Is Parallel Parking on the VA Driving Test? What to Expect and How to Prepare

Finding out if you need to parallel park on your Virginia driving test can be a real headache. So let’s cut through the confusion: as of 2025, the VA DMV does not require parallel parking on the standard road test. Lots of folks hear stories from older drivers or see videos online, but the official checklist has changed a bit in recent years.

The VA test focuses on stuff you’ll use every day, like backing up in a straight line, turning safely, and proper stopping at signs and lights. You’re usually asked to pull over to the curb and park, but no one’s making you squeeze between two tight cars.

Still, don’t brush off parking altogether. The examiner will watch how you control the car, signal, and keep an eye on your surroundings when pulling over. Ugly parking? That can still cost points, especially if you hit the curb or forget your turn signal. If you can nail basic parking, you’ll walk out with a lot less anxiety.

• What’s Actually on the VA Driving Test?
• Does Parallel Parking Really Count?
• Booking Your Test—The Nitty-Gritty
• Top Tips to Pass (with Less Stress)

What’s Actually on the VA Driving Test?

So, what’s actually standing between you and that shiny Virginia license? The VA driving test checks your real-world skills, not just your ability to memorize a manual. The DMV wants to see that you can handle the basics—think of it as a mix of everyday driving situations and common sense safety.

Here's what the examiner will have you do during the test:

• Backing Up in a Straight Line: You'll be asked to reverse while keeping your wheels straight and looking over your shoulder, not using the camera or mirrors alone.
• Three-Point Turn (or Turnabout): You have to show you can turn the car around in a small space using careful steering and checking for traffic.
• Stopping at Signs and Lights: Red lights and stop signs are a big deal. Stopping completely and checking both ways is a must.
• Turning, Lane Changes, and Merging: The test checks your signaling, smooth steering, and ability to safely join other traffic without going too slow or cutting people off.
• Pulling Over and Parking at the Curb: They're watching for good control, signaling as you pull to the side, and making sure you don’t hit the curb.
• General Awareness: The examiner wants to see you scanning for hazards—kids, cyclists, people opening car doors. Don’t get tunnel vision.

Some locations might toss in extra tasks if they have time or if the route is less busy, but parallel parking is not a regular part of the Virginia DMV driving test. (If you're exchanging an out-of-state license, sometimes you get a shorter version, so it’s even more basic.)

What are the most common mistakes? Folks usually lose points for rolling stops, forgetting turn signals, driving too slow or too fast, and stopping over crosswalks. According to the DMV’s 2024 stats, the most failed part was missing to check all directions at stop signs—less than 10 seconds can make or break your test.

Bottom line—focus on clean, confident basics. The examiner cares more about your control and awareness than fancy parking tricks. Get the everyday stuff down, and you’ll be in the clear.

Does Parallel Parking Really Count?

This is one of the questions almost every new driver asks. Good news if you’re stressing: parallel parking is not required on the VA driving test as of early 2025. You won’t have to slide your car between two cars with your examiner counting down seconds under pressure. The Virginia DMV changed their test a while back, and now there’s no part of the exam where you must perform a textbook parallel park.

But before you ditch the skill completely, it still matters for regular city driving and could show up on tests in other states. The VA test right now focuses more on these parking situations:

• Pulling over and parking next to a curb (just one car, wide open space)
• Three-point turn or "K-turn" maneuvering
• Backing up in a straight line

If you look up the official Virginia DMV test guide, it makes no mention of parallel parking. Instead, you’ll see parking maneuvers like angle and curb parking. Only in rare cases—like a private third-party examiner or if you’re testing in a really urban area—might you be asked to show parallel parking, but it's not standard.

People sometimes mix up stories from years ago or from other states where parallel parking is a big deal (New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, for example). Virginia phased it out to keep the test fair for people who don’t usually drive downtown.

Here's a quick look at what’s officially tested on the Virginia road test as of 2025:

If you want a real edge, practice all types of parking anyway. You never know when you’ll have to parallel park in real life, especially in busy towns or cities. For the Virginia DMV though, you can relax about parallel parking—at least for your test day.

Booking Your Test—The Nitty-Gritty

Getting your spot for the VA driving test isn’t as tough as it sounds, but you don’t want to get tripped up by little details. Virginia DMV asks you to book your road test online if you can, although some locations accept walk-ins depending on how busy they are. The online system opens spots about 90 days in advance, and yes, the popular times (like weekends or after school) go quick.

Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:

• Your learner’s permit (must be at least 60 days old if you’re under 18)
• Proof you finished your required number of practice hours—45 hours if you’re under 18, including 15 hours at night
• The actual car you’ll use for the test, with valid registration and insurance

Miss one thing? DMV can send you home. It’s that strict. I heard from a reader last month who forgot their insurance card and got bumped to the next available test—two weeks later. Don’t let that be you.

Rescheduling? You’re allowed, but there’s a catch—if you cancel less than a day ahead, you lose your spot and have to rebook from scratch. The DMV website says,

“If you do not show up for your road skills test within 10 minutes of your appointment time, your appointment will be cancelled and you will need to reschedule.”

Moral of the story: set a calendar reminder and check all your paperwork. Showing up ready means less stress and one less thing to worry about when you finally sit for your test.

Top Tips to Pass (with Less Stress)

Getting your license in Virginia means more than memorizing the rules—you’ve got to show you can drive safely and confidently. The VA driving test isn’t trying to trick you, but it does expect you to handle pretty common situations behind the wheel. Here’s how to keep your nerves in check and boost your chances of acing the test:

• Practice your parking and backing skills. Even though parallel parking isn’t on the test anymore, you’ll need to show you can pull over smoothly, back up in a straight line, and keep the car under control. Examiners say students who nail these basics stand out.
• Know the common fails. According to the official Virginia DMV guidelines, the most common reasons people fail are rolling stops, not checking mirrors, and weak turning skills. Every time you drive, make a habit of scanning intersections, using signals, and stopping completely every single time.
• Plan your route. Before test day, drive the area near your DMV location if you can. This way, you won’t get surprised by weird intersections or tricky speed limits. Some families even scout for hidden stop signs or sharp curves before the test.
• Know your vehicle. Examiners spot drivers who fumble with seat positions, wipers, or lights. Get in the habit of adjusting your mirrors and buckling up right away. If you drive someone else’s car for the test, spend some practice time in it first.

Nerves are real, but most examiners just want you to drive at a safe speed and act like you do when you’re alone. Here’s what DMV Examiner Josh Smith told the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

“We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking to see if you’re a safe, predictable driver who follows the basic laws every time.”

If stats help settle your mind, check this out:

The main takeaway? Stick to the basics, take your time, and don’t overthink it. Show you know how to handle the car, and you’ll be on your way to holding that Virginia license in your hand.