A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
The road skills test is the behind-the-wheel exam. You bring your own vehicle, and it must be street-legal and fully working. Who gives the test, and when you can take it, depends on your age and whether you took driver's education.
Know the rule
You need the road skills test unless you hold a valid license from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, France, the Republic of Korea, or Taiwan.
Under 18: the road skills test is given as part of the driver education course at a public, private or commercial driving school. Home-schooled students see information sheet HS 3.
After failing at DMV three times, you must complete and pass the in-vehicle part of driver education (completed after the third failure) before a fourth attempt.
Maria, 19, has no driver's ed and got her permit on March 1. She can't take her first road test at DMV until she has held the permit 60 days. If she fails on a Monday, she must wait two days before trying again.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Which country's valid driver's license lets you skip the road skills test but NOT the knowledge exam?
Canada
Germany
France
Taiwan
Answer: Taiwan
The road skills test exemption list adds Taiwan to U.S. states, Canada, Germany, France, and the Republic of Korea; the knowledge exam exemption list does not include Taiwan.
What must the vehicle you provide for the road skills test have?
A valid safety inspection sticker, plates, registration, and working safety equipment
Only valid license plates and a registration card
A valid safety inspection sticker only
A registration card and a driver's ed certificate
Answer: A valid safety inspection sticker, plates, registration, and working safety equipment
The test vehicle needs a valid inspection sticker, plates, registration, decals, and working brakes, belts, horn, lights, signals, mirrors and speedometer.