Virginia: Penalties and demerit points Practice Test
Suspension and revocation, demerit points, the Driver Improvement Program and medical review.
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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 26 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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If you are convicted of aggressive driving, your license could be suspended for ten days or for as long as how long?
- Two months
- Nine months
- Eighteen months
- Six months
Show answer
Correct answer: Six months
A conviction for aggressive driving can bring a suspension of ten days up to six months.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 23 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 23)
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In Virginia, what does it mean when your license is suspended?
- Your privilege to drive has been withdrawn temporarily
- Your privilege to drive has been terminated permanently
- Your license has been cancelled and can never be restored
- Your privilege to drive is limited to daylight hours only
Show answer
Correct answer: Your privilege to drive has been withdrawn temporarily
A suspension withdraws the privilege to drive for a limited time, and the license can be reinstated when the suspension period ends.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What does revocation of your driving privilege mean?
- Your privilege to drive has been withdrawn only for a short time
- Your driving is limited to travel to and from work
- Your privilege to drive has been terminated
- Your license is replaced by a learner’s permit
Show answer
Correct answer: Your privilege to drive has been terminated
Revocation ends the privilege to drive, unlike a suspension, which is only temporary.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Who may suspend or revoke your driving privilege if you break certain laws or repeatedly violate the laws of Virginia?
- Only the police officer who stopped you
- The court and/or DMV
- Your insurance company
- A driver improvement clinic instructor
Show answer
Correct answer: The court and/or DMV
Virginia says the court and/or DMV may suspend or revoke the driving privilege of someone who breaks certain laws or repeatedly violates them.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Besides paying the required fees, what must you show to have a suspended license reinstated at the end of the suspension period?
- A certificate from a driver education course
- A letter from your employer
- Proof that you own a vehicle
- Proof of legal presence
Show answer
Correct answer: Proof of legal presence
To get a suspended license reinstated you must pay the required fees and also show proof of legal presence.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What does “proof of legal presence” mean for license reinstatement in Virginia?
- You are either a U.S. citizen or legally authorized by the federal government to be in the U.S.
- You have been a resident of Virginia for at least one full year and own a registered vehicle
- You hold a valid license issued by another U.S. state and have no unpaid traffic fines
- You have lived at the same Virginia address for the past twelve months without any move
Show answer
Correct answer: You are either a U.S. citizen or legally authorized by the federal government to be in the U.S.
Legal presence means being a U.S. citizen or being legally authorized by the federal government to be in the U.S.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Your license is suspended and has been expired for more than a year. What must you do to have your driving privilege reinstated, besides showing proof of legal presence?
- Pass only the vision exam, with no knowledge or road skills exam
- Pass only the road skills test, with no knowledge exam
- Pass the two-part knowledge, road skills and vision exams
- Complete a driver improvement clinic and pay the required fees
Show answer
Correct answer: Pass the two-part knowledge, road skills and vision exams
An expired license during a suspension means you must pass all of the exams again, not just one of them.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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After a revocation period has passed, how may your driving privilege be restored?
- Wait for DMV to mail your old license back automatically
- Re-apply for a driver’s license and show proof of legal presence
- Ask the court to return your license without any exams
- Pay the required fees and show your old license
Show answer
Correct answer: Re-apply for a driver’s license and show proof of legal presence
A revoked privilege is not simply returned: you must re-apply for a license and show proof of legal presence.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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When you re-apply for a license after a revocation, what must you successfully complete?
- Only the two-part knowledge exam, with no vision or road skills test
- Only a driver improvement clinic and a medical review by a physician
- A medical review by your physician and nothing else, with no exams
- The vision screening, the two-part knowledge exam and the road skills tests
Show answer
Correct answer: The vision screening, the two-part knowledge exam and the road skills tests
After a revocation you start over: vision screening, the two-part knowledge exam and the road skills tests, plus the required fees.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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For which of these offenses will the court or DMV suspend or revoke your privilege to drive if you are convicted?
- Eluding police
- Failing to signal a turn
- Parking too close to a fire hydrant
- Following another vehicle too closely
Show answer
Correct answer: Eluding police
Eluding police is on the list of convictions for which the court or DMV will suspend or revoke the driving privilege.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which conviction will result in the court or DMV suspending or revoking your privilege to drive?
- Driving slower than the speed limit on a highway
- Leaving your headlights on in a parked car
- Making a false statement to DMV
- Backing out of a parking space too slowly
Show answer
Correct answer: Making a false statement to DMV
Making a false statement to DMV is one of the convictions that brings a suspension or revocation.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which conviction will lead the court or DMV to suspend or revoke your privilege to drive?
- Stopping to let a pedestrian cross at a marked crosswalk and then driving on when it is clear
- Failing to stop and identify yourself at the scene of a crash if someone has been injured or killed
- Reporting a minor crash to the police a day after it happened when no one was hurt or killed
- Moving your vehicle out of the road after a crash in which no one was injured or killed
Show answer
Correct answer: Failing to stop and identify yourself at the scene of a crash if someone has been injured or killed
Leaving the scene of a crash without stopping and identifying yourself when someone is hurt or killed is a conviction that brings suspension or revocation.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which of these convictions will result in a suspension or revocation of your privilege to drive?
- Failing to renew a vehicle registration on time
- Driving with a cracked windshield
- Failing to carry a spare tire
- Taking a driver’s license exam for another person
Show answer
Correct answer: Taking a driver’s license exam for another person
Taking a license exam for someone else, or appearing for another person to renew a license, is on the list of offenses that bring suspension or revocation.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which offense is one for which the court MAY suspend or revoke your driving privilege if you are convicted?
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Parking in front of a mailbox
- Failing to turn on headlights during the day
- Driving with a tire that is low on air
Show answer
Correct answer: Reckless or aggressive driving
Reckless or aggressive driving is listed among the convictions for which the court may suspend or revoke the driving privilege.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which conviction may lead the court to suspend or revoke your driving privilege?
- Declining to answer an officer’s questions about where you were going or where you were coming from
- Refusing to let a passenger ride in your vehicle because the passenger is not wearing a safety belt
- Refusing to take a blood/breath test when charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Declining to lend your vehicle to another licensed driver who asked to borrow it for the day
Show answer
Correct answer: Refusing to take a blood/breath test when charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs
Refusing a blood/breath test when charged with driving under the influence is listed as an offense for which the court may suspend or revoke.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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For a Virginia resident, who maintains a driving record of all convictions received from the court?
- The local police department
- DMV
- The county sheriff’s office
- The driver’s insurance company
Show answer
Correct answer: DMV
DMV keeps the driving record of a Virginia resident and adds the convictions it receives from the court.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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How many demerit points may convictions be assigned?
- One, two or three
- Two, five or ten
- Four, eight or twelve
- Three, four or six
Show answer
Correct answer: Three, four or six
DMV assigns three, four or six demerit points to a conviction.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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Over which two periods does DMV monitor how many demerit points you receive?
- A 12-month period and a 24-month period
- A 6-month period and a 12-month period
- A 24-month period and a 36-month period
- A 30-day period and a 90-day period
Show answer
Correct answer: A 12-month period and a 24-month period
DMV counts demerit points received within 12 months and within 24 months.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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You are convicted of a demerit point traffic violation committed when you were under age 18. What will DMV require you to complete?
- A new road skills test
- A medical review
- A driver improvement clinic
- A driver education course
Show answer
Correct answer: A driver improvement clinic
A driver improvement clinic is what DMV requires after a demerit point violation committed under age 18.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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If you are under age 18 and do not complete the required driver improvement clinic within 90 days, what will DMV do?
- Revoke your driving privilege for one year and require you to retake the knowledge exam
- Suspend your driving privilege until you complete the clinic and pay a reinstatement fee
- Add six demerit points to your driving record and extend the clinic deadline by 90 days
- Require you to retake the road skills test and the knowledge exam before you may drive again
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspend your driving privilege until you complete the clinic and pay a reinstatement fee
Missing the 90-day deadline brings a suspension that lasts until the clinic is completed and the reinstatement fee is paid.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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What will DMV do after your second conviction for a demerit point violation committed when you were under age 18?
- Suspend your driving privilege for 30 days
- Revoke your driving privilege for one year
- Suspend your driving privilege for six months
- Suspend your driving privilege for 90 days
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspend your driving privilege for 90 days
A second conviction for a violation committed under age 18 brings a 90-day suspension.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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What will happen after your third conviction for a demerit point violation committed when you were under age 18?
- Your driving privilege will be revoked for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer
- Your driving privilege will be revoked for 90 days or until you reach age 21, whichever is shorter
- Your driving privilege will be suspended for six months and a clinic will be required
- Your driving privilege will be revoked until you reach age 21
Show answer
Correct answer: Your driving privilege will be revoked for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer
The third conviction means revocation for one year or until age 18, whichever period is longer.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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You are age 18 or 19 and are convicted of a demerit point or safety belt/child restraint violation. What will DMV require?
- That you serve a 90-day suspension
- That you pass the road skills test again
- That you complete a driver improvement clinic
- That your license be revoked for one year
Show answer
Correct answer: That you complete a driver improvement clinic
For a driver aged 18 or 19, one such conviction means a driver improvement clinic.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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If you are age 18 or older, DMV will require a driver improvement clinic if you accumulate how many demerit points?
- 6 points within 12 months or 12 points within 24 months
- 12 points within 12 months or 18 points within 24 months
- 10 points within 12 months or 20 points within 24 months
- 15 points within 12 months or 30 points within 24 months
Show answer
Correct answer: 12 points within 12 months or 18 points within 24 months
For drivers 18 or older the clinic is required at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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If you are age 18 or older and do not complete a required driver improvement clinic within 90 days, what will DMV do?
- Revoke your driving privilege for one year
- Add six demerit points to your record
- Cancel your vehicle registration
- Suspend your driving privilege
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspend your driving privilege
Not completing the clinic within 90 days leads DMV to suspend the driving privilege.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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What will DMV do if you receive 18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months?
- Suspend your driving privilege for 90 days and require a driver improvement clinic
- Revoke your driving privilege for one year and require you to retake the road skills test
- Suspend your driving privilege for 30 days and require a medical review by a physician
- Require you to take a medical review and submit periodic reports for one year
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspend your driving privilege for 90 days and require a driver improvement clinic
At 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months, DMV suspends for 90 days and requires a clinic.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)