What Happens If You Fail Your VA Test
Last updated 2026-07-29
The knowledge exam: a 15-day wait for minors
If you fail the knowledge exam and you're under 18, Virginia law requires a full 15-day wait before you can retake it. For example, failing on January 1 means the earliest retake date is January 17 — the manual gives this exact example specifically because it's easy to miscount.
The exam is really two parts: you must correctly answer all 10 road-sign questions in part one before moving to part two, which requires at least 80% correct on general-knowledge questions. Missing even one road-sign question fails part one outright, regardless of how well you'd do on part two.
Three knowledge-exam failures triggers a real requirement
Fail the knowledge exam three times and you can't take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the classroom component of driver education, or an approved 8-hour course based on the Virginia Driver's Manual. This isn't optional paperwork — it's a genuine prerequisite before a fourth attempt is even allowed.
If you're under 18 and already completed the classroom component once before, you don't need to repeat it — you can instead take a manual-based course, but only after presenting your original completion certificate to the driving school running that course, and only completing it after the date of your third failure.
The road skills test: a 2-day wait, escalating to a real requirement after 3 fails
The road skills test can only be taken once per business day. If you fail it, you must wait two days before trying again — a shorter wait than the knowledge exam's 15-day minor-specific rule, but still a real, mandatory gap.
Fail the road skills test three times at DMV and you can't take it a fourth time until you complete and pass the in-vehicle part of driver education at an approved driver training school — with the completion date required to fall after your third failure, the same sequencing rule that applies to the knowledge exam's 3-fail requirement.
A vehicle problem is a real risk, separate from driving performance
Your vehicle needs a valid safety inspection sticker, plates, registration, decals, working brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors, and a working speedometer. A car that fails any of these checks can end your test appointment before the driving portion even starts.
Since this kind of failure is about equipment rather than driving skill, it's entirely avoidable with a pre-test check — worth doing the day before rather than discovering a burned-out light or expired inspection sticker at the appointment itself.
During the exam itself, some things are strict violations, not just mistakes
Virginia's rules for the knowledge exam are explicit: you cannot get help while testing, help someone else taking the exam, try to obtain questions or answers beforehand, share exam content with others, or use a cell phone during the exam.
These aren't graded as wrong answers — they're treated as testing violations, which can carry more serious consequences than a simple failed attempt. Leave your phone put away and don't rely on any outside help during the exam itself.
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More Virginia Guides
- How Long Is a Virginia Permit Valid?
- Virginia GDL Rules Explained
- What to Bring to Your VA Road Skills Test
- Do You Need Driver's Ed in Virginia?
Rules and requirements change — always confirm current details with Virginia DMV before your exam. Check the full guides index or the Virginia cheat sheet and FAQ, or take a free Virginia practice test.