Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 5: 50 Questions
Practice Test 5 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Virginia driving rules, including yellow pennant sign, hill parking without curb, drowsy driving danger and Before-Drive checklist. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Virginia Practice Tests
What Practice Test 5 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Yellow Pennant Sign
- Hill Parking Without Curb
- Drowsy Driving Danger
- Before-Drive Checklist
- Work Zone Night Driving
- Drowsy Response
- ABS Braking
- Refusal of Chemical Test
- Driving Impaired by Medicines
- Large Truck Blind Spots
- Bicycle Passing
- Pedestrian Crossing When Turning
- Railroad Stall Procedure
- Minor Crash No Injuries
Try 5 Questions from This Test
-
A yellow sign shaped like a pennant (triangle on its side) placed on the left side of the road marks:
Show answer
B. The beginning of a no-passing zone
No-passing zone pennants warn you that passing in that area is not allowed.
-
When parking on a hill with no curb, you should:
Show answer
B. Turn the wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the road if it moves
Turning the wheels so the vehicle rolls off the roadway instead of into traffic reduces the chance of a collision.
-
Driving while drowsy is especially dangerous because:
Show answer
B. You may briefly fall asleep and not realize it
Even short “microsleeps” can cause you to miss signals, drift out of your lane, or crash.
-
In city driving, a good rule is to look ahead:
Show answer
C. At least one to two city blocks for signs, signals, and hazards
Looking well ahead gives you time to adjust your speed or lane position as needed.
-
Before you start driving, you should always:
Show answer
B. Adjust your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so you can reach and see comfortably
Good driving position and mirror settings help you stay in control and reduce blind spots.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 5, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
-
Q1. A broken white line between lanes of traffic on a multi-lane road means:
Correct answer: You may change lanes when it is safe to do so
Why: Broken white lines separate lanes going the same way and allow lane changes when there is enough space.
-
Q2. A lane marked with a solid white line on the right edge of the roadway is called the:
Correct answer: Edge line that helps you stay in your lane at night or in bad weather
Why: Edge lines show the outer boundary of the driving lane and help you stay on the roadway.
-
Q3. A center lane marked with solid yellow lines and broken yellow lines on each side is used for:
Correct answer: Vehicles making left turns from either direction
Why: Two-way left-turn lanes are shared by traffic from both directions making left turns.
-
Q4. When you see a sign that says LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT, you must:
Correct answer: Change lanes if you want to go straight through the intersection
Why: Lane-use signs tell you what movements are allowed from each lane and must be obeyed.
-
Q5. A red and white YIELD sign means you must:
Correct answer: Slow down, be ready to stop, and let other traffic and pedestrians go first
Why: Yield signs require you to give the right-of-way when needed but not always to stop fully.
-
Q6. A red and white DO NOT ENTER sign means:
Correct answer: You are going the wrong way and must not drive down that road
Why: DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs show you are about to enter a lane of oncoming traffic.
-
Q7. A regulatory sign with a red circle and a slash over a symbol means:
Correct answer: Whatever is shown inside the circle is not allowed
Why: These signs tell you actions that are specifically prohibited at that location.
-
Q8. A yellow sign shaped like a pennant (triangle on its side) placed on the left side of the road marks:
Correct answer: The beginning of a no-passing zone
Why: No-passing zone pennants warn you that passing in that area is not allowed.
-
Q9. A flashing yellow light at an intersection means you must:
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution
Why: Flashing yellow warns you to be careful but does not require a full stop unless needed for safety.
-
Q10. A flashing red light at an intersection means you must:
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe
Why: A flashing red light works like a stop sign. You must stop fully and yield before going on.
-
Q11. A steady yellow light just as you enter an intersection usually means:
Correct answer: The signal is about to turn red; clear the intersection carefully
Why: If you are already in the intersection, continue through with caution and do not stop suddenly in the middle.
-
Q12. On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, the best lane for steady driving is usually:
Correct answer: One of the middle lanes, away from merging and turning traffic
Why: Middle lanes are usually safest for through traffic because fewer vehicles enter and leave the road there.
-
Q13. You see a "Merge" sign: two lanes going your way are about to become one. Who is responsible for merging safely in Virginia?
Correct answer: Drivers in both lanes
Why: Two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging safely.
-
Q14. If you miss your exit on a freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit and leave the freeway safely to turn around
Why: Backing up or crossing the median on a freeway is extremely dangerous and illegal.
-
Q15. Driving much slower than the flow of traffic can:
Correct answer: Be just as unsafe as driving too fast
Why: Very slow driving can surprise other drivers and cause sudden lane changes or rear-end crashes.
-
Q16. To avoid last-second moves on the road, you should:
Correct answer: Look ahead, keep your eyes moving, and be aware of traffic around you
Why: Good scanning lets you see problems early so you can react smoothly instead of swerving or braking hard.
-
Q17. In city driving, a good rule is to look ahead:
Correct answer: At least one to two city blocks for signs, signals, and hazards
Why: Looking well ahead gives you time to adjust your speed or lane position as needed.
-
Q18. Under normal conditions, the best way to judge a safe following distance is to use:
Correct answer: The three-second rule or more
Why: Counting at least three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead helps prevent rear-end crashes.
-
Q19. You must increase your following distance when you:
Correct answer: Are behind a large truck or bus that blocks your view ahead
Why: More space is needed when you cannot see well or when vehicles might stop suddenly.
-
Q20. When another vehicle is trying to pass you on the left, you should:
Correct answer: Stay in your lane and, if needed, reduce speed slightly to help them pass safely
Why: Helping another driver complete a pass safely is better than forcing them to stay beside you.
-
Q21. When you are being tailgated, the safest thing to do is to:
Correct answer: Change lanes when possible or slowly adjust your speed so they can pass
Why: Letting tailgaters go around you is safer than trying to control their behavior.
-
Q22. If you feel angry or very upset while driving, you should:
Correct answer: Find a safe place to pull over and calm down before continuing
Why: Driving while very emotional can lead to poor decisions. Calm down before continuing your trip.
-
Q23. Driving while drowsy is especially dangerous because:
Correct answer: You may briefly fall asleep and not realize it
Why: Even short “microsleeps” can cause you to miss signals, drift out of your lane, or crash.
-
Q24. If you start to feel very sleepy while driving, you should:
Correct answer: Get off the road safely and rest
Why: Only rest and sleep truly fight drowsiness. Do not try to push through fatigue.
-
Q25. Most crashes involving alcohol happen because:
Correct answer: Judgment, coordination, and reaction time are all reduced
Why: Even a small amount of alcohol affects your ability to make safe decisions and react quickly.
-
Q26. If you are under 21, having any measurable alcohol in your system while driving:
Correct answer: Can lead to license suspension and other penalties
Why: Zero-tolerance laws mean underage drivers can face serious penalties for any alcohol use.
-
Q27. For most drivers age 21 and older, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:
Correct answer: 0.08% or higher
Why: A BAC of 0.08% or more is considered legally impaired for most adult drivers.
-
Q28. Refusing to take a breath or blood test when arrested for driving under the influence may result in:
Correct answer: Automatic suspension of your driving privilege
Why: Implied consent laws say that refusing testing can lead to an immediate license suspension.
-
Q29. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your driving by:
Correct answer: Making you drowsy, dizzy, or less alert
Why: Always read medicine labels and follow warnings about driving or operating machinery.
-
Q30. Seat belts are important because they:
Correct answer: Keep you from being thrown from the vehicle or hitting the inside of the car
Why: Lap and shoulder belts help keep you in place so airbags and other safety features can work properly.
-
Q31. The driver is responsible for making sure that:
Correct answer: They and required passengers are properly restrained
Why: Drivers can be ticketed if children or other required passengers are not properly buckled.
-
Q32. The safest place to install a child safety seat is usually:
Correct answer: In the rear seat, away from active airbags
Why: Children are better protected in the back seat and should never face an active front airbag.
-
Q33. When sharing the road with motorcycles, you should:
Correct answer: Give them a full lane and extra following distance
Why: Motorcycles are small and can be hard to see. They need the same full lane width as other vehicles.
-
Q34. Large trucks and buses have big blind spots where:
Correct answer: The driver cannot see you in their mirrors
Why: If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, they may not be able to see your vehicle.
-
Q35. When passing a bicyclist, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down and leave at least three feet between your vehicle and the bike
Why: Virginia law requires drivers to pass bicyclists with at least three feet of clearance and at a reasonable speed.
-
Q36. You are turning right at an intersection and a pedestrian is crossing in front of you on the crosswalk. You should:
Correct answer: Wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed the lane you are turning into
Why: Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right-of-way. Always let them finish crossing safely.
-
Q37. When approaching a railroad crossing without gates or lights, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop
Why: At passive crossings, you must check carefully in both directions before crossing.
-
Q38. If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and you see a train coming, you should:
Correct answer: Get everyone out and move away from the tracks at an angle toward the train
Why: Moving away at an angle helps you avoid flying debris if the train hits your vehicle.
-
Q39. When driving in heavy rain, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down, use low-beam headlights, and increase your following distance
Why: Low beams and extra space help you see and stop safely on wet roads.
-
Q40. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer straight until your tires grip again
Why: Sudden braking or steering can cause a skid. Gentle corrections help you regain control.
-
Q41. When driving in fog, you should:
Correct answer: Use low beams and reduce your speed
Why: Low beams reduce glare and help you see the road better in fog.
-
Q42. If your vehicle has antilock brakes (ABS) and you need to stop quickly, you should:
Correct answer: Press the brake pedal firmly and hold it
Why: ABS works best when you press and hold the brake pedal so the system can prevent wheel lockup.
-
Q43. If your vehicle breaks down and you must stop on the shoulder, you should:
Correct answer: Move as far off the road as possible, turn on hazard lights, and stay away from traffic
Why: Getting away from moving traffic and making your vehicle visible helps prevent further crashes.
-
Q44. If you are involved in a minor crash with no injuries, you should:
Correct answer: Move the vehicles out of the traffic lane if you can and exchange information
Why: If it is safe, moving off the road helps prevent additional crashes and keeps traffic flowing.
-
Q45. Before you start driving, you should always:
Correct answer: Adjust your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so you can reach and see comfortably
Why: Good driving position and mirror settings help you stay in control and reduce blind spots.
-
Q46. When entering a roadway from a driveway, alley, or parking lot, you must:
Correct answer: Yield to traffic and pedestrians already on the road or sidewalk
Why: Drivers entering a street must wait for a safe gap in traffic and for people walking to pass first.
-
Q47. Before backing your vehicle, you should:
Correct answer: Check behind and around the vehicle and continue looking back while backing slowly
Why: Turn and look directly through the rear window while backing and move slowly in case someone enters your path.
-
Q48. If an officer signals you to pull over, you should:
Correct answer: Signal, move to the right side of the road, and stop in a safe place
Why: Pulling safely to the right shoulder with your signal on helps the officer know you are cooperating.
-
Q49. When driving through a work zone at night, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down, stay alert for workers and equipment, and follow posted signs
Why: Work zones often have narrow lanes, cones, and workers close to traffic, so lower speeds and extra attention are required.
-
Q50. When parking on a hill with no curb, you should:
Correct answer: Turn the wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the road if it moves
Why: Turning the wheels so the vehicle rolls off the roadway instead of into traffic reduces the chance of a collision.