Virginia Driver's Handbook, Section 3: Safe Driving
Speed limits, stopping, right-of-way, roundabouts, passing and turns, following distance, sharing the road, parking, lights, bad weather, dangerous behaviors, crashes and deer.
Summary written by MyPermitExam from the official handbook, April 2026. Not a copy of the handbook. Checked Oct 2026. Not affiliated with the DMV. Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39)
Key rules
- Default limits: 25 mph in school, business and residential areas, 35 on unpaved roads and 55 elsewhere; 20 over or above 85 can be reckless driving. p. 15
- Stop for school buses from any direction, except on the far side of a median or barrier. p. 15
- Move over for stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks; never follow an emergency vehicle within 500 feet. p. 16
- Pass bicyclists with at least three feet; the left lane is for passing, not cruising. p. 17
- Following distance: 2 seconds under 35 mph, 3 at 35-45 and 4 at 46-70. p. 19
- Park within a foot of the curb, not within 15 feet of a hydrant, 20 feet of an intersection or 50 feet of a railroad crossing. p. 22
- Headlights with wipers on and when visibility drops to 500 feet; low beams within 200 feet behind and 500 feet ahead. p. 22
- DUI at .08 for 21 and older; .02 to .08 under 21 is illegal consumption. p. 24
- After a crash, stop, move cars off the road if no one is hurt, report to police and exchange information; reports go to DMV over $3,000. p. 25