Virginia Drivers license 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.
Two-Part Knowledge Exam
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 $2.00 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
Section 1: Testing
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
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.
Road Skills Test
You will need to take the road skills test if you do not hold a valid driver’s license from another U. S. state, Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea. You must provide a vehicle for the road skills test (cannot be taken in an autocycle). The vehicle must have a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates, registration card and decals, working brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer.
To take the road skills test, the DMV examiner will require that you either:
• present an acceptable driver’s education certificate of completion, or
• complete a behind-the-wheel checklist (DMV form CSMA 19 available at www.dmvNOW.com or any DMV office) that describes specific driving tasks that you may be asked to perform while taking the road skills test. A licensed driver will need to certify on the form that he/ she has been with you while you practiced the driving tasks and that you have complied with all requirements for learner’s permit holders while operating a motor vehicle.
For applicants under 19, the road skills test will be given as part of the driver education course taken at a public, private or commercial driving school. If you are home schooled, refer to the Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet (HS 3) for more information about taking the road skills test.
Applicants age 19 or older must hold the learner’s permit for 60 days prior to the first road skills test or complete a course of driver’s education at a driver training school approved by DMV or the Department of Education. For applicants who choose to take driver’s education, the road skills test will be administered by the driver training school. For those who opt to hold a learner’s permit for 60 days, the road skills test will be given by a DMV staff member. The test may be taken only once per business day. If you fail the road skills test, you must wait two days to take it again. If you fail the road skills test at DMV three times, you will not be able to take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the in-vehicle part of driver education at a driver training school approved by DMV or the Department of Education. The completion date for the in-vehicle part must be after the date you failed the road skills test the third time.nce you successfully complete the in-vehicle part and give DMV your certificate of completion, you can take the road skills test again.
Vision Screening
To screen your vision, a DMV staff member will ask you to look into a machine and read a series of letters or numbers. The vision screening is not a medical exam. The screening shows whether your vision meets Virginia’s standards to safely drive. If you fail the vision screening, you may be asked to visit an eye care professional. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision screening, you must wear them when you drive. Your license will display an X for this restriction. To have this restriction removed after having laser surgery to correct your vision, you must visit a DMV customer service center and pass the vision screening without wearing glasses or contact lenses or submit a Vision Screening Report (MED 4).
Vision Standards
Driver’s license – unrestricted
• 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes, and
• 100 degrees, or better, horizontal vision in one or both eyes, or comparable measurement that shows a field of vision within this range. Driving – restricted to daylight hours only
• 20/70 or better vision in one or both eyes, and
• 70 degrees, or better, horizontal vision. If you have vision in only one eye, you must have horizontal vision of at least 30 degrees or better when looking toward your nose and 40 degrees or better when looking toward your temple, or comparable measurement that shows a field of vision within this range. A daylight driving only restricted license permits you to drive only during the period of time beginning a half-hour after sunrise and ending a half-hour before sunset.
Bioptic telescopic lenses: If you wear bioptic telescopic lenses, read the DMV publication Driver’s Licensing Information for Bioptic Telescopic Lense Wearers (MED 44) available at www.dmvNOW.com or contact DMV at (804) 497-7100.