Virginia: Distracted and drowsy driving Practice Test
Virginia’s handheld phone law, other distractions, and the signs and dangers of drowsy driving.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Virginia Driver's Manual" (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 20 questions in this practice test
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Except to report a crash or emergency, drivers should not use which of these?
- Cell phones or other distracting devices
- Their turn signals or hazard lights
- Their windshield wipers or washer fluid
- Their rearview and side mirrors
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Correct answer: Cell phones or other distracting devices
Drivers should not use cell phones, computers or other distracting devices, except to report a crash or emergency.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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What should you do before engaging in distracting behavior?
- Slow down and keep to the right lane
- Turn on your hazard lights and keep driving
- Pull over and stop the vehicle in a safe location
- Ask a passenger to take the wheel
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Correct answer: Pull over and stop the vehicle in a safe location
The manual says to pull over and stop in a safe place before doing anything distracting.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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What does Virginia law prohibit drivers from doing with cell phones and other wireless communication devices while driving?
- Keeping them in the vehicle
- Charging them in the vehicle
- Holding them
- Having them turned on
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Correct answer: Holding them
Virginia law prohibits holding a cell phone or other wireless device while driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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When may a driver hold a cell phone under Virginia law?
- Only in a driver emergency, or if lawfully parked or stopped
- Whenever the call is short and traffic is light
- When the road is straight, dry and free of traffic
- When driving below the posted speed limit
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Correct answer: Only in a driver emergency, or if lawfully parked or stopped
The only exceptions are a driver emergency or a vehicle that is lawfully parked or stopped.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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How may a driver age 18 or older use a mobile phone for navigation?
- Only by holding it low in one hand and glancing at it briefly
- Only when the driver enters the address at a slow speed
- A phone may never be used for navigation while driving
- As long as the driver is not entering information or holding it
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Correct answer: As long as the driver is not entering information or holding it
A phone can be used for navigation if the driver does not enter information or hold it while driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Which precaution does the manual give to avoid distracted driving?
- Keep one hand on the wheel and the other free for your phone
- Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel at all times
- Keep your eyes on your mirrors and the speedometer
- Keep your eyes on the road only when traffic is heavy
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Correct answer: Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel at all times
The manual tells drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel at all times.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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When should you set or adjust vehicle controls and other devices?
- As soon as you get in the car, before driving
- At the first red light or stop sign you reach
- While driving slowly on a quiet, empty road
- Only when a passenger is there to help you
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Correct answer: As soon as you get in the car, before driving
Controls and devices should be set as soon as you get in the car, before you start driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Which of these is a sign of drowsy driving?
- Feeling more alert as the trip goes on
- Noticing every road sign and exit
- Difficulty remembering the last few miles driven
- Staying centered in your lane without effort
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Correct answer: Difficulty remembering the last few miles driven
Trouble remembering the last few miles is one of the listed signs of drowsy driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Why does driving while sleepy increase your crash risk?
- Your vehicle’s brakes respond more slowly when you are tired
- You struggle to process complex information from many places
- Your eyes cannot adjust to bright headlights
- Your hands cannot hold the steering wheel firmly for long
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Correct answer: You struggle to process complex information from many places
A sleepy driver struggles to process the complex information coming from many places at once.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Before a trip, what should you do to help avoid drowsy driving?
- Eat a heavy meal
- Have an alcoholic drink to relax
- Plan to drive straight through
- Get plenty of quality sleep
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Correct answer: Get plenty of quality sleep
Getting plenty of quality sleep before a trip is the first tip for avoiding drowsy driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Which should you avoid to help prevent drowsy driving?
- Rest stops and short naps
- A companion who can switch drivers
- Quality sleep before the trip
- Alcoholic beverages and heavy foods
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Correct answer: Alcoholic beverages and heavy foods
Alcohol and heavy foods make drowsy driving more likely, so the manual says to avoid them.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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To avoid drowsy driving, of what should you beware?
- Rest stops taken at least every two hours
- Medications that can impair your driving ability
- Companions who offer to share the driving
- Naps of 10 to 20 minutes before a trip
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Correct answer: Medications that can impair your driving ability
Some medications impair your driving, so you should beware of them.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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To avoid drowsy driving, how often should you stop for rest on a long trip?
- At least every hour
- At least every three hours
- At least every two hours
- At least every four hours
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Correct answer: At least every two hours
The manual says to limit long-distance driving and stop at least every two hours.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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As little as how much sleep can make a big difference when you are drowsy?
- 10 to 20 minutes
- 2 to 5 minutes
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
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Correct answer: 10 to 20 minutes
A nap of as little as 10 to 20 minutes at a safe place can make a big difference.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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On a long trip, what can you do with a companion to help avoid drowsy driving?
- Let the companion talk to you constantly
- Switch drivers when necessary, and let a well-rested person drive
- Take turns driving every five minutes
- Ask the companion to watch the road while you rest your eyes
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Correct answer: Switch drivers when necessary, and let a well-rested person drive
The manual says to drive with a companion if possible, switch drivers when needed, and always let a well-rested person drive.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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During which hours does the manual say to avoid driving to help prevent drowsy driving?
- From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- From 8 p.m. to midnight
- From 2 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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Correct answer: From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The manual lists avoiding driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. as a way to avoid drowsy driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Which of these does the manual say will not prevent drowsy driving?
- Turning up the radio
- Taking a 10 to 20 minute nap
- Switching drivers with a well-rested companion
- Stopping at least every two hours
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Correct answer: Turning up the radio
Rolling down a window, chewing gum, turning up the radio or caffeine are not reliable ways to stay awake.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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Drowsy driving is a type of what?
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired driving
- Defensive driving
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Correct answer: Impaired driving
The manual calls drowsy driving a type of impaired driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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If you observe a drowsy driver, what should you do?
- Pull up alongside the vehicle and sound your horn to wake the driver
- Follow closely behind until the driver stops or leaves the road
- Find a safe place to stop or ask a passenger to call law enforcement
- Pass quickly and flash your high beams to get the driver’s attention
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Correct answer: Find a safe place to stop or ask a passenger to call law enforcement
You should find a safe place to stop or ask a passenger to call law enforcement.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)
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When you report a drowsy driver, what should you be able to describe?
- The location, vehicle and actions you observed
- The driver’s name, address and phone number
- The driver’s age and license number
- The name of the driver’s insurance company
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Correct answer: The location, vehicle and actions you observed
You should be able to describe the location, the vehicle and the actions you saw.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 24 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 24)