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Virginia

Looking for a DMV Practice Test to help learn all those rules in the Virginia driver’s manual? Our practice tests make learning easier and more fun. We have DMV Practice Tests for Learn's Permits and drivers licenses, Pick what you need below. 

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Virginia DMV Test Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Virginia License
  • Preparing For Your VA Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your VA Permit Test
  • Renewing Your VA License
  • Taking Your VA Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your VA Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Virginia or Just Visiting?
When should my teen get car insurance?

Your teen should be insured once they're licensed and begin driving on their own (i.e., without another supervising licensed driver). Teens with learner's permits don't yet require insurance while they're driving under the supervision of a licensed adult.

If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

If you have a Virginia learner's permit:

  • You must have a supervising licensed driver at least 21 years old seated next to you, or a driver at least 18 years old if that person is an immediate family member or legal guardian.
  • You may not drive between midnight and 4 AM.
  • You may only carry one passenger under 18 years old.

If you have a juvenile driver's license:

  • You may not drive between midnight and 4 AM unless you are driving to/from school or work, or due to a medical or safety emergency.
  • For the first year, you may only drive unaccompanied with one passenger under the age of 21 who is NOT an immediate family member; otherwise, a supervising driver at least 21 years old must accompany you sitting in the front seat.
  • After the first year, you may drive unaccompanied with up to three passengers who are NOT immediate family members, but ONLY if you are traveling to/from school or because of an emergency;  otherwise, a supervising driver at least 21 years old must accompany you sitting in the front seat.

What happens after I pass my VA road test?

Once you pass your road test, you'll have your photo taken and receive either your official driver's license or a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

You may drive only when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat at all times.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No, your photo will be taken at the licensing office where you apply.

Once I get my VA permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

Teen Learners Permit

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
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Drivers License Renewal

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

New to State Drivers

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

Motorcycle Permit

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
Motorcycle Permit Practice Packages
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Number of Questions in Pool
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State Specific Questions
$9.95
unlimited
50
$14.95
unlimited
100
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1
15

Commercial License

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
CDL Package Price
CDL Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
State Specific Questions
$9.95
unlimited
50
$14.95
unlimited
100
No Cost
1
20

How To Get A Virginia Driver’s License

Learning to drive is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires potential drivers to demonstrate knowledge and skills behind the wheel before allowing them the privilege of driving with no restrictions. This is required for all new drivers, as well as those moving to Virginia whose licenses have expired before arrival.

The requirements to obtain a VA driver’s license will vary slightly based on whether you are a minor or adult, as well as whether you’re applying for a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license.

Learner’s Permits for Virginia Drivers

Before applying for your first Virginia driver’s license, all applicants—regardless of age—must first obtain a learner’s permit. You may apply for a VA learner’s permit when you are at least 15 years and 6 months old.

When you apply for your VA learner’s permit, you’ll also apply for your eventual driver’s license at the same time. This means you’ll only pay the fees for your combined permit/license once.

Generally, to earn your permit you will need to schedule an appointment and:

  • Submit a completed Driver's License and Identification Card Application (form DL 1P).
    • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
  • Provide proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Virginia residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The VA DMV provides lists of acceptable documents for REAL IDs and non-compliant licenses, as well as an interactive document guide to help you determine which license you’re eligible for.
  • Pass the knowledge exam and a vision test.
  • Pay the following fees:
    • Driver’s license: $20-32 ($4/year of validity)
    • Learner’s permit: Additional $3
    • REAL ID (if desired): Additional $10

With your Virginia permit, you may drive only while adhering to the following restrictions:

  • You must have a supervising licensed driver at least 21 years old seated next to you, or a driver at least 18 years old if that person is an immediate family member or legal guardian.
  • You may not drive between midnight and 4 AM.
  • You may only carry one passenger under 18 years old.

If you’re 18 years old or older, you must hold your permit for at least 60 days before taking the road test and applying for your unrestricted license—skip ahead to the section for adult unrestricted license below for details.

If you’re under 18 years old, you must hold your permit for at least 9 months before you can move on to earning an intermediate license, called a juvenile driver’s license in Virginia.

Virginia Juvenile Driver’s Licenses for Minors

For drivers under 18 years old, the first Virginia license you’ll receive (after your permit) is an intermediate license called a juvenile driver’s license. Before applying for this provisional driver’s license, you must first have:

  • Be at least 16 years and 3 months old.
  • Held your learner’s permit for at least 9 months with no moving violations.
  • Completed a state-approved driver education course consisting of:
    • 36 hours of classroom learning.
    • 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
    • 7 hours of driving observation.
  • Completed your required practice driving hours—45 total, with 15 hours driven at night.

In Virginia, you’ll take your road test as part of your driver education course. Once you pass your Driver’s Ed program, your instructor will notify the court, and you’ll receive a notice telling you when and where to appear for a juvenile licensing ceremony.

At your ceremony, you’ll need to bring your:

  • Parent/guardian.
  • Learner’s permit.
  • Driver education completion certificate.
  • Certification from your parents of your 45 behind-the-wheel practice hours.

Your Junior Driver’s License will be restricted for 1 year. During this time, you may only drive under the following rules:

  • You may not drive between midnight and 4 AM unless you are driving to/from school or work, or due to a medical or safety emergency.
  • For the first year, you may only drive unaccompanied with one passenger under the age of 21 who is NOT an immediate family member; otherwise, a supervising driver at least 21 years old must accompany you sitting in the front seat.
  • After the first year, you may drive unaccompanied with up to three passengers who are NOT immediate family members, but ONLY if you are traveling to/from school or because of an emergency;  otherwise, a supervising driver at least 21 years old must accompany you sitting in the front seat.

These restrictions will end once you turn 18 years old, after which you will be considered a fully licensed driver.

Unrestricted Driver’s Licenses for Adult VA Drivers

For first-time drivers at least 18 years old, the next step after acquiring your Virginia learner’s permit is taking your road test and applying for your unrestricted driver’s license. First, you must either:

  • Hold your VA learner’s permit for at least 60 days AND complete a Behind-the-Wheel Checklist (form CSMA 19); or
  • Complete a state-approved driver education course. This waives the option to hold your permit for at least 60 days, though the Driver’s Ed course may take that long if not longer.

If you opt for a full driver education program, review the information above for the Juvenile Driver’s License; the steps are largely the same for adult drivers, including taking the road test as part of your course and receiving a license ceremony date.

If you opt to hold your permit and complete the checklist, your next step is to pass the Virginia DMV road test. You’ll need to bring your own vehicle to test in, along with its registration and insurance. Schedule an appointment and provide:

Once you pass your driving exam, you’ll be a fully licensed Virginia driver.

Driver’s License Requirements for New Virginia Residents

If you hold an out-of-state license and move to Virginia, you must apply for your VA driver’s license within 60 days of establishing residency in the state. If your current license is expired, you may be required to take the Virginia written knowledge exam and road test in order to obtain your new license, as well as hold a learner’s permit.

To transfer your valid/unexpired license to Virginia, make an appointment your local driver license station and:

  • Hand in your out-of-state license.
  • Pass a vision test.
    • If your out-of-state license is still valid, you won’t have to take a written test or road skills exam.
  • Submit your:
    • Completed Driver's License and Identification Card Application (form DL 1P).
      • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
    • Proof of your:
      • Identity.
      • Citizenship or authorized presence.
      • Social Security number.
      • Virginia residency.
        • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The VA DMV provides lists of acceptable documents for REAL IDs and non-compliant licenses, as well as an interactive document guide to help you determine which license you’re eligible for.
  • Pay the applicable license fee:
    • Driver’s license: $20-32 ($4/year of validity)
    • Learner’s permit: Additional $3
    • REAL ID: Additional $10

Virginia DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

To apply for a Virginia motorcycle endorsement, you must first have a valid VA driver’s license. The process mimics that of applying for a standard license—you’ll first need to pass a written exam and hold a motorcycle learner’s permit before scheduling a motorcycle road test. However, you can potentially waive both the DMV knowledge and skills tests if you complete a state-approved motorcycle rider training program.

Virginia Rider Training Program

New VA motorcycle applicants have the option to complete a Rider Training Program approved by the Virginia DMV. This course gives you the practice and mastery you need to successfully pass your motorcycle skills test.

The program includes a written knowledge test and on-cycle skills exam. If you successfully pass both, you’ll be able to apply for your Montana motorcycle license without needing to take the knowledge or skills exams through the MVD.

Once you pass your course, head to your local DMV office with:

  • Your VA driver’s license.
  • Your Rider Training Program certificate of completion.
  • A completed Driver's License and Identification Card Application (form DL 1P).
    • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
  • Payment for the motorcycle endorsement fee, which is $2/year for each year of validity on your driver’s license.

Applying for a VA Motorcycle Permit and Endorsement

If you are not taking a Rider Training Program, you can instead opt for a motorcycle learner’s permit to practice riding before your road test. To obtain your permit, you must visit the DMV with:

You must hold your permit for a specific length of time depending on your age:

  • 18 years old and older: 30 days
  • Under 18 years old: 9 months

Once you’ve held your permit for the required length of time, head back to your DMV office for your on-cycle road skills exam and another vision screening. You’ll need to provide a road-safe motorcycle to test on, along with its registration and insurance.

Virginia CDL Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old. To drive across state lines or to carry hazardous materials you must be at least 21 years old.

Regardless of age, to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must first:

  1. Have a valid Virginia driver’s license.
  2. Either:
    1. Complete an approved Virginia CDL training course and hold your CLP for at least 14 days; or
    2. Forgo the training course and hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 30 days.

Getting Your VA Commercial Learner’s Permit

To get your CLP, visit the DMV office with:

At your appointment, you’ll take the written knowledge test and a vision exam before receiving your commercial learner permit.

Your CLP will be valid for 1 year, during which time you can practice for your commercial driver’s license road test. You can only drive when accompanied by another CDL holder in the front seat next to you who has their own CDL of the appropriate class and proper endorsements for the vehicle you’re practicing in.

Applying for a VA Commercial Driver’s License

After practicing with your CLP and holding it for the required period (either 14 or 30 days), you are eligible to apply for your full Virginia commercial driver’s license. Schedule a skills test with a qualifying branch that administers commercial road tests and bring:

  • Your CLP and Virginia driver’s license.
  • A vehicle representative of the class and type you’ll be driving, which meets all safety standards, plus its registration and insurance.
  • Your required medical cards, if applicable.

You may also need the proofs of identity you provided when you applied for your CLP. If you didn’t already pay the full cost of your license and testing fees at that time, the remainder will be due after you pass your skills exam. There’s a $50 fee if you miss your skills test appointment, so don’t be late!

Virginia DMV Handbooks

Virginia CDL Handbook

Virginia CDL Handbook

Virginia CDL Handbook
Virginia Driver's License Handbook

Virginia Driver's License Handbook

Virginia Driver's License Handbook
Virginia Motorcycle Handbook

Virginia Motorcycle Handbook

Virginia Motorcycle Handbook