Virginia Permit Test Calculator
Test Your Readiness
Calculate if your practice scores meet Virginia's minimum requirements for a learner's permit.
Getting your first driver’s permit in Virginia isn’t just about showing up at the DMV with a form and a check. There are three specific tests you must pass - and skipping even one means you won’t get behind the wheel legally. If you’re 15 and a half, or a parent helping your teen navigate the process, this is what actually happens on the day you apply.
1. Knowledge Test (Written Driver’s Exam)
This isn’t a trick test. It’s a straight-up quiz based on the Virginia Driver’s Manual. You’ll answer 25 multiple-choice questions. You need to get at least 20 right - that’s 80%. The questions cover road signs, traffic laws, speed limits, school zones, and what to do when a school bus stops. No guessing allowed.
Most people fail because they skip studying the official manual. Don’t rely on random apps or YouTube videos. The DMV’s free online manual is your only real source. It’s updated every year, and the test pulls directly from it. If you’ve never seen a diamond-shaped warning sign or didn’t know you must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk - you’re at risk.
Pro tip: The test is computer-based and available at any DMV office. You can take it without an appointment, but wait times vary. Go early on a weekday. Bring your Social Security card, proof of identity, and proof of Virginia residency. If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application.
2. Vision Screening Test
Before you even touch a keyboard for the written test, you’ll sit down for a quick vision check. This isn’t about perfect 20/20 vision - but you must meet Virginia’s minimum standard. You need to be able to read letters on a chart from 20 feet away with at least 20/40 vision in one eye, or 20/50 with both eyes together.
If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. The DMV won’t give you a permit if you can’t see clearly without corrective lenses. Some people think this is just a formality - it’s not. Vision is the #1 safety factor for new drivers. If your vision is below the standard, you’ll be referred to an eye doctor. No exceptions.
You don’t need a doctor’s note unless you’re applying for a restricted license due to vision impairment. Otherwise, just show up with your glasses on. If you’ve had blurry vision lately, don’t risk it. Get your eyes checked before the DMV visit.
3. Road Signs Recognition Test
This one catches a lot of people off guard. It’s not part of the written exam. It’s a separate, standalone test where you’ll be shown 10 to 15 road signs - and you’ll have to name them correctly. No multiple choice. You say it out loud. The officer will point to a stop sign, a yield sign, a school zone sign, a railroad crossing sign, a pedestrian crossing sign, and more.
You need to identify at least 8 out of 10 correctly. That’s 80%. If you say “warning sign” instead of “school crossing,” you get it wrong. If you call a “no passing zone” sign a “slow zone,” you fail that part.
Most teens study the written test but ignore the signs. That’s a mistake. The signs test is quick - takes under 5 minutes - but it’s the most common reason people leave the DMV without a permit. The best way to prepare? Print out the sign images from the Virginia DMV website and quiz yourself daily. Flashcards work. So do apps like DMV Genie that simulate the exact test.
What Happens After You Pass All Three?
Once you pass all three tests, you’ll get your learner’s permit. It’s a paper document you carry with you. You can drive - but only with a licensed adult who’s at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat. No friends in the car. No phone use. No driving between midnight and 4 a.m. unless it’s for work or school.
Your permit is valid for 9 months. During that time, you must complete a state-approved driver’s education course (if you’re under 19) and log at least 45 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night. You can’t skip this step. You’ll need to bring a signed logbook to your road test later.
And yes - you have to wait until you’re 16 years and 3 months old before you can take your road test for a provisional license. So don’t rush. Use this time to build real experience.
Common Mistakes That Cause People to Fail
- Not bringing the right documents - no birth certificate, no proof of address, no parent signature
- Trying to wing the signs test without practicing
- Forgetting glasses or contacts
- Thinking the written test is easy because it’s multiple choice - it’s not
- Showing up late, without an appointment, and waiting 2+ hours only to be turned away because the office is full
The DMV doesn’t give second chances on the same day. If you fail one part, you have to wait at least 15 days to retake it. That means another trip. Another fee. Another day off school or work.
How to Prepare Without Spending a Dime
You don’t need to pay for a prep course. The Virginia DMV offers everything for free:
- Download the Virginia Driver’s Manual (PDF or online)
- Use the free practice tests on the DMV website - they mirror the real exam
- Print the official road signs PDF and quiz yourself with a friend
- Watch the DMV’s YouTube videos on permit testing
Many teens spend $50 on apps or tutors. That’s unnecessary. If you study the official materials for just 15 minutes a day for two weeks, you’ll pass all three tests on your first try.
What If You’re Over 18?
If you’re 18 or older, the rules are the same - you still need to pass all three tests. But you don’t need a parent’s signature, and you don’t need to complete driver’s ed. You can skip the 45-hour logbook. However, you still have to hold your learner’s permit for at least 60 days before you can take the road test.
Don’t assume you’ll breeze through because you’re an adult. Many adults fail the signs test because they haven’t seen a “yield” sign in years. Or they forget what a “merging traffic” sign looks like. Treat it like a new skill - because it is.
Final Checklist Before Your DMV Visit
- ✅ Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, or state ID)
- ✅ Social Security card
- ✅ Two proofs of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
- ✅ Parent/guardian signature if under 18
- ✅ Glasses or contacts if needed
- ✅ Completed application form (downloaded or filled out at the DMV)
- ✅ $3 fee for the learner’s permit
Bring a snack. Bring water. Bring patience. DMVs are busy. But if you’re prepared, you’ll walk out with your permit - and your first real step toward independence.
Can I take the Virginia permit test online?
No. The knowledge test, vision screening, and road signs test must all be taken in person at a Virginia DMV office. There are no online options for first-time permit applicants. Some third-party sites claim to offer online tests - they’re just practice tools. The real test requires ID verification and live supervision.
How many times can I retake the permit test if I fail?
You can retake each test up to three times within 90 days. After three failures, you must wait 90 days before trying again. Each retake costs $3. If you fail the vision test three times, you’ll need a doctor’s note confirming your vision meets standards.
Do I need a learner’s permit before I can take driving lessons?
Yes. You must have your learner’s permit before you can legally practice driving with a licensed instructor or parent. Some driving schools will let you start classroom instruction without a permit, but behind-the-wheel training requires the permit first.
Can I drive to school with my Virginia learner’s permit?
Yes - but only if a licensed adult who is at least 21 is sitting in the front seat next to you. You cannot drive alone, even to school or work. The only exception is if you’re enrolled in a driver’s education program and your instructor is in the car.
What documents do I need if I’m an immigrant or non-citizen?
You need proof of legal presence in the U.S., such as a valid visa, I-94 form, or Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You also need your Social Security card or a letter from the SSA stating you’re ineligible. Bring your foreign passport and any official translation if documents aren’t in English.
Next Steps After Getting Your Permit
Now that you have your permit, don’t just wait. Start logging your driving hours. Pick a consistent time each week - weekends, after school, or evenings. Drive in different conditions: rain, night, highways, busy intersections. The more variety, the better prepared you’ll be for your road test.
Use this time to learn car control - not just rules. Practice smooth braking, mirror checks, blind spot scans, and signaling early. These are the things that make or break your road test. Your instructor or parent can help, but you have to do the work.
And when you’re ready - around 60 days after getting your permit - book your road test. Don’t wait until the last minute. DMV slots fill up fast, especially in spring and summer.
Getting your permit isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. And if you pass all three tests right now, you’re already ahead of half the people who try.