Virginia permit test: hazards, crashes and traffic stops
Night driving, rain, snow, over-correcting, crashes, deer and large animals, and traffic stops. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key hazards, crashes and traffic stops rulesShow the rules
- Ponded water can cause your vehicle to hydroplane or otherwise lose control, so use caution and avoid it if possible. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Watch for ice on bridges and in shady areas; bridges freeze before other road surfaces. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- During the first half-hour of rain, oil on the road mixes with water and makes it more slippery. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Use low beams whenever you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Use high beams on highways unless another vehicle coming toward you is within 500 feet. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Fog reflects light back at you. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Reducing your speed should be your first response to poor visibility and dangerous road conditions. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- You must use headlights from sunset to sunrise; turn them on as soon as light begins to fade. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers must move vehicles from the road immediately if they can be moved, no one is injured and the driver can do it safely. (p. 27, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
- Officers must forward a written report to DMV when a crash causes injury or death, or total property damage over $3,000. (p. 27, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample hazards, crashes and traffic stops questions
1.Your right wheels drift off the pavement on a straight road. What should you do?
- ABrake hard right away
- BSlow down gradually and steer back
- CSpeed up to climb back on
- DJerk the wheel back quickly
Show the answer
✓ B. Slow down gradually and steer back
If you veer off the road, don't panic: gradually reduce speed, look where you want to go and slowly steer back onto the road. Jerking the wheel can cause over-correcting.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 20
2.What happens when a driver over-corrects?
- AThe brakes start to overheat
- BThe engine stalls suddenly
- CThe front wheels lock up
- DThe rear slides to the turn's outside
Show the answer
✓ D. The rear slides to the turn's outside
Over-correcting means turning the wheel more sharply than expected, so the rear wheels slide toward the outside of the turn and the driver may lose control.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 20
3.A deer suddenly jumps in front of you and a crash cannot be avoided. What should you do?
- ASpeed up to push past it
- BSwerve onto the shoulder
- CBrake firmly and stay in your lane
- DSwerve hard to miss it
Show the answer
✓ C. Brake firmly and stay in your lane
If hitting a deer is unavoidable, don't swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane and come to a controlled stop.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 27
4.Which headlights should you use in heavy fog?
- AHigh beams
- BParking lights only
- CNo lights
- DLow beams
Show the answer
✓ D. Low beams
Fog reflects light back at you. Use low-beam headlights in heavy fog and follow the road edge markings.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 25