West Virginia safe driving practice questions
4 questions below test West Virginia’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The West Virginia permit knowledge test has 25 questions in total and needs 19 correct (76%) to pass.
West Virginia law
4 questions on West 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. A West Virginia Level 2 GDL intermediate license holder may drive without a supervising licensed adult 21+ between:
- AAnytime with no night limit
- B9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only
- CMidnight and 6 a.m. only
- 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (and needs a supervising adult 21+ from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with listed exceptions)
Answer: 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (and needs a supervising adult 21+ from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with listed exceptions). The West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook states Level 2 holders may drive without a supervising licensed adult 21 or older between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm, and must drive with such a supervisor between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am except for employment, school-sanctioned activity, religious activity, or certain emergencies.
Source: West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook — Level 2 GDL Intermediate Driver’s License
2. During the first six months of a West Virginia Level 2 GDL license, the holder may not operate with:
- Any non-family members under age 20 as passengers
- BMore than three family members
- CA supervising adult
- DAny passengers at all
Answer: Any non-family members under age 20 as passengers. The West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook states a Level 2 holder may not operate during the first six months with any non-family members under the age of 20 as a passenger, and may not have more than one non-family member under 20 during the second six months.
Source: West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook — Level 2 GDL Intermediate Driver’s License
3. West Virginia drivers under 18 may use a wireless communication device while driving only:
- AIf a parent is in the car
- BWith speakerphone
- For contacting a 9-1-1 system
- DUnder 25 mph
Answer: For contacting a 9-1-1 system. The West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook (citing WV State Code §17B-2-3a(F)) states drivers under 18 may not use a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle unless the cell phone is used for contacting a 9-1-1 system.
Source: West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook — Wireless Devices / GDL
4. West Virginia generally requires a child passenger safety device for children under age 8, unless the child is under 8 and at least:
- A4 feet tall
- 4 feet 9 inches tall (when a safety belt is sufficient)
- C5 feet tall
- D60 pounds only with no height rule
Answer: 4 feet 9 inches tall (when a safety belt is sufficient). The West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook states every driver transporting a child under age 8 must secure the child in a child passenger safety device meeting federal standards, provided that if a child is under 8 and at least 4’-9” tall, a safety belt shall be sufficient.
Source: West Virginia Drivers Licensing Handbook — Child Safety Seats
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 West Virginia items above for 14 questions in total.
1. 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
2. If you must handle something that will take your attention from driving, the safest choice is to:
- ADrive faster to finish the trip sooner
- BLook down briefly while moving
- CAsk traffic to move around you
- Pull over and stop in a safe place
Answer: Pull over and stop in a safe place. Anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind from driving increases risk. Stop safely before handling the task.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Driver fitness — distraction
3. Maintaining a space cushion around your vehicle mainly gives you:
- AFreedom from signalling
- BBetter fuel economy
- Time and room to react to a hazard
- DA higher legal speed limit
Answer: Time and room to react to a hazard. Open space on all sides means a sudden hazard can be met with a steering or braking option instead of a collision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — space cushion
More West Virginia topics
Other West 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 West Virginia rules
Statutes and handbooks change. West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for West Virginia safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit West Virginia Division of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About West Virginia safe driving rules and this practice set.