Virginia Road Signs Test

4.5 out of 5 (2431 votes)
80% Passing score
10 Questions
2 Mistakes allowed
This Virginia permit practice test is built around what the real DMV knowledge exam actually requires. Before you get to the broader driving-law questions, Virginia starts with road signs, and that first section is strict: 10 sign questions, 10 correct answers required. Only after that do you move into the 30-question general knowledge section, where you need at least 24 correct answers to pass. That structure changes how you should study. It is not enough to sort of recognize a stop sign or remember that yellow usually means warning. You need to know signs by shape, color, symbol, and meaning, and you need to do it without talking yourself into the wrong answer. Some signs are obvious. Others are familiar in that irritating way where you have seen them a hundred times but never had to name exactly what they mean. And then, because this is driving and not a flashcard game, those signs connect to real choices on the road: slowing in work zones, watching for school crossings, reading lane-control signs, handling curves, yielding correctly, and knowing what a pavement marking is telling you before traffic makes the decision for you. The questions in this VA DMV practice test are based on the Virginia Driver’s Manual, the same source used for the official permit test. Along with road signs, the manual covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, signals, pavement markings, impaired-driving rules, sharing the road, and driver responsibility. That is a lot of material, yes, and some of it feels repetitive when you study it in one sitting. Still, repetition is part of how the rules start to stick in a useful way instead of floating around as half-remembered facts. Virginia allows teens to apply for a learner’s permit at 15 years and 6 months, once they have the required documents, fees, vision screening, knowledge exam, and usually parent or guardian consent. Adult first-time drivers have a different path, but they still need to clear the knowledge test and meet Virginia’s permit or driver education requirements before the road skills test. Use this Virginia permit practice test to check what you can answer cleanly. Not what looks familiar after a quick glance, not what you almost remember, but what you can get right when the answer has to count.
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Sample Virginia Permit Test Questions

Question 1

When a steady yellow signal appears as you approach an intersection, what should you do?

  1. A. Accelerate through the intersection
  2. B. Continue at the same speed without checking traffic
  3. C. Stop before entering if it is safe; otherwise continue cautiously
  4. D. Stop immediately, even if abrupt braking would be unsafe

Correct answer: C. – Stop before entering if it is safe; otherwise continue cautiously

In Virginia, a steady yellow signal warns that the traffic signal is about to change. If you have not entered the intersection, stop when it is reasonably safe to do so. If stopping would be unsafe, continue through cautiously; if already in the intersection, clear it carefully. Do not accelerate to beat the signal.

Source: Va. Code § 46.2-833(A) – Traffic lights; penalty, Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Yellow light or arrow”

Question 2

Which pavement-marking color separates traffic moving in opposite directions?

  1. A. White
  2. B. Red
  3. C. Black
  4. D. Yellow

Correct answer: D. – Yellow

Yellow centerlines identify a roadway carrying traffic in opposite directions. The lines may be broken, solid, or used in combinations that also control passing. White lines generally divide lanes moving in the same direction and mark such features as stop lines, crosswalks, parking spaces, and the right edge of the pavement.

Source: Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Pavement Markings”

Question 3

In a Virginia work zone marked by orange signs and cones, what should you anticipate?

  1. A. Normal lane patterns with no workers present
  2. B. Workers, equipment, or changes in the traffic pattern
  3. C. An automatic requirement to move into the left lane
  4. D. A need to accelerate before traffic slows

Correct answer: B. – Workers, equipment, or changes in the traffic pattern

Orange-and-black signs warn drivers about construction areas, where traffic patterns or routes may change. Workers, flaggers, construction vehicles, barriers, drums, and cones may be present. Slow down as directed, remain alert, obey flaggers and posted limits, and follow the path established by the traffic-control devices.

Source: Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Sign Colors”, Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Road Construction Ahead – Detour”, Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Traffic Control Devices”

Question 4

A stop line is present, but your view of cross traffic is obstructed. What must you do before entering the intersection?

  1. A. Wait five seconds and then enter
  2. B. Enter after stopping, even if cross traffic cannot be checked
  3. C. Sound the horn and continue
  4. D. Stop at the line, then proceed only after checking and yielding as required

Correct answer: D. – Stop at the line, then proceed only after checking and yielding as required

Virginia requires the initial stop at the clearly marked stop line. After stopping, you must yield to vehicles approaching on the intersecting highway and should check the intersection for pedestrians and traffic before entering. Limited visibility does not permit you to skip the stop line or proceed without determining that the way is clear.

Source: Va. Code § 46.2-821 – Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way, Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Octagon (Stop)”, Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 3, “Searching”

Question 5

Your signal turns green while vehicles are still lawfully within the intersection. What should you do?

  1. A. Wait and yield until they have cleared your path
  2. B. Enter and steer around them
  3. C. Enter the intersection and wait there
  4. D. Honk and proceed immediately

Correct answer: A. – Wait and yield until they have cleared your path

Under Virginia law, traffic facing green must yield to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection. The driver’s manual also states that you may proceed on green only when the way is clear. Wait outside the intersection until the vehicles have cleared your path rather than entering and creating an obstruction or conflict.

Source: Va. Code § 46.2-833(A) – Traffic lights; penalty, Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Green light or arrow”

Question 6

A yellow diamond warning sign shows two separated roadways joining as the median ends. Which sign is this?

  1. A. Lane Ends
  2. B. Divided Highway Ends
  3. C. Two-Way Traffic
  4. D. Turn Left or Right

Correct answer: B. – Divided Highway Ends

The Divided Highway Ends sign warns that the median or divider separating the roadways will end. Beyond the transition, traffic will travel in both directions without the previous separation. Keep to the right and be prepared for opposing traffic on the roadway ahead.

Source: Virginia Driver’s Manual — Section 2, “Divided Highway Ends”

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