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Virginia permit test: backing and parking

Backing up, parking and parking lights. 9 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

Study this topic as flashcards

Rules to remember5 key backing and parking rulesShow the rules
  1. The most common backing mistake is failing to look both ways behind you. (p. 24, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  2. Pull close to the curb; you may not park more than one foot from it. (p. 24, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  3. You may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. (p. 24, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  4. Parking uphill with a curb, turn your front wheels left. (p. 24, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  5. Without a curb, turn the wheels so that if the car rolls, the rear rolls away from traffic. (p. 24, 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.

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Sample backing and parking questions

  1. 1.What is the most common mistake drivers make when backing up?

    • ATurning the body to look back
    • BBacking up too slowly
    • CNot looking both ways behind
    • DLooking through the rear window
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Not looking both ways behind

    The most common backing mistake is failing to look both ways behind you. Mirrors don't give a full view, so turn your body and head and look out the rear window.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 24

  2. 2.You park downhill on a road with no curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • ARight
    • BToward the center line
    • CStraight
    • DLeft
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Right

    Without a curb, turn the wheels so that if the car rolls, the rear rolls away from traffic. The manual shows the wheels turned right for both uphill and downhill.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 24

  3. 3.How close to a railroad crossing may you park?

    • ANo closer than 15 feet
    • BNo closer than 20 feet
    • CNo closer than 500 feet
    • DNo closer than 50 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. No closer than 50 feet

    You may not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 24

  4. 4.How close to an intersection may you park?

    • ANo closer than 10 feet
    • BNo closer than 15 feet
    • CNo closer than 50 feet
    • DNo closer than 20 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. No closer than 20 feet

    You may not park within 20 feet of an intersection.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 24