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

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) gives you 35 multiple-choice questions on the written test for a learner's permit. Each question has four possible answers. You must score at least 80 percent — which means 28 correct answers out of 35 — to pass and move forward with your permit.

The test covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergency situations. You take the test at your local DMV office on a computer, and you get your results when ready after you finish.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia's learner's permit test contains 35 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass.
  • The test covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices.
  • You take the test on a computer at your DMV office and receive your score before you leave.
  • If you do not pass, you can retake the test, but you must wait at least one day before your next attempt.
  • The Virginia DMV provides a free study guide online that covers all the topics on the test.

What topics the 35 questions cover

The questions are drawn from Virginia's traffic laws and safe driving rules. You will see questions about speed limits, stopping at red lights and stop signs, right-of-way in different situations, parking rules, and what to do when you see different road signs. The test also includes questions about driving under the influence, distracted driving, and how to handle emergencies like a tire blowout or brake failure.

Road signs make up a significant portion of the test. You need to know what each sign means — whether it is a warning sign (usually yellow), a regulatory sign (usually white or red), or an informational sign (usually green or blue). The test will show you a sign and ask what it means or what you should do when you see it.

Virginia-specific rules are tested heavily. This includes rules about seat belts, child safety seats, headlight use, and Virginia's laws about distracted driving and phone use while driving. The test also covers what to do at a traffic light that is broken or flashing red or yellow.

How the test is structured and timed

You sit at a computer terminal at the DMV and answer all 35 questions in one sitting. There is no time limit for the entire test, but you cannot leave and come back — you must complete it in one session. Most people finish between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on how quickly they read and think through each question.

The computer presents one question at a time. You can review your answers before you submit the test, so if you are unsure about a question, you can mark it and come back to it. Once you submit your final answers, the computer scores your test when ready and tells you whether you passed or failed.

What happens if you do not pass

If you score below 28 correct answers, you do not pass and do not receive a learner's permit on that day. Virginia allows you to retake the test, but you must wait at least one day before your next attempt. You can retake it as many times as you need to, but you will have to pay the test fee each time you go back to the DMV.

Between attempts, use the Virginia DMV study guide to review the topics you found difficult. Many people who fail the first time pass on the second or third attempt after studying the material more carefully.

Where to find study materials for the 35 questions

The Virginia DMV publishes a free study guide called the "Virginia Driver's Manual" on its website. This manual covers every topic that appears on the learner's permit test and is the official source for test content. You can read it online or read it as a PDF to study on your phone or computer.

The manual includes practice questions at the end of each section so you can test yourself before you go to the DMV. Some people print out the manual and study it at home; others use it on a screen. Either way, working through the manual before your test date significantly increases your chances of passing on your first attempt.

You can also find practice tests on the Virginia DMV website. These are not the exact questions you will see on test day, but they follow the same format and cover the same topics, so they give you a realistic sense of what to expect.

When you can take the test and what to bring

You can take the learner's permit test at any Virginia DMV office during regular business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during the day, and some have evening or Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but calling ahead to confirm wait times is a good idea, especially during busy times like after school or on weekends.

Bring a valid form of identification — a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card. You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number and proof of your Virginia address, such as a utility bill or lease. Bring your completed process form (DMV Form DL-44) if you have already filled it out, or you can fill it out at the DMV office.

How the learner's permit test fits into Virginia's licensing process

The 35-question written test is your first step toward a Virginia driver's license. Once you pass this test, you receive a learner's permit, which allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult in the car. You must hold the learner's permit for a certain amount of time and complete a certain number of supervised driving hours before you can take the road test.

The road test — where you actually drive with a DMV examiner — is separate from the written test and has different requirements. But you cannot schedule a road test until you have passed the written test and held your learner's permit for the required time period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retake the test the same day if I fail?

No. Virginia requires you to wait at least one day before you retake the learner's permit test. You can come back the next day or any day after that, but not the same day you failed.

Are the 35 questions always the same, or do they change?

The questions change each time the test is given. The DMV has a large pool of questions covering the same topics, so you will not see the exact same 35 questions twice. This is why studying the Virginia Driver's Manual is more useful than trying to memorize specific questions.

What if I do not speak English well?

Virginia DMV offers the learner's permit test in several languages besides English, including Spanish, French, German, and others. When you go to the DMV, let the staff know which language you need, and they will provide the test in that language.

Do I have to answer all 35 questions, or can I skip some?

You must answer all 35 questions before you can submit the test. You cannot leave a question blank and move on. If you are unsure about a question, make your best guess and mark it to review before you submit.

How long is my learner's permit good for after I pass the test?

Your learner's permit is valid for one year from the date you receive it. During that year, you must complete your supervised driving hours and pass the road test to get your full driver's license. If your permit expires before you pass the road test, you will need to retake the written test and get a new permit.