The Virginia road skills test is the final step to getting your driver’s license. Whether you are a teen who has been counting down the days or a parent helping your child prepare, understanding exactly what this test involves can make the difference between passing on the first attempt and having to schedule a retake. This guide covers exactly what to expect and how to prepare so you can walk into test day with confidence.
Virginia’s road skills test evaluates 50 specific driving maneuvers, and you need to pass at least 40 of them to earn your license. That might sound like a lot, but with the right preparation and practice, the vast majority of students pass on their first try. This guide breaks down every section of the test, explains how scoring works, walks you through test day, and shares the virginia driving test tips that our instructors have refined over 15 years of preparing students.
What the Virginia Road Skills Test Covers: All 50 Driving Maneuvers
The road skills test in Virginia is designed to evaluate whether you can safely operate a vehicle in real-world driving conditions. The examiner will score you on 50 individual maneuvers across nine categories. Knowing what each category involves is essential to learning how to pass the Virginia road test on your first attempt.
1. Starting the Vehicle
Before you even leave the parking area, the examiner evaluates how you start the vehicle. This includes making sure the car is in the proper gear before moving, using the parking brake correctly, and checking your mirrors and surroundings before pulling out. Many students overlook this section because it seems basic, but errors here count against your score just like any other maneuver.
- Vehicle is in the correct gear (Park or Neutral) before starting
- Proper use of the parking brake
- Checking mirrors and blind spots before moving
- Smooth acceleration from a stopped position
2. Backing
You will be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line. The examiner scores you on whether you check your mirrors and perform head checks before and during the maneuver, maintain a straight path, and control your speed. Looking only at the rearview mirror without turning to check your blind spots is one of the most common driving test mistakes students make during this section.
- Checking mirrors before backing
- Performing head checks (looking over your shoulder)
- Maintaining a straight line while reversing
- Controlling speed throughout the maneuver
3. Parking
The parking section tests your ability to park the vehicle safely and accurately. The examiner will evaluate whether you check traffic before beginning the maneuver, maintain an appropriate speed, use your turn signals to indicate your intentions, and finish within the marked parking lines. You may be asked to pull into a standard parking space, and some test routes include parallel parking scenarios.
- Checking traffic before starting the parking maneuver
- Maintaining controlled, slow speed
- Using turn signals appropriately
- Finishing within the marked lines
4. Stop Signs and Yield Signs
This section evaluates your behavior at intersections controlled by stop and yield signs. At a stop sign, you must come to a complete stop behind the stop line or, if there is no line, before entering the crosswalk or intersection. Rolling through a stop sign, even slowly, will cost you points. At yield signs, the examiner checks that you slow down appropriately and yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians when required.
- Coming to a complete stop at stop signs (not rolling through)
- Stopping at the correct position (behind the line or before the crosswalk)
- Yielding properly at yield signs
- Checking left, right, and left again before proceeding
5. Turns (Left and Right)
The Virginia road skills test includes at least two left turns and two right turns, and each one is scored on multiple criteria. Turns are one of the most heavily tested categories, so mastering them is critical if you want to pass the road skills test in Virginia.
For each turn, the examiner evaluates:
- Proper lane positioning: Are you in the correct lane before initiating the turn?
- Turn signal: Did you activate your signal at least 100 feet before the turn?
- Speed: Did you slow down to an appropriate speed before turning?
- Completion: Did you execute the turn smoothly without hesitation or overcorrection?
- Final lane: Did you finish in the correct lane after completing the turn?
A single turn can generate multiple errors if you miss several of these criteria, so practice each element individually before test day.
6. Intersections
Intersections are evaluated separately from turns. The examiner watches how you approach and navigate through intersections, whether or not you are turning. Key scoring points include:
- Checking for cross traffic before entering the intersection
- Obeying traffic signals and signs
- Yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles when required
- Not making unnecessary stops (stopping when you have a green light, for example)
- Maintaining appropriate speed through the intersection
7. Curves
When the test route includes curves, the examiner evaluates three things: your entrance speed (did you slow down before the curve?), your speed through the curve (did you maintain a safe, steady speed?), and your lane position (did you stay centered in your lane without drifting?). Many students lose points here by entering curves too fast and then braking mid-curve, which can cause the vehicle to drift.
- Reducing speed before entering the curve
- Maintaining steady speed through the curve
- Staying centered in your lane throughout
8. Lane Changes
Lane changes are scored on four criteria. Each one must be executed properly to avoid losing points on the Virginia road skills test:
- Signal: Activate your turn signal before changing lanes
- Shoulder check: Physically turn your head to check the blind spot (mirrors alone aren’t enough)
- Steering control: Move smoothly into the new lane without jerking or overcorrecting
- Speed: Maintain appropriate speed throughout the lane change
9. Overall Driving Ability
Throughout the entire test, the examiner also evaluates your general driving ability. This is an ongoing assessment that covers multiple maneuvers within a single category:
- Maintaining a safe and appropriate speed for conditions
- Keeping a proper following distance (at least 3 seconds behind the car ahead)
- Driving without weaving or drifting between lanes
- Staying in the proper lane for your direction of travel
- Using turn signals for every turn and lane change
- Paying attention to surroundings (scanning mirrors, checking intersections)
- Smooth starts and stops (no jerky acceleration or hard braking)
How the Virginia Road Test Scoring System Works
Understanding the scoring system is one of the most important virginia driving test tips we can share. The Virginia road skills test evaluates a total of 50 driving maneuvers. To pass, you must successfully complete at least 40 of them. That means you can make up to 10 errors and still pass.
However, there are three conditions that result in an instant failure, regardless of how many maneuvers you have completed correctly:
- Causing a crash: Any collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, object, or curb that results from your driving will end the test immediately.
- Committing a moving violation: Running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, speeding, or any other traffic law violation will result in automatic failure.
- Losing control of the vehicle: If the examiner needs to intervene (grab the steering wheel, use the instructor brake, or give emergency instructions), the test ends immediately.
The scoring is straightforward: each maneuver is marked as pass or fail. There are no partial scores. If you signal but forget to check your blind spot during a lane change, that lane change is scored as a fail. This is why it’s so important to practice each individual element of every maneuver, not just the maneuver as a whole.
What Happens on Test Day: A Complete Walkthrough
Knowing what to expect on test day can significantly reduce anxiety. A step-by-step walkthrough of what happens when you arrive for your Virginia road skills test.
Before the Test Begins
Arrive at your testing location at least 15 minutes early. You’ll need to present your valid Virginia learner’s permit, and the vehicle you are using must meet all vehicle requirements (valid inspection sticker, proof of insurance, working lights, signals, brakes, horn, and mirrors). If you are testing with Abba Driving School, we handle the vehicle and all paperwork, so you just need to bring your learner’s permit.
Vehicle Inspection
Before the road portion begins, the examiner will verify that the test vehicle meets Virginia’s requirements. They will check that all lights, turn signals, brakes, horn, and mirrors are functioning properly. If you’re using your own vehicle and something isn’t working, the test can’t proceed. This is another reason many students choose to test with a driving school that provides a vehicle that is always inspection-ready.
The Driving Portion
The examiner will sit in the passenger seat and give you directions throughout the test. They will tell you where to turn, when to change lanes, and when to perform specific maneuvers like backing up or parking. The test typically takes between 15 and 25 minutes, depending on the route and traffic conditions.
The examiner won’t try to trick you or give you confusing instructions. Their job is to evaluate your driving, not to make you fail. They will give clear, simple directions like “Turn left at the next intersection” or “Pull over and park along the curb.” If you don’t understand a direction, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for clarification.
After the Test
Once the driving portion is complete, the examiner will review the score sheet with you. If you passed (40 or more of the 50 maneuvers), you will proceed to the next steps for obtaining your license. If you didn’t pass, the examiner will explain which maneuvers you missed so you know exactly what to practice before retaking the test. For information about retaking the test, see our guide on what to do if you fail your Virginia road test.
Top Tips for Passing the Virginia Road Skills Test
After 15 years of preparing students for the Virginia road skills test, our instructors have identified the habits and techniques that separate students who pass on the first try from those who need a retake. Here are the virginia driving test tips that matter most.
Practice the Specific Maneuvers Beforehand
Don’t just log general driving hours. Review the list of 50 maneuvers above and practice each category deliberately. Spend dedicated time on backing, parking, turns, lane changes, and curve handling. If you’re practicing with a parent, have them score you using the same criteria the examiner uses.
Always Check Mirrors and Do Shoulder Checks
Mirror and blind spot checks are tested in nearly every category of the road skills test. Before backing, before changing lanes, before turning, and before merging, you should check your mirrors and physically turn your head to check your blind spots. Make this a habit during every practice session so it becomes automatic on test day. Exaggerate your head movements slightly so the examiner can clearly see that you are checking.
Signal Early for Every Turn and Lane Change
Virginia law requires you to signal at least 100 feet before a turn. On the road test, signal early and signal for everything: turns, lane changes, pulling over, and pulling away from the curb. Forgetting to signal is one of the easiest ways to accumulate errors across multiple maneuvers.
Maintain Proper Following Distance
Keep at least a 3-second following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Pick a fixed point on the road (a sign, a line, a shadow) and count the time between when the car ahead passes it and when you reach it. In wet or poor conditions, increase this to 4 seconds or more. Tailgating is a fast way to lose points in the overall driving ability section.
Come to Complete Stops
A rolling stop isn’t a stop. At every stop sign and red light, bring the vehicle to a full, complete stop. You should feel the car settle before you begin to move again. Stop behind the white stop line, or if there is no line, before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. This is one of the most frequent reasons students lose points.
Stay Calm and Don’t Rush
Test anxiety causes students to rush through maneuvers, which leads to sloppy execution and missed steps. Take your time. There’s no time limit on the road test. Drive at a safe, comfortable speed. If you need an extra second to check your mirrors or wait for traffic to clear, take it. The examiner would rather see you drive cautiously and carefully than quickly and recklessly.
Know the Speed Limits
Pay attention to posted speed limits throughout the test route. In Virginia, the default speed limit in residential areas is 25 mph and on most secondary roads it is 35 mph, but always follow posted signs. Driving too fast is an obvious error, but driving too far below the speed limit without reason can also count against you in the speed category.
Use Both Hands on the Wheel
Keep both hands on the steering wheel in the 9 and 3 position (or 10 and 2) at all times, except when operating the turn signal or gear shift. One-handed driving signals a lack of vehicle control to the examiner and can cost you points in the steering control category.
What to Wear on Test Day
What you wear might seem like a minor detail, but the wrong footwear can genuinely affect driving performance.
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes: No flip-flops, sandals, slides, or heels. You need to feel the pedals clearly and have full control. Sneakers or flat shoes work best.
- Comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict movement: Avoid bulky coats or anything that makes it hard to check blind spots by turning your head and shoulders.
- Glasses or contacts if required for driving: If your permit has a corrective lenses restriction, you must wear them during the test. Forgetting glasses will prevent testing.
Day-Before Preparation
The day before the road test isn’t the time to cram in extra hours of practice. Instead, it’s about light review, organization, and rest.
- Get a good night’s sleep: Tired drivers make careless mistakes. Eight hours of sleep makes a real difference in reaction time, focus, and confidence.
- Review the 50 driving maneuvers: Don’t try to learn anything new. Simply review the maneuvers that will be scored during the test. Understanding what the examiner is looking for helps you stay focused.
- Practice parking one more time: Parallel parking, three-point turns, and backing up are the maneuvers that cause the most anxiety. One calm, focused practice session the day before can boost confidence significantly.
- Confirm appointment time and location: Double-check the time, the address, and how long it takes to get there. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Gather all documents the night before: Permit, pink sheet, driving log, vehicle registration, insurance card. Put them all in one place so the morning is stress-free.
What NOT to Do on Test Day
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. These are the common mistakes we see families make on test morning.
- Don’t skip breakfast: Low blood sugar leads to poor concentration and slower reaction times. Even a light meal makes a difference.
- Don’t bring extra passengers: Only the driver and the examiner should be in the vehicle during the test.
- Don’t use your phone: From the moment you get in the vehicle, the phone should be off or silenced and out of sight. Put it in the glove box or leave it with a parent.
- Don’t panic, remember your training: Nerves are completely normal. If you make a small mistake, it’s not over. The test allows room for minor errors. Stay calm, breathe, and drive the way you’ve been taught.
Quick Reference FAQ
”How many mistakes can I make on the behind the wheel test?”
The Virginia road skills test scores 50 individual driving maneuvers. You can make mistakes on up to 10 of them and still pass. That means you need to successfully complete at least 40 out of 50 maneuvers. Most well-prepared students pass comfortably, and minor errors like a slightly wide turn or brief hesitation at a stop are common and expected.
”How long is the behind the wheel test?”
The driving portion of the test typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. However, plan to be at your appointment location for about 45 minutes total to account for check-in, the pre-drive vehicle inspection, and any paperwork afterward. If you’re testing with Abba Driving School, we’ll cover the entire timeline so you know exactly what to expect.
”What if I fail the behind the wheel test?”
Failing the test isn’t the end of the road. You can retake the behind the wheel test, and many students do. The examiner will tell you which maneuvers you missed so you know exactly what to practice. However, after three consecutive failures, Virginia DMV requires a re-examination, which may include additional training. For more details on next steps, read our guide on what to do if you fail the driving test.
Why Professional Instruction Helps You Pass
While it is possible to learn to drive solely through practice with a parent, professional behind-the-wheel instruction significantly increases your chances of passing the Virginia road skills test on the first try. Our DMV-certified instructors are intimately familiar with the 50 maneuvers on the road skills test and structure every lesson around preparing you for exactly what the examiner evaluates. While a parent might teach you to drive generally well, an instructor teaches you to drive in the specific way that the Virginia DMV scores.
Abba’s 7-appointment program gives you 6 full practice sessions before your test, with each session focused on the exact skills being evaluated. When you test with us, you use the same vehicle you’ve been practicing in (always DMV-inspected and test-ready) so everything feels familiar on test day.
Ready to start preparing for the road skills test? Register for behind-the-wheel lessons with Abba Driving School and give yourself the best chance of passing on the first try.