are most likely to return to. Braking reduces the force of any impact.
-
18. A curb sign reads No Standing. What does it allow you to do?
Show answer
Answer B: Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers
No Standing bars waiting for any purpose except the brief moment needed to let passengers in or out, which is stricter than No Parking.
-
19. A driver is following you far too closely and you have a turn coming up. How should you slow down for it?
Show answer
Answer B: Signal early and slow gradually well before the turn
Early signals and gentle braking give a tailgater the time and distance they have failed to leave for themselves.
-
20. Crossing a parking lot on a hot day, you see a young child alone in a locked car. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Call 911 right away and stay with the vehicle
The inside of a parked car can reach lethal temperatures within minutes, so a child left alone in one is an emergency.
-
21. You are starting from a stop on a snowy, icy street and the drive wheels begin to spin. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and start again more gently
Spinning tires polish the surface and dig in. Very gentle pressure on the accelerator, and a higher gear if you have one, gives the tires the best chance to grip.
-
22. At an intersection where turning on a red arrow is not permitted, the signal shows a red left arrow next to a steady green ball. What may you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Go straight or turn right if permitted, but not left
An arrow controls only the movement it points to, so here the red arrow stops the left turn while the green ball still allows the other movements.
-
23. What should a driver expect a short distance beyond this sign?
Show answer
Answer C: Another road crossing the one being traveled
Traffic may enter or cross from either side at the intersection ahead, so the driver should ease off, cover the brake and check both approaches.
-
24. You have finished a distracting task and your eyes are back on the road. What is true?
Show answer
Answer A: Your full attention takes a while to come back
Studies of drivers show attention lags behind the eyes for many seconds after a phone or a screen task, so the danger continues after the task is over.
-
25. What is the usual result of driving well above the flow of traffic on a typical trip?
Show answer
Answer B: Very little time saved, with much greater risk
Signals, traffic and short distances swallow the theoretical gain, while crash risk and crash severity both climb sharply with speed.
-
26. You are the first to arrive at a crash on a rural road. What should you do first?
Show answer
Answer C: Park well clear of the scene, put on your hazard lights and call for help
Getting trained help on the way and keeping the scene visible does more good than anything an untrained bystander can do.
-
27. You are turning right where a paved trail crosses the road just past the corner. What should you look for?
Show answer
Answer B: Cyclists and walkers arriving from either direction on the trail
A shared use path carries two-way traffic on foot and on bicycles, so scan both directions along the trail before crossing it.
-
28. The signal turns green as you approach an intersection. What is the safest practice?
Show answer
Answer B: Look left, then right, then left again, and make sure the intersection is clear before entering
A green light gives permission but does not guarantee the intersection is empty, and a quick scan catches a vehicle running the red or a pedestrian still crossing.
-
29. On a two-way street, where and how should you park at the curb?
Show answer
Answer C: On the right side, facing the way traffic moves
On a two-way street you must park on the right, headed in the direction of travel; parking facing traffic is prohibited.
-
30. In Virginia, what practical difference does a REAL ID compliant credential have compared to a standard driver's license or ID card?
Show answer
Answer C: A REAL ID, marked with a star, is required to board a domestic commercial flight or enter certain federal facilities
Virginia's REAL ID bears a star in the upper corner and is required under federal law to board a domestic commercial flight or enter certain federal facilities and military bases; a standard credential cannot be used for those purposes.
-
31. A driver passes this sign and the signal beyond it is already showing green. What is the safest response?
Show answer
Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and be ready to stop, because an indication that has been showing for a while is about to change
A signal that has been displaying the same indication for some time is close to changing, so arriving at a controlled speed with the brake covered is safer than accelerating to beat it.
-
32. A yellow diamond shows a car with wavy lines behind its rear tires. What is the warning?
Show answer
Answer D: The surface loses grip badly when it is wet
The slippery when wet sign marks a stretch where traction falls off sharply in rain, so speed and braking must be reduced well in advance.
-
33. On an unlit road, about how far ahead do high beams normally let you see?
Show answer
Answer D: About 350 to 500 feet ahead of the vehicle
High beams light roughly 350 to 500 feet of road and low beams far less, which is why night speeds have to be chosen around the beam, not the limit.
-
34. Federal law lets a state open its high-occupancy vehicle lanes to certain vehicles carrying only one person. Which of these is covered by that allowance?
Show answer
Answer B: Motorcycles
Federal law lets states allow motorcycles into high-occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of the number of occupants, because keeping riders in the flow is safer than the alternative.
-
35. You are behind a snow plow working on a highway. What is the correct way to drive?
Show answer
Answer C: Stay well back and do not try to pass it
A plow throws snow, runs wider than its body and works on the poor surface ahead of it, so the cleared road behind it is the safest place to be.
-
36. You are on a one-way street with two marked lanes. May you pass a slower vehicle on the right?
Show answer
Answer A: Yes, using the right lane, provided that the move is safe and signaled
On a roadway with two or more marked lanes in your direction, moving into the free lane and going by is a normal lane change rather than an unlawful pass.
-
37. What is wrong with steering through a turn using the palm of one hand on the wheel?
Show answer
Answer D: You have less control and cannot correct quickly if something goes wrong
One-handed palming gives poor leverage and slow response. Use hand-to-hand or hand-over-hand steering with both hands so you can react instantly.
-
38. A sign on a freeway restricts trucks to the two right-hand lanes. What should a car driver expect in those lanes?
Show answer
Answer A: More heavy vehicles and slower changes of speed
A truck lane restriction concentrates heavy vehicles on the right, and those vehicles accelerate, brake and change lanes far more slowly than cars.
-
39. Compared with dry pavement, how much room does a vehicle need to stop on packed snow?
Show answer
Answer D: Several times as much
Grip on packed snow is a fraction of that on dry pavement, so stopping distance grows several times over. Antilock brakes help you steer, not stop shorter.
-
40. Two solid white lines are painted between your lane and the lane beside it. What do they mean?
Show answer
Answer D: Crossing from one lane to the other is prohibited
Double solid white lines separate lanes of traffic going the same way and may not be crossed.