Virginia: Road signs — Part 1 Practice Test
Regulatory, warning, school and work zone signs from the Virginia Driver’s Manual. — Part 1
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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 22 questions in this practice test
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What does a red circle with a slash across it mean on a regulatory sign?
- Caution, and the symbol inside the circle shows the hazard
- Yield, and the symbol inside the circle shows who has the right-of-way
- Stop, and the symbol inside the circle shows where to stop
- NO, and the symbol inside the circle shows what is prohibited
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Correct answer: NO, and the symbol inside the circle shows what is prohibited
A red circle with a slash means NO, and the symbol drawn inside it shows the prohibited action.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a speed limit sign tell you?
- The speed you must drive in any weather
- The maximum legal speed in good weather
- The minimum speed allowed on that road
- The advised speed for the next curve ahead
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Correct answer: The maximum legal speed in good weather
A speed limit sign gives the maximum legal speed in good weather.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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Some roads have electronic speed limit signs. What makes the posted limit on them change?
- The time of day only
- The number of lanes open
- Weather or traffic conditions
- The type of vehicle approaching
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Correct answer: Weather or traffic conditions
Electronic speed limit signs can change based on weather or traffic conditions.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a Do Not Pass sign mark?
- The beginning of a no passing zone
- The end of a no passing zone
- A lane reserved for slow vehicles
- A place where passing is allowed only on the right
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Correct answer: The beginning of a no passing zone
A Do Not Pass sign marks where a no passing zone begins, and you may not pass cars in your lane even if the way is clear.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a Left Turn Yield on Green sign, used with a traffic signal, tell you?
- Traffic turning left at a green light has the right-of-way over oncoming traffic
- Left turns are allowed only on a green arrow
- Traffic turning left on a green light must yield to oncoming traffic
- Left turns are not allowed at this signal
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Correct answer: Traffic turning left on a green light must yield to oncoming traffic
A Left Turn Yield on Green sign tells left-turning drivers on a green light to yield to traffic coming from the other direction.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a Keep Right sign tell you?
- All traffic must turn right at the next intersection ahead
- A median, island or barrier is ahead; keep to the side of the arrow
- The right lane is reserved for slower traffic and trucks
- The road ahead becomes a one-way road to the right
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Correct answer: A median, island or barrier is ahead; keep to the side of the arrow
A Keep Right sign warns of an island, median or barrier and directs you to the side the arrow shows.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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You realize you have driven past a Do Not Enter or Wrong Way sign. What should you do?
- Speed up to leave the wrong-way road as quickly as you can
- Continue to the next intersection and then turn around
- Stop in your lane and wait for the traffic to pass by you
- Immediately slow down, pull over, and cautiously turn around
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Correct answer: Immediately slow down, pull over, and cautiously turn around
Past a Do Not Enter or Wrong Way sign you are going the wrong direction, so you slow down, pull over and carefully turn around.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a Lane Use Control sign tell drivers in the lane?
- They must go straight through the intersection
- They must turn in the direction of the arrow
- They may turn in any direction
- They must change lanes before the intersection
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Correct answer: They must turn in the direction of the arrow
Lane Use Control signs mark lanes where traffic must turn the way the arrow points.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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Which vehicles may use a lane marked with a High Occupancy Vehicle sign?
- Only buses and emergency vehicles at all hours of the day
- Only trucks and vehicles towing trailers
- Only vehicles carrying three or more passengers each
- Buses and vehicles with a driver and the passengers the sign lists
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Correct answer: Buses and vehicles with a driver and the passengers the sign lists
A High Occupancy Vehicle sign reserves a lane for buses and vehicles carrying a driver plus the passengers named on it.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a No Left Turn sign mean for U-turns in Virginia?
- U-turns are considered two left turns and are illegal where the sign is posted
- U-turns are still allowed where the sign is posted
- U-turns are allowed only at intersections where the sign is posted
- U-turns are allowed only for vehicles in the left lane
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Correct answer: U-turns are considered two left turns and are illegal where the sign is posted
In Virginia a U-turn counts as two left turns, so a No Left Turn sign also bans U-turns.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What do warning signs do?
- Tell you the law you must obey
- Give directions to destinations
- Show which lanes are reserved
- Alert you to possible hazards ahead
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Correct answer: Alert you to possible hazards ahead
Warning signs alert drivers to hazards that may be ahead.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What does an Advisory Speed sign posted with a highway exit indicate?
- The minimum speed required on the exit
- The maximum safe speed for the exit
- The legal speed limit on the main highway
- The speed at which to merge back onto the highway
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Correct answer: The maximum safe speed for the exit
The Advisory Speed sign shows the maximum safe speed for a highway exit.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What should you do when a Slippery When Wet sign warns of wet pavement?
- Brake hard to test how slippery the road surface is
- Keep your speed and switch on your hazard lights now
- Reduce your speed; do not brake hard or turn suddenly
- Change lanes quickly to find a drier stretch of road
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Correct answer: Reduce your speed; do not brake hard or turn suddenly
On wet pavement you slow down and avoid braking hard or changing direction suddenly.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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Besides reducing speed, what does the manual say to do when a Slippery When Wet sign warns of wet pavement?
- Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead
- Decrease the distance to the car ahead to keep the traffic flowing
- Follow the vehicle ahead in its tire tracks
- Drive in the center of the road
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Correct answer: Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead
Wet roads need more room, so you increase the distance to the car ahead.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What should you do when you see a Low Clearance sign showing a height?
- Not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown
- Proceed slowly if your vehicle is taller than the height shown
- Proceed if your vehicle is within 6 inches of the height shown
- Sound your horn before passing under the overpass
Show answer
Correct answer: Not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown
A low clearance sign shows the height limit of the overpass; a taller vehicle must not proceed.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What does a Reduced Speed Limit Ahead sign tell you?
- You must already be at the lower speed when you reach the sign
- A school zone begins at the next intersection
- Prepare to reduce speed; the speed limit changes ahead
- You must come to a stop at the next intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Prepare to reduce speed; the speed limit changes ahead
A Reduced Speed Limit Ahead sign warns that the speed limit is changing ahead, so you should prepare to slow down.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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A Hill warning sign is posted ahead. What does it mean, and what should you do?
- A steep grade is ahead; speed up to climb it
- A steep grade is ahead; check your brakes
- A steep grade is ahead; move to the left lane
- A steep grade is ahead; turn on your hazard lights
Show answer
Correct answer: A steep grade is ahead; check your brakes
A Hill sign warns of a steep grade and tells you to check your brakes.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What does a Stop Ahead or Yield Ahead sign tell you?
- A stop sign or yield sign is ahead; come to a stop at once
- A traffic signal is ahead; maintain your speed and keep going
- Cross traffic ahead does not have to stop or yield to you
- A stop sign or yield sign is ahead; slow down and be ready to stop
Show answer
Correct answer: A stop sign or yield sign is ahead; slow down and be ready to stop
Stop Ahead and Yield Ahead signs warn that a stop or yield sign is coming, so you slow down and are ready to stop.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What does a Signal Ahead sign warn you of?
- Traffic signals ahead; stop at once
- Traffic signals ahead; slow down and be ready to stop
- Traffic signals ahead; speed up to make the green
- Traffic signals ahead; keep your speed
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Correct answer: Traffic signals ahead; slow down and be ready to stop
A Signal Ahead sign means traffic signals are coming up, so you slow down and are ready to stop.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What should you do when you see a Horse-Drawn Buggies sign?
- Slow down and sound your horn to warn the driver
- Maintain your speed and pass on the right
- Stop and wait for the buggy to leave the road
- Slow down and do not use the horn
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Correct answer: Slow down and do not use the horn
Near horse-drawn buggies you slow down and avoid using the horn.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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What does a Merge sign warn you of?
- A lane ends and only the right lane drivers must merge
- Traffic ahead must stop for a signal
- Two lanes moving in the same direction are about to become one
- A highway splits into two separate roadways
Show answer
Correct answer: Two lanes moving in the same direction are about to become one
A Merge sign warns that two same-direction lanes are about to become one.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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At a Merge sign, who is responsible for merging safely?
- Only drivers in the left lane
- Only drivers in the right lane
- Only the driver who arrives second
- Drivers in both lanes
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Correct answer: Drivers in both lanes
Drivers in both lanes share the responsibility for merging safely.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39 (April 27, 2026)), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)