Failing the Virginia permit test or road test three times is frustrating, but it does not end your driving journey. Virginia has a clear process for people who have reached the three-failure mark, and there is a direct path to get back on track. This guide explains exactly what Virginia requires after three exam failures, whether you failed the knowledge test for your learner’s permit or the road skills test for your license, and how Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA can help you move forward.
Why Three Failures Happen
The Virginia knowledge exam and road skills test are not designed to trick you, but they are not easy either. Many test-takers underestimate the preparation required. For the knowledge exam, surface-level familiarity with road signs and traffic laws is often not enough to score the 80% needed to pass. For the road test, nerves can turn solid driving skills into shaky performances.
Failing three times does not mean you will never get your license. It means you need more structured preparation, and Virginia law recognizes this by requiring additional training before your next attempt.
Under 18: Failed the Knowledge Test 3 Times
If you are under 18 and have failed the Virginia learner’s permit knowledge exam three times, the DMV will not allow you to retake the test until you complete additional education. The specific requirement depends on whether you have already completed Driver Education.
If You Have Not Completed Driver Education
You must enroll in and complete a 36-session Driver Education classroom course before you can attempt the knowledge exam again. Each session is a minimum of 50 minutes, totaling 30 hours of classroom instruction. The course covers Virginia traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and everything tested on the permit exam. This is the same classroom course that Virginia requires all drivers under 18 to complete before they can begin behind the wheel training, so finishing it now keeps your licensing timeline on track.
At Abba Driving School, our DMV-approved Driver Education course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the material, not just enough to scrape by on the test. After completing the 36 sessions, you will be well prepared to pass the knowledge exam with confidence. Learn more about what the course covers in our Virginia Driver Education requirements guide.
If You Have Already Completed Driver Education
If you have already finished the 36-session Driver Education course but still failed the knowledge exam three times, Virginia requires you to complete an 8-hour Driver’s Manual course. This shorter course focuses specifically on the content of the Virginia Driver’s Manual and is designed to fill in the gaps that led to the test failures. After completing this course, you may retake the knowledge exam.
18 and Older: Failed the Knowledge Test 3 Times
Adults who are 18 or older follow a different path after three knowledge test failures. Since Virginia does not require the full 36-session Driver Education course for adult drivers, the requirement after three failures is the 8-hour Driver’s Manual course. This course provides a focused review of the Virginia Driver’s Manual, covering every topic that appears on the knowledge exam, from traffic signs and signals to right-of-way rules and speed limits.
Completing this course resets your eligibility to take the exam again. Many adults find that the structured review provided by the course fills in knowledge gaps they did not realize they had. Studying on your own is helpful, but having an instructor explain the material and highlight the areas most commonly tested makes a real difference.
For a complete walkthrough of the permit process and what the knowledge exam covers, see our guide on how to get a learner’s permit in Virginia.
Failed the Road Skills Test 3 Times
The road skills test is the in-car driving exam that evaluates whether you can safely operate a vehicle in real traffic conditions. If you have failed this test three times, whether through the DMV or through a driving school’s final exam, Virginia requires you to complete 7 additional driving sessions before you can attempt the road test again. Each session must be a minimum of 50 minutes with a DMV-certified instructor.
These seven sessions are a full behind the wheel training sequence, not abbreviated refresher lessons. You will work through a structured progression covering every skill evaluated on the road test:
- Vehicle control, smooth acceleration, and braking
- Lane positioning and proper lane changes
- Turns at intersections, including left turns across traffic
- Three-point turns and backing maneuvers
- Parallel parking
- Highway merging and speed management
- Proper mirror usage and signaling
- Obeying traffic signs, signals, and speed limits
The goal is not just to check a box. These sessions give you genuine seat time with an instructor who can identify exactly where your driving breaks down under test conditions and help you correct it. Nerves, bad habits, and gaps in spatial awareness are all things a skilled instructor can address during structured practice.
If you have already failed the road test and want to understand what may have gone wrong, our guide on what happens after failing the behind the wheel test covers common reasons for failure and how to recover. For specific strategies to prepare for your next attempt, see our guide on how to pass the Virginia road test.
A Clear Path Forward
Here is a summary of what Virginia requires after three exam failures:
Knowledge Test Failures
- Under 18, no prior Driver Education: Complete the 36-session Driver Education classroom course
- Under 18, Driver Education already completed: Complete the 8-hour Driver’s Manual course
- 18 and older: Complete the 8-hour Driver’s Manual course
Road Test Failures
- All ages: Complete 7 driving sessions (50 minutes each) with a DMV-certified instructor
After completing the required training, you are eligible to retake the exam. There is no additional waiting period beyond finishing the course or sessions. You schedule your next attempt and go in prepared.
How Abba Driving School Can Help
Abba Driving School in Haymarket, VA has been helping Virginia drivers pass their exams since 2011. We understand how discouraging it feels to fail multiple times, and we have worked with many students in exactly this situation. Our instructors know what the DMV expects, and they know how to get you there.
For Knowledge Test Failures
If you need the 36-session Driver Education course, we offer a DMV-approved program that covers every topic on the knowledge exam in detail. Our classroom instruction goes beyond memorization. We make sure you understand the reasoning behind Virginia’s traffic laws so the answers come naturally on test day. You can learn more about the full program on our Virginia Driver Education requirements page.
For Road Test Failures
If you need 7 additional driving sessions after road test failures, our DMV-certified instructors will work with you one-on-one to rebuild your skills and confidence. Pickup may be available in your area; contact us for details. Every session is tailored to the areas where you need the most improvement, and by your final session, you will know exactly what to expect on test day.
What Happens Next
Virginia’s requirement for additional training exists because it works. Students who complete the required courses and sessions after three failures pass at much higher rates on their next attempt because they go in with better preparation and real instruction behind them.
If you are ready to get back on track, Abba Driving School is here to help. Whether you need Driver Education, the Driver’s Manual course, or behind the wheel training, we will make sure you are fully prepared before your next exam. Register for Driver Education today and take the next step toward your Virginia driver’s license.