Virginia safe driving practice questions
4 questions below test Virginia’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Virginia permit knowledge test has 40 questions in total and needs 34 correct (85%) to pass.
Virginia law
4 questions on Virginia’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. Virginia seat-belt law requires which occupants to wear the appropriate safety belt system while the vehicle is in motion?
- AOnly the driver
- The driver and any other person at least 18 occupying a seat
- COnly rear-seat passengers
- DOnly passengers under 18
Answer: The driver and any other person at least 18 occupying a seat. Code of Virginia §46.2-1094 requires any driver, and any other person at least 18 years of age occupying a seat, of a covered motor vehicle to wear the appropriate safety belt system while the vehicle is in motion on a public highway.
Source: Code of Virginia — §46.2-1094
2. While driving a moving motor vehicle on Virginia highways, it is unlawful to:
- AUse the vehicle radio
- BUse a mounted GPS that is already set
- Hold a handheld personal communications device
- DWear headphones
Answer: Hold a handheld personal communications device. Code of Virginia §46.2-818.2 makes it unlawful, while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways, to hold a handheld personal communications device, with listed exceptions such as emergency vehicles and lawfully parked or stopped operators.
Source: Code of Virginia — §46.2-818.2
3. Virginia motorcycle law generally requires operators and passengers to wear:
- AOnly eye protection
- Protective helmets (plus eye protection or a windshield for the operator)
- CHelmets only under age 21
- DNo protective equipment
Answer: Protective helmets (plus eye protection or a windshield for the operator). Code of Virginia §46.2-910 requires motorcycle/autocycle operators to use eye protection or a windshield, and requires operators and passengers to wear protective helmets, with limited exceptions such as certain enclosed three-wheel vehicles.
Source: Code of Virginia — §46.2-910
4. While driving a moving motor vehicle on Virginia highways, it is unlawful to:
- AWear a seat belt
- BKeep both hands on the wheel
- CUse a mounted navigation system that does not require holding a phone
- Hold a handheld personal communications device
Answer: Hold a handheld personal communications device. Code of Virginia §46.2-818.2 makes it unlawful to hold a handheld personal communications device while driving a moving motor vehicle on highways in the Commonwealth, with listed exceptions such as emergencies and lawfully parked vehicles.
Source: Code of Virginia — §46.2-818.2
Sources for the Virginia items above
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Virginia items above for 14 questions in total.
1. What is the best way to set a safe following distance?
- AFollow closely so other drivers cannot merge
- BMatch the vehicle ahead bumper-to-bumper
- CStay one car length behind at every speed
- Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions
Answer: Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions. A time-based gap adapts to speed. Increase it for rain, darkness, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, or limited visibility.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
2. To reduce glare from an oncoming vehicle's headlights at night, you should look:
- AInto your rear-view mirror
- BDirectly at the oncoming headlights
- Toward the right edge of your lane
- DDown at your dashboard
Answer: Toward the right edge of your lane. Shifting your gaze to the right edge line keeps you oriented in your lane while the bright lights pass out of your direct vision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Night driving — glare
3. How far ahead should you normally be looking while driving?
- AOnly at the vehicle directly in front
- BAs far as your headlights reach, at all speeds
- CJust past the hood of your car
- About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead
Answer: About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead. Looking well ahead gives time to spot hazards and react smoothly instead of braking or swerving at the last moment.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
More Virginia topics
Other Virginia rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current Virginia rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for Virginia safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Virginia Department of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About Virginia safe driving rules and this practice set.