Virginia Permit Test: Safe Driving Practice Questions

Correct answer: 8 and 4 o'clock

Hold the wheel with your fingers and thumbs at about the 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions, rather than gripping with your palms.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Hand Position

Correct answer: Perception time, reaction distance and braking distance

Total stopping distance is made up of perception time (recognizing the hazard), reaction distance (until you brake) and braking distance (after you brake).

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Stopping Distance

Correct answer: The distance traveled from recognizing a problem until you apply the brakes

Reaction distance is how far you travel between recognizing a problem and applying the brakes. Braking distance is how far you travel after braking begins.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Stopping Distance

Correct answer: It can double it

Braking distance depends on speed, brakes, tires and pavement. Wet pavement can double your braking distance.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Stopping Distance

Correct answer: At least 2 seconds

Virginia's rule on dry surfaces is 2 seconds under 35 MPH, 3 seconds at 35–45 MPH and 4 seconds at 46–70 MPH.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: 3 seconds

At 35–45 MPH on dry surfaces, keep at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: 4 seconds

At 46–70 MPH on dry surfaces, the recommended following distance is 4 seconds. These cushions do not work if you are speeding over 70.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed object until you reach it

When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object such as a sign or overpass, count the seconds until you reach the same spot. If you get there too soon, slow down.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: When being tailgated

Increase following distance behind large vehicles, in bad weather or heavy traffic, when exiting an expressway, behind motorcycles or bicycles, and when being tailgated.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: Move to another lane if possible, or tap your brakes gently and slow down

Don't brake suddenly. If you can, change lanes; otherwise tap the brakes gently to flash your brake lights and slow down, encouraging the tailgater to pass or back off.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: Three-quarters of a second

Hand response time is close to half a second and foot response time is normally about three-quarters of a second, not counting delays from fatigue or distraction.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Maintaining a Space Cushion (Following Distance)

Correct answer: 20 to 30 seconds, about a block in the city

Looking 20 to 30 seconds ahead, about one block in the city, helps you spot risks early and gives you more time to react.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Searching

Correct answer: About every 10 seconds

Check the traffic behind you frequently, about every 10 seconds, so you notice someone closing in too fast or tailgating.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Searching

Correct answer: Left, then right, then left again

Look left first, because cars coming from the left are closer to you, then right, then take one more quick look left before going.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Searching

Correct answer: Exhaust smoke, lit brake or back-up lights, or turned wheels

Exhaust smoke, brake or back-up lights and turned wheels warn that a vehicle may move into your path.

Source: Section 3: Safe Driving – Searching