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Virginia permit test: safe driver habits

Hand position, aggressive, distracted and drowsy driving, cell phone law, seat belts, air bags and child safety seats. 17 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
  1. Place your hands at the 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions and hold the wheel with your fingers and thumbs, not your palms. (p. 16, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  2. An aggressive driving conviction can bring a license suspension of ten days up to six months. (p. 25, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  3. To avoid drowsy driving, the manual advises avoiding driving from 10 p.m. (p. 26, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  4. Stop somewhere safe and nap; even 10 to 20 minutes of sleep helps. (p. 26, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  5. Driver distraction accounts for roughly 17 percent of all traffic crashes in Virginia each year. (p. 26, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  6. Limit long-distance driving and stop at least every two hours for rest. (p. 26, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  7. Virginia law requires the driver and all passengers, front and rear, to wear safety belts. (p. 28, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  8. All children under age 8 must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat in vehicles made after January 1, 1968. (p. 29, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  9. Move your seat back so you are at least ten inches from the steering wheel, and tilt an adjustable wheel downward. (p. 29, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  10. A first child restraint violation is a $50 fine, and a second or later offense could mean a $500 penalty. (p. 29, 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 safe driver habits questions

  1. 1.A police officer pulls you over at night. Which step does the manual recommend?

    • AGet out and walk to the officer's car
    • BTurn on your vehicle's interior lights
    • CTurn off your headlights and stay quiet
    • DLook for your documents before the officer arrives
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Turn on your vehicle's interior lights

    If you are stopped at night, turn on your interior lights. Stay in the vehicle, keep your hands in view and don't make movements that look like reaching for something.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 28

  2. 2.On a long trip you start to feel drowsy. Which action actually helps?

    • AChew gum to stay alert
    • BDrink an energy drink and keep going
    • CRoll down the window and turn up the radio
    • DStop at a safe place and take a short nap
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Stop at a safe place and take a short nap

    Stop somewhere safe and nap; even 10 to 20 minutes of sleep helps. Open windows, radio, gum, caffeine and energy drinks are not reliable ways to stay awake.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 26

  3. 3.What is the fine for a first conviction of violating Virginia's child restraint law?

    • A$500
    • B$250
    • C$25
    • D$50
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. $50

    A first child restraint violation is a $50 fine, and a second or later offense could mean a $500 penalty.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 29

  4. 4.Who must wear a safety belt under Virginia law?

    • AOnly front-seat riders
    • BOnly the driver
    • CEveryone, front and rear
    • DOnly riders under 18
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Everyone, front and rear

    Virginia law requires the driver and all passengers, front and rear, to wear safety belts.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 28