Virginia Retake Rules & Pass Rates

Applicants 18 or older may test only one time per day, so the earliest retake is the next day. Applicants under 18 must by law wait a full 15 days (fail on January 1, earliest retake January 17; Va. Code 46.2-332(B)). Regardless of age, after a third failure you cannot test a fourth time until you complete a driver's manual course (8-hour course for 18+, or the 36-period classroom driver education for under 18) and give DMV the completion certificate. Each retake requires reapplying for a learner's permit.

Source: Virginia DMV, 'The Knowledge Exam' web page: "If you are under the age of 18, you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam." and "If you are age 18 or older, you are only eligible to test one time per day." Also Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 1 Testing, p. 3: "If you fail the exam and you are under age 18, by law you must wait a full 15 days before you can retake the exam." · Verified Aug 2026

Virginia no longer charges a reexamination fee for the knowledge exam. DMV announced on 2022-06-30 that the $2 reexamination fee was removed (SB 301 / HB 530), and Va. Code 46.2-332 (fees, amended through 2025) contains no reexamination fee. The learner's permit fee is paid when the permit is issued after passing.

Source: Virginia DMV news release 'New Laws Provide More Opportunities and Streamline Processes...' (June 30, 2022): "The $2 reexamination fee has also been removed as part of this new law." · Verified Aug 2026

52% pass; 2020-2023 pooled; all tests administered (first attempts not separated); knowledge test. The figure comes from a 2024 analysis of test results supplied by 36 state licensing agencies, pooled across 2020 to 2023. It counts every test administered, so retakes are mixed in with first attempts.

Source: USA TODAY Blueprint, 'Nearly 35% fail driver's license tests: Indiana leads the way' (Apr 18, 2024), analysis of test results provided by each state's licensing agency ("We analyzed knowledge and skill driver's license test results from 36 states from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. Test results were provided by the state organization overseeing driver's licensing and motor vehicles.") · Verified Aug 2026