Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 7

1. Question 1 of 25

   How can you check that you are not following another vehicle too closely?

   • AWatch for the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
   • BLook at your speedometer
   • CCount how many car lengths you see
   • DWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it

   Pick a fixed object such as a sign. Start counting when the car ahead passes it; if you reach it before you finish the count, you are too close.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does a white diamond painted in a lane mean?

   • AThe lane is for trucks only
   • BThe lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles
   • CThere is a railroad crossing ahead
   • DThe lane ends soon
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles

   A diamond marks a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or other reserved lane. Signs tell you who may use it and when.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is waiting to cross. What should you do?

   • AStop and let the person cross, without honking
   • BWave the person across from far away
   • CHonk so the person knows you are there
   • DDrive around the person
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and let the person cross, without honking

   Pedestrians who use white canes or guide dogs have the right-of-way. Do not honk at a blind pedestrian.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe left lane is closed ahead
   • BIf you are in the left lane, you must turn left
   • CLeft turns are not allowed
   • DYou may turn left from any lane
   Show answer

   Answer: B. If you are in the left lane, you must turn left

   Get into the correct lane early. If you are in the left lane, you have to turn left at the intersection.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AYou may not turn while the light is red; wait for green
   • BNo turns are allowed at any time
   • CThere is a red-light camera ahead
   • DYou may turn right on red after stopping
   Show answer

   Answer: A. You may not turn while the light is red; wait for green

   In most places you may turn right on red after a full stop. This sign takes that choice away, so wait for a green light.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

   • ASpeed up before the light turns red
   • BSlow down and go through with caution
   • CStop and wait for a green light
   • DThe signal is broken, so treat it as an all-way stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Slow down and go through with caution

   A flashing yellow light is a warning. You may go, but slow down and watch for traffic and pedestrians.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Car 1 is behind a school bus on this divided highway. The bus has stopped with its red lights flashing. What must the driver of Car 1 do?

   • AStop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off
   • BPass slowly on the right
   • CHonk and keep going
   • DPass slowly on the left
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off

   Drivers behind a stopped school bus must always stop. Rules for drivers on the other side of a divided highway differ by state.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You see this sign while driving in the rain. What should you do?

   • APump your brakes often to dry them
   • BDrive on the shoulder
   • CSpeed up to get past quickly
   • DSlow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns

   Wet roads can make your tires lose grip. Slow down, leave more space, and steer and brake gently.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You park facing uphill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

   • AToward the curb
   • BAway from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back
   • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
   • DStraight ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Away from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back

   Uphill with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road and let the front tire gently touch the curb.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You see this sign facing you on a ramp. What should you do?

    • AKeep driving in the left lane with your hazard lights on
    • BYou are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came
    • CSpeed up to get off the ramp quickly
    • DKeep going and take the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came

    WRONG WAY signs face drivers who are going against traffic. Stop safely, turn around and drive in the correct direction.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor. What should you try first?

    • ATurn off the engine
    • BShift into park
    • COpen the door to drag your foot
    • DPump the brake pedal to build up pressure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pump the brake pedal to build up pressure

    Pumping the pedal may build enough pressure to stop. If that fails, use the parking brake slowly and shift to a lower gear.

12. Question 12 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent upward at the elbow. What does this hand signal mean?

    • AHazard ahead
    • BSlowing down or stopping
    • CRight turn
    • DLeft turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Right turn

    The left arm bent upward means a right turn.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which numbered marking separates lanes going in the same direction and allows lane changes when it is safe?

    • AMarking 5
    • BMarking 6
    • CMarking 2
    • DMarking 1
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Marking 5

    A broken white line (marking 5) separates lanes moving the same way. You may change lanes across it when safe.

14. Question 14 of 25

    In most states, how far before a turn should you start signaling?

    • AAt least 10 feet
    • BOnly as you begin to turn
    • CAt least half a mile
    • DAt least 100 feet
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 100 feet

    Most state laws require you to signal at least 100 feet before you turn. Check your state handbook in case a longer distance applies.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Where should you stop at this sign if there is a crosswalk but no stop line?

    • AAfter the crosswalk, at the edge of the cross street
    • BInside the intersection, where you can see best
    • CBefore the crosswalk
    • DIn the middle of the crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Before the crosswalk

    Stop at the stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does a five-sided (pentagon) sign like this warn you about?

    • AA no-passing zone
    • BA railroad crossing
    • CRoad work
    • DA school zone or school crossing
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A school zone or school crossing

    The pentagon shape is used for school signs, so you know to watch for children.

17. Question 17 of 25

    When should you leave more than your normal following distance?

    • AOnly when the road is dry and clear
    • BIn bad weather or when following a large truck
    • COnly on city streets
    • DWhen you are in a hurry
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In bad weather or when following a large truck

    Add more space in rain, snow or fog, and behind large trucks that block your view.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

    • AThe light is about to turn green
    • BStop only if other cars are coming
    • CStop completely, then go when it is safe
    • DSlow down and go with care without stopping
    Show answer

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

    A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when the way is clear.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA highway patrol station is ahead
    • BA helicopter landing pad is ahead
    • CA hospital is nearby
    • DA hotel is nearby
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A hospital is nearby

    Blue signs show services for drivers, such as hospitals, gas, food and lodging.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AMany curves are ahead
    • BA sharp turn to the right is ahead
    • CTwo-way traffic is ahead
    • DThe road curves right, then left
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The road curves right, then left

    A reverse curve bends one way and then the other. Slow down before the first curve.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop here
    • BThe road ends ahead
    • CA traffic signal is ahead
    • DA STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop

    This sign warns of a STOP sign that may be hard to see. Slow down and get ready to stop.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which numbered marking separates traffic going in opposite directions and allows drivers on both sides to pass when it is safe?

    • AMarking 6
    • BMarking 3
    • CMarking 5
    • DMarking 2
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Marking 2

    A broken yellow center line (marking 2) separates opposite directions and allows passing from either side when the way is clear.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ARight turns only
    • BThe right lane ends
    • CA side road joins from the right
    • DA sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot

    A sharp turn needs a much lower speed than a gentle curve. Look for a yellow speed plate under the sign.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Car A and Car B reach this intersection, which has no signs or signals, at about the same time. Which car must yield?

    • AWhichever car is going faster
    • BCar B
    • CNeither car; both may go at once
    • DCar A
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Car A

    At an uncontrolled intersection, if two cars arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Car B is on Car A's right, so Car A must yield.

25. Question 25 of 25

    You see this emblem on the back of a vehicle. What does it mean?

    • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment
    • BThe vehicle carries hazardous materials
    • CIt is carrying a wide load
    • DIt is an emergency vehicle
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment

    You can come up on these vehicles very quickly. Slow down early and pass only when it is safe and legal.

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