DMV Virginia · Fees, age, and practice test
Virginia Permit Test Cost: Permit & License Fees
Start the free Virginia practice testSourced procedural facts for Virginia DMV, plus a free 500-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
Free Virginia DMV practice test with 500 practice questions written from the official Virginia Driver's Manual, each with an explanation and a handbook page citation. No signup and no ads. The Virginia permit test has 40 questions in two parts: you must answer all 10 road sign questions correctly, then 24 of the 30 general knowledge questions. Page updated 2026-10-22.
Also here: exam simulator in the real test format, flashcards for the whole bank, a one-page cheat sheet, handbook lessons, chapter by chapter, and audio read-aloud for questions.
How many questions are on the Virginia permit test?
The Virginia permit test has 40 questions in two parts: you must answer all 10 road sign questions correctly, then 24 of the 30 general knowledge questions.
See the official source · Checked 2026-10-18 against the official text on file.
How much does the Virginia permit test cost?
$3 learner permit fee plus $4 per license year ($20 minimum license fee).
- Learner permit / application fee: $3 learner permit fee plus the applicable driver license fee.
- Initial driver license fee: $4 per year, with a $20 minimum license fee; a standard eight-year license costs $32. REAL ID adds $10.
Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles · Fee source checked 2026-10-05. Our 500-question Virginia practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Is the Virginia permit test hard?
Part one leaves no room for error, because all 10 road sign questions must be correct; on part two you can miss up to 6 of the 30 general knowledge questions.
Every question comes from the Virginia Driver's Manual, so reading it and practicing until you pass consistently is the most direct preparation.
What do I need to bring to the Virginia DMV for a permit?
The official Virginia checklist for a permit has 9 items, covering application, identity, lawful presence, Social Security number, residency, parent or guardian, fees and vision test.
Who this list covers: First-time standard noncommercial learner permit applicants age 15 years 6 months or older, including minors and adults who can document lawful presence. REAL ID, driver privilege cards, transfers and road tests are outside this checklist.
- Completed Application for a Virginia Driver's License
- One original proof of identity
- Legal documents connecting different names
- One proof of legal presence
- Your Social Security number, if one has been issued
- Two proofs of Virginia residency
- Under 18: Parent or guardian signature, or an emancipation court order
- Payment for the $3 permit fee plus the yearly driver-license cost
- Be ready for vision screening and the two-part knowledge exam
Source: official Virginia document list · Checked 2026-10-05. Conditions and exceptions for each item are on the full printable checklist, with a source for every item.
Practice the Virginia permit test now
500 questions written from the official Virginia driver manual. Free, no signup, with an explanation and the manual quote for every answer.
Your 3-stage Virginia study path
- Stage 1: Study the sheets. Read the Virginia cheat sheet for signs, numbers, and must-know rules.
- Stage 2: Drill topics. Run the free Virginia practice test with instant explanations until weak topics turn green.
- Stage 3: Simulate the exam. Take the timed exam simulator under graded practice conditions.
Virginia verified practice bank · 500 questions · Page updated 2026-10-22
Prepare your permit application
The permit charge is added to the license fee. For example, a standard eight-year license is $32, making the combined permit and license total $35; this is an example, not a universal price. License duration can vary, and REAL ID adds $10. See the official DMV fee chart.
- Complete the application and use Virginia DMV’s learner permit instructions to choose original documents showing your full legal name, identity, legal presence, and two proofs of Virginia residency.
- Provide your Social Security number if one has been issued. DMV can verify it electronically; check the official instructions for situations that require supporting proof.
- If you are under 18, arrange parent or legal guardian consent, or bring a court order showing emancipation.
- Check the official application instructions and your DMV office’s visit options, then bring your documents and payment.
Review what to bring on test day · Start a free state practice test
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years and 6 months old
Permit fee
$3 learner permit fee plus the applicable driver license fee.
Initial license fee
$4 per year, with a $20 minimum license fee; a standard eight-year license costs $32. REAL ID adds $10.
Questions on the knowledge test
40 questions in two parts: part one, 10 road sign questions; part two, 30 general knowledge questions
Passing score
Part one: all ten road sign questions must be answered correctly; part two: you must correctly answer 24 of the 30 general knowledge questions
Retake fee
No charge; the $2 reexamination fee was removed effective July 1, 2022 (under-18 applicants must still wait 15 days to retest)
Retake wait after failing
Under 18 must wait a full 15 days; age 18 or older may test once per day
Supervised driving before road test
45 hours, including 15 after sunset, certified by a parent or guardian for drivers under 18
What to bring
Completed application and payment; original documents showing full legal name, identity and legal presence; two proofs of Virginia residency; Social Security number if issued (DMV can verify it electronically); parent or legal guardian consent if under 18, or an emancipation court order.
Find an office / appointment
Customer Service Centers locator plus an online Appointments system to schedule or reserve your spot.
REAL ID status
REAL ID available at DMV customer service centers; needs one proof of identity, two proofs of VA residency, one proof of legal presence, and SSN proof if issued; $10 one-time fee.
Motorcycle license
No standalone minimum age; if 18+, hold learner's permit 30 days, pass knowledge exam and skills test, or complete Virginia Rider Training Program to waive tests. Under 18: 9-month permit hold.
Commercial license (CDL)
18 for intrastate-only CDL (K restriction), 21 for interstate.
Official source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles site.
Virginia DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fee | $3 learner permit fee plus the applicable driver license fee. | source |
| Initial license fee | $4 per year, with a $20 minimum license fee; a standard eight-year license costs $32. REAL ID adds $10. | source |
| Retake fee | No charge; the $2 reexamination fee was removed effective July 1, 2022 (under-18 applicants must still wait 15 days to retest) | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Virginia DMV practice test (500 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Virginia driver license covers
Initial license fee: $4 per year, with a $20 minimum license fee; a standard eight-year license costs $32. REAL ID adds $10. (official source)
REAL ID status: REAL ID available at DMV customer service centers; needs one proof of identity, two proofs of VA residency, one proof of legal presence, and SSN proof if issued; $10 one-time fee. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Virginia DMV site for exact card timelines.
Getting a license in Virginia
Getting your first permit
In Virginia, the minimum permit age is 15 years and 6 months old. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: completed application and payment; original documents showing full legal name, identity and legal presence; two proofs of Virginia residency; Social Security number if issued (DMV can verify it electronically); parent or legal guardian consent if under 18, or an emancipation court order. Customer Service Centers locator plus an online Appointments system to schedule or reserve your spot.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
If you fail the knowledge test: under 18 must wait a full 15 days; age 18 or older may test once per day. Before the road test, the state requires 45 hours, including 15 after sunset, certified by a parent or guardian for drivers under 18.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
REAL ID available at DMV customer service centers; needs one proof of identity, two proofs of VA residency, one proof of legal presence, and SSN proof if issued; $10 one-time fee. For a motorcycle license: no standalone minimum age; if 18+, hold learner's permit 30 days, pass knowledge exam and skills test, or complete Virginia Rider Training Program to waive tests. Under 18: 9-month permit hold. For a commercial license (CDL): 18 for intrastate-only CDL (K restriction), 21 for interstate.
The Virginia bank has 500 questions across 9 topics
Test day: what to bring and where to go: a printable Virginia checklist of the documents for the permit test, plus the official office finder and appointment links.
Study the handbook, chapter by chapter: 22 free lessons that boil the Virginia driver manual down to the rules and exact numbers on the test, each quoted with its page.
The Virginia questions learners miss most: ranked from anonymous first-attempt answers on this site, each with the correct answer and its handbook lesson.
One Virginia permit test question a day
A free email each morning with one real practice question, the answer at the bottom, and the manual page it comes from. Confirm by email first; unsubscribe in one click.