Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 6
Test 6 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 34 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real Virginia test.
- Questions40
- Correct to pass34
- Passing score85%
- Minimum age15 years 6 months
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1. The circular sign shape is reserved for which warning?
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Answer C: Advance warning of a highway-rail grade crossing
A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR is the grade crossing advance warning sign, and the circular outline is used for no other message.
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2. You are approaching a multilane roundabout. When should you choose your lane?
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Answer C: Before you enter, using the lane-choice sign on the approach
You select your lane on the approach the way you would at any multilane intersection, then stay in that lane all the way around, because changing lanes inside a roundabout creates side-impact conflicts.
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3. Does Virginia require a person operating a moped on a public roadway to hold a driver's license?
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Answer D: No, a driver's license is not required, but the operator must be at least 16 and carry a government issued photo ID
Virginia does not require a driver's license to operate a moped, but the operator must be at least 16 years old and carry a government issued photo identification.
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4. Alcohol is classified as which kind of drug?
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Answer B: A depressant that slows the central nervous system
As a depressant, alcohol slows the brain and nervous system, which lengthens reaction time and dulls the coordination that driving depends on.
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5. A single solid white line separates two lanes running in the same direction. What is it telling drivers?
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Answer A: Changing lanes there is discouraged
A solid white lane line discourages lane changing, typically where merging or weaving would create a hazard.
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6. A funeral procession with headlights on is crossing an intersection when your light turns green. What should you do?
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Answer A: Wait and let the whole procession go through
Most states let a funeral procession stay together once the lead vehicle has lawfully entered an intersection, and in every state you must yield to vehicles already in the intersection, so wait until the line has passed.
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7. In Virginia you approach a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights and you cannot safely change lanes. What does the law require?
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Answer A: Reduce your speed and proceed with caution
Virginia requires a lane change away from the vehicle when reasonable, and if you cannot safely change lanes you must reduce your speed and proceed with caution.
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8. A bicyclist ahead of you puts the left arm straight out to the side. What is being signaled?
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Answer B: A left turn or a move to the left
The left arm held straight out is the bicycle signal for a left turn, so hold back and give the rider room to cross toward the center.
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9. Why should you not rest your foot on the brake pedal as you drive?
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Answer D: The brake lights stay on and the drivers behind cannot read you
Resting on the pedal keeps the brake lights lit and wears the brakes, so following drivers stop believing your brake lights.
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10. Once issued, for how many years is a standard Virginia driver's license valid before it expires and must be renewed?
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Answer A: Eight years
A standard Virginia driver's license is valid for eight years from issuance and expires on the licensee's birthday.
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11. A sign on a freeway restricts trucks to the two right-hand lanes. What should a car driver expect in those lanes?
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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.
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12. Your wiper blades smear the windshield instead of clearing it. What should you do?
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Answer C: Replace the blades, because smearing means that the rubber is worn
Worn or hardened rubber cannot wipe cleanly, and blades are cheap compared with driving without a clear view.
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13. In Virginia, how is it classified when a driver on a highway with at least four lanes fails to change into a lane not adjacent to a stationary vehicle displaying flashing warning lights, despite being able to do so safely?
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Answer A: It is classified as reckless driving
Virginia law makes a violation of its requirement to move over for a stationary vehicle with flashing warning lights, when a safe lane change was possible, a reckless driving offense.
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14. Some toll facilities use signs and markings with a purple background or a purple stripe. What do they identify?
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Answer D: Lanes reserved for vehicles with an electronic toll account
Purple is assigned to lanes and ramps restricted to vehicles with a registered electronic toll collection account, so drivers without one must stay out.
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15. 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?
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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.
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16. Instead of buying a liability insurance policy, when may a Virginia vehicle owner qualify to self-insure?
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Answer C: When the owner has registered more than 20 motor vehicles in their name and the Commissioner is satisfied of their financial ability to respond to a judgment
Virginia allows self-insurance in place of a policy only for an owner who has registered more than 20 motor vehicles and whom the Commissioner is reasonably satisfied has the financial ability to respond to a judgment.
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17. What do two solid yellow lines down the middle of a two-way road mean?
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Answer D: Passing is prohibited for traffic in both directions
A double solid yellow line marks a two-direction no-passing zone, so neither direction may cross it to overtake another vehicle.
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18. A driver commits a moving violation, not just a work zone speeding violation, while workers are present in a Virginia highway work zone. What fine tier applies?
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Answer D: A fine of not less than 300 dollars, rising to not less than 500 dollars for a subsequent offense
Virginia punishes a moving violation committed in a highway work zone with workers present as a traffic infraction carrying a fine of not less than 300 dollars for a first offense and not less than 500 dollars for any subsequent offense.
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19. What does Virginia law say about a television receiver installed in a vehicle so that its moving images are visible to the driver?
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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.
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20. An upward-pointing pentagon with a yellow legend and border on a blue background is used as
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Answer D: a county route marker
The pentagon serves both the school warning series and county route markers, and the blue background with yellow legend identifies the county route version.
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21. How much of a traffic lane is a motorcycle entitled to use?
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Answer D: The full width of the lane
A motorcycle is entitled to the full lane, and riders move within it to stay visible and to avoid surface hazards, so drivers should never try to share a lane with one.
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22. After a Virginia driver's license holder moves to a new address, how much time does the law give to notify the DMV of the change?
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Answer B: 30 days
Virginia law requires a license or special identification card holder who moves to notify the DMV of the change of address within 30 days.
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23. A yellow diamond shows a car with wavy lines behind its rear tires. What is the warning?
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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.
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24. A friend who has been drinking insists on driving home. What is the right thing to do?
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Answer B: Take the keys and arrange a sober ride, even if the friend objects
An impaired driver is dangerous on any street at any speed, and coffee does not lower blood alcohol. Keeping the keys and finding another way home is the only safe choice.
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25. You have turned right into the nearest lane but you need the left lane soon. When should you move over?
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Answer A: After the turn is finished, once you have checked mirrors and blind spot
Complete the turn in the proper lane first, then make a normal lane change with mirror and blind spot checks once you are established on the new street.
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26. You turn the wheel but the front of the vehicle keeps sliding straight ahead on a slippery road. What should you do?
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Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and reduce the steering angle until the front tires grip again
A front-wheel skid means the tires are asking for more grip than the surface can give. Less speed and less steering angle let them regain traction.
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27. Why does safety guidance say a child should ride in the back seat rather than in front of an active passenger airbag?
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Answer D: Because the airbag inflates with enough force to injure a small child badly
Airbags deploy at very high speed and are sized for adults, so a child seated close to one can be badly hurt by the bag itself, which is why the back seat is recommended for children.
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28. Why does the speed of the right-hand lane of a freeway change so often?
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Answer B: Vehicles entering and leaving the highway all use that lane
Entrance and exit ramps feed into the right lane, so traffic there is constantly slowing to leave or speeding up to join.
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29. What safety gear does Virginia require of a moped driver and passenger?
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Answer A: Both must wear a Virginia State Police approved helmet, and the driver must also wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles unless the moped has a windshield
Virginia requires both the driver and passenger of a moped to wear a Virginia State Police approved helmet, and requires the driver to also wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles unless the moped is equipped with a windshield.
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30. Your navigation device tells you to turn where a road sign says the turn is closed. What should you do?
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Answer B: Follow the signs and what you can see
A device works from stored data that can be out of date, while signs and the road in front of you show the situation now, so the road wins every time.
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31. What do white lane lines painted between travel lanes indicate?
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Answer A: Traffic in the adjacent lane moves in the same direction as you
White markings separate lanes carrying traffic in the same direction and mark the right edge of the roadway.
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32. How does the blood alcohol standard for a driver operating a commercial vehicle compare with the one for a car driver?
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Answer D: It is lower, set at 0.04
Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard of 0.04 because of the size of their vehicles and the risk they carry.
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33. A sign reads END SCHOOL ZONE. What does it tell a driver?
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Answer A: The regular limit for that road applies again
An end of restriction sign marks the downstream limit of a special zone, after which the ordinary speed limit for that road governs again.
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34. As an alternative to a formal driver education program, how can a Virginia applicant under 18 satisfy the behind-the-wheel training requirement?
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Answer D: By having a parent or guardian certify at least 45 hours of driving, including at least 15 hours after sunset
Virginia lets an applicant under 18 satisfy the training requirement by having a parent or guardian certify at least 45 hours of driving practice, including at least 15 hours after sunset.
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35. Unless a sign posts otherwise, what is the Virginia speed limit on unpaved roads?
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Answer B: 35 miles per hour
Virginia sets a default limit of 35 miles per hour on unpaved roads unless a sign posts a different speed.
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36. Which of the following is a recognized exception to Virginia's ban on wearing earphones in both ears while driving?
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Answer A: A prosthetic device that assists a person who is hard of hearing
Virginia exempts prosthetic devices that assist people who are hard of hearing from the both-ears earphone ban, along with motorcycle helmet communication systems and certain noise-cancelling headsets for heavy vehicle operators.
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37. You see an open curb space on the opposite side of a two-way street. What should you do?
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Answer B: Drive on, turn around, and come back on that side
You must park on the right, facing the direction of travel, so reaching a space on the other side means going around rather than crossing into it.
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38. A driver is tailgating you. Why is it a bad idea to tap or stab the brakes to warn them?
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Answer C: Because it cuts the little space they have and can cause a crash
Brake checking removes the small margin the tailgater has left and can provoke a collision; add space in front of you instead and let them pass.
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39. What is the proper use of the horn?
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Answer C: To give a brief warning when another road user may not have seen you
The horn is a warning device meant to alert someone to your presence when a collision is possible, and using it in anger tends to escalate conflict rather than prevent crashes.
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40. Children are playing close to the edge of a residential street. What is the right speed choice?
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Answer D: Well below the limit, slow enough to stop for a sudden dash
Children can step out without warning, so the safe speed is the one that lets you stop within the distance you can see to be clear.