Official sources

Virginia driver handbook

Short official excerpts used to ground practice questions. Confirm the current legal text on the Virginia licensing agency site.

Official handbook

Cited pages

Adult BAC limit

This citation points at the official Virginia handbook (open the source) The number is filled from this state’s verified official fact at compose time.

Under-21 / zero-tolerance BAC

This citation points at the official Virginia handbook (open the source) The number is filled from this state’s verified official fact at compose time.

Default residential speed

This citation points at the official Virginia handbook (open the source) The number is filled from this state’s verified official fact at compose time.

Maximum highway speed

This citation points at the official Virginia handbook (open the source) The number is filled from this state’s verified official fact at compose time.

Minimum permit age

This citation points at the official Virginia handbook (open the source) The number is filled from this state’s verified official fact at compose time.

Cited passages

Each mark is the excerpt a practice question jumps to. Open the official link for the full page.

  1. 12

    In a work zone, the lives of highway workers depend on drivers like you obeying the posted speed limits and avoiding distractions. If you are convicted of exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone, you may be fined up to $500. If you are convicted of using a handheld communications device in a highway work zone, you will be fined $250. Remember,

  2. 16

    limit is in effect, and/or if conditions such as road construction or bad weather make the posted speed unsafe. According to Virginia law, if you are driving 20 or more miles per hour (MPH) above the speed limit, or over 85 MPH, a law enforcement officer may charge you with reckless driving, regardless of the speed limit. It is considered a misdemeanor criminal offense

  3. 16

    14 | V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L Section 3: Safe Driving Every time you get behind the wheel, you accept responsibility for your actions. You must obey Virginia’s traffic laws, and ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways.

  4. 17

    condition of your brakes and tires, and the pavement condition. For example, wet pavement can double your braking distance. Section 3: Safe Driving V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L | 15 Average stopping distance on dry, level pavement. Source: Code of Virginia Section 46.2-880 Antilock Brakes If your

  5. 17

    tires, and the pavement condition. For example, wet pavement can double your braking distance. Section 3: Safe Driving V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L | 15 Average stopping distance on dry, level pavement. Source: Code of Virginia Section 46.2-880 Antilock Brakes If your vehicle has antilock brakes, be

  6. 17

    A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L | 15 Average stopping distance on dry, level pavement. Source: Code of Virginia Section 46.2-880 Antilock Brakes If your vehicle has antilock brakes, be sure that you understand how they work. Check your vehicle owner’s manual and practice braking before you go out on the road. Remember, never pump

  7. 17

    3: Safe Driving V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L | 15 Average stopping distance on dry, level pavement. Source: Code of Virginia Section 46.2-880 Antilock Brakes If your vehicle has antilock brakes, be sure that you understand how they work. Check your vehicle owner’s manual and practice braking

  8. 17

    R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L | 15 Average stopping distance on dry, level pavement. Source: Code of Virginia Section 46.2-880 Antilock Brakes If your vehicle has antilock brakes, be sure that you understand how they work. Check your vehicle owner’s manual and practice braking before you go out on

  9. 2

    The Virginia Driver’s Manual will help you learn and understand safe driving practices. Study this manual to prepare for the knowledge test, obtain a Virginia driver’s license and become a safe driver.

  10. 2

    to the motor vehicle laws but not as a substitute for the Code of Virginia, which contains the laws that govern Virginia drivers and vehicles. If you are learning to drive, this manual will give you information you need to study for the knowledge exam. If you already have a Virginia driver’s license, review this manual for new laws or rules of the road.

  11. 22

    into traffic, check twice for motorcycles and use extra caution before you pull out in front of one. If you want to obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit or license, refer to the Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual (DMV 2) at dmv.virginia.gov. Light Rail: There is a light rail train system in Norfolk called The Tide. Light rail trains share the road with motor vehicles and

  12. 24

    for disabled persons  in striped access aisles adjacent to a parking space reserved for disabled persons  on the hard surface of a road when no curb is present  within 15 feet of a fire hydrant  within 20 feet of an intersection  in a bike lane  within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad

  13. 24

    prohibited by curbs painted yellow or No Parking signs  in a parking space reserved for disabled persons  in striped access aisles adjacent to a parking space reserved for disabled persons  on the hard surface of a road when no curb is present  within 15 feet of a fire hydrant  within 20 feet of an intersection  in a bike

  14. 24

    will roll away from traffic. 22 | V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L Section 3: Safe Driving Be aware of other traffic when exiting your vehicle. Look for other cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians before opening the door. You may not park:  beside another parked vehicle (double parking)

  15. 24

    22 | V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L Section 3: Safe Driving Be aware of other traffic when exiting your vehicle. Look for other cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians before opening the door. You may not park:  beside another parked vehicle (double parking)  on crosswalks or sidewalks

  16. 26

    24 | V I R G I N I A D R I V E R ’ S M A N U A L Section 3: Safe Driving  Limit long distance driving. Stop at least every two hours for rest.  Stop at a safe place and

  17. 26

    roadway at risk for harm. If you observe a drowsy driver, find a safe place to stop or ask a passenger to call law enforcement. Be able to describe the location, vehicle and actions you observed. Drunk and Drugged Driving Legally, drivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent

  18. 26

    and everyone else on the roadway at risk for harm. If you observe a drowsy driver, find a safe place to stop or ask a passenger to call law enforcement. Be able to describe the location, vehicle and actions you observed. Drunk and Drugged Driving Legally, drivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol

  19. 28

    4: Seat Belts, Air Bags and Child Safety Seats Wearing seat belts, also called safety belts, can double your chances of surviving a crash and more than double your chances of avoiding serious injury. Seat Belts Under Virginia law, the driver and all passengers, both front and rear, must wear safety belts. A driver transporting anyone younger than age 18 must ensure that the

  20. 32

    drinking or using drugs, they will ask you to take a breath or blood test. Under implied consent laws, if you operate a motor vehicle on Virginia’s public roads, you agree to take a breath test upon request. If you are involved in a motor vehicle crash and a law enforcement officer has probable cause, you can be arrested for DUI within three hours

  21. 33

    be alert and able to assist you while you are driving. The licensed driver with you may be age 18, 19, or 20 if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half- brother, half-sister, step brother or stepsister. If you are age 19 or older, you must hold a learner’s permit for 60 days, or present a driver’s education certificate of completion

  22. 33

    or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half- brother, half-sister, step brother or stepsister. If you are age 19 or older, you must hold a learner’s permit for 60 days, or present a driver’s education certificate of completion to apply for a driver’s license. For more information about obtaining a learner’s permit, refer to the Parents in the Driver’s Seat (DMV 16) publication

  23. 34

    a driver’s license, refer to the publication Obtaining a Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card (DMV 141) available at dmv.virginia.gov or DMV customer service centers. Commercial Driver’s License A commercial driver’s license (CDL) allows you to operate tractor-trailers, passenger buses, tank vehicles, school buses for 16 or more

  24. 36

    donate by checking yes; by law, your parents and guardians must make the final decision. It is important for all ages to share your decision to be a donor with your friends and family. Liability Insurance Coverage Requirements Injury or death of one person Injury or death of two or more people Property damage Policies effective before Jan. 1, 2022 $25,000 $50,000 $20,000 Policies

  25. 5

    sign questions in part one of the exam before you can take part two of the exam. Part two tests your general knowledge with multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 80 percent of these questions correctly to pass part two. If you fail the exam and you are under age 18, by law you must wait a full 15 days before you

  26. 6

    motor vehicle. For applicants under 18, the road skills test will be given as part of the driver education course taken at a public, private or commercial driving school. If you are home schooled, refer to the Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet (HS 3) for more information about taking the road skills test. Applicants age 18 or older must hold the learner’s permit