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
10. Test 10

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. What is the safest response when there is no room to pass a bicyclist because traffic is approaching?

   1. Follow within one car length until the cyclist moves aside
   2. Pass immediately by moving onto the shoulder
   3. Sound the horn and squeeze between the bicycle and traffic
   4. Wait until the approaching traffic has gone by
   Show answer

   Wait until the approaching traffic has gone by. The handbook tells drivers to wait when an oncoming vehicle leaves no room to pass a bicyclist. Full explanation in Test 1

2. 2. What should a driver do when approaching a stop sign?

   
   1. Stop completely, then yield to pedestrians and cross traffic
   2. Slow down and roll through if no one is visible
   3. Stop only after entering the intersection
   4. Stop only when another vehicle is waiting
   Show answer

   Stop completely, then yield to pedestrians and cross traffic. An eight-sided stop sign means you must stop completely and give the right-of-way to pedestrians and to all cross traffic before moving agai Full explanation in Test 2

3. 3. The West Virginia DMV sends you a notice asking for proof of insurance mid-year. Why?

   1. The DMV may verify insurance at any time during the registration year, and you must submit proof of coverage
   2. Only vehicles over 10 years old are checked
   3. Notices go out only after a crash
   4. The notice is a billing error
   Show answer

   The DMV may verify insurance at any time during the registration year, and you must submit proof of coverage. Proof of West Virginia liability insurance is required when you obtain or renew a registration, and coverage must be maintained for the full Full explanation in Test 3

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

   1. At least six seconds in every condition
   2. Exactly two seconds
   3. At least four seconds
   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 4

5. 5. Which report is specifically listed as an allowed use of an electronic communications device?

   1. Composing an email while moving through traffic
   2. Sending a personal text to arrange dinner
   3. Watching a video while stopped at a light
   4. Reporting a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard, or emergency to authorities
   Show answer

   Reporting a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard, or emergency to authorities. The handbook lists reporting a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard, or emergency to the appropriate authorities as an allowed use. Full explanation in Test 5

6. 6. Which situation is specifically listed as a reason to slow down even before a driver reaches the posted speed limit?

   1. Leaving a parking space after checking traffic
   2. Driving on a clear, empty straight road
   3. Approaching and crossing an intersection
   4. Traveling below the normal flow on a wide road
   Show answer

   Approaching and crossing an intersection. The handbook names approaching and crossing an intersection as a situation requiring extra caution and reduced speed. Full explanation in Test 6

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

   1. On the applicant's 18th birthday
   2. On the applicant's 16th 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 7

8. 8. Where should drivers use extreme care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian?

   1. Only at gas stations
   2. Only on empty rural roads
   3. In school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks
   4. Only in a vehicle inspection lane
   Show answer

   In school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks. Pedestrian collisions are especially dangerous in places where people may enter the roadway unexpectedly. Full explanation in Test 8

9. 9. Why might a NO RIGHT TURN sign be posted?

   
   1. The road has no painted center line
   2. The turn is unsafe or the street is one way
   3. The next block has a legal parking area
   4. The intersection is always controlled by a railroad gate
   Show answer

   The turn is unsafe or the street is one way. A no-turn sign can control a movement where a one-way street or another condition makes the turn unsafe. Full explanation in Test 9

10. 10. Where may a West Virginia resident apply for an instruction permit, driver's license, or identification card?

    1. At any DMV regional office
    2. Only at the Charleston headquarters
    3. Only through the county school board
    4. Only at a county courthouse
    Show answer

    At any DMV regional office. A West Virginia resident can apply at any DMV regional office, so the applicant is not limited to Charleston or to a courthouse. Full explanation in Test 10

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

    1. Only railroad tracks from road lanes
    2. Traffic lanes moving in opposite directions
    3. Traffic lanes moving in the same direction
    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 1

12. 12. A West Virginia teen surrenders a Level 1 GDL instruction permit and later reapplies. How long must the new Level 1 permit be held?

    1. 30 days, with no conviction requirement
    2. 180 consecutive days without a conviction
    3. 90 consecutive days without a conviction
    4. Until the 18th birthday, with no minimum
    Show answer

    180 consecutive days without a conviction. The Level 1 permit cannot be renewed, and a teen who surrenders it for any reason must retest and then hold the Level 1 permit for 180 conse Full explanation in Test 2

13. 13. When must a Level 2 GDL holder drive with a supervising adult?

    1. Between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
    2. Only during school hours
    3. Between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
    4. Only after midnight on weekends
    Show answer

    Between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.. A Level 2 holder must drive with a supervising licensed adult who is at least 21 between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Full explanation in Test 3

14. 14. What information do square and rectangular traffic signs generally provide?

    1. A guarantee that the lane ahead is free of hazards
    2. A warning that a train is approaching the crossing
    3. Traffic regulations and guidance about speed or direction
    4. A marker showing only the name of a nearby town
    Show answer

    Traffic regulations and guidance about speed or direction. Square and rectangular signs are used to show traffic regulations and guide a driver's speed and direction. Full explanation in Test 4

15. 15. What does a ONE WAY sign tell a driver about the cross street?

    
    1. Vehicles may travel either way until dark
    2. Traffic must stop in both directions
    3. The street is reserved for buses
    4. Traffic runs in one direction only
    Show answer

    Traffic runs in one direction only. A ONE WAY sign identifies a cross street where traffic is organized to travel in one direction. Full explanation in Test 5

16. 16. What should a driver expect after seeing a crossroad warning?

    
    1. Other vehicles may enter or leave the highway
    2. The road is closed to all crossing traffic
    3. Only pedestrians may use the next intersection
    4. The next junction is a railroad crossing by definition
    Show answer

    Other vehicles may enter or leave the highway. A crossroad warning signals an intersection where other vehicles may enter or leave the highway. Full explanation in Test 6

17. 17. In West Virginia, is an insurance card shown on your phone valid proof of insurance?

    1. No, only a paper certificate is accepted
    2. Yes, an image on a wireless device is valid proof
    3. Only if it is also printed within 24 hours
    4. Only during a vehicle inspection
    Show answer

    Yes, an image on a wireless device is valid proof. West Virginia accepts an image displayed on a wireless communication device as valid proof of insurance, alongside the paper certificate tha Full explanation in Test 7

18. 18. What should a driver do when a posted speed limit is lower than a statutory designated speed?

    1. Choose whichever limit feels comfortable
    2. Use the statutory number instead
    3. Follow the posted lower limit
    4. Add the two limits together
    Show answer

    Follow the posted lower limit. Designated speeds apply only when they are not otherwise posted and when they remain reasonable and prudent for conditions. Full explanation in Test 8

19. 19. What does a Wrong Way or Do Not Enter sign tell a driver?

    
    1. The driver may enter after stopping briefly
    2. The lane is reserved for emergency vehicles
    3. Traffic in that direction is prohibited
    4. The roadway becomes one way after the next intersection
    Show answer

    Traffic in that direction is prohibited. A Wrong Way or Do Not Enter sign warns that traffic is prohibited in the marked direction. Full explanation in Test 9

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

    1. It is treated exactly like a BAC of 0.08 percent
    2. It is automatically harmless for an adult driver
    3. It is relevant evidence for presuming impaired driving
    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 10

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

    1. At the last possible moment beside the barricade
    2. As soon as possible after the advance signs provide notice
    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 when a lane is closed in a construction zone, signs will be posted well in advance, and drivers should move over to t Full explanation in Test 1

22. 22. A West Virginia driver is convicted of speeding 15 to 19 mph over the limit. How many points are assessed?

    1. Three points
    2. Five points
    3. Six points
    4. Two points
    Show answer

    Five points. Speeding 15 to 19 mph over the limit carries 5 points on the West Virginia scale. Full explanation in Test 2

23. 23. If two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, which driver should yield?

    
    1. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
    2. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
    3. The larger vehicle always proceeds first
    4. The vehicle traveling faster proceeds first
    Show answer

    The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. At an uncontrolled intersection or four-way stop, equal arrival creates a tie that the handbook resolves by giving priority to the driver on Full explanation in Test 3

24. 24. 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

25. 25. What is the driver being warned about by this signal symbol?

    
    1. A traffic signal ahead
    2. A broken streetlight
    3. A vehicle inspection station
    4. A railroad train already blocking the road
    Show answer

    A traffic signal ahead. The symbol warns that a traffic signal is ahead. Full explanation in Test 5