Virginia: Licensing basics — Part 4 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What must you carry with you whenever you drive?” · “If you hold a school bus endorsement without a CDL, what restriction is printed on your license?”
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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 18 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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Your vehicle is impounded because you drove without a license after being previously convicted of driving without a license. How long does it stay impounded?
- Until you obtain a license or for three days, whichever is less
- Until you obtain a license or for 30 days, whichever is more
- For 90 days with no exceptions
- Until the court hearing, up to 60 days
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Correct answer: Until you obtain a license or for three days, whichever is less
The vehicle stays impounded until you get a license or for three days, whichever is less.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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What must you carry with you whenever you drive?
- A valid driver’s license or learner’s permit
- A copy of your vehicle title
- Your Social Security card
- A printed copy of the Virginia Driver’s Manual
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Correct answer: A valid driver’s license or learner’s permit
Virginia requires you to have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit with you every time you drive.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What may happen to you if you misuse your driver’s license or learner’s permit?
- You will be required to retake the road skills test and nothing more
- Your vehicle will be impounded and your insurance cancelled by DMV
- You could be fined, sentenced to jail, or have your license suspended
- Nothing happens unless the misuse also causes a crash or injury
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Correct answer: You could be fined, sentenced to jail, or have your license suspended
Misusing a license or permit is illegal, and the possible results are a fine, jail time or a license suspension.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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A learner’s permit allows you to drive when a licensed driver at least what age is seated in the front passenger seat?
- 25
- 21
- 23
- 30
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Correct answer: 21
The licensed driver supervising a permit holder must be at least 21 years old (with a narrow exception for certain relatives).
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Where must the licensed driver sit when you drive with a learner’s permit?
- In the rear seat directly behind you
- In the rear seat on the passenger side
- In any seat of the vehicle
- In the front passenger seat
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Correct answer: In the front passenger seat
A learner’s permit lets you drive when the licensed driver is in the front passenger seat beside you.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What is required of the licensed driver who rides with a learner’s permit holder?
- Be a certified instructor who works for a driver training school
- Hold a commercial driver’s license and ride in the rear seat
- Have held a driver’s license for at least five years without a violation
- Hold a valid driver’s license and be alert and able to assist the permit holder
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Correct answer: Hold a valid driver’s license and be alert and able to assist the permit holder
The supervising driver must have a valid license and be alert and able to help the person driving.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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A licensed driver age 18, 19, or 20 may supervise a learner’s permit holder only if he or she is the permit holder’s which of these?
- Family friend
- Legal guardian
- Grandparent
- Aunt or uncle
Show answer
Correct answer: Legal guardian
The manual allows an 18-, 19- or 20-year-old supervisor only for a legal guardian or a sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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A driver’s license allows you to operate any vehicle or small truck that is exempt from CDL requirements and weighs less than how many pounds?
- 26,001 pounds
- 10,001 pounds
- 16,001 pounds
- 36,001 pounds
Show answer
Correct answer: 26,001 pounds
A regular driver’s license covers vehicles and small trucks under 26,001 pounds that do not need a commercial license.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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Which of these vehicles requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL)?
- A school bus designed to carry 15 occupants including the driver
- A small truck weighing less than 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL requirements
- A vehicle carrying hazardous materials
- A passenger car carrying four adults
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Correct answer: A vehicle carrying hazardous materials
A CDL covers tractor-trailers, passenger buses, tank vehicles, larger school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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A commercial driver’s license is needed for a school bus designed to carry at least how many occupants, including the driver?
- 12
- 16
- 15
- 20
Show answer
Correct answer: 16
A CDL is required for school buses designed for 16 or more occupants, including the driver.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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To drive a school bus designed to carry 15 occupants (including the driver), which tests must you take to get the school bus endorsement on your driver’s license?
- Only the road skills test in a passenger car
- The knowledge exam for tank vehicles and the vision screening
- The motorcycle knowledge exam and a school bus test
- The commercial driver and school bus tests
Show answer
Correct answer: The commercial driver and school bus tests
A driver of a 15-occupant bus needs no CDL but must pass the commercial driver and school bus tests for the endorsement.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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If you hold a school bus endorsement without a CDL, what restriction is printed on your license?
- You may drive only a bus designed for 15 occupants, including the driver
- You may drive only during daylight hours on roads inside your county
- You may drive only school buses registered in your home county or city
- You may drive only a bus that carries no students younger than 12 years old
Show answer
Correct answer: You may drive only a bus designed for 15 occupants, including the driver
Without a CDL, you are limited to a bus designed for 15 occupants including the driver, and the license says so.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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Which statement about an international driver’s license is correct?
- It allows you to drive anywhere in the U.S. for 60 days
- It replaces your Virginia license while that license is suspended
- It is not a valid driver’s license and does not allow you to drive
- It becomes valid for driving once a translation is attached
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Correct answer: It is not a valid driver’s license and does not allow you to drive
An international driver’s license is not a valid license and gives no permission to drive.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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An international driver’s license is only a foreign translation of your existing valid license, to be used when you are doing what?
- Driving as a new resident of Virginia
- Applying for a Virginia learner’s permit
- Traveling outside of the U.S.
- Driving in another U.S. state
Show answer
Correct answer: Traveling outside of the U.S.
It is a translation of your existing license for use when you travel outside the U.S.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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According to the manual, who issues international driver’s licenses?
- Your local AAA
- The Virginia State Police
- A DMV customer service center
- The U.S. Department of State
Show answer
Correct answer: Your local AAA
The manual says these permits are issued by your local AAA.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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Which people cannot get an international driver’s license from AAA?
- Persons who live outside of Virginia
- Persons who hold a commercial driver’s license
- Persons who have held a license for less than a year
- Persons whose driving privilege is suspended or revoked
Show answer
Correct answer: Persons whose driving privilege is suspended or revoked
The AAA issues these permits to everyone except persons whose driving privilege is suspended or revoked.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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If you are visiting the U.S. from a foreign country, what may you use to drive?
- An international driver’s license sold by a private business
- Your home country license, with a translation
- A Virginia learner’s permit issued when you arrive
- Only a driver’s license issued by a U.S. state
Show answer
Correct answer: Your home country license, with a translation
A visitor may drive with a home country license, which should come with a translation.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)
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What does the manual say about international driver’s licenses marketed by private sector businesses?
- They are not valid and do not let you legally drive
- They are valid for visitors for up to 60 days
- They are valid when accompanied by a translation
- They are valid only for driving on private property
Show answer
Correct answer: They are not valid and do not let you legally drive
Such licenses are not valid and give no legal permission to drive.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 32 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 32)