Roadwise States Virginia Driving lessons The Two-Part Knowledge Exam Virginia driving lesson · Getting Licensed
The Two-Part Knowledge Exam 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.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Getting Licensed
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 5 Every new Virginia driver starts with a vision screening, and most also take a two-part knowledge exam and a road skills test. A DMV representative tells you which tests you need. The knowledge exam is on a computer, and every question comes from the Virginia Driver's Manual.
Know the rule
You must take the knowledge exam unless you hold a valid driver's license from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Know the rule
You cannot move on to part two until you answer all ten sign questions in part one correctly.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ 15 days Full wait before a retest if you fail and are under 18
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Put it into practice
You're 17 and fail the exam on January 1. The law makes you wait a full 15 days, so the earliest you can test again is January 17.
Know the rule
An audio version exists, and the exam is offered in many languages and American Sign Language, so translators may not be used for tests in offered languages.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Know the rule
After failing the knowledge exam three times, you can't take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the classroom component of driver education.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ The 8-hour manual course option (after a third failure) DMV-approved, based on the Virginia Driver's Manual; offered at driver training schools and online Age 18 and older: may take the course; it must be completed after your third failed exam Under 18: only if you already completed classroom driver ed; show that certificate to the school first Give DMV your certificate of completion, then you may take the knowledge exam again Handbook p. 5 ↗ While testing, you cannot: Get help while taking the exam Help another person taking the exam Try to get test questions or answers before the exam Give another person exam questions or answers Use a cell phone during the exam Handbook p. 5 ↗ Know the rule
Customers with special needs, or who need special help with applications or testing, should tell a DMV staff member at any DMV location. A sample exam is in Section 8 of the manual and at dmv.virginia.gov.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ A useful reminder The 15-day wait counts full days: fail on the 1st, retest on the 17th, not the 16th.
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.
What must you correctly answer before you can move on to part two of Virginia's knowledge exam? Nine of the ten sign questions All ten sign questions in part one At least 80 percent of the sign questions Half of part one's questions Answer: All ten sign questions in part one
You must correctly answer all ten traffic sign questions in part one before taking part two of the exam.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ What score must you get on part two of the knowledge exam to pass? At least 70 percent correct At least 90 percent correct At least 80 percent correct A perfect score Answer: At least 80 percent correct
Part two tests general knowledge, and you must answer at least 80 percent of its questions correctly to pass.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ You are 17 and fail the knowledge exam on January 1. What is the earliest you can retake it? January 8 January 16 January 31 January 17 Answer: January 17
Under-18 applicants must wait a full 15 days after failing; the manual's example says a January 1 failure means the earliest retest is January 17.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ After failing the knowledge exam three times, what must you do before a fourth attempt? Pass the classroom component of driver ed, or an approved manual-based course Wait 15 days and retake it Wait 30 days and retake it Complete the in-vehicle part of driver education Answer: Pass the classroom component of driver ed, or an approved manual-based course
After a third failure, you cannot retest until you pass the classroom component of driver education, or an approved 8-hour manual-based course.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ How many times per business day may you take the knowledge exam? Twice Once Three times As many times as you want Answer: Once
The knowledge exam may be taken only once per business day.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ A driver under 18 who failed the knowledge exam three times must present what to a driver training school before taking the manual-based course? A certificate of completion for the classroom component of driver education A copy of their learner's permit A letter from a parent or guardian Proof of passing the road skills test Answer: A certificate of completion for the classroom component of driver education
Customers younger than 18 must present their classroom driver education certificate before taking the manual-based course.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Next lesson The Road Skills Test About the source Roadwise’s Virginia course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 5. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Virginia’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.