Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 8

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which signs use this round shape?

   • AHospital signs
   • BRailroad crossing advance warning signs
   • CSpeed limit signs
   • DSchool zone signs
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Railroad crossing advance warning signs

   In the United States the circle shape is used for the railroad advance warning sign.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake in an emergency?

   • APull the parking brake
   • BPress the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing
   • CTap the brake lightly
   • DPump the brake pedal quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing

   With ABS, press hard and hold steady pressure. The system pumps the brakes for you and lets you steer.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which of these places is unsafe for passing on a two-lane road?

   • AA flat, open road in daylight with a clear view
   • BA straight road with a broken yellow line and no oncoming traffic
   • CA marked passing zone with good visibility
   • DNear the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Near the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead

   Do not pass near hills or curves where you cannot see oncoming traffic, or near intersections and railroad crossings.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A driver is tailgating you. What is the safest thing to do?

   • ABrake suddenly to warn the driver
   • BStop on the shoulder right away
   • CKeep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass
   • DSpeed up to get away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass

   Do not react with sudden braking. Keep extra space in front of you so you can stop gently, and let the tailgater pass when possible.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AAn Interstate highway
   • BA US highway (US route) number
   • CA county road
   • DAn exit number
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A US highway (US route) number

   The black and white shield marks a numbered US route. These routes often cross several states.

6. Question 6 of 25

   A police officer directing traffic waves you through a red light. What should you do?

   • AFollow the officer's directions
   • BTurn right instead
   • CHonk to check that the officer means you
   • DStay stopped until the light turns green
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Follow the officer's directions

   Directions from a police officer directing traffic override traffic lights, signs and pavement markings.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A driver holds the left arm straight out the window. What does this hand signal mean?

   • ARight turn
   • BLeft turn
   • CSlowing down or stopping
   • DYou may pass me
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Left turn

   The left arm held straight out means a left turn.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Marking 4 is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. When may you pass?

   • AOnly when the broken line is on your side
   • BWhenever the road ahead looks clear
   • CNever, from either side
   • DOnly when the solid line is on your side
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only when the broken line is on your side

   With a solid and a broken line together, drivers on the broken-line side may pass when safe. Drivers on the solid side may not.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe
   • BYou must pass slow vehicles
   • CYou may pass only on the right
   • DPassing is not allowed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe

   This sign marks the end of a no-passing area. Pass only when the road ahead is clear and it is safe.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AOne sharp curve to the right is ahead
    • BA series of curves is ahead
    • CThe road is slippery ahead
    • DLanes shift ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A series of curves is ahead

    The road has three or more curves in a row. Slow down and stay in your lane.

11. Question 11 of 25

    An ambulance (1) with flashing lights and a siren is coming. What should drivers like Car 2 and Car 3 do?

    • APull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
    • BStop right where they are in their lanes
    • CSpeed up to stay ahead of it
    • DMove toward the center line
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes

    Drivers going either way on a two-way road must pull to the right edge and stop for an emergency vehicle using lights and a siren.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is hydroplaning?

    • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
    • BWhen water gets into your engine
    • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
    • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

    At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

13. Question 13 of 25

    On a divided highway, what color is the edge line on the left side of your lanes?

    • ARed
    • BWhite
    • CYellow
    • DBlue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yellow

    Yellow marks the left edge of divided highways, one-way streets and ramps. White marks the right edge.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You missed your exit on the freeway. What should you do?

    • AGo on to the next exit
    • BBack up on the shoulder
    • CStop and wait for a gap to back up
    • DMake a U-turn across the median
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Go on to the next exit

    If you miss your exit, stay on the freeway until the next exit. Never back up or turn around on a freeway.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

    • AYou are a safe distance away
    • BThe truck is about to stop
    • CThe truck driver probably cannot see you
    • DThe truck driver can see you clearly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The truck driver probably cannot see you

    If you can't see the driver in the truck's side mirror, assume the driver can't see you.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATraffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge
    • BTwo-way traffic ahead
    • CThe road narrows ahead
    • DYou must merge left now
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Traffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge

    The entering traffic gets a new lane. Still watch for drivers who change lanes.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AU-turns are allowed ahead
    • BTurn around ahead
    • CA roundabout is ahead; slow down and drive counterclockwise
    • DDo not enter
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A roundabout is ahead; slow down and drive counterclockwise

    At a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle and travel counterclockwise, to the right of the center island.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road is closed ahead
    • BA railroad crossing is ahead
    • CA radar speed check is ahead
    • DA rest area is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A railroad crossing is ahead

    This round yellow sign is placed before a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Can cold or allergy medicine you buy without a prescription affect your driving?

    • ANo, only prescription drugs affect driving
    • BOnly if you take it with food
    • CNo, these medicines are always safe
    • DYes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label

    Many over-the-counter medicines cause drowsiness. Read the warning label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ADetour to the right
    • BRight turns only
    • CTraffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow
    • DKeep to the right of the divider
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow

    Drive only in the direction of the arrow. You may not drive the other way on a one-way street.

21. Question 21 of 25

    You hit a parked car and the owner is not around. What should you do?

    • AAsk a stranger to watch the car
    • BWait one minute, then leave
    • CTry to find the owner, or leave your information and notify the police
    • DDrive away
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Try to find the owner, or leave your information and notify the police

    If you damage an unattended car or property, you must try to find the owner or report it to the police.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In a state where marijuana is legal, may you drive after using it?

    • AYes, if you have a medical card
    • BYes, but only during the day
    • CNo, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal
    • DYes, as long as you feel fine
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal

    Impairment from marijuana is treated like impairment from any other drug. Do not use it before driving.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You are entering a freeway from an on-ramp, as shown. What should you do in the acceleration lane?

    • AMerge right away without checking traffic
    • BDrive slowly so freeway drivers notice you
    • CSpeed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap
    • DStop at the end of the ramp and wait for a big gap
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Speed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap

    Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic, check mirrors and your blind spot, signal, and merge into a gap.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Car A is waiting to enter this roundabout. Car B is already in the roundabout. Which car has the right-of-way?

    • AWhichever car is larger
    • BWhichever car honks first
    • CCar B
    • DCar A
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Car B

    Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout, then enter when there is a safe gap.

25. Question 25 of 25

    At a T-intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way?

    • AThe vehicle turning left
    • BTraffic on the through road
    • CThe largest vehicle
    • DTraffic on the road that ends
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic on the through road

    Drivers on the road that continues straight through have the right-of-way. Drivers on the road that ends must yield.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

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