Virginia's permit test has 35 questions, and you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) written permit test contains 35 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four possible answers. To pass, you need a score of 80 percent or higher, which means getting at least 28 questions right. You have up to one hour to complete the test, though most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.

The test covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergency situations. The questions come from the Virginia DMV Driver's Manual, which is the official source document for all permit test content. Every question on the test appears in that manual or directly reflects information within it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Virginia permit test has 35 questions, and you need to answer at least 28 correctly to pass with an 80 percent score.
  • All questions are multiple-choice with four answer options each, and you have up to one hour to finish.
  • The test covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, safe driving rules, and emergency procedures from the official DMV Driver's Manual.
  • You can retake the test the same day if you fail, though you must wait at least one hour between attempts.

What the test covers and where questions come from

Every question on Virginia's permit test draws directly from the Virginia DMV Driver's Manual. The manual is organized into chapters covering traffic signs and signals, right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, impaired driving laws, and what to do if you are in an accident. The test samples questions across all these topics rather than focusing heavily on one area.

You will see questions about recognizing specific road signs and what they mean, understanding when you have the right of way at intersections, knowing the speed limit rules in residential areas and school zones, and identifying safe driving practices. You will also encounter questions about Virginia's specific laws — for example, the state's open container law, mandatory seat belt requirements, and the consequences of driving with a suspended license.

The DMV does not publish the exact breakdown of how many questions cover each topic, so you cannot predict whether you will see three questions about signs or five. This is why studying the entire manual rather than guessing which sections matter most is the standard approach.

How the test is scored and what happens if you fail

The test is scored when ready after you finish. The DMV staff member will tell you your score and whether you passed before you leave the testing area. If you score 80 percent or higher, you pass and can move forward to the behind-the-wheel driving test. If you score below 80 percent, you do not pass.

If you fail, you can retake the test the same day, but you must wait at least one hour between attempts. You will pay the test fee again — currently $10 for the written permit test in Virginia, though fees can change. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, so you can keep trying until you pass.

Many people who fail the first time pass on the second attempt after reviewing the manual again or studying the topics they found confusing. The DMV does not tell you which specific questions you missed, only your overall score, so reviewing the entire manual is more effective than trying to guess which areas need work.

Test format and time limits

The test is administered on a computer at your local DMV office. You read each question on the screen, select one of four answers, and move to the next question. You cannot go back to change an answer once you move forward, so you need to read carefully before selecting.

You have up to 60 minutes to complete all 35 questions. In practice, most test-takers finish in 20 to 30 minutes. The time limit is generous enough that rushing is not necessary — you can read each question carefully and think through your answer without pressure.

The test is offered in English only in Virginia. If you need the test in another language, you will need to contact your local DMV office to ask about available options, as accommodations vary by location.

How to prepare for the 35-question test

The Virginia DMV Driver's Manual is available free online at the DMV website and in print at any DMV office. Reading through the entire manual once gives you a foundation for most of the questions. Many people then focus on the sections they found hardest — perhaps road signs, right-of-way rules, or Virginia-specific laws.

Practice tests are another common preparation method. These are tests with questions in the same format and style as the real test, drawn from the same manual. Taking a practice test helps you get used to the multiple-choice format and shows you which topics you need to review more. Practice tests are available through the DMV website, through third-party websites, and through some driving schools.

A realistic study timeline is one to two weeks of regular review if you are new to driving, or a few days if you already have some driving experience. There is no penalty for taking longer to prepare — you can study for a month if you want. The goal is to know the material well enough that you can answer 28 out of 35 questions correctly.

Retesting and moving forward after you pass

Once you pass the written permit test, you receive a learner's permit. This permit allows you to drive with a licensed adult (usually at least 21 years old) in the car with you. The learner's permit is valid for one year in Virginia.

After you have held your learner's permit for a certain period and practiced driving, you can schedule the behind-the-wheel driving test. That test is separate from the written test and involves an examiner riding with you while you drive. Passing the written test does not mean you automatically pass the driving test — they measure different skills.

If your learner's permit expires before you take the driving test, you will need to retake the written permit test to get a new permit. This is rare if you move forward with scheduling the driving test within a few months, but it is something to keep in mind if you plan a long gap between the two tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the permit test online from home in Virginia?

No. Virginia requires you to take the written permit test in person at a DMV office. You cannot take it online or by mail. You must visit your local DMV, bring required documents (typically a birth certificate, proof of residency, and a Social Security number or ITIN), and take the test on a computer at the office.

What happens if I get a question wrong — do I find out which one?

No. The DMV tells you your overall score and whether you passed, but does not tell you which specific questions you answered incorrectly. This is why reviewing the entire manual is more useful than trying to guess which topics were on your test.

Is the permit test the same every time, or are the questions different?

The questions are different each time. The DMV has a large pool of questions, and each test draws a different sample of 35 questions from that pool. All questions come from the same manual, so studying the manual prepares you for any version of the test.

Do I need to pass the written test before I can schedule the driving test?

Yes. You must pass the written permit test first. Once you pass and receive your learner's permit, you can then schedule the behind-the-wheel driving test. You cannot take the driving test without a valid learner's permit.

What if I fail the test twice — can I still retake it?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the written permit test in Virginia. You can retake it the same day (after waiting one hour) or come back another day. Each attempt costs the test fee again, and you have one hour to answer the 35 questions each time.