Virginia DMV Test Day: What to Expect

Part One (10 sign questions) requires 100% correct before Part Two is unlocked; Part Two (30 questions) requires at least 80% correct, i.e. 24 of 30. Overall that is 34 of 40 (85%), but the published pass rule is 10/10 then 24/30.

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1 Testing, p. 3: "You must answer at least 80 percent of these questions correctly to pass part two." DMV 'The Knowledge Exam' page: "You must correctly answer 24 questions to pass".

Two-part exam: Part One is 10 road-sign questions, Part Two is 30 general knowledge questions (40 total). The manual gives the 10-sign count and 80% rule but not the Part Two count; the DMV knowledge-exam page gives 30.

Source: Virginia DMV, 'The Knowledge Exam' web page: Part One "10 road sign questions" ... Part Two "30 general knowledge questions". Manual (DMV 39) Section 1, p. 3: "You must correctly answer all ten traffic sign questions in part one of the exam before you can take part two".

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Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 1: Testing, Two-Part Knowledge Exam, p. 3

Applicants 18 or older may test only one time per day, so the earliest retake is the next day. Applicants under 18 must by law wait a full 15 days (fail on January 1, earliest retake January 17; Va. Code 46.2-332(B)). Regardless of age, after a third failure you cannot test a fourth time until you complete a driver's manual course (8-hour course for 18+, or the 36-period classroom driver education for under 18) and give DMV the completion certificate. Each retake requires reapplying for a learner's permit.

Source: Virginia DMV, 'The Knowledge Exam' web page: "If you are under the age of 18, you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam." and "If you are age 18 or older, you are only eligible to test one time per day." Also Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1 Testing, p. 3: "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."

Yes. 10/10 required on part-one sign questions before part two; 80% required on part two

Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 1: Testing, Two-Part Knowledge Exam, p. 3

The learner's permit fee is $3, charged together with the yearly cost of the driver's license you will receive, so the full license fee is paid when you apply for the permit.

Source: Virginia DMV, DMV 201 ("Combined learner's permit/driver's license (plus the yearly cost of the driver's license) $3.00"); Learner's permit page ("$3 learner's permit fee plus the yearly cost of a driver's license")

Virginia's fee chart lists no charge for the knowledge exam; the fees you pay are the learner's permit fee and the driver's license fee. Adults may take the exam once per day, and after three failures must complete a training course before testing again.

Source: Virginia DMV, Fees for Driver's Licenses and ID Cards (DMV 201, dated 08/10/2026): no knowledge exam line item; Virginia DMV, Knowledge Exam page: no fee stated

The driver's license costs $4 per year with a $20 minimum, so the standard eight-year license is $32. A REAL ID compliant license adds a one-time $10 fee.

Source: Virginia DMV, DMV 201, dated 08/10/2026 ("Driver's license only ($4 per year) (minimum $20) $32.00")

Virginia no longer charges a reexamination fee for the knowledge exam. DMV announced on 2022-06-30 that the $2 reexamination fee was removed (SB 301 / HB 530), and Va. Code 46.2-332 (fees, amended through 2025) contains no reexamination fee. The learner's permit fee is paid when the permit is issued after passing.

Source: Virginia DMV news release 'New Laws Provide More Opportunities and Streamline Processes...' (June 30, 2022): "The $2 reexamination fee has also been removed as part of this new law."