1.1 - Two-Part Knowledge Exam Test

1.1 - Two-Part Knowledge Exam Test

Tests will include a vision screening and may include a two-part knowledge exam and a road skills test. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take.

You will need to take the knowledge exam if you do not hold a valid driver's license from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea. The two-part knowledge exam is given on a computer and tests your knowledge of traffic signs, motor vehicle laws, and safe driving. Exam questions are taken from information in this manual. You must correctly answer all ten traffic sign questions in part one of the exam before you can take part two of the exam. Part two tests your general knowledge with multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 80 percent of these questions correctly to pass part two.

If you fail the exam and you are:
Under age 18 - by law you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam. For example, if you fail the exam on January 1, the earliest you can take the exam again is January 17.
Age 18 or older - you must pay a $2 fee if you retake the exam within 15 days.
The exam may be taken only once per business day. An audio version of the exam is available and the exam is offered in many different languages and American Sign Language. Therefore, translators may not be used for tests in offered languages.

If you fail the driver's license knowledge exam three times, you will not be able to take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the classroom part of driver education at a driver training school approved by DMV or the Department of Education. Customers age 19 and older have the option of completing a course based on the Virginia Driver's Manual. The completion date for each course must be after the date you failed the knowledge exam the third time. When you successfully complete the course and give DMV your certificate of completion, you can take the knowledge exam again.

When testing, you cannot:
get help while taking the exam
help another person taking the exam
try to get test questions or answers before the exam
give another person exam questions or answers
use a cell phone during the exam
To help you prepare for the exams, sample knowledge questions are available at the end of each section of this study guide.
Services for Persons With Disabilities
Customers with special needs or who require special help with applications or testing should tell a DMV staff member at any DMV location.