Free · 22 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Virginia Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Virginia Driver's Manual that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Virginia practice test.
22 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Section 1: TestingLaws and paperwork
The knowledge exam, road skills test and vision screening
Virginia's knowledge exam has two parts: ten sign questions you must all get right, then general questions where you need 80 percent. The road skills test and vision screening have their own rules and retest waits.
10 key points · 11 numbers · Handbook pp. 3 to 4
- Lesson 2Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Traffic signals and turns on red
Know Virginia's signals, from red arrows and flashing yellow arrows to red X lane signals. Right turns on red are allowed unless a sign or red arrow forbids it, and left on red only from a one way street onto another one way street.
10 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 5 to 6
- Lesson 3Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement MarkingsRoad signs
Sign colors and shapes
You can often read a sign's shape and color long before its words. Each color and shape in Virginia carries a set meaning, from the eight sided stop sign to the diamond warning sign.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 6 to 7
- Lesson 4Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement MarkingsRoad signs
Regulatory and warning signs
Regulatory signs state the law and must be obeyed, and a red circle with a slash means NO. Virginia has a few special rules, such as treating a U turn as two left turns.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 7 to 11
- Lesson 5Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement MarkingsSafe driving
Railroad crossings and work zones
At railroad crossings, look, listen and never start across unless you can clear the tracks. In work zones, orange means slow down, and speeding or using a handheld phone there brings heavy fines.
9 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 9 to 11
- Lesson 6Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Pavement markings
Yellow center lines separate traffic going in opposite directions and white lines separate lanes going the same way. Whether you may pass depends on which yellow line is on your side.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook p. 11
- Lesson 7Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Special lanes, painted curbs and parking
Center turn lanes, HOV lanes, bicycle lanes and painted curbs each carry their own rules. When you park, stay close to the curb and out of the many places where Virginia bans parking.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 12 to 22
- Lesson 8Section 3: Safe DrivingSpeed limits
Speed limits and reckless driving
A speed limit is the most you may drive in ideal conditions, and Virginia sets default limits where no sign is posted. Driving 20 mph over the limit or over 85 mph can be charged as reckless driving.
8 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 14 to 15
- Lesson 9Section 3: Safe DrivingSafe driving
When you must stop, school buses and stopping distance
Virginia lists the places you must always stop, including for stopped school buses from any direction. Your stopping distance depends on perception time, reaction distance and braking distance.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 15 to 18
- Lesson 10Section 3: Safe DrivingRight of way
Right of way, pedestrians and roundabouts
Right of way rules decide who goes first at intersections, driveways, ramps and roundabouts. Drivers must stop for pedestrians lawfully crossing and must not cut through or join a funeral procession.
10 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 20
- Lesson 11Section 3: Safe DrivingEmergencies
Emergency vehicles and stopped vehicles with flashing lights
Virginia requires specific actions for vehicles with flashing lights, whether they are stopped or coming toward you. Move over or slow down for stopped vehicles, and pull right and stop for approaching emergency vehicles.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook p. 16
- Lesson 12Section 3: Safe DrivingSignals and markings
Passing, turning, U turns and signals
The left lane is for passing, not cruising, and Virginia lists places where passing is always unlawful. Signal 3 to 4 seconds, about 100 feet, before a turn and follow the U turn rules.
10 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 17 to 18
- Lesson 13Section 3: Safe DrivingSafe driving
Hand position, following distance and blind spots
Keep a space cushion around your car using the two, three and four second rule, and add time in bad conditions. Scan well ahead, check your mirrors often, and turn your head to check blind spots.
9 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 14 to 20
- Lesson 14Section 3: Safe DrivingSafe driving
Bicycles, motorcycles, trucks and other road users
Give bicyclists at least 3 feet and look twice for motorcycles. Large trucks and buses have big No Zones, need nearly twice the room to stop, and take a long time to pass.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 6 to 21
- Lesson 15Section 3: Safe DrivingSafe driving
Headlights, night, fog, rain and snow
When visibility drops or the road is slick, slowing down is your first response. Virginia sets clear rules for when headlights are required and when to dim your high beams.
9 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 22 to 23
- Lesson 16Section 3: Safe DrivingSafe driving
Aggressive, distracted and drowsy driving
Virginia law defines aggressive driving, and a conviction can suspend your license. Holding a phone while driving is banned, and open windows, gum, a loud radio or caffeine do not prevent drowsy driving.
9 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 23 to 24
- Lesson 17Section 3: Safe DrivingAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol, drugs and DUI
Drivers 21 and older are DUI at a BAC of .08 percent, and drivers under 21 face charges from .02. Driving impaired by any drug can bring the same penalties as alcohol.
9 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 24 to 25
- Lesson 18Section 3: Safe DrivingEmergencies
Crashes, deer and traffic stops
After a crash, move the vehicles off the road if no one is hurt and it is safe, report it to police, and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger. If hitting a deer is unavoidable, do not swerve: brake firmly and stay in your lane.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook p. 25
- Lesson 19Section 4: Seat Belts, Air Bags and Child Safety SeatsLaws and paperwork
Seat belts, air bags and child safety seats
Virginia requires the driver and every passenger, front and rear, to wear a safety belt. Children under 8 need a child safety seat or booster, and the driver is responsible for anyone under 18.
10 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 26 to 27
- Lesson 20Section 5: PenaltiesLaws and paperwork
Suspensions, revocations and demerit points
A suspension temporarily withdraws your driving privilege, while a revocation ends it until you reapply. Virginia assigns 3, 4 or 6 demerit points per conviction and acts when points build up.
9 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 28 to 30
- Lesson 21Section 5: PenaltiesAlcohol and DUI
DUI suspensions, open containers and underage drinking
Refusing a breath test or testing at .08 percent brings an automatic administrative suspension that grows with each offense. Underage drinking, fake IDs, open containers and children in the car all add their own penalties.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 30 to 31
- Lesson 22Section 6: License TypesLaws and paperwork
Learner's permit, license and vehicle paperwork
A learner's permit lets you drive with a licensed driver at least 21 beside you, with a few family exceptions. New residents, movers and vehicle owners have deadlines for licenses, addresses, registration and inspections.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 31 to 33
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Virginia practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Virginia cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Virginia Driver's Manual. Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.