Washington State Driver Knowledge Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: How does alcohol affect a driver's reaction time in Washington?

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

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 2: In Washington, a DUI conviction for a commercial driver can result in:

A fine only, with the commercial license retained
Transfer to a non-commercial license temporarily
Disqualification from a commercial license for at least one year (Correct answer)
A 6-month commercial license suspension for a first offense

Correct answer: Disqualification from a commercial license for at least one year

A first DUI conviction disqualifies a commercial driver from holding a commercial driver's license for at least one year in Washington.

Question 3: At an uncontrolled T-intersection in Washington, vehicles on the through road have the right of way over:

Emergency vehicles
Vehicles on the terminating road (Correct answer)
Vehicles already in the intersection
Pedestrians crossing the through road

Correct answer: Vehicles on the terminating road

At a T-intersection, vehicles on the through (continuing) road have the right of way over vehicles on the terminating road that ends at the intersection.

Question 4: What does a yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road mean?

School zone
Curve ahead
No passing zone (Correct answer)
Merge left

Correct answer: No passing zone

A yellow pennant sign marks the beginning of a no-passing zone where overtaking other vehicles is prohibited.

Question 5: Before changing lanes on a Washington highway, you should:

Check mirrors only and signal while moving
Signal and accelerate into the gap
Signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots (Correct answer)
Honk to alert nearby drivers

Correct answer: Signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots

Before any lane change, signal your intent, check your mirrors, and check your blind spots by glancing over your shoulder.

Question 6: A green arrow displayed with a red traffic light means:

Proceed only in the direction of the arrow (Correct answer)
You may proceed through the intersection in any direction
Stop; the green arrow is for pedestrians only
Yield, then proceed in the arrow's direction

Correct answer: Proceed only in the direction of the arrow

A green arrow with a red light means you may move only in the direction indicated by the arrow after yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles.

Question 7: A double solid yellow center line means:

Passing is prohibited for traffic in both directions (Correct answer)
Passing is allowed for both directions
Passing is allowed only when the road is clear
The road is a one-way street

Correct answer: Passing is prohibited for traffic in both directions

Double solid yellow lines prohibit vehicles traveling in either direction from crossing the line to pass.

Question 8: What is the basic speed law in Washington State?

Always drive exactly at the posted speed limit
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions (Correct answer)
Speed limits apply only in urban areas
Drive at the flow of traffic regardless of conditions

Correct answer: Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions

Washington's basic speed law requires drivers to drive at a speed that is safe and reasonable for current road, weather, and traffic conditions.

Question 9: What is the safest way to pass a horse and rider on a Washington road?

Slow down, move over, pass wide and slowly, and avoid sudden movements (Correct answer)
Honk to alert the rider of your approach
Flash your headlights to get the rider's attention
Maintain normal speed to minimize time next to the horse

Correct answer: Slow down, move over, pass wide and slowly, and avoid sudden movements

Horses can be startled by sudden movements, sounds, or speed; slow down, give wide clearance, and avoid anything that might frighten the animal.

Question 10: When sharing the road with a large truck in Washington, you should avoid:

Driving in the truck's blind spots for extended periods (Correct answer)
Maintaining a 4-second following distance
Passing the truck on its left side
Letting the truck merge in front of you

Correct answer: Driving in the truck's blind spots for extended periods

Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides; lingering in these zones means the truck driver cannot see you, creating collision risk.

Question 11: A blue sign on a Washington highway typically indicates:

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

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 12: What is lane splitting, and what is its legal status in Washington State?

Riding between lanes of traffic; it is illegal (Correct answer)
Riding on the shoulder; it is legal in emergencies
Sharing a lane with another motorcycle; it is legal
Riding between lanes of traffic; it is legal

Correct answer: Riding between lanes of traffic; it is illegal

Lane splitting, which is riding a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stopped traffic, is illegal in Washington State.

Question 13: What does a white curb indicate in Washington State?

Commercial vehicle loading zone
Time-limited parking for 30 minutes
No parking at any time
Passenger loading and unloading only (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Passenger loading and unloading only

White curbs designate passenger loading and unloading zones only; you may stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers.

Question 14: When driving in fog in Washington, you should use:

No lights so oncoming drivers are not blinded
Low-beam headlights or fog lights (Correct answer)
High-beam headlights for better visibility
Hazard lights only

Correct answer: Low-beam headlights or fog lights

Low-beam headlights or fog lights should be used in fog because high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility further.

Question 15: What shape is a warning sign in Washington State?

Circle
Octagon
Diamond (Correct answer)
Rectangle

Correct answer: Diamond

Warning signs are diamond-shaped and typically yellow or orange, alerting drivers to potential hazards ahead.

Question 16: How long do Washington drivers have to report a change of address to the DOL after moving?

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

Correct answer: 30 days

Washington drivers must notify the Department of Licensing of an address change within 10 days of moving.

Question 17: What must a driver do when approaching a stop sign at an intersection where the stop line is not visible?

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

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 18: If a driver's license is revoked for a DUI in Washington, they must typically install what device to have driving privileges restored?

GPS tracking device
Breathalyzer in the glove box
Dashboard camera
Ignition interlock device (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Ignition interlock device

Washington requires DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device (IID), which prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath.

Question 19: What should you do if you begin to feel drowsy while driving in Washington?

Drink coffee and continue driving carefully
Accelerate to reach your destination faster
Open the windows and turn up the radio
Pull off the road safely and rest (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pull off the road safely and rest

The only safe response to drowsiness while driving is to pull off the road in a safe location and rest before continuing.

Question 20: How far from a fire hydrant must you park in Washington State?

15 feet (Correct answer)
10 feet
5 feet
20 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 21: When are you required to use your parking brake in Washington State?

Only when parking on hills steeper than 3%
Only when parking a vehicle over 10,000 pounds
Whenever you park your vehicle (Correct answer)
Only when parallel parking on a public street

Correct answer: Whenever you park your vehicle

Washington law requires setting the parking brake whenever you park your vehicle, regardless of the terrain or grade.

Question 22: When driving near a bicyclist at night in Washington, you should:

Reduce speed and give extra space since visibility is reduced (Correct answer)
Honk your horn as you approach
Flash your high beams to make the cyclist aware of your presence
Turn on your hazard lights

Correct answer: Reduce speed and give extra space since visibility is reduced

At night, cyclists are harder to see; slow down and give them more than the required 3-foot clearance to compensate for reduced visibility.

Question 23: How far from a marked crosswalk at an intersection are you prohibited from parking?

50 feet
20 feet (Correct answer)
30 feet
10 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 24: In Washington, which vehicle must yield when a bus is pulling back into traffic from a bus stop?

Only drivers within 100 feet of the bus must yield
The bus always yields to traffic
The bus and traffic must yield equally to each other
Drivers must yield to a bus signaling to re-enter traffic (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Drivers must yield to a bus signaling to re-enter traffic

Washington law requires drivers to yield to transit buses that are signaling and re-entering traffic from a designated bus stop.

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

65 mph
60 mph
70 mph (Correct answer)
75 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: Under Washington law, open containers of alcohol in a vehicle must be:

Allowed only for passengers, not the driver
Sealed and placed in the trunk or out of reach of passengers (Correct answer)
Only in the back seat if passengers are present
Placed in the back seat out of driver's reach

Correct answer: Sealed and placed in the trunk or out of reach of passengers

Washington's open container law requires all open alcohol containers to be sealed and stored in the trunk or an area not accessible to the driver or passengers.

Question 27: What does 'per se DUI' mean under Washington law?

DUI involving a minor passenger
DUI based solely on BAC or THC level exceeding the legal limit (Correct answer)
DUI without an accident
DUI based only on officer observation without chemical testing

Correct answer: DUI based solely on BAC or THC level exceeding the legal limit

Per se DUI means that exceeding the legal BAC or THC limit is itself sufficient proof of impairment, regardless of how the driver appeared or behaved.

Question 28: When should you check for motorcyclists before changing lanes in Washington?

Only in your mirrors since they show all vehicles
In your mirrors and blind spots, as motorcycles are harder to see (Correct answer)
Motorcycles are required to stay in the right lane
Only if you cannot hear a motorcycle engine

Correct answer: In your mirrors and blind spots, as motorcycles are harder to see

Motorcycles are smaller and can be hidden in blind spots; always check mirrors and physically look over your shoulder before changing lanes.

Question 29: What does an octagonal red sign mean in Washington State?

Slow down and proceed with caution
Stop completely (Correct answer)
No entry permitted
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 30: What does a flashing yellow traffic light signal to Washington drivers?

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

Correct answer: Proceed with caution

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

Question 31: What must you do in Washington if you are involved in a collision causing injury and the other driver is incapacitated?

Wait for police to arrive before doing anything
Call 911, render reasonable assistance, and remain at the scene (Correct answer)
Move both vehicles immediately to clear traffic
Proceed to the nearest police station to report

Correct answer: Call 911, render reasonable assistance, and remain at the scene

Washington law requires you to call emergency services, provide reasonable assistance to injured parties, and remain at the scene of any injury collision.

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

35 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