Free Virginia Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Virginia driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 7
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 6
- Safe Driving — 2
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 2
- Emergencies & Crashes — 1
- Sharing the Road — 1
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (7 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. When entering a roundabout, you must:
- Speed up to merge
- Yield to traffic already in the circle
- Stop fully before entering
- Enter to the right, going clockwise
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic already in the circle
Yield to vehicles already circulating, then enter into a gap. Traffic flows counter-clockwise.
2. A shared-lane marking (a bicycle with two chevrons above it) means:
- Bicycles and cars share that lane — watch for cyclists
- No bikes
- A bike lane ends
- Bikes only
Show answer
Answer: Bicycles and cars share that lane — watch for cyclists
A 'sharrow' shows that bikes and cars share the lane; watch for and share with cyclists.
3. At night you should not 'overdrive' your headlights, meaning:
- Never use high beams
- Use only low beams
- Drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead
- Follow closely to see better
Show answer
Answer: Drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead
Don't drive so fast that you can't stop within the range your headlights illuminate.
4. A school crossing guard steps into the road with a stop paddle. You must:
- Proceed slowly
- Go around
- Stop and remain stopped until the guard clears the crosswalk
- Honk
Show answer
Answer: Stop and remain stopped until the guard clears the crosswalk
Obey the crossing guard — stop and wait until they signal you and clear the crosswalk.
5. A diamond-shaped sign showing a merging-arrow means:
- Added lane
- Traffic merges ahead
- Road ends
- No merging
Show answer
Answer: Traffic merges ahead
A merge sign warns that another road joins yours ahead.
6. If you break down at night, you should:
- Sleep in the road
- Turn on hazards and, if safe, set out warning devices
- Stand in the roadway
- Leave the lights off to save battery
Show answer
Answer: Turn on hazards and, if safe, set out warning devices
Use hazard lights and warning devices, and stay clear of traffic.
7. A large truck's blind spots ('No-Zones') are located:
- Only behind it
- Only on the left
- Trucks have no blind spots
- In front, behind, and along both sides
Show answer
Answer: In front, behind, and along both sides
Trucks have big blind spots front, rear, and on both sides (largest on the right). If you can't see the driver's mirrors, they can't see you.
8. A 'DEAD END' or 'NO OUTLET' sign means:
- A one-way
- A detour
- A through road
- The road does not go through
Show answer
Answer: The road does not go through
These signs mean the road ends or has no through route.
9. Driving while very angry, upset, or stressed:
- Has no effect
- Is only a problem at night
- Impairs judgment and should be avoided until you calm down
- Improves focus
Show answer
Answer: Impairs judgment and should be avoided until you calm down
Strong emotions impair judgment like impairment does — calm down before driving.
10. When traffic ahead slows suddenly, having a proper following distance lets you:
- Pass immediately
- Ignore brake lights
- Tailgate safely
- Stop or slow without a rear-end collision
Show answer
Answer: Stop or slow without a rear-end collision
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending the car in front.
11. You may not pass on hills or curves because:
- You cannot see far enough ahead for oncoming traffic
- It wastes fuel
- It is faster to wait
- The road is rough
Show answer
Answer: You cannot see far enough ahead for oncoming traffic
On hills and curves you can't see oncoming traffic soon enough to pass safely, so passing is prohibited.
12. Eating, grooming, or reaching for objects while driving are examples of:
- Safe multitasking
- Required tasks
- Distractions that take attention off driving
- Good time management
Show answer
Answer: Distractions that take attention off driving
These take your eyes, hands, or mind off driving — do them before or after, not while driving.
13. What does this sign mean?
- Road ends
- Merging traffic — be ready to adjust
- No passing
- Added lane
Show answer
Answer: Merging traffic — be ready to adjust
A merge sign warns that another roadway is joining yours; adjust speed/position to merge safely.
14. Turning left from a driveway onto a road, you must yield to:
- Only pedestrians
- Only traffic from the left
- No one
- Traffic approaching from both directions and pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: Traffic approaching from both directions and pedestrians
Yield to all approaching traffic and pedestrians before turning out of a driveway.
15. As you approach a roundabout, you should:
- Enter without looking
- Slow down and prepare to yield to traffic already in the circle
- Stop fully always
- Speed up to merge
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and prepare to yield to traffic already in the circle
Slow on approach and yield to circulating traffic before entering.
16. An orange diamond reading REDUCED SPEED AHEAD tells you to:
- Turn around
- Stop and park
- Speed up
- Reduce your speed for the work zone ahead
Show answer
Answer: Reduce your speed for the work zone ahead
Orange reduced-speed signs mean slow down for the upcoming work zone.
17. A steady yellow traffic light means:
- Speed up to beat the red
- The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
- Go, the intersection is yours
- Yield only to pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
Steady yellow warns the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.
18. You are turning left at an intersection with a steady green light. You must:
- Turn immediately — you have the green
- Sound your horn and turn
- Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when safe
- Stop and wait for a green arrow
Show answer
Answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when safe
A green light lets you turn left only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
19. A flashing yellow traffic light means:
- Stop completely
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- The light is out of order
- Turn left only
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
Flashing yellow means proceed with caution — slow down and be ready to yield.
20. You approach an intersection with no signs, signals, or markings. You should:
- Maintain speed — you have priority
- Stop completely every time
- Speed up to clear it quickly
- Slow down and be ready to yield, especially to traffic on your right
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and be ready to yield, especially to traffic on your right
Treat an uncontrolled intersection with caution — slow down and be prepared to yield to the right.