Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which drinks contain about the same amount of alcohol?

   • A1.5 ounces of liquor and 12 ounces of wine
   • B12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor
   • C5 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of liquor
   • D12 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of wine
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor

   A regular beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor each have about the same amount of alcohol. A drink is a drink.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A flagger in a work zone holds up a STOP paddle. What must you do?

   • AStop and wait until the flagger signals you to go
   • BStop only if workers are in your lane
   • CHonk and keep going
   • DSlow down and drive around the flagger
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and wait until the flagger signals you to go

   Work zone flaggers are allowed to direct traffic. Their signals must be obeyed like a traffic officer's.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does a steady yellow light mean?

   • ASpeed up to get through before it turns red
   • BThe light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely
   • COnly pedestrians may move now
   • DThe intersection is clear, so go
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely

   A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which numbered marking means that drivers from both directions may not pass?

   • AMarking 5
   • BMarking 3
   • CMarking 2
   • DMarking 4
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Marking 3

   A double solid yellow line (marking 3) means no passing in either direction.

5. Question 5 of 25

   The gates at a railroad crossing are coming down. What should you do?

   • ASpeed up and go under the gates
   • BStop on the tracks until the gates rise
   • CStop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
   • DDrive around the gates if you cannot see a train
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing

   Never drive around or under lowered or lowering gates. Wait until they are fully up.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Your car goes into deep water and starts to sink. What should you do?

   • AStay buckled and wait for help
   • BUnbuckle and escape through a window
   • COpen a door right away
   • DTurn the engine off and on again
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Unbuckle and escape through a window

   Get out through a window. Opening a door can let water rush in and roll the car over.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AStop only if other vehicles are near
   • BCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe
   • CSlow down and go if no one is coming
   • DStop only when a police officer is present
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

   A red octagon always means stop. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then go when it is safe.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which road users are especially hard to see at night?

   • ATrucks with clearance lights
   • BPolice cars with lights flashing
   • CBuses with interior lights on
   • DPedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists

   People walking, cycling or riding motorcycles are much harder to see in the dark. Slow down and look carefully.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ATurn right at the next road
   • BThe divided highway ends
   • CKeep to the right of the island or obstacle ahead
   • DThe right lane ends
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep to the right of the island or obstacle ahead

   Pass on the right side of the traffic island, median or obstacle shown on the sign.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Orange signs like this one are used for:

    • AParks and recreation areas
    • BSchool zones
    • CWork zones and other temporary traffic control
    • DMotorist services
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Work zones and other temporary traffic control

    Orange is the color for work zones. Expect lane changes, lower speeds and workers on or near the road.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

    • ATry to push the car off the tracks
    • BRun along the tracks away from the train
    • CStay in the car and keep trying to start it
    • DGet everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Get everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train

    Get out right away. Moving toward the train at an angle keeps you away from flying debris, which spreads in the direction the train is going.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • APass the car in front before you reach the crosswalk
    • BHonk to warn the children
    • CSlow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk
    • DSpeed up to get past the crosswalk quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk

    The arrow points to the school crosswalk. Stop for children in the crosswalk and follow any crossing guard. Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. At 55 mph, how far do you travel in that time?

    • AAbout 10 feet
    • BAbout one car length
    • CAbout one mile
    • DAbout the length of a football field
    Show answer

    Answer: D. About the length of a football field

    At 55 mph, 5 seconds of looking at a phone is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You come to a traffic light that is completely dark because of a power outage. What should you do?

    • AHonk and keep going
    • BTreat the intersection like an all-way stop
    • CYield only to cars on your left
    • DDrive through if no cars are close
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Treat the intersection like an all-way stop

    When a signal is not working, stop as you would at a stop sign, then follow the right-of-way rules.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which of these is an illegal place to park?

    • AIn a marked space next to the curb
    • BOn a residential street with no signs
    • CIn an open space in a parking lot
    • DIn a crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In a crosswalk

    You may never park in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, because it blocks people who are crossing.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA school crossing guard is ahead
    • BA flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals
    • CA pedestrian crossing is ahead
    • DA parade is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals

    A flagger controls traffic in a work zone with a STOP/SLOW paddle or a flag. Obey the flagger's directions.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Total stopping distance, as shown, is made up of which two parts?

    • AThe distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance
    • BThe braking distance, counted twice
    • CThe reaction distance plus the length of your car
    • DThe distance to the car ahead plus the braking distance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance

    Part 1 is how far you travel while you see the danger and move your foot to the brake. Part 2 is how far you travel after braking until you stop.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A front tire blows out while you are driving on the highway. What should you do?

    • AHold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas
    • BBrake hard right away
    • CSpeed up to keep control
    • DSteer sharply onto the shoulder
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas

    Grip the wheel firmly, keep the car straight, and let it slow down before you brake gently and pull off.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Where are a large truck's blind spots, or No-Zones?

    • AIn front, behind and along both sides
    • BTrucks have no blind spots because the driver sits up high
    • COnly on the left side
    • DOnly directly behind it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In front, behind and along both sides

    Large trucks and buses have big blind spots on all four sides. Do not stay in them.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Where is this pennant-shaped sign placed?

    • AOn the right side of the road
    • BOnly on freeway on-ramps
    • COver the middle of the road
    • DOn the left side of the road
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On the left side of the road

    The yellow pennant is posted on the left side of two-lane roads, where you look before passing. It marks the start of a no-passing zone.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe signal ahead is broken
    • BThere is a pedestrian signal only
    • CThere is a traffic signal ahead
    • DA railroad signal is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. There is a traffic signal ahead

    Slow down and be ready to stop for a red light. This sign is used where the signal is hard to see.

23. Question 23 of 25

    The speed limit is 55 mph, but there is thick fog and the road is slippery. How fast should you drive?

    • AExactly 10 mph under the limit
    • BAs fast as the cars around you
    • CSlower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions
    • D55 mph, because that is the limit
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions

    The posted limit is the top speed for good conditions. You can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even below the limit.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right
    • BThe divided highway ends
    • CA narrow bridge is ahead
    • DA crossroad is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right

    A median or barrier will separate the two directions of traffic. Keep to the right of it.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road becomes divided
    • BA narrow bridge is ahead
    • CA new lane is added
    • DThe right lane ends; merge left when it is safe
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The right lane ends; merge left when it is safe

    If you are in the lane that ends, signal and move over when there is a safe gap. Drivers in the other lane should help by adjusting speed.

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The real test: Part 1: all 10 road sign questions; Part 2: 24 of 30 general knowledge questions