WV Permit Practice Test

How to use this WV practice test

1. Take the 25 question exam-length practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, which is what the examiners use.
4. When you pass three sets in a row at 76 percent or better, book the real test.

WV practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9

Printable WV practice test with answer key

All 25 questions, WV exam length

Every question below comes from the West Virginia question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. Under West Virginia's basic speed law, what must a driver do when road conditions reduce visibility or stopping distance?

   1. Reduce speed to match the conditions
   2. Maintain the posted limit regardless of conditions
   3. Accelerate briefly to clear the hazard
   4. Use the shoulder instead of slowing
   Show answer

   Reduce speed to match the conditions. West Virginia expects drivers to adjust speed when weather, traffic, or the roadway makes seeing or stopping harder. Full explanation in Test 1

2. 2. How does the handbook characterize a BAC greater than 0.05 percent but less than 0.08 percent?

   1. It is relevant evidence for presuming impaired driving
   2. It is automatically harmless for an adult driver
   3. It is treated exactly like a BAC of 0.08 percent
   4. It matters only for commercial license holders
   Show answer

   It is relevant evidence for presuming impaired driving. The intermediate BAC range is not described as harmless and is not identical to the 0.08 percent presumption. Full explanation in Test 1

3. 3. A blind pedestrian carrying a white cane is crossing outside a marked crosswalk. What is the driver's duty?

   1. Yield because the pedestrian has the right-of-way regardless of the crosswalk
   2. Continue because right-of-way exists only inside painted lines
   3. Sound the horn and pass before the pedestrian reaches the lane
   4. Yield only if a guide dog is also present
   Show answer

   Yield because the pedestrian has the right-of-way regardless of the crosswalk. The handbook gives a blind pedestrian using a white cane or walking stick the right-of-way on a highway, street, or road whether or not the Full explanation in Test 1

4. 4. What nighttime supervision rule applies to a Level 2 GDL intermediate license holder?

   1. A licensed adult age 21 or older must supervise driving from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., subject to listed exceptions
   2. No supervision is ever required after 10:00 p.m.
   3. A passenger under 18 may supervise during those hours
   4. Supervision is required only from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
   Show answer

   A licensed adult age 21 or older must supervise driving from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., subject to listed exceptions. Level 2 permits unsupervised driving from 5:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., but nighttime driving from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Full explanation in Test 2

5. 5. How many questions must be answered correctly to pass the West Virginia knowledge test?

   1. 15 of 25
   2. 18 of 25
   3. 19 of 25
   4. 24 of 25
   Show answer

   19 of 25. Passing requires 19 correct answers out of 25. Full explanation in Test 2

6. 6. When does a Level 1 GDL instruction permit expire under the handbook's stated schedule?

   1. On the applicant's 16th birthday
   2. On the applicant's 18th birthday
   3. Five years after issuance
   4. At the end of the calendar year
   Show answer

   On the applicant's 18th birthday. The Level 1 GDL instruction permit expires on the applicant's 18th birthday, although the handbook allows a 30-day grace period to provide t Full explanation in Test 2

7. 7. You are behind a large truck that is turning in West Virginia. On which side does the handbook say you must never pass it?

   1. Never on the right during a turn
   2. Never on the left
   3. Either side is fine if you signal
   4. Only on the shoulder
   Show answer

   Never on the right during a turn. Trucks swing wide to turn, and the space that opens on the right side is not an invitation; it is the path the trailer is about to sweep thr Full explanation in Test 3

8. 8. Where does a NO U-TURN sign prohibit the maneuver?

   1. In the middle of a street or intersection
   2. Only in a marked parking space
   3. Only on an interstate entrance ramp
   4. Only when a railroad gate is lowered
   Show answer

   In the middle of a street or intersection. The sign prohibits turning around in the middle of a street or at an intersection. Full explanation in Test 3

9. 9. What does a pentagon-shaped school sign identify?

   1. A school zone or school-zone crossing
   2. A railroad crossing
   3. A hospital entrance
   4. A no-passing zone
   Show answer

   A school zone or school-zone crossing. The pentagon shape warns of a school zone or a school-zone crossing. Full explanation in Test 3

10. 10. What roadway feature is represented when highway lanes are separated by a divider?

    1. A divided highway with separate sides of travel
    2. A four-way stop with no median
    3. A temporary pedestrian detour
    4. A two-way lane with no opposing traffic
    Show answer

    A divided highway with separate sides of travel. A divided highway separates opposing directions with a median or another physical divider. Full explanation in Test 4

11. 11. An ambulance approaches with its siren sounding and warning lights flashing. What must you do?

    1. Pull to the right edge, clear the intersection, and stop
    2. Stop in the intersection so the ambulance can go around
    3. Continue at the speed limit until the ambulance passes
    4. Move left and maintain speed beside the emergency vehicle
    Show answer

    Pull to the right edge, clear the intersection, and stop. West Virginia directs drivers to yield to an ambulance, fire vehicle, or police vehicle using a siren and flashing warning lights. Full explanation in Test 4

12. 12. Which method does the handbook recommend for checking a normal following distance?

    1. Use a fixed object and count three to four seconds
    2. Keep one car length for every trip
    3. Match the lead vehicle's bumper distance exactly
    4. Wait until the lead vehicle brakes before judging space
    Show answer

    Use a fixed object and count three to four seconds. The handbook's practical test uses a fixed object such as a signpost, tree, overpass, or bridge abutment. Full explanation in Test 4

13. 13. What minimum following interval does the handbook advise in darkness or rain?

    1. At least four seconds
    2. Exactly two seconds
    3. At least six seconds in every condition
    4. No additional interval is needed if headlights are on
    Show answer

    At least four seconds. Reduced visibility and changing road grip call for more space than the ordinary three-to-four second rule. Full explanation in Test 5

14. 14. Within how many days must a West Virginia crash causing injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage be reported?

    1. Within 24 hours
    2. Within 10 days
    3. Within 30 days
    4. Within five days, by the quickest means possible
    Show answer

    Within five days, by the quickest means possible. Crashes resulting in injury to or death of any person, or property damage in excess of $1,000, must be reported by the quickest means possib Full explanation in Test 5

15. 15. If a lane closes in an interstate construction zone, when should a driver move into the open lane?

    1. As soon as possible after the advance signs provide notice
    2. At the last possible moment beside the barricade
    3. Only after entering the closed lane completely
    4. After stopping in the closed lane to wait for a gap
    Show answer

    As soon as possible after the advance signs provide notice. The handbook says that construction-zone signs will identify a closed lane well in advance and directs drivers to move into the open lane as Full explanation in Test 5

16. 16. When may a driver turn right on a red signal in West Virginia?

    1. After a complete stop, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, when no sign prohibits it
    2. Before stopping if the intersection appears empty
    3. Whenever the driver signals, even if a sign prohibits the turn
    4. Only after waiting for the light to turn green
    Show answer

    After a complete stop, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, when no sign prohibits it. A right turn on red is allowed only after a complete stop and after yielding to all other traffic and pedestrians. Full explanation in Test 6

17. 17. What fine can a person convicted of littering a West Virginia roadway face?

    1. Exactly $25
    2. Up to $5,000
    3. No fine, only community service
    4. Not less than $50 nor more than $1,000
    Show answer

    Not less than $50 nor more than $1,000. It is a violation of West Virginia law to litter public or private roadways or property. Full explanation in Test 6

18. 18. How should a driver identify a sign when fog, rain, snow, or darkness obscure its lettering?

    1. Use the sign's shape and respond accordingly
    2. Ignore the sign until the lettering becomes clear
    3. Use the sign's color but disregard its shape
    4. Assume every obscured sign prohibits passing
    Show answer

    Use the sign's shape and respond accordingly. The handbook says drivers should still recognize and respond to a sign when fading light, fog, rain, snow, or darkness makes its letters dif Full explanation in Test 6

19. 19. What do white pavement lines generally separate?

    1. Traffic lanes moving in the same direction
    2. Traffic lanes moving in opposite directions
    3. Only railroad tracks from road lanes
    4. Pedestrian areas from all vehicle traffic
    Show answer

    Traffic lanes moving in the same direction. White pavement lines separate traffic lanes moving in the same direction. Full explanation in Test 7

20. 20. At about what speed can partial hydroplaning occur on a standard passenger vehicle?

    1. About 35 mph
    2. About 15 mph
    3. About 55 mph only
    4. About 70 mph
    Show answer

    About 35 mph. The handbook places partial hydroplaning in a standard passenger vehicle at about 35 mph. Full explanation in Test 7

21. 21. What should a driver expect when entering an interstate construction zone?

    1. Lanes may close and traffic may slow or stop
    2. All lanes will remain open at the normal speed
    3. Only the shoulder may be closed, so lane changes are unnecessary
    4. Construction zones permit drivers to ignore posted controls
    Show answer

    Lanes may close and traffic may slow or stop. Interstate construction zones can change the normal path of travel. Full explanation in Test 8

22. 22. Unless conditions are bad or a lower limit is posted, how slowly may a driver travel on an interstate?

    1. The driver should not drive slower than 55 mph
    2. The driver must stay below 45 mph
    3. The driver may choose any speed without regard to traffic
    4. The driver must always travel exactly 70 mph
    Show answer

    The driver should not drive slower than 55 mph. The handbook says an interstate driver should not travel below 55 mph unless weather or road conditions are bad or a lower speed is posted. Full explanation in Test 8

23. 23. What steering-wheel practice helps a driver maintain control?

    1. Keep both hands on the steering wheel
    2. Drive with one hand outside the window
    3. Release the wheel briefly on straight roads
    4. Hold the wheel only when turning
    Show answer

    Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Using both hands gives the driver more control when the roadway changes or an unexpected movement occurs. Full explanation in Test 8

24. 24. What does the West Virginia handbook call the habit of checking only the rear view mirror before changing lanes or pulling away from the curb?

    1. Laziness, a bad driving habit
    2. Good defensive driving
    3. Inattention
    4. Impatience
    Show answer

    Laziness, a bad driving habit. The handbook groups bad driving habits under laziness, impatience, inattention, arrogance and aggressiveness. Full explanation in Test 9

25. 25. When should a driver choose to yield even if a traffic rule appears to favor proceeding?

    1. Whenever yielding is needed to avoid a conflict
    2. Only after the other driver waves you through
    3. Never, because right-of-way cannot be surrendered
    4. Only when the vehicle behind you is far away
    Show answer

    Whenever yielding is needed to avoid a conflict. Right-of-way rules help organize traffic, but safe driving still requires judgment. Full explanation in Test 9