How many questions are on the Virginia permit test?

The Virginia knowledge test has 35 questions. You need 80% correct to pass — you can miss about 6.

How old do I have to be to get a learner permit in Virginia?

You can apply for a learner permit in Virginia at 15 years 6 months. The test is administered by the Virginia DMV.

What score do I need to pass the Virginia permit test?

Virginia requires 80% to pass the knowledge test. The Permit Test exam simulations use the same passing bar and question count.

Virginia Permit Test: Free Practice & 2026 Requirements

Virginia requires a perfect score on its 10-question sign section before the rules section even begins.

Questions

on the official exam

To pass

80%

miss up to ~6

Permit age

15 years 6 months

via Virginia DMV

Study the road signs

What's on the Virginia knowledge test

The exam draws from the official Virginia driver handbook. These are the core topics — The Permit Test covers every one with original practice questions and explanations:

Road Signs & MarkingsShapes, colors, and meanings of regulatory, warning, guide, and work-zone signs plus pavement markings.
Traffic Signals & LightsSteady and flashing lights, arrows, lane-control signals, and what to do when signals fail.
Right-of-Way RulesIntersections, four-way stops, roundabouts, emergency vehicles, and yielding rules.
Speed Limits & Following DistanceBasic speed law, posted limits, safe following distance, and adjusting speed to conditions.
Parking & StoppingCurb colors, hill parking, prohibited zones, and distances from hydrants, crosswalks, and tracks.
Alcohol, Drugs & the LawBAC limits, implied consent, zero-tolerance laws, and how impairment affects driving.
Safe Driving TechniquesDefensive driving, skid recovery, night and bad-weather driving, and emergency handling.
Sharing the RoadPedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, large trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles.

How to pass on your first try

Set your state to Virginia. Your exam simulations switch to 35 questions with a 80% passing bar — the real format.
Practice with explanations on. In practice mode, every answer teaches you the rule, the trap, and a memory trick.
Let the misses come back as flashcards. Spaced repetition resurfaces what you missed right before you'd forget it.
Pass two exam simulations in a row. When your dashboard's pass probability is 85%+, you're ready to book the real test.

Official sources

The Permit Test is a study aid, not a government service. Exam details (question count, passing score, permit age) change occasionally — always confirm with the Virginia DMV and the official Virginia driver handbook before your appointment.