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West Virginia permit test: conditions, emergencies and crashes

Light conditions, rain, flooding, snow, wind, fog, traffic situations, vehicle emergencies and what to do in a crash. 24 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key conditions, emergencies and crashes rulesShow the rules
  1. In a severe rainstorm, tires lose all contact with the road at 55 mph, leaving no friction to brake, steer or speed up. (p. 73, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  2. As little as six inches of water can float some smaller vehicles, and two feet will carry most away; never drive across a flooded road. (p. 73, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  3. Ice or snow may remain on bridges and overpasses even when all other pavement is clear. (p. 73, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  4. Stopping on snow or ice can take as much as 12 times the normal distance needed on dry pavement. (p. 73, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  5. If your vehicle stalls in a flooded roadway, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. (p. 73, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  6. Partial hydroplaning begins at about 35 mph; at 55 mph tires can ride totally on the water. (p. 73, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  7. When starting on snow or ice, keep the engine speed low and accelerate slowly and smoothly. (p. 74, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  8. If the engine overheats, pull off, turn it off, and don't remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled. (p. 81, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  9. If the fire gets out of control, move at least 100 feet away because the gas tank may explode. (p. 82, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))
  10. Use dirt or sand to smother the fire; never use water, since burning gasoline floats on water and spreads. (p. 82, Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026) (opens the handbook))

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample conditions, emergencies and crashes questions

  1. 1.The roads look clear after a winter storm. Where should you still expect ice?

    • AOn bridges and overpasses
    • BIn parking lots only
    • COn freshly paved roads
    • DIn tunnels
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. On bridges and overpasses

    Ice or snow may remain on bridges and overpasses even when all other pavement is clear.

    Source: Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026), page 73

  2. 2.A front tire blows out at highway speed. What should you do first?

    • AGrip the wheel and steer straight
    • BBrake hard straight away
    • CSwerve onto the shoulder
    • DShift into neutral at once
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Grip the wheel and steer straight

    After a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, steer straight ahead and ease off the accelerator; don't brake until the car is under control.

    Source: Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026), page 80

  3. 3.The car fire is getting out of control. How far away should you move?

    • AAt least 50 feet
    • BStay close to watch it
    • CAt least 20 feet
    • DAt least 100 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. At least 100 feet

    If the fire gets out of control, move at least 100 feet away because the gas tank may explode.

    Source: Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026), page 82

  4. 4.Your car does NOT have anti-lock brakes and you must stop on ice. How can you keep steering?

    • AHold the brake pedal down hard
    • BPump the brakes on and off
    • CPull the parking brake up
    • DShift into neutral and coast
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Pump the brakes on and off

    Without anti-lock brakes you cannot steer while the wheels are locked, so pump the brakes, applying and releasing them until you have control.

    Source: Driver's Licensing Handbook - State of West Virginia (Revised 07/2026), page 74