Failing a driving test is disappointing, but it’s far more common than most people realize. Whether your teen just got back from the DMV with bad news, or you’re an adult who didn’t pass on the first try, the important thing is to understand what went wrong and prepare better for next time. A failed driving test in Virginia isn’t the end of the road. It’s simply a detour on the way to getting your license.
This guide covers what happens after you fail the Virginia road test, how to identify your weak areas, what the re-examination process looks like after three failures, and how to set yourself up for success on your next attempt.
It Is More Common Than You Think
If you or your teen just failed the driving test, take a deep breath. A significant percentage of first-time test takers don’t pass the Virginia road skills test on their first attempt. You’re not alone, and failing doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. It means there are specific skills that need more practice before you’re ready to drive independently.
Even professional driving instructors had to learn and practice extensively before they became skilled behind the wheel. Every experienced driver on the road today was once a nervous beginner. The road test is designed to be thorough, evaluating roughly 50 different driving maneuvers, and it’s completely normal for new drivers to need more than one attempt to demonstrate all of those skills under pressure.
What matters most isn’t whether you failed, but what you do next. The drivers who pass on their second attempt are the ones who take the time to honestly assess their weaknesses and put in focused practice.
What Happens After Failing (1st or 2nd Failure)
If this is your first or second time failing the Virginia road test, here’s what you need to know:
- You can retake the test. Virginia allows you to schedule another road skills test after a failed attempt. There’s no mandatory waiting period set by law, but you’ll need to schedule a new appointment with the DMV, and availability may vary.
- Review the score sheet carefully. After every road test, the examiner provides a score sheet that shows exactly which of the approximately 50 maneuvers you missed or lost points on. This is the single most valuable tool you have for improving. Don’t just glance at it. Study it closely.
- Practice specifically on the areas where points were lost. If you lost points on left turns, spend your practice time making left turns. If parallel parking was the issue, practice parallel parking until it feels second nature. Targeted practice is far more effective than general driving around the neighborhood.
- Consider additional practice sessions with a professional instructor. A certified driving instructor can observe your technique, identify habits you may not notice on your own, and give you real-time feedback. Even one or two focused sessions with an instructor can make a significant difference in your readiness. Abba Driving School offers behind-the-wheel lessons designed to address exactly the skills tested on the Virginia road exam.
The key after a first or second failure is to resist the urge to rush back and retake the test immediately. Give yourself enough time to genuinely improve on the areas that caused problems.
What Happens After 3 Failures (Re-Examination Requirement)
If you’ve failed the Virginia road skills test three times, the process changes. The Virginia DMV requires what’s called re-examination before you’re eligible to take the road test again. Here’s what that involves:
- 12 hours of additional one-on-one driving instruction with a certified driving school is required. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a DMV mandate. You must complete these hours with a licensed driving school before you can attempt the road test a fourth time.
- Abba Driving School offers re-examination for $550. This covers the full 12 hours of one-on-one instruction with a certified instructor. The sessions are tailored specifically to your weak areas, so every hour counts toward getting you ready.
- The 12 hours focus on your specific weak areas. Unlike general driving lessons, re-examination instruction is targeted. Your instructor will review your previous test score sheets, identify the patterns in your mistakes, and build a practice plan around those areas.
- After completing re-examination, you can take the test again. Once you’ve finished the required 12 hours and your driving school certifies your completion, you’re eligible to schedule another road test with the DMV.
You can find more details about the re-examination requirement on the Virginia DMV re-examination requirements page.
While the re-examination requirement may feel like a setback, many students actually find that the additional focused instruction makes them significantly better and more confident drivers. It’s an investment in your safety and skill.
How to Identify Your Weak Areas
Before you can improve, you need to know exactly where you struggled. Here’s how to figure that out:
- Study the test score sheet. The Virginia road test score sheet lists each of the approximately 50 maneuvers that are evaluated. Each one is marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Go through the sheet line by line and make a list of every item where you lost points.
- Look for patterns. Did you lose points on multiple turning-related maneuvers? That suggests a broader issue with turns, not just one unlucky moment. Did you struggle with several observation-related items? That might indicate a habit of not checking mirrors or blind spots consistently.
- Focus on the most common problem areas. Among students who fail the Virginia road test, the most frequently missed maneuvers include:
- Left and right turns (improper lane positioning, speed, or signaling)
- Lane changes (not checking blind spots or mirrors)
- Parking maneuvers (parallel parking, backing into a space)
- Stop sign and intersection behavior (rolling stops, improper yielding)
- Speed control (driving too fast or too slow for conditions)
- Ask for specific feedback. If you took the test with a DMV examiner, the score sheet is your feedback. If you’re working with a driving instructor, ask them to assess the same maneuvers and give you their honest evaluation.
- Be honest with yourself. It’s tempting to blame nerves or bad luck, and sometimes those are real factors. But most of the time, a failed test reflects specific skills that genuinely need more work. Owning that is the fastest path to passing next time.
For a detailed breakdown of common testing mistakes, read our guide on common mistakes on the Virginia road test.
How to Prepare for Your Retake
Once you know where you need to improve, it’s time to build a plan for your retake. Here are the most effective strategies:
- Focus practice on the specific maneuvers you missed. Don’t just drive around aimlessly hoping things will be better next time. If you missed three turning-related items and two parking-related items, spend 70% of your practice time on turns and parking. Repetition builds muscle memory.
- Practice in similar road conditions to the test route. If you know which DMV location you’ll be testing at, practice driving in that area. Get comfortable with the types of intersections, road widths, and traffic patterns you’ll encounter during the test. The more familiar the environment, the less mental energy you’ll spend on navigation and the more you can focus on technique.
- Consider additional lessons with a professional instructor. An instructor brings an objective eye and years of experience preparing students for the road test. They know exactly what examiners are looking for and can help you fine-tune your skills. Abba Driving School instructors are experienced in preparing students specifically for the Virginia road test.
- Do not rush. It’s tempting to rebook the test as soon as possible, especially if you feel embarrassed or frustrated. Resist that urge. Take the time to genuinely improve. A week or two of focused practice is far better than retaking the test tomorrow and failing again.
- Review the full list of maneuvers tested. Make sure you understand and can competently perform every single one of the approximately 50 maneuvers on the test. Even if you only missed a few, reviewing all of them ensures you won’t be caught off guard by something you overlooked.
- Practice under test-like conditions. Have a parent or friend sit quietly in the passenger seat and give you directions, just as an examiner would. Practice staying calm and focused while someone is watching and evaluating you.
For a complete strategy guide, check out our article on how to pass the Virginia road test.
Instant Fail Conditions: Review These Carefully
Some mistakes on the Virginia road test result in an automatic failure, regardless of how well you performed on everything else. If your test ended because of one of these, it’s critical that you understand what happened and address it directly:
- Causing a crash or near-crash. If the examiner had to intervene to prevent a collision, or if any contact occurred with another vehicle, object, or person, the test ends immediately.
- Committing a clear moving violation. Running a red light, running a stop sign, failing to yield when required, crossing a double yellow line, or driving the wrong way on a one-way street will all result in an instant failure.
- Being unable to maintain control of the vehicle. This includes stalling repeatedly, drifting out of your lane, or any situation where the examiner determines you cannot safely operate the vehicle.
- Dangerous behavior. Excessive speed, ignoring a school zone, or any action that puts other road users at serious risk will end the test immediately.
If you failed for one of these reasons, don’t try to minimize it. These are serious safety issues, and the good news is that they are also very correctable with focused practice. Work with an instructor to specifically address the situation that caused your instant failure, and make sure you’re completely comfortable handling it before you retake the test.
Staying Positive and Moving Forward
Failing the driving test can feel embarrassing and discouraging, especially for a teenager who may have told all their friends they were getting their license. But it’s important to keep perspective:
- Failing is a setback, not a dead end. Every person who has ever failed a driving test and then passed can tell you: the failure is temporary. The license you eventually earn is permanent.
- It really is that common. Many successful, safe drivers didn’t pass on their first attempt. The people you see driving confidently on the highway every day include plenty who needed a second try.
- The process is designed to keep everyone safe. The road test exists to make sure every licensed driver can handle a vehicle safely. A high bar for passing means safer roads for everyone, including you.
- Students who take additional lessons before passing often end up being safer, more confident drivers than those who barely squeaked by on their first try. The extra seat time is genuinely valuable.
- Your attitude matters. If you approach the retake with frustration and resentment, practice will feel like a chore. If you approach it with curiosity and a genuine desire to improve, you won’t just pass the test. You’ll become a driver who’s truly ready for the road.
If test-day nerves were a significant factor in your failure, we have a dedicated guide on how to manage anxiety before and during the driving test.
How Abba Driving School Can Help
Whether you’re preparing for your second attempt or completing the re-examination requirement after three failures, Abba Driving School is here to help you succeed. Our certified instructors specialize in preparing students for the Virginia road test, and we have helped hundreds of students who failed their first test go on to pass with confidence.
Here’s what we offer:
- Behind-the-wheel lessons ($340): One-on-one driving instruction tailored to the skills tested on the Virginia road exam. Perfect for students who need additional practice after a failed test.
- Re-examination program ($550): The full 12 hours of one-on-one instruction required by the DMV after three failed road tests. We handle the certification paperwork so you can focus on improving your skills.
- Flexible scheduling: We know you want to get back on track quickly. We offer lessons throughout the week to fit your schedule.
Don’t let a failed driving test define your experience. With the right preparation and the right instructor, you’ll be ready to pass. Register for lessons today and take the first step toward getting your Virginia driver’s license.