Virginia permit test numbers to know
Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 58 Virginia numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.
Numbers quiz
12 questions a round from the 44 number questions in our Virginia bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.
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Numbers flashcards
44 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.
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See 3 of the cards
Alcohol & drugs
For a driver aged 21 or older, at what blood alcohol content (BAC) does Virginia law consider you to be driving under the influence?
.08 percent or higher
Drivers 21 and older are legally under the influence at a BAC of .08 percent or higher.
Fines, points & penalties
An adult driver collects 18 demerit points within 12 months. What will Virginia DMV do?
A 90-day suspension plus a driver improvement clinic
If you receive 18 demerit points within 12 months, or 24 within 24 months, DMV suspends your driving privilege for 90 days and requires a driver improvement clinic.
Speed limits
Unless a sign shows a different limit, what is the maximum speed for a car in a Virginia residential area?
25 MPH
Virginia's default limit is 25 MPH in school, business and residential areas, 35 MPH on unpaved roads and 55 MPH on all other roads.
Every Virginia number, by topic
Official test facts and Virginia laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.
- Alcohol & drugs 9
- Fines, points & penalties 8
- Speed limits 9
- Distances & following gaps 8
- Parking 4
- Ages, permits & the test 8
- Time limits & deadlines 7
- Seat belts, lights & equipment 5
Alcohol & drugs
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08% | Legal BAC limit for adult drivers | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteIt shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle, engine or train (i) while such person has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more by weight by volume |
| 0.02% | BAC limit for drivers under 21 | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteIt is unlawful for any person younger than 21 years of age to operate any motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. Any such person with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or more by weight by volume |
| 0.04% | BAC limit in a commercial vehicle | law.lis.virginia.govQuotefor a person to drive or operate a commercial motor vehicle while such person has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more by weight by volume |
| $250 | Drunk driving (DUI)Class 1 misdemeanor with a $250 mandatory minimum fine | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteany person violating any provision of § 18.2-266 shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine of $250. |
| one-year | Drunk driving (DUI)A first refusal of a breath or blood test is a civil offense with a one-year suspension | law.lis.virginia.govQuotePunishment shall include (i) forfeiture of such person's license to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year from the date of conviction and (ii) a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or performance of a mandatory minimum of 50 hours of community service. |
| .08 percent | For a driver aged 21 or older, at what blood alcohol content (BAC) does Virginia law consider you to be driving under the influence?Answer: .08 percent or higher | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 26Quotedrivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. |
| .02 percent | A driver under 21 can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol starting at what BAC?Answer: .02 percent | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 26QuoteIf under age 21, you can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08. |
| one year | A 19-year-old is convicted of driving after illegally drinking, with a BAC of .04. What happens to their driving privilege?Answer: Suspended for one year from the conviction date | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 32Quotea suspension of your driving privilege for one year from the date of conviction |
| 7 days | You are charged with a first-offense DUI after refusing a breath test. How long is the automatic administrative license suspension?Answer: 7 days | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 32Quoteyour driving privilege will be automatically suspended: for seven days, for a first offense |
Fines, points & penalties
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 90-day | An adult driver collects 18 demerit points within 12 months. What will Virginia DMV do?Answer: A 90-day suspension plus a driver improvement clinic | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 31QuoteIf you receive 18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months, DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days |
| one year · age 18 | A driver gets a third conviction for a demerit-point violation committed before turning 18. What happens?Answer: Revocation for one year or until age 18, whichever is longer | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 31QuoteYour third conviction will result in a revocation of your driving privilege for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer. |
| $50,000 | For a Virginia auto policy effective on or after January 1, 2025, what is the minimum liability coverage for injury or death of one person?Answer: $50,000 | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles websiteQuoteof $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to the limit for one person, to a limit of $100,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident |
| $100 | You are convicted of driving 83 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. Besides the normal speeding penalty, what extra fine does Virginia add?Answer: $100 | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 16QuoteYou are subject to an additional $100 fine if convicted of driving between 81 and 85 MPH in a 65-MPH zone. |
| $500 | What is the maximum fine for speeding in a Virginia highway work zone?Answer: $500 | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 12QuoteIf you are convicted of exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone, you may be fined up to $500. |
| $250 | You are convicted of using a handheld phone while driving through a Virginia highway work zone. What is the fine?Answer: $250 | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 12QuoteIf you are convicted of using a handheld communications device in a highway work zone, you will be fined $250. |
| $3,000 | A crash causes no injuries. At what amount of total property damage or more must the investigating officer send a written crash report to DMV?Answer: $3,000 | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles websiteQuoteinvestigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more |
| $50 | What is the fine for a first conviction for violating Virginia's child restraint law?Answer: $50 | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 29QuoteIf you are convicted of violating the child restraint law, you will be fined $50. |
Speed limits
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mph | Speed limits: Business & residence districts25 mph in business districts (unless posted) | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteThe maximum speed shall be 25 miles per hour on highways in business or residence districts, except on interstate or other limited access highways with divided roadways |
| 70 mph | Speed limits: Interstates70 mph where posted after an engineering study | law.lis.virginia.govQuotethe maximum speed limit shall be 70 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on (i) interstate highways |
| 55 mph | Speed limits: InterstatesOtherwise 55 mph | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteThe maximum speed limit on all other highways shall be 55 miles per hour if the vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle, bus, pickup or panel truck, or a motorcycle |
| 25 MPH | Unless a sign shows a different limit, what is the maximum speed for a car in a Virginia residential area?Answer: 25 MPH | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 17Quoteis 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas; 35 MPH for unpaved roads and 55 MPH for all other roads. |
| 55 MPH | You are driving a car on a paved rural highway in Virginia with no speed limit signs. What is the maximum legal speed?Answer: 55 MPH | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 17Quoteis 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas; 35 MPH for unpaved roads and 55 MPH for all other roads. |
| 20 MPH · 85 MPH | Under Virginia law, an officer may charge you with reckless driving based on speed alone if you drive:Answer: 20 MPH or more over the limit, or faster than 85 MPH | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 16Quoteif 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 |
| 25 MPH | A farm tractor ahead displays the triangular slow-moving vehicle emblem. What does the emblem tell you?Answer: It is a slow-moving vehicle that goes 25 MPH or less | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 13QuoteSlow Moving Vehicles traveling at 25 MPH or less, such as farm equipment, |
| 35 MPH | On which roads may a low speed vehicle be driven in Virginia?Answer: Public roads with limits of 35 MPH or less | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 23QuoteLow speed vehicles may be operated on public roads with speed limits of 35 MPH or less |
| 10 MPH · 2 feet | On a two-lane road, you come up on a garbage truck stopped while collecting trash. How must you pass it?Answer: Slow to 10 MPH below the limit and pass at least 2 feet to its left | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 18Quoteslow down to 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and pass at least two feet to the left of the vehicle. |
Distances & following gaps
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 3 seconds | On a dry road at 40 MPH, what minimum following distance does the Virginia manual recommend?Answer: 3 seconds | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 21Quote3 seconds 35-45 MPH |
| 4 seconds | You are on a dry highway at 60 MPH. How far behind the vehicle ahead should you stay, according to the Virginia manual?Answer: At least 4 seconds | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 21Quote4 seconds 46-70 MPH |
| 3 feet | You see a warning sign showing a horse-drawn buggy. What does Virginia law require when you pass one?Answer: Slow down, don't honk, and pass with at least 3 feet of clearance | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 10QuoteSlow down and don’t use the horn. State law requires motorists to pass with at least three feet of clearance when the way is clear. |
| 150 feet | A center lane is marked on both sides by a solid yellow line with a broken yellow line. How far may you travel in it?Answer: No more than 150 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 14QuoteHowever, they may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane. |
| 100 feet · 3 to 4 seconds | How far ahead of a turn should you start signaling, according to the Virginia manual?Answer: At least 100 feet (about 3 to 4 seconds) | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 20QuoteYou should signal at least three or four seconds, 100 feet, ahead of the turn. |
| 3 feet | What is the minimum clearance you must leave when passing a person on a bicycle or moped in Virginia?Answer: 3 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 19Quotereduce speed and pass at least three feet to the left. |
| 500 feet | You are on a dark highway using high beams. When must you switch to low beams for an oncoming vehicle?Answer: When it comes within 500 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 25QuoteUse high-beam headlights on highways, unless another vehicle is within 500 feet coming toward you. |
| 200 feet | At night you are following another vehicle. Within what distance should you use low beams?Answer: 200 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 25QuoteWhen following, use low-beams whenever you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead. |
Parking
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 15 feet | How close to a fire hydrant may you park in Virginia?Answer: No closer than 15 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 24Quotewithin 15 feet of a fire hydrant |
| 20 feet | What is the closest you may park to an intersection in Virginia?Answer: 20 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 24Quotewithin 20 feet of an intersection |
| 50 feet | How close to a railroad crossing may you park in Virginia?Answer: No closer than 50 feet | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 24Quotewithin 50 feet of a railroad crossing |
| 1 foot | When parking next to a curb in Virginia, how far from the curb may your wheels be?Answer: No more than 1 foot | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 24QuoteIf you park next to a curb, pull close to it. You may not park more than one foot from the curb. |
Ages, permits & the test
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10 of 10 | Road-sign questions | dmv.virginia.govQuoteThe knowledge exam consists of two parts: Part one: 10 road sign questions All ten questions must be answered correctly Part two: 30 general knowledge questions You must correctly answer 24 questions to pass |
| 24 of 30 | General-knowledge questions | dmv.virginia.govQuoteThe knowledge exam consists of two parts: Part one: 10 road sign questions All ten questions must be answered correctly Part two: 30 general knowledge questions You must correctly answer 24 questions to pass |
| 80 percent | What score do you need on part two (general knowledge) of the Virginia knowledge exam?Answer: At least 80 percent correct | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 5QuotePart two tests your general knowledge with multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 80 percent of these questions correctly to pass part two. |
| 15 days | You are 16 and fail the knowledge exam on March 1. What is the earliest you can retake it under Virginia law?Answer: After waiting a full 15 days | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 5QuoteIf you fail the exam and you are under age 18, by law you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam. |
| at least 21 | You have a Virginia learner's permit and have not completed driver education. Unless a family exception applies, who must be with you when you drive?Answer: A licensed driver at least 21 in the front passenger seat | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 33QuoteA learner’s permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated in the front passenger seat. |
| aged 18 to 20 | Your 19-year-old brother has a valid driver's license. Can he supervise you while you drive on your learner's permit?Answer: Yes, a brother or sister aged 18 to 20 may supervise | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 33QuoteThe licensed driver with you may be age 18, 19, or 20 if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, |
| 60 days | You are 25, just got a learner's permit, and decide not to take driver education. How long must you hold the permit before your first road skills test?Answer: 60 days | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 6QuoteApplicants age 18 or older must hold the learner’s permit for 60 days prior to the first road skills test |
| 10 days · 6 months | If you are convicted of aggressive driving in Virginia, how long could your license be suspended?Answer: From 10 days up to 6 months | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 25Quoteif you are convicted of aggressive driving, your license could be suspended for ten days or for as long as six months. |
Time limits & deadlines
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | CrashesFor unattended property when the owner can't be found: leave a note and report in writing to police within 24 hours | law.lis.virginia.govQuotethe driver shall leave a note or other sufficient information including driver identification and contact information in a conspicuous place at the scene of the accident and shall report the accident in writing within 24 hours to the State Police or the local law-enforcement agency. |
| $3,000 | CrashesPolice send a report to DMV when there is injury, death or $3,000 or more in damage | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteinvestigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more |
| one year | What does paying Virginia's $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee actually do?Answer: Allows one year of registration but provides no coverage | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 36QuotePaying the uninsured motor vehicle fee does not provide insurance coverage, but it allows you to register and operate the vehicle in Virginia for a one-year period. |
| 30 days | You move to a new address in Virginia. How soon must you notify DMV?Answer: Within 30 days | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 35QuoteIf you move, you are required to notify DMV within 30 days. |
| half-hour | Rain has just started after a dry spell. When are roads most likely to be slippery?Answer: During the first half-hour of rain | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 25QuoteWhen rain begins, during the first half-hour, roads are more likely to be slippery due to oil on the road surface mixing with water. |
| 24 hours | You back into an unattended parked car and cannot find the owner. What must you do?Answer: Leave a note and report it to police within 24 hours | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 27QuoteYou must also report the crash to the police within 24 hours. |
| two hours | On a long trip, how often does the Virginia manual say you should stop to rest?Answer: At least every two hours | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 26QuoteLimit long distance driving. Stop at least every two hours for rest. |
Seat belts, lights & equipment
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| under 18 | Seat beltsThe driver must ensure every passenger under 18 is in a safety belt or child restraint | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteAny driver, and any other person at least 18 years of age and occupying a seat, of a motor vehicle equipped or required by the provisions of this title to be equipped with a safety belt system |
| age 8 | Seat beltsChildren up to age 8 must ride in a DOT-approved child restraint in the back seat | law.lis.virginia.govQuoteshall ensure that any child, up to age eight, whom he transports therein is provided with and properly secured in a child restraint device of a type which meets the standards adopted by the United States Department of Transportation. |
| Under age 8 | In Virginia, children under what age must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat?Answer: Under age 8 | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 29QuoteAll children under age 8 must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat |
| 2 years | According to the Virginia manual, until about what age should children ride rear-facing?Answer: 2 years, or as long as the seat allows | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 29QuoteChildren should ride rear facing from birth to 2 years, or as long as the safety seat manufacturer allows. |
| 10 inches | Your car has a driver's air bag. How far from the steering wheel should you sit?Answer: At least 10 inches | Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 29QuoteMove your seat back so that you are at least ten inches from the steering wheel. |
Memory tips
How to study them (our advice, not official rules):
- Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
- Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
- Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.
Questions about the numbers
What numbers do I need to know for the Virginia permit test?
Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 58 of them for Virginia, each with its source.
Why focus on numbers?
A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.
Where do these numbers come from?
Each one is quoted from the Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Virginia statutes or DMV pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.
Is the numbers drill free?
Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.
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