Virginia supervised driving: 45 hours, 15 at night.

Everything a Virginia parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.

What Virginia actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official Virginia driver handbook.

The Virginia graduated licensing path

  1. Learner permit — from age 15.5

    Requirements: Pass the knowledge and vision tests. Hold at least 9 months and log 45 supervised hours, including 15 after sunset.

    Restrictions: A licensed driver 21+ (or 18+ sibling/guardian) must be in the front seat. No more than one passenger under 21. No cell phone use.

  2. Provisional (driver) license — from age 16.25

    Requirements: Hold the permit 9 months, complete driver education and the 45 logged hours, and pass the road skills test.

    Restrictions: No driving midnight-4 a.m. First year: only one passenger under 21 (family exceptions apply); after that, up to three.

  3. Full license — from age 18

    Requirements: Provisional restrictions end at 18.

    Restrictions: None specific to age.

Virginia laws your teen will be tested on

Virginia: belts front and rear

Virginia requires the driver and every passenger, front and back, to wear a safety belt. If you carry anyone under 18, you are responsible for making sure they are properly secured.

Virginia default speed limits

When no sign is posted, Virginia's limits are 25 mph in school, business, and residential areas, 35 mph on unpaved roads, and 55 mph everywhere else.

Virginia: impairment, phones, and work zones

A BAC of 0.08 or a refused breath test brings an automatic license suspension in Virginia. Drivers should not use phones or other distracting devices except to report a crash or emergency, and using a hand-held device in a work zone carries a $250 fine.

Virginia School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

Yield to pedestrians or bicyclists crossing within a clearly marked crosswalk or at an unmarked intersection, and obey speed limits and crossing guards in school zones. The supplied text does not state a school-bus rule.

Virginia Move Over & Emergency Scenes

When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights on a highway, cautiously move to a lane not next to it when reasonable and safe; if you cannot safely change lanes, reduce your speed and proceed with caution.

Virginia Right-of-Way Rules

At an uncontrolled intersection, the first vehicle to arrive goes first; if vehicles arrive together, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Yield to traffic already in an intersection or roundabout, and to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing at marked crosswalks or unmarked intersections.

A real Virginia practice question

When passing a horse-drawn buggy, how much clearance must a motorist provide?

Virginia law requires motorists to leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a horse-drawn buggy and to pass only when the way is clear.

Virginia driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does Virginia require?
Virginia requires 45 supervised driving hours, including 15 hours after dark.
What counts as a night driving hour in Virginia?
Driving between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time counts toward the 15-hour night requirement.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Virginia?
A Virginia learner's permit can be issued starting at age 15.5.
How many questions are on the Virginia written test?
The Virginia knowledge exam has 25 questions and requires 80% correct to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have Virginia practice questions?
Yes — 64 practice questions written from the official Virginia driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track the 45 hours?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward Virginia's 45 hours automatically.
Is the Virginia driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The Virginia licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
What restrictions apply during the Learner permit stage in Virginia?
A licensed driver 21+ (or 18+ sibling/guardian) must be in the front seat. No more than one passenger under 21. No cell phone use.
What restrictions apply during the Provisional (driver) license stage in Virginia?
No driving midnight-4 a.m. First year: only one passenger under 21 (family exceptions apply); after that, up to three.
What restrictions apply during the Full license stage in Virginia?
None specific to age.

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