Virginia permit test cheat sheet

Virginia-specific rules from our question bank, condensed to one line each with the handbook page. Read it the night before; don’t use it instead of practicing.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. See the study sheets to print.

Test format
Road signs: 10 + General knowledge: 30
Passing score
All 10 signs + 24 of 30
Permit and test fees
$35 total
Minimum age for a permit
15 years, 6 months
Supervised driving
45 hours (15 at night)
Hold your permit
9 months minimum

Alcohol & drugs

  • Drivers 21 and older are legally under the influence at a BAC of .08 percent or higher. p. 26
  • Virginia has a zero tolerance approach for underage drinkers. p. 26
  • For a driver under 21 with a BAC of at least .02 but under .08, the court suspends the license for one year from the conviction date, plus a minimum $500 fine or at least 50 hours of community service. p. 32
  • Under implied consent, operating a vehicle on Virginia's public roads means you have agreed to take a breath test on request. p. 32
  • If you refuse a breath test or test at .08 or higher and are charged with DUI, your license is automatically suspended: 7 days for a first offense, 60 days or until trial for a second, and until trial for a third. p. 32
  • The passenger area is where the driver and passengers sit plus anywhere the driver can reach, including an unlocked glove compartment. p. 32
  • Although possession is legal for adults over 21, driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal. p. 27

Permits & licensing

  • Virginia's sign section is all-or-nothing: you must get every one of the 10 sign questions right before the computer lets you start part two. p. 5
  • Part two is multiple choice on laws and safe driving, and you must answer at least 80 percent correctly (24 of 30). p. 5
  • If you are under 18 and fail the knowledge exam, Virginia law makes you wait a full 15 days before retesting. p. 5
  • A learner's permit lets you drive only when a licensed driver at least 21 sits in the front passenger seat. p. 33
  • Normally the supervising driver must be at least 21, but a licensed driver aged 18, 19 or 20 may supervise if they are your legal guardian, brother, sister, half-sibling or step-sibling. p. 33
  • Applicants 18 or older must either hold the learner's permit for 60 days before the first road skills test or complete driver education at an approved school. p. 6
  • For an unrestricted license you need 20/40 or better in one or both eyes and 110 degrees or better of horizontal vision. p. 6