West Virginia DMV Practice Test 2026
25 free questions for the West Virginia written permit test. Choose an answer to see right away whether it is correct and why. No sign-up.
What is the youngest age at which a person can typically apply for a learner's permit in West Virginia?
All 25 questions with answers
Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation.
What is the youngest age at which a person can typically apply for a learner's permit in West Virginia?
- 15.5 years old
- 14 years old
- 14.5 years old
- 15 years old
Correct answer: 15 years old. In West Virginia, a resident becomes eligible to apply for a learner's permit at 15 years old.
After an at-fault crash, a driver's liability insurance must cover the other party's losses up to state-set minimums. In West Virginia, those minimums (per person / per accident / property damage, in thousands) are:
- $50/100/50
- $15/30/5
- $25/50/25
- $10/20/10
Correct answer: $25/50/25. In West Virginia, an at-fault driver's liability coverage must meet at least $25/50/25 (thousands) across these three limits.
How often may a West Virginia driver remove three points by completing an eight-hour defensive driving class?
- Once a week
- Only once in a lifetime
- Once every 12 months
- Twice every 12 months
Correct answer: Once every 12 months. Completing an approved eight-hour defensive driving class removes three points, once every 12 months.
Source: West Virginia Driver Handbook, p.28, Point System
In West Virginia, what is the minimum age to be issued a provisional (restricted) driver's license after holding a learner's permit for the required time?
- 18 years old
- 16 years old
- 15.5 years old
- 15 years old
Correct answer: 16 years old. After meeting the permit-holding period and other requirements, a young driver in West Virginia can be issued a provisional license at 16 years old.
This sign shows a number under the word MINIMUM. What does it require?
- Drivers must not travel slower than the posted speed under normal conditions
- Drivers must never exceed the posted speed shown on this particular sign
- The number shown is only a suggestion
- The sign applies only to trucks
Correct answer: Drivers must not travel slower than the posted speed under normal conditions. A minimum speed sign means driving slower than the posted number can be unsafe and against the law under normal traffic and weather conditions, because slow vehicles can create hazards on higher-speed roads.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2B.16
Why can alcohol make a driver's decisions more dangerous even before they feel drunk?
- It actually sharpens the driver's attention to risk and makes them far more cautious overall
- It only affects the passengers riding along, never the person actually driving the car
- It has no measurable effect on decision-making until full intoxication
- It reduces inhibitions and can create false confidence in the driver's own driving ability
Correct answer: It reduces inhibitions and can create false confidence in the driver's own driving ability. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can make a driver feel more confident than their actual abilities justify, leading them to take chances they normally would not.
Source: New York Driver Handbook, Ch9 What Alcohol Does p.54 - 'You can gain confidence about driving, when you should not be driving at all.'
You are looking for a parking spot and see a marked space reserved with a curb color or symbol for accessible parking, without a matching accessible parking placard or plate in your vehicle. What should you do?
- Park there anyway if it's only for a few minutes.
- Park there if no one else is around.
- Look for a different, unrestricted parking spot.
- It's fine as long as you leave your hazard lights on.
Correct answer: Look for a different, unrestricted parking spot.. A marked accessible parking space is reserved for vehicles with the required placard or plate; without one, a driver should park in a different, unrestricted spot.
Source: California Driver Handbook, Parking-Illegal Parking p.68-77
Why should you never try to drive around a lowered railroad crossing gate or cross while the warning lights are still flashing, even if you don't see a train?
- A train may come from either direction on any track, closer and faster than it looks, so always obey the gates and lights
- It is only a general suggestion drivers can choose to follow, not a real traffic rule
- Gates at a crossing are only ever lowered for scheduled maintenance work on the tracks themselves, never for an approaching train
- It is fine to cross as long as you drive through the crossing quickly and confidently
Correct answer: A train may come from either direction on any track, closer and faster than it looks, so always obey the gates and lights. Trains can run on any track, in either direction, at any time, and are closer and faster-moving than they appear. Never drive around a lowered gate or cross while lights are flashing.
Source: New York Driver Handbook, Ch10 Railroad Crossings, p.60: "never drive around lowered gates"
A driver sees a yellow diamond warning sign showing a curve, but does not slow down because the road looks straight at that moment. What is wrong with this?
- Nothing; warning signs can be ignored if the road looks fine
- Warning signs are placed in advance, so the hazard may not be visible yet
- The sign only applies to trucks
- The sign only applies at night
Correct answer: Warning signs are placed in advance, so the hazard may not be visible yet. Warning signs are posted before the hazard to give drivers time to react, so the curve or hazard may still be out of sight when the sign appears.
Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.36-37, curve/turn warning signs
What is this warning sign telling drivers about the road ahead?
- The bridge surface ahead is metal, which can become slippery, especially when wet
- The shoulder ahead is soft and could trap your tires if you drive onto it
- The road ahead has no painted center line
- The shoulder ahead is lower than the surface of the road
Correct answer: The bridge surface ahead is metal, which can become slippery, especially when wet. This warning sign means the bridge surface ahead is metal, which can become slippery, especially when wet. Be ready to react safely as you approach this part of the road.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2C (Warning Signs)
Why do drivers have to stop for a school bus while children are getting on or off, even if no children are visible from your vehicle?
- Because it's simply a tradition with no safety purpose
- Because school buses always outrank emergency vehicles
- Because children may be crossing in front of or behind it
- Because the bus driver controls all nearby traffic lights
Correct answer: Because children may be crossing in front of or behind it. Children boarding or leaving a bus can be hidden from an approaching driver's view directly in front of or behind the bus. Stopping protects them from being struck while crossing.
Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Ch3/Sharing the Road-School Buses, p.97
A pedestrian signal begins a countdown of numbers (such as "10, 9, 8...") as a pedestrian steps off the curb. What does the countdown mean?
- The number of cars allowed to turn during that time
- The number of seconds until the traffic light turns green for drivers
- The current speed limit for that crosswalk area
- The seconds left to finish crossing, not to start one
Correct answer: The seconds left to finish crossing, not to start one. A countdown signal shows how many seconds remain to finish crossing; once it starts, a pedestrian should not begin a new crossing.
Source: Florida Driver Handbook, PDF p.63, WALK or Walking Person: you may begin to cross the street
Why does a heavier vehicle, such as a loaded truck, generally need a longer braking distance than a car at the same speed?
- Heavier vehicles have better brakes than cars.
- It has more weight and momentum to slow down.
- Weight has no effect on stopping distance.
- Heavier vehicles are required to drive slower at all times.
Correct answer: It has more weight and momentum to slow down.. A heavier vehicle carries more momentum at the same speed, so its brakes need more distance to bring all that extra weight to a stop.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch9 (defensive driving bağlamı) p.47
Can more than one vehicle use the center left-turn lane from opposite directions around the same time?
- No, it is reserved exclusively for a single direction
- Yes, as long as each driver is careful and yields
- No, only emergency vehicles are allowed to use it
- Yes, but only during daylight hours
Correct answer: Yes, as long as each driver is careful and yields. Because the center left-turn lane is shared by traffic moving both ways, drivers from each direction must watch for one another and yield as needed.
Source: California Driver Handbook, Lane Control-Center Left Turn Lanes p.58
Before a young driver in West Virginia can move from a learner's permit to a provisional or full license, how many total hours of supervised driving practice are generally required?
- 50 hours
- 40 hours
- 10 hours
- 25 hours
Correct answer: 50 hours. West Virginia generally requires 50 total hours of supervised practice before a young driver can advance past the permit stage.
Which activity excuses a West Virginia Level 2 driver from the overnight supervision rule?
- Driving to or from lawful employment
- Visiting friends after a party
- Driving to a shopping mall
- Going for a late-night drive for fun
Correct answer: Driving to or from lawful employment. The overnight rule is excused when the driver is going to or from lawful employment.
Source: West Virginia Driver Handbook, p.20, Level 2 GDL Intermediate Driver's License
When a West Virginia school bus's red lights begin flashing, who must stop?
- Only traffic directly behind the bus
- Only vehicles larger than a passenger car
- Traffic in the bus's lane and adjacent lanes
- No one, unless the bus driver signals
Correct answer: Traffic in the bus's lane and adjacent lanes. Traffic in the bus's lane and in adjacent lanes must stop when its red lights begin flashing.
Source: West Virginia Driver Handbook, p.60, School Bus Rules
This sign is posted on the central island of a roundabout. What does it show?
- The exit only for emergency vehicles
- That the roundabout ahead is temporarily closed for repairs
- The direction drivers must follow around the circle
- The speed limit inside the roundabout
Correct answer: The direction drivers must follow around the circle. This sign, mounted on the central island, shows drivers which direction to travel around the roundabout, always counterclockwise in the United States.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2B.43
Under West Virginia's general hands-free law, how may a driver legally use a phone while driving?
- By holding it in one hand while talking
- By texting only at red lights
- By holding it against the shoulder
- Only through fully hands-free equipment
Correct answer: Only through fully hands-free equipment. West Virginia prohibits using any device while driving unless it is operated fully hands-free.
Source: West Virginia Driver Handbook, p.27, Use of Communication Devices While Operating a Motor Vehicle
Under West Virginia's zero tolerance law, what happens to a driver under 21 with any measurable alcohol in their system?
- They receive only a small fine
- Nothing happens below .05 percent
- They lose their driver's license
- They receive a single warning point
Correct answer: They lose their driver's license. West Virginia's zero tolerance law takes away the license of a driver under 21 with any measurable alcohol.
Source: West Virginia Driver Handbook, p.32, Under Age Drinking and Driving
This sign says the street is closed but allows some traffic through. Who may still use it?
- Any vehicle at all, since the word closed is just a general caution
- Only emergency vehicles
- Only vehicles with a destination or business on that street
- Only pedestrians and bicycles
Correct answer: Only vehicles with a destination or business on that street. Unlike a full closure, this sign allows vehicles that live on or have business on that street to continue, while through traffic must find another route.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 6F.09
A dog is riding loose in the car, moving between the front and back seats while the driver is on the road. Why is this a safety concern?
- It is only a concern for the pet's own comfort, not driver safety
- Pets are not considered a distraction under any driving law
- It only matters if the pet is larger than the driver
- An unsecured pet can distract the driver and interfere with vehicle controls
Correct answer: An unsecured pet can distract the driver and interfere with vehicle controls. An unsecured pet moving around inside a vehicle is a recognized driving distraction, since it can pull the driver's attention away from the road or physically interfere with the pedals or steering.
Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Distracted Driving-Categories of Distraction, p.42
A white rectangular sign showing a right-turn arrow with a red circle-and-slash over it, posted at an intersection, means what?
- You may turn right only when the light is green
- Right turns must yield to pedestrians only
- Only large trucks may not turn right at this light
- Right turns are not allowed at this intersection
Correct answer: Right turns are not allowed at this intersection. A red circle-and-slash over a right-turn arrow means right turns are not allowed at that intersection.
Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.41, Vertical Rectangle: regulatory signs (prohibition symbols)
Why are U-turns generally not allowed close to the crest of a hill or on a sharp curve?
- Other drivers may not be able to see your vehicle in time to react
- U-turns are only allowed on flat, straight roads for fuel efficiency
- It voids your vehicle's insurance
- Hills and curves have no posted speed limit
Correct answer: Other drivers may not be able to see your vehicle in time to react. Limited visibility means an approaching driver may not see a car making a U-turn until it's too late to stop safely.
Source: California Driver Handbook, Turns-Illegal U-Turns p.62-67
About how fast are you allowed to drive through an active, marked school zone in West Virginia?
- 30 mph
- 45 mph
- 15 mph
- 10 mph
Correct answer: 15 mph. While the school zone is active in West Virginia, the posted maximum speed is 15 mph, no matter what the regular road speed limit is.
West Virginia permit test: common questions
How many questions are on the West Virginia permit test?
25 questions, pass with 19 correct.
Are these the real West Virginia test questions?
No. They are practice questions that cover the same topics: traffic laws, road signs and safe driving. The real test is set by West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV).
Is this practice test free?
Yes. There is nothing to sign up for. The DriveFinch app has the full question bank, works offline and is free (one small banner ad).
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