Mixed Deck — All WA DMV Topics Flashcards

In snowy conditions, gentle acceleration from a stop helps you avoid:

Answer: Spinning your drive wheels and losing traction

Easing onto the gas keeps the drive wheels from spinning on slick surfaces so the tires can grip.

When a permit holder takes the driving skills test, who else may be in the vehicle besides the examiner?

Answer: No one else, unless authorized by the testing agency

Only the applicant and examiner are typically allowed in the vehicle during the skills test unless the agency authorizes otherwise.

Which of the following is a legal parking location in Washington?

Answer: A marked parking space along the curb on a two-way street

Sidewalks, intersections, and driveways are all prohibited parking areas, while a marked curb space is legal.

Which road surface condition is often called 'black ice'?

Answer: A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that makes the road look wet

Black ice is a thin transparent ice layer that appears as wet pavement, making it very hard to detect.

When is a paved road usually most slippery during rain?

Answer: During the first 10 to 15 minutes of rainfall

Early rain mixes with oil and dust on the pavement, creating an especially slick film before it washes away.

When strong crosswinds are blowing, which vehicles are affected the most?

Answer: High-profile vehicles like trucks, buses, and vehicles towing trailers

Tall vehicles and trailers present a large surface for wind and can be pushed out of their lane.

What typically happens to your Washington license if you refuse a breath test after a lawful DUI arrest?

Answer: It is revoked for at least one year

Refusing a lawful breath test triggers license revocation for at least one year under implied consent rules.

What is a graduated driver's license (GDL) program in Washington?

Answer: A multi-phase licensing system that gradually increases driving privileges for new teen drivers

Washington's GDL program phases in driving privileges for teen drivers through learner's permit, provisional license, and full license stages, each with specific restrictions.

How many hours of supervised driving practice must a Washington teen certify before taking the driving test, including night hours?

Answer: 50 hours total, including 10 at night

Washington requires 50 hours of supervised practice, at least 10 of which must be at night.

What is the BAC limit for commercial vehicle drivers?

Answer: 0.04%

Commercial vehicle drivers are held to a stricter BAC limit of 0.04%, half the standard limit, due to the increased responsibility of operating large vehicles.

Which of the following would appear as a restriction code on a Washington driver license?

Answer: Corrective lenses required

Restrictions like requiring corrective lenses are printed as codes on the license.

What is the Smith System's first principle of defensive driving?

Answer: Aim high in steering — look far down the road, not just at the vehicle ahead

'Aim high in steering' means looking 15-20 seconds ahead of your vehicle to identify potential hazards early and have maximum time to react.

Which factor helps determine the amount of some vehicle registration fees in Washington?

Answer: The vehicle's weight

Washington bases certain registration fees, such as the license fee, on the vehicle's scale weight.

How long is a standard Washington driver license typically valid before renewal?

Answer: 6 years

Standard Washington driver licenses are issued for up to six years.

You may not park alongside or opposite a street excavation or obstruction when:

Answer: Doing so would obstruct traffic

Parking beside or across from road work is illegal whenever your vehicle would impede the flow of traffic.

If a Washington driver fails to pay a traffic ticket or appear in court, what can happen to their license?

Answer: It can be suspended until the matter is resolved

Failure to respond to a ticket or appear in court can lead to license suspension until the driver resolves the case.

If your front wheels lose traction and the car keeps going straight in a turn, you should:

Answer: Ease off the gas and let the front tires regain grip before steering

Reducing speed lets the front tires regain traction so steering input can take effect again.

During a dust storm or whiteout conditions, what should you do?

Answer: Pull completely off the road, stop, turn off lights, and wait

In zero-visibility conditions, pull completely off the road and stop. Turn off your lights so other drivers do not mistake them for lane markers and follow you off the road.

When parking uphill on a street with a curb, you should turn your wheels:

Answer: Away from the curb

Facing uphill with a curb, turn the wheels away from the curb so a rolling car backs into the curb and stops.

Under Washington's intermediate license rules, when may the driver legally use a wireless device while driving?

Answer: Only to report an emergency

Intermediate license holders may not use wireless devices while driving, even hands-free, except to report an emergency.