Virginia DMV Permit: Emergencies Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Yield to the pedestrian.

Before you may turn right at a red signal, you must stop and then yield the right-of-way to cross traffic and lawfully crossing pedestrians. [Right Turn on Red; Traffic Signals; Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; Virginia Driver's Manual],

Source: VA Code § 46.2-835

Not quite. The answer is hydroplaning.

On a wet road, at speeds of up to 35 mph, modern tires will usually channel water away to maintain contact with the road. However, in deep water at higher speeds, the channeling action of the tires becomes less effective and the tires start to ride on a layer of water like water skis. This is called “hydroplaning.” It may result in a loss of braking and steering control. To prevent hydroplaning, slow down.

Not quite. The answer is text messaging or talking on the phone.

Anything that draws your attention away from the road can distract you. Some examples of distractions while driving are text messaging, talking on the phone, dealing with children, and lighting a cigarette.

Not quite. The answer is give a left-turn signal before passing and a right-turn signal after passing.

On a two-lane road with traffic moving in both directions, you may pass a vehicle on the left if it is not prohibited and the pass can be completed safely without exceeding the speed limit. To do this, first signal a left turn. Then when it is safe, move into the left lane to start the pass. After passing the vehicle, signal a right turn. When you have completely cleared the vehicle you passed, return to the right lane.

Not quite. The answer is do either (a) or (b).

When slowing down or stopping, you must signal the driver behind you with either the brake-operated signal lights or a hand signal. Use a hand signal if your brake lights aren't working. Also use a hand signal if your brake lights may be hard to see in bright sunlight. On the other hand, hand signals may be hard to see at night except in well-lit areas.

Not quite. The answer is stop and yield the right-of-way.

In Virginia, effective July 1, 2025, you must stop (not just yield) for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks who are either within your lane or within an adjacent lane while approaching your lane.

Source: VA Code § 46.2-924

Not quite. The answer is Do all of the above.

Before you change lanes, you must signal and check your mirrors. However, your car has blind spots that are large enough to hide another car in the lane next to yours. The only way to check those blind spots is to look over your shoulder before you change lanes. Otherwise, you might not notice the car next to you until it's too late.

Source: Changing Lanes, Section 3: Safe Driving, Virginia Driver's Manual

Not quite. The answer is pull over to the side of the road and park your vehicle before dealing with the situation.

Do not take your eyes off the road to turn around to deal with the needs of passengers, children or pets. If you must give attention to passengers or animals, pull over to the side of the road and park your vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is low-beam headlights

The bright light of high-beam headlights can be blinding. Under Virginia law, you must dim your headlights to low beam whenever you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following. You must also dim your headlights whenever roadway lighting is sufficient to let you see 350 feet ahead.

Source: VA Code § 46.2-1034

Not quite. The answer is areas around a vehicle that cannot be seen in its mirrors.

Blind spots are danger areas that cannot be seen in any of your vehicle's mirrors. Every vehicle has blind spots. The most common blind spots exist toward the left rear and right rear of the vehicle. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots called No-Zones. The best way to see what is in your blind spots is to quickly glance over your shoulders to view them directly.

Not quite. The answer is Continue through the intersection, then pull over to the right and stop.

Never block an intersection even if an emergency vehicle is approaching. If you are in an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches, continue through the intersection. Then pull over to the right as soon as you can and stop.

Not quite. The answer is as much as four times.

While you are driving, talking on a cell phone will increase your chances of being in a crash by as much as four times. This is because the conversation is drawing your attention away from your driving. Sending text messages (texting) while driving will increase your chances of being in a crash by as much as eight times.

Not quite. The answer is In any of the above situations

Sound a sharp blast on your horn whenever you must warn of immediate danger, such as in the following situations: (1) A pedestrian is about to walk, run, or ride into the street; (2) another vehicle is in danger of hitting you; or (3) you have lost control of your vehicle and might hit someone.

Not quite. The answer is In all of the above situations

You should use your headlights whenever you cannot see well or other drivers cannot see you well. Under Virginia law, you must use your headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poor at 500 feet. You must also use your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers continuously (not on the intermittent "mist" setting) in bad weather. [Lights, Section 3: Safe Driving, Virginia Driver's Manual], [Night Driving, Hazardous Conditions, Chapter 3: Safe Driving, Virginia Driver's Manual],

Source: VA Code § 46.2-1030

Not quite. The answer is toward the right edge of the road

If an oncoming vehicle has its high-beam headlights on, don't stare at the lights. Look toward the right edge of the road to prevent being temporarily blinded.

Not quite. The answer is maintain a space cushion.

To help avoid a collision, try to keep plenty of space between your vehicle and other vehicles on all sides.

Not quite. The answer is Ease your foot off the gas and carefully steer in the direction in which you want your vehicle to go.

If you start to skid, stay calm, ease your foot off the gas, let your vehicle slow down gradually, and carefully steer in the direction in which you want the front of your vehicle to go. In other words, if the rear of your vehicle skids left, steer left; if the rear of your vehicle skids right, steer right. Avoid braking, especially if your vehicle is not equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS). The vehicle may possibly overshoot and start to skid in the opposite direction. To prevent this, steer in the opposite direction as soon as your vehicle starts to straighten out. This procedure, known as “steering into the skid,” will bring the rear of your vehicle into line with the front.

Not quite. The answer is Pre-loosening the lid of your coffee cup

Before starting your trip, you should set up your cab just as you like it, but eating and drinking should be done at rest stops.

Not quite. The answer is not depend on your mirrors. Instead, turn your head to look through the rear window.

Before you back up, make sure that it is safe to do so and will not interfere with other traffic. It is a good idea to walk behind the vehicle to make sure that a child, pet, or toy is not in the way. Turn your head so you can look over your shoulder and through the rear window. Do not depend on your mirrors; they have blind spots.

Not quite. The answer is Pull over, no matter which direction the ambulance is traveling in.

Under Virginia law, if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights or sounding a siren is approaching from either direction, you must yield the right-of-way, pull over to the right, and let the emergency vehicle pass safely. (The only exception is if the emergency vehicle is on the opposite side of a divided highway. In that case, you don't have to pull over.) However, if you're in the middle of an intersection when the emergency vehicle approaches, don't stop in the intersection. Instead, clear the intersection and then pull over immediately. Never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing.

Source: Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights, Yielding the Right-of-Way, Section 3: Safe Driving, Virginia Driver's Manual