- Octagon (8-sided) red sign
- STOP — come to a full stop, the only sign with this shape.
- Downward-pointing triangle, red & white
- YIELD — slow down and give the right-of-way; stop if needed.
- Yellow diamond sign
- General warning — a hazard ahead such as a curve, hill, or merge.
- Orange diamond or rectangle sign
- Construction or maintenance work zone ahead; slow and watch for workers.
- Pentagon (5-sided) sign
- School zone or school crossing ahead.
- Pennant-shaped (horizontal triangle) sign
- No-passing zone; posted on the left side of the road.
- Round (circular) yellow sign
- Railroad crossing ahead, usually marked 'RXR'.
- White rectangular sign
- Regulatory sign — a law you must obey (speed limit, one way, no turn).
- Crossbuck (white X) at a railroad
- Marks a railroad crossing and means the same as a yield sign.
- Red color on a sign
- Stop, yield, or prohibition (do not).
- Yellow color on a sign
- General warning of a hazard ahead.
- Orange color on a sign
- Construction or maintenance (work zone).
- Green color on a sign
- Guidance — directions, distances, and destinations.
- Blue color on a sign
- Motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, and hospitals.
- Brown color on a sign
- Recreation and cultural points of interest (parks).
- Black-and-white rectangular sign
- Regulatory speed limit or traffic-law sign you must obey.
- Steady red light
- Stop and remain stopped until the light turns green.
- Steady yellow light
- The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely.
- Steady green light
- Go if the intersection is clear; yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in it.
- Flashing red light
- Treat like a STOP sign: stop, yield, then proceed when safe.
- Flashing yellow light
- Caution — slow down and proceed carefully.
- Red arrow signal
- No turn in the arrow's direction until it turns green.
- Green arrow signal
- You may proceed in the arrow's direction; the way is protected.
- Flashing yellow arrow
- You may turn in that direction but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- Dark (non-working) traffic signal
- Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- Solid yellow line on your side
- No passing — do not cross it to pass.
- Broken (dashed) yellow line
- Passing is allowed when it is safe.
- Double solid yellow lines
- No passing in either direction.
- Solid white line
- Discourages lane changes; stay in your lane.
- Broken white line
- Separates same-direction lanes; change lanes when safe.
- Two-way left-turn lane (center yellow)
- A shared center lane for left turns only, used by both directions.
- Yellow lines on a road
- Separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
- White lines on a road
- Separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
- Stop line (wide white line)
- Where you must stop at a signal, sign, or crosswalk.
- Shark-teeth (white triangles)
- Yield-line markings; yield to traffic or pedestrians ahead.
- HOV diamond pavement marking
- High-occupancy-vehicle lane reserved for carpools and buses.
- Curved arrow with 'ONLY' on pavement
- This lane must turn in the marked direction.
- Interstate route shield
- Red-white-and-blue shield marking a numbered Interstate highway.
- U.S. route marker
- A white shield shape showing a U.S. route number.
- Mile marker
- A small green sign showing the miles from the state line on that route.
- 'EXIT ONLY' yellow panel on a guide sign
- That lane leaves the highway at the next exit; move over to stay on.
- No U-turn sign
- A U-turn is prohibited where this sign is posted.
- Do Not Enter sign
- Do not enter; you are facing the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp.
- Wrong Way sign
- You are traveling against traffic — turn around immediately.
- Slow-Moving Vehicle emblem
- Orange triangle on a vehicle traveling 25 mph or less; slow down.
- Regulatory 'Keep Right' sign
- Pass to the right of a divider, island, or obstruction.
- Divided-highway sign
- The road ahead is divided into two one-way roadways by a median.
- Merge sign (yellow)
- Two roadways join ahead; adjust speed and merge smoothly.
- Roundabout/circular intersection sign
- A traffic circle ahead; yield to traffic already circulating.
- School-bus 'flashing red lights'
- Means the bus is loading/unloading — stop in both directions.
- Default speed in business/residential areas (VA)
- 25 mph unless a sign says otherwise.
- Default speed on unpaved roads (VA)
- 35 mph unless posted otherwise.
- Default speed on most VA highways
- 55 mph unless posted otherwise.
- Max speed on rural VA interstates
- Up to 70 mph where posted.
- Virginia 'basic speed' rule
- Always drive at a speed that is reasonable and safe for current conditions.
- Virginia left-lane (slowpoke) law
- Keep right except to pass; blocking the left lane carries a $100 fine.
- Four-way stop, two cars arrive together
- The driver on the LEFT yields to the driver on the RIGHT.
- Four-way stop, who goes first
- The first vehicle to come to a complete stop proceeds first.
- Turning left at an intersection
- Yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right.
- Entering a road from a driveway or alley
- Yield to all traffic already on the road and to pedestrians.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection
- Traffic on the road that ends yields to traffic on the through road.
- Pedestrian in a crosswalk (VA)
- All drivers must yield and stop for the pedestrian.
- Right turn on red in Virginia
- Allowed after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it; yield first.
- Left turn on red in Virginia
- Allowed from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping.
- Entering a roundabout
- Yield to traffic already circulating, then enter to the right when clear.
- Direction of travel in a roundabout
- Counter-clockwise; never stop inside the circle.
- Right-of-way rule (Virginia)
- Right-of-way is something you GIVE, never take — when in doubt, yield.
- Yielding to an emergency vehicle
- Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes.
- Yielding at a yield sign
- Slow down, give right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians, stop if needed.
- Passing on a two-lane road
- Only where the line on your side is broken and the way is clear.
- When passing is prohibited
- On hills, curves, near intersections, railroad crossings, or with a solid line.
- Minimum learner's permit age (VA)
- 15 years 6 months, after passing the two-part knowledge exam.
- Learner's permit supervision (VA)
- Must drive with a licensed adult 21+ (or 18+ if parent/guardian) in front seat.
- Learner's permit hold period (under 18)
- At least 9 months before getting a provisional license.
- Supervised-driving hours required (VA teen)
- 45 hours, with at least 15 of them after sunset.
- Provisional license curfew (first year)
- No driving between midnight and 4 a.m. (with limited exceptions).
- Provisional license passenger limit (first year)
- No more than one passenger under 21 (family/household excepted).
- When teen restrictions end (VA)
- Curfew and passenger limits lift after the first year; all end at age 18.
- Who issues a VA driver under 18 their first license
- A juvenile and domestic relations district court, at a ceremony.
- Cell-phone rule for VA drivers under 18
- No cell-phone use at all while driving, hands-free or not.
- Turn-signal use (Virginia)
- Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
- Headlight use when wipers are on (VA)
- Virginia law requires headlights on whenever you use your wipers.
- When headlights are required (VA)
- From sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poor.
- Dimming high beams (VA)
- Dim within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 200 feet behind one.
- Use of low beams
- Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow — high beams reflect and reduce vision.
- Parking near a fire hydrant (VA)
- No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Parking on a hill facing downhill
- Turn your wheels toward the curb and set the parking brake.
- Parking on a hill facing uphill (with curb)
- Turn your wheels away from the curb so the car rolls into it.
- Stopping for a stopped school bus
- Stop in both directions until the lights stop and the arm folds in.
- Required following distance method
- The three-second rule — more in poor conditions.
- U-turn legality (Virginia)
- Allowed where it is safe and not prohibited by a sign or law.
- Move into an intersection to turn left
- You may enter on green and complete the turn when oncoming traffic clears.
- Two-way stop, you have the stop sign
- Yield to all cross traffic before proceeding.
- Speed in a school zone (VA)
- Reduced posted limit when lights flash or children are present.
- Reckless driving by speed (VA)
- 20+ mph over the limit, or over 85 mph regardless of the limit.
- HOV lane requirement
- Only vehicles meeting the posted minimum occupancy may use it.
- Crossing a railroad crossing
- Never start across unless you can clear the tracks completely.
- Funeral procession right-of-way
- Yield to a funeral procession; do not cut into or interrupt it.
- Blind pedestrian with a white cane/guide dog
- Always yield; they have the right-of-way.
- Improper use of the left lane (VA fine)
- $100 for failing to keep right except to pass.
- Yielding when merging
- The merging driver yields to traffic already on the highway.
- Right-of-way at a green light when turning
- Yield to pedestrians and to oncoming traffic before turning left.
- School-crossing guard signal
- Obey the crossing guard; their direction overrides signals.
- Vehicle approaching on a narrow mountain road
- The vehicle going downhill yields and backs up to a wide spot if needed.
- Passing a stopped school bus penalty (VA)
- Charged as reckless driving — a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Legal BAC limit, driver 21+ (VA)
- 0.08% — illegal per se to drive at or above it.
- Legal BAC limit, commercial driver (VA)
- 0.04%.
- Legal BAC limit, driver under 21 (VA)
- 0.02% under Virginia's zero-tolerance law.
- Virginia zero-tolerance law
- A driver under 21 with a BAC of 0.02% or more can be convicted.
- Mandatory jail, BAC 0.15%–0.20% (1st offense)
- A minimum of 5 consecutive days in jail.
- Mandatory jail, BAC above 0.20% (1st offense)
- A minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail.
- VASAP
- The Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program — required for every DUI conviction.
- Ignition interlock device (VA DUI)
- Required after a DUI conviction; blocks the car from starting if alcohol is detected.
- Virginia implied-consent law
- By driving you agree to a breath/blood test if arrested for DUI.
- Refusing a breath test (VA)
- Causes an automatic license suspension (1 year for a first refusal).
- First-offense DUI classification (VA)
- A Class 1 misdemeanor.
- DUI license revocation (VA, 1st offense)
- Driver's license revoked for 12 months.
- Effect of coffee on impairment
- Nothing speeds up sobering — only time lowers your BAC.
- Reckless driving classification (VA)
- A Class 1 misdemeanor (criminal), not a simple traffic ticket.
- Reckless driving speed thresholds (VA)
- 20+ mph over the limit, or any speed over 85 mph.
- Reckless driving max penalty
- Up to 12 months in jail, a fine, and license suspension.
- Demerit points for reckless driving / DUI
- 6 demerit points.
- Demerit points for following too closely
- 4 demerit points.
- Demerit points for minor violations
- 3 demerit points (e.g., 1–9 mph over the limit).
- How long demerit points stay (VA)
- Two years from the offense date (longer for serious offenses).
- Safe driving points (VA)
- +1 for each full calendar year with a clean record, up to a maximum of 5.
- Earn 5 safe points another way
- Completing a DMV-approved driver improvement clinic.
- Advisory letter threshold (adult)
- 8 demerit points in 12 months.
- Driver improvement clinic threshold (adult)
- 12 demerit points in 12 months.
- 90-day suspension threshold (adult)
- 18 demerit points in 12 months.
- One-year suspension threshold (adult)
- 24 demerit points in 24 months.
- Virginia hands-free law effective date
- January 1, 2021.
- What the hands-free law bans
- Holding a handheld phone while driving on a highway.
- Hands-free law first-offense fine (VA)
- $125 (later violations $250).
- Texting in a work zone (VA)
- Carries an even higher mandatory fine.
- Three-second following rule
- Stay at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead; more in bad conditions.
- Following distance in rain or fog
- Increase to 4+ seconds for extra reaction time.
- Total stopping distance components
- Perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance.
- Effect of doubling your speed on braking
- Braking distance roughly quadruples.
- Hydroplaning
- Tires ride on water and lose grip; ease off the gas and don't brake hard.
- Driving in fog
- Slow down, use low beams, and increase following distance.
- If your brakes fail
- Pump the brake, shift to a lower gear, and use the parking brake gradually.
- If a tire blows out
- Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, and steer straight — don't brake hard.
- Skid on ice — what to do
- Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front to go.
- Highway hypnosis / drowsy driving
- Pull over and rest; only sleep cures fatigue.
- Seat-belt benefit
- Keeps you in the vehicle and behind the wheel during a crash.
- Blind-spot check before changing lanes
- Turn your head and look — mirrors alone don't show the blind spot.
- Safe scanning habit
- Look 12–15 seconds ahead and check mirrors every few seconds.
- Adjusting to glare from oncoming headlights
- Look toward the right edge of your lane until the vehicle passes.
- Road rage / aggressive driving
- Stay calm, don't engage, and give aggressive drivers space.
- Driving while fatigued vs. drunk
- Both slow reaction time and impair judgment dangerously.
- Effect of prescription/OTC drugs
- Many cause drowsiness; you can be charged with DUI for drug impairment.
- Space cushion
- Keep open space on all sides of your vehicle and an escape path.
- Anti-lock brakes (ABS) in a stop
- Keep firm, steady pressure — do not pump; steer as you brake.
- Driving at night
- Reduce speed; you can't stop within the distance your headlights light.
- Right-of-way myth
- No one ever truly 'has' the right-of-way — the law only says who must yield.
- Open container law (VA)
- Generally illegal to have an open alcohol container in the passenger area.
- Reinstating after a DUI
- Complete VASAP, pay fees, and meet interlock/insurance requirements.
- Drowsy-driving warning signs
- Drifting, missing exits, heavy eyelids, and frequent yawning.
- Best defense against impaired driving
- Don't drink and drive — there is no safe number of drinks.
- Virginia Move Over law
- Change lanes away from a stopped emergency vehicle, or slow down if you can't.
- Move Over law code section
- Code of Virginia § 46.2-861.1.
- Penalty for violating the Move Over law
- Charged as reckless driving — a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Vehicles covered by the Move Over law
- Police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, and highway-maintenance vehicles with flashing lights.
- Approaching an emergency vehicle (siren on)
- Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes.
- Following an emergency vehicle (VA)
- Stay at least 500 feet behind a responding emergency vehicle.
- School bus with flashing red lights & arm
- Stop in both directions until the lights stop and the arm folds in.
- School-bus stop exception
- Only when traveling the opposite direction on a divided highway with a median.
- Is a painted center line a 'median'?
- No — you must still stop for a school bus across a painted line.
- Passing a bicyclist (VA clearance)
- Give at least 3 feet of space when passing.
- Crossing a double yellow to pass a bicyclist
- Allowed in Virginia when it is safe to do so.
- Bicyclist rights and duties (VA)
- Same as a driver; treat a cyclist as a vehicle.
- Sharing the road with motorcycles
- Allow extra following distance and check blind spots — they're easy to miss.
- Large truck turning right
- It may swing left first; never try to pass on its right side.
- Truck 'No-Zones' (blind spots)
- Areas a truck driver can't see — avoid lingering beside or behind a truck.
- Seat-belt law (VA, July 1, 2025)
- Every occupant in every seat must wear a seat belt.
- Child rear-facing seat (VA)
- Required until at least age 2 or until the child outgrows the seat.
- Child safety seat / booster requirement (VA)
- Required for children under 8 (by age and size).
- Rear-facing seat and an airbag
- Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active passenger airbag.
- Driving in a work zone
- Slow down, obey flaggers, expect lane shifts; many fines are increased.
- Flagger in a work zone
- A flagger's directions override signs and signals.
- Driving in heavy rain
- Slow down, use low beams and wipers, and watch for hydroplaning.
- Driving in snow or ice
- Slow down, increase following distance, and brake gently.
- Driving in fog (sharing the road)
- Use low beams, slow down, and use the right edge line as a guide.
- Stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle (orange triangle)
- Be patient; it travels 25 mph or less — pass only when legal and safe.
- Animal in the road
- Brake firmly but don't swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid a small animal.
- Stalling on a highway
- Pull onto the shoulder, turn on hazard lights, and stay buckled if traffic is near.
- Hazard (4-way) flashers
- Use when stopped or disabled on or near the roadway.
- Funeral procession (sharing the road)
- Yield; do not cut in or pass on the right of the procession.
- Yield to a transit bus re-entering traffic
- VA drivers must yield to a bus signaling to pull back into the lane.
- Railroad crossing with gates down
- Stop and wait; never go around lowered gates.
- School zone in a work area
- Combine reduced speed and caution; children plus workers are present.
- Pedestrian with a service animal
- Always yield; never honk or startle the animal.
- Sharing the road with farm equipment
- It may be wide and slow; pass only when you have a clear, legal view.
- Headlights in a tunnel
- Turn on headlights for visibility even in daylight tunnels.
- Slow-moving emergency scene
- Reduce speed, watch for responders on foot, and follow their directions.
- Merging onto a highway near a stopped responder
- Combine the Move Over law with safe merging — move away if you can.
- Pedestrian crossing mid-block
- Yield where required and never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.
- Driving past bicyclists in a bike lane
- Don't drive or stop in the bike lane; yield before crossing it to turn.
- Sharing roads with horse-drawn vehicles
- Slow down, give wide space, and pass quietly when safe.