Washington State Driver Knowledge Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does a flashing yellow traffic light signal to Washington drivers?

Stop and wait for green
Yield to oncoming traffic only
The light is about to turn red
Proceed with caution (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Proceed with caution

A flashing yellow light warns drivers to slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution.

Question 2: What is 'Drug Recognition Expert' (DRE) evaluation in Washington used for?

Certifying addiction counselors
Processing drug evidence for court cases
Identifying drug-impaired drivers at traffic stops (Correct answer)
Testing new prescription drugs for safety

Correct answer: Identifying drug-impaired drivers at traffic stops

DRE officers are specially trained to identify signs of drug impairment in drivers who may not show alcohol intoxication on a breath test.

Question 3: What does an orange construction sign indicate in Washington?

A temporary traffic control zone ahead (Correct answer)
A state park entrance
A permanent road feature
A school zone

Correct answer: A temporary traffic control zone ahead

Orange signs indicate temporary traffic control measures in work zones, warning drivers to slow down and watch for workers.

Question 4: A blue sign on a Washington highway typically indicates:

Road construction zone
A speed limit change
Services such as food, gas, or lodging (Correct answer)
A state or national park boundary

Correct answer: Services such as food, gas, or lodging

Blue signs provide motorist service information such as rest areas, gas stations, food, and lodging locations.

Question 5: In Washington, drinking and driving with a child under 16 in the vehicle is:

Only charged if the BAC exceeds 0.10%
A separate child endangerment charge, not a DUI
A regular DUI charge only
An aggravated DUI with enhanced penalties (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An aggravated DUI with enhanced penalties

DUI with a minor under 16 in the vehicle is an aggravated circumstance in Washington that carries enhanced penalties.

Question 6: A sign showing a truck on a downward slope in Washington means:

Truck loading zone ahead
Trucks must use low gear (Correct answer)
Heavy truck traffic expected
Trucks prohibited on this road

Correct answer: Trucks must use low gear

This warning sign indicates a steep downgrade ahead and advises trucks to use low gear to maintain control.

Question 7: What should a driver do when a pedestrian with a white cane is crossing the street in Washington?

Yield until the pedestrian reaches the center of the road
Yield completely and wait for the pedestrian to reach the other curb (Correct answer)
Proceed slowly since the pedestrian can hear the engine
Honk to alert the pedestrian of the vehicle's presence

Correct answer: Yield completely and wait for the pedestrian to reach the other curb

Drivers must yield completely to pedestrians using white canes or guide dogs, waiting until they have safely reached the opposite curb.

Question 8: How does alcohol affect a driver's reaction time in Washington?

It only affects reaction time in new drivers
It improves reaction time by reducing anxiety
It has no effect until BAC reaches 0.08%
It slows reaction time significantly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It slows reaction time significantly

Alcohol slows reaction time even at low blood alcohol concentrations, increasing the distance traveled before a driver responds to a hazard.

Question 9: What must a driver do when approaching a stop sign at an intersection where the stop line is not visible?

Yield to crossing traffic but may continue slowly
Slow to 10 mph and proceed
Stop at the edge of the crosswalk or before entering the intersection
Stop at a point where a clear view is possible before the intersection (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stop at a point where a clear view is possible before the intersection

When no stop line or crosswalk exists, you must stop at a point that gives you a clear view of cross traffic before the intersection.

Question 10: In a roundabout, a large truck uses the raised apron in the center. This means:

The apron is designed to let long vehicles turn, so give it room (Correct answer)
The truck is driving illegally
You must stop until the truck leaves
You should pass the truck inside the roundabout

Correct answer: The apron is designed to let long vehicles turn, so give it room

Truck aprons give long vehicles extra room in roundabouts, so cars should not drive alongside them there.

Question 11: What does a crossbuck sign at a railroad crossing mean?

Stop until the train passes
Yield and watch for trains (Correct answer)
The crossing is closed
Speed up to clear the tracks quickly

Correct answer: Yield and watch for trains

A crossbuck sign at a railroad crossing means you must yield to any trains and may only proceed when the crossing is clear and safe.

Question 12: Within how many days of establishing residency must a new Washington resident get a Washington driver license?

10 days
30 days (Correct answer)
1 year
90 days

Correct answer: 30 days

New residents must obtain a Washington driver license within 30 days of establishing residency.

Question 13: What does Washington's implied consent law mean?

Passengers imply consent to be transported safely
You agree to follow all traffic laws by obtaining a license
By driving in Washington, you consent to chemical testing if arrested for DUI (Correct answer)
You give consent to police searches of your vehicle

Correct answer: By driving in Washington, you consent to chemical testing if arrested for DUI

Washington's implied consent law means that by operating a vehicle, you automatically consent to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs if a law enforcement officer arrests you for DUI.

Question 14: What must a Washington driver do when their vehicle registration expires?

Renew the registration before operating the vehicle on public roads (Correct answer)
Display an expired sticker with a 30-day grace period
Renew within 30 days and continue driving
Drive only locally until renewed

Correct answer: Renew the registration before operating the vehicle on public roads

In Washington, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with an expired registration on public roads; renewal must occur before the vehicle is driven.

Question 15: When a large truck is making a wide right turn in Washington, drivers behind it should:

Honk to alert the driver
Stay back and allow the truck space to complete the turn (Correct answer)
Move into the bike lane to go around
Pass the truck on the right to avoid the backup

Correct answer: Stay back and allow the truck space to complete the turn

Large trucks often need to swing wide to the left before turning right; staying back allows them to complete the maneuver safely.

Question 16: A front tire blows out while you are driving. What should you do?

Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and slow gradually (Correct answer)
Turn sharply toward the shoulder
Accelerate to regain control
Brake hard immediately

Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and slow gradually

Hold the steering wheel firmly, let the car slow down by easing off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking or sharp turns that could cause a loss of control.

Question 17: What is the primary danger of driving in a large truck's 'no-zone' in Washington?

You are breaking Washington traffic law
The truck driver cannot see your vehicle (Correct answer)
The truck driver can see you but may not yield
Your vehicle may be damaged by the truck's wind draft

Correct answer: The truck driver cannot see your vehicle

A truck's no-zone areas are blind spots where the truck driver has no visibility; staying in these areas means the driver does not know you are there.

Question 18: What does a red curb marking indicate in Washington State?

Short-term parking limited to 15 minutes
Parking for emergency vehicles only
Loading zone for commercial vehicles only
No stopping, standing, or parking at any time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No stopping, standing, or parking at any time

Red curbs indicate that no stopping, standing, or parking is permitted at any time, making them the most restrictive curb marking.

Question 19: What does an octagonal red sign mean in Washington State?

No entry permitted
Stop completely (Correct answer)
Slow down and proceed with caution
Yield to oncoming traffic

Correct answer: Stop completely

An octagonal red sign is a stop sign, requiring you to come to a complete stop before proceeding.

Question 20: Double parking — parking alongside another vehicle already parked at the curb — is:

Legal if you remain in the vehicle
Legal for up to 5 minutes in a business district
Illegal at all times in Washington State (Correct answer)
Legal only during non-peak traffic hours

Correct answer: Illegal at all times in Washington State

Double parking is illegal in Washington State at all times because it obstructs the normal flow of traffic.

Question 21: In Washington, refusing a breath test after a DUI arrest results in:

Automatic license revocation for at least one year (Correct answer)
A fine only, with no license consequences
The DUI charge being dropped
No additional penalty beyond the DUI charge

Correct answer: Automatic license revocation for at least one year

Under Washington's implied consent law, refusing a breath or blood test after a DUI arrest results in an automatic license revocation of at least one year.

Question 22: How far from a marked crosswalk at an intersection are you prohibited from parking?

10 feet
20 feet (Correct answer)
30 feet
50 feet

Correct answer: 20 feet

You must not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection to maintain visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

Question 23: When you buy a vehicle, how many days do you have to transfer the title into your name before penalties start?

15 days (Correct answer)
5 days
10 days
45 days

Correct answer: 15 days

Buyers must transfer ownership within 15 days, and late fees build up after that.

Question 24: After a crash with an injury or at least $1,000 in property damage, within how many days must a collision report be filed with the Department of Licensing?

10 days
60 days
4 days (Correct answer)
30 days

Correct answer: 4 days

Washington requires a collision report to the Department of Licensing within 4 days when there is injury, death, or $1,000 or more in property damage.

Question 25: What is the maximum speed on Washington State freeways unless otherwise posted?

75 mph
70 mph (Correct answer)
60 mph
65 mph

Correct answer: 70 mph

The maximum speed limit on most Washington freeways and expressways is 70 mph unless a lower limit is posted.

Question 26: Why should you avoid sharing a lane side-by-side with a motorcycle?

Motorcycles are entitled to the full width of the lane (Correct answer)
It is legal only on freeways
Motorcycles are allowed to use the shoulder
Motorcycles must ride in the center of the lane

Correct answer: Motorcycles are entitled to the full width of the lane

A motorcyclist needs the whole lane to move around hazards, so cars must not share a lane with one.

Question 27: How does fatigue affect driving in ways similar to alcohol?

It primarily affects new drivers
It has no effect unless combined with other substances
It only affects night drivers
It impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces attention (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces attention

Driving fatigued mimics many effects of alcohol impairment, including reduced reaction time, poor judgment, and decreased awareness.

Question 28: A 'WRONG WAY' sign in Washington is:

Orange with black letters
Yellow with black letters
White with red letters
Red with white letters (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Red with white letters

Wrong Way signs are red with white letters and are posted where drivers might enter a roadway going the wrong direction.

Question 29: What is the proper use of a vehicle's horn in Washington State?

Only as a safety warning when necessary (Correct answer)
To signal frustration at slow drivers
Whenever entering an intersection
To greet other drivers you know

Correct answer: Only as a safety warning when necessary

Washington law designates the horn as a safety device; it should only be used to warn other drivers or pedestrians of danger.

Question 30: A flashing red traffic light means you must:

Stop, then go when safe (Correct answer)
Yield to cross traffic
Slow down and proceed carefully
Stop until the light turns green

Correct answer: Stop, then go when safe

A flashing red light is treated like a stop sign — you must come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe.

Question 31: If you must carry an opened bottle of alcohol in your car, where should it be kept?

Under the driver's seat
In the center console
In a passenger's bag
In the trunk or an area not normally occupied by the driver or passengers (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In the trunk or an area not normally occupied by the driver or passengers

Opened alcohol must be stored where occupants cannot reach it, such as the trunk.

Question 32: A green curb in Washington State typically indicates:

Parking for disabled persons only
Time-limited parking, with the time shown on a nearby sign (Correct answer)
Commercial vehicle loading zone during business hours
No parking at any time

Correct answer: Time-limited parking, with the time shown on a nearby sign

Green curbs designate time-limited parking zones, with the allowed parking duration typically posted on a nearby sign.

Question 33: How far from a fire hydrant must you park in Washington State?

15 feet (Correct answer)
10 feet
20 feet
5 feet

Correct answer: 15 feet

Washington law requires parking at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant to ensure firefighters can access it quickly.

Question 34: In Washington, pedestrians must use sidewalks when they are available. If no sidewalk exists, pedestrians should walk:

On the left side facing oncoming traffic (Correct answer)
On either side at their discretion
On the right side of the road in the direction of traffic
In the center of the road

Correct answer: On the left side facing oncoming traffic

When no sidewalk is available, Washington law requires pedestrians to walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic for maximum visibility.

Question 35: What is the correct hand signal for a left turn in Washington?

Right arm extended through window
Left arm extended downward at 45 degrees
Left arm extended straight out horizontally (Correct answer)
Left arm extended upward at 90 degrees

Correct answer: Left arm extended straight out horizontally

The hand signal for a left turn is the left arm extended straight out horizontally through the window.

Question 36: What should a driver do when a school bus stops and extends its stop-arm on a divided highway in Washington?

Stop only if on the same side of the median as the bus (Correct answer)
Slow to 20 mph and proceed cautiously
Stop in both directions as on undivided roads
Only drivers directly behind the bus must stop

Correct answer: Stop only if on the same side of the median as the bus

On a divided highway with a raised median separating traffic, only vehicles on the same side of the median as the stopped school bus must stop.

Question 37: Under Washington law, how far from a fire hydrant must you park?

15 feet (Correct answer)
10 feet
20 feet
25 feet

Correct answer: 15 feet

Washington law requires vehicles to park at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant to ensure emergency access is not blocked.

Question 38: You just moved to Washington and became a resident. How soon must you register your vehicle here?

Within 60 days
Within 10 days
Within 30 days (Correct answer)
Within 90 days

Correct answer: Within 30 days

New Washington residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of becoming residents.

Question 39: How should a driver respond to a funeral procession in Washington?

Maintain normal driving and merge into the procession if needed
Yield to the procession; do not cut between vehicles in the procession (Correct answer)
Funeral processions have no special rights of way
Only yield if the lead vehicle has its hazards on

Correct answer: Yield to the procession; do not cut between vehicles in the procession

Washington law gives funeral processions the right of way; drivers may not cut through, interfere with, or join a procession unless they are part of it.

Question 40: What does a white rectangular sign generally indicate in Washington?

Regulatory information or law (Correct answer)
Guide or directional information
School zone ahead
Warning of a hazard

Correct answer: Regulatory information or law

White rectangular signs communicate regulatory information such as speed limits, turn restrictions, and other traffic laws.

Washington State Driver Knowledge Test

The Washington State Driver Knowledge Test is administered by the Department of Licensing (DOL) to assess applicants' understanding of traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices required for a Washington driver's license.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
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No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

dol.wa.gov — Fees, exam format, passing score, retake policy, score validity, test delivery, eligibility, renewal, exam information · verified Oct 2026