Free DMV Practice Tests for District of Columbia
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#1. If your vehicle stalls on a flooded roadway, you should:
If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Remember, six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks.
Once a vehicle floats off the roadway into deeper water, it may roll and fill with water, trapping the driver and passengers inside.
#2. Why should you not use your high-beam headlights when driving in fog?
Turn on your low beam lights when you encounter fog, dust, heavy rain, or snow. Do not use your high beam because the light will be reflected into your eyes.
#3. Proof of financial responsibility is needed:
Insurance must be maintained if the vehicle is registered. Lapse in coverage is subject to fines. Do not cancel insurance until your vehicle tags are surrendered to DMV.
If stopped by MPD while driving a motor vehicle in the District of Columbia, you will be responsible for providing your valid driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. After an accident you must provide insurance information to drivers involved in the accident.
#4. Night driving is more dangerous than daytime driving because:
Night driving is more difficult than day driving, and it is more dangerous. You cannot see as far ahead, and you will have less time to stop for a hazard.
Be careful when you leave brightly lit areas. Glare causes the pupils of the eyes to contract and it takes time for them to readjust to less intense light.
Per mile driven, the fatal accident rate at night throughout the nation is two-and-one-half times as high as during the day.
#5. You may cross a double solid yellow line:
Two solid yellow lines between lanes of traffic means neither side can pass. You may cross a solid yellow line to turn into a driveway if it safe to do so.
#6. Bicyclists must ride:
Bicycles are treated as vehicles in the District of Columbia. Bicyclists have rights and duties like those of a motor vehicle.
Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic and as near to the right side of the road or street as is safe and practical.
#7. What should you expect ahead when you see this sign?
Yield ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop at the yield sign or adjust your speed to the flow of the traffic.
#8. When you want to make a right turn at an intersection with a steady red light, you should:
You may turn right at a red signal after coming to a complete stop, unless there are signs posted at the intersection, which reads: no turn on red.
You must use a turn signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning.
#9. You approach a stopped school bus on your side of an undivided highway with four lanes. The bus is displaying alternating flashing red lights. In this situation, you must:
When a school vehicle is stopping or has stopped on the roadway, and is operating the alternating flashing red lights, all vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of the school vehicle. No one can proceed until the alternating flashing red lights have been turned off.
Drivers on the other side of a divided highway are not required to stop.
#10. Which car or cars have the position for a right turn on this one-way street?
A right turn should be from the right lane into the right lane of the roadway entered.
#11. The driver in front of you signals (left arm extended horizontally out of an open window ):
Left turn – left arm extended horizontally out of an open window .
#12. It is illegal to park a vehicle if a fire hydrant is within:
Parking is not allowed in front of or within 5 feet of a private driveway, public driveway, or alley.
#13. What does this sign mean?
Steep hill. The sign warns you of hills where special care must be taken. Slow down before you start downhill.
#14. If you are traveling in the left lane on a multi-lane road and someone comes up behind you at a faster speed, you should:
Do not tie up traffic in the left lane, move over to the right.
When you are driving more slowly than the traffic flow on a highway that has two or more lanes in your direction, you should move to and stay in the right lane.
#15. Which is one factor that significantly affects your stopping distance?
Your actual stopping distance will depend upon many factors, including:
- Your perception and reaction time.
- Type and condition of the pavement.
- Percentage of grade of roadway.
- Kind and condition of tire treads.
- Vehicle design and condition of shock absorbers.
- Type and condition of brakes.
- Direction and speed of the wind.
Note: a posted speed limit does not affect the stopping distance, only your actual speed does. Speed limits do not tell you at what speed you should drive. They only say you cannot go faster than the speed shown.
#16. If you have a tire blowout while driving, you should:
If your tire blows out do not apply the brakes. Grip the steering wheel tightly and let the vehicle slow gradually. Look for a safe place to drive off the road. Wait until the vehicle is almost stopped. Signal a turn to the right and pull the vehicle safely onto the shoulder.
Remember, it is dangerous to brake or steer off the road before your vehicle is under control.
#17. To reduce your risk of hitting a deer on the road, you should be extra alert:
Deer crossing. The animal pictured on the sign is common in this area. Watch for this species crossing the road particularly during twilight and night-time hours.
#18. You want to turn right at an intersection. A pedestrian on your right side is waiting to cross the street you want to enter. Who has the right-of-way when the light turns green?
The driver of a vehicle shall come to a complete stop when a pedestrian crossing the roadway in a crosswalk. Pedestrians in a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked, have the right-of-way except when they enter the crosswalk on a red light or against the direction of a traffic officer.
#19. When stopped by a law enforcement officer, you must be able to show:
If stopped by MPD while driving a motor vehicle in the District of Columbia, you will be responsible for providing your valid driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Failure to comply may result in a fine and/or arrest.
#20. While driving, you can listen to music through earphones in both ears:
A person may not wear earplugs, a headset, or earphones attached to a radio, tape player, CD player or other audio device while driving a motor vehicle.
Use of earphones or earplugs for cellular phones are acceptable.
Hearing aid devices are also acceptable.
#21. When driving past this sign:
You are going the wrong way. Turn around immediately.
Remember, the wrong way sign supplements the do not enter sign. It is placed along the exit ramp or the one-way roadway farther from the crossroad. It tells you that you have already entered a one-way road and are driving in the wrong direction.
#22. If your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is approaching, you should:
If there is a train coming, get out of the vehicle and run along the side of the tracks toward the train, to avoid being struck by the debris from the accident.
#23. To avoid last-minute moves, you should:
Concentration is essential for safe driving. Driving is a full-time job. You should be constantly aware of the road and the other vehicles around you.
Keep shifting your eyes from one area of the roadway to another, near and far left and right. Avoid staring directly in front of your car.
Leave as much space between your vehicle and the one ahead as you possibly can.
#24. What is the background color of a warning sign like this?
Orange is used for construction and maintenance work area warning. Most signs used in highway and street work areas are orange and diamond shaped.
#25. If someone follows you too closely (tailgates you), it is generally wrong to:
If a vehicle follows too closely and there is a right lane, move over to the right. If there is no right lane, slow down and let the vehicle pass.
Never brake hard to discourage a tailgater. Slow down gradually, not suddenly.
District of Columbia DMV Knowledge Test – Quick Facts
| What You Should Know | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on exam: | 25 (non-GRAD) 30 (GRAD) |
| Passing score: | 80 percent |
| Correct answers to pass: | 20 (non-GRAD) 24 (GRAD) |
| Allotted time to complete test: | 60 min. (non-GRAD) 75 min. (GRAD) |
| Wait time before retest: | 3 days |
| This Practice Test | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on each practice test: | 25 |
| Question pool: | 500+ |
| Each test is random | |
District of Columbia DMV Sample and Practice Tests
This 25-question sample test addresses the non-grad knowledge test, which includes all questions about road signs, traffic signals, D.C. traffic rules, safe driving, and common courtesy on the road.
The official 30-question GRAD test contains additional questions about the graduated licensing program. If you are under 21 and must complete the graduated licensing steps, you must also pass the 30-question test. You can find an example of this test at Licenseroute.com – DMV Practice Test for Permit or check your knowledge of the D.C. graduated licensing program here
Each Sample Test is Random
Each driver’s license and learner’s permit test at driver’s prep has 25 random questions drawn from a larger pool of questions. Every test is different, and you will likely see new questions when you restart the test.
After each question, you will get instant feedback. If your answer is incorrect, there is also a brief comment that explains the correct answer. Remember that you can find all answers on the official examination in the D.C. Driver’s Manual.
The passing score in the District of Columbia is 80 percent, meaning you must correctly answer at least 20 of these 25 DMV questions. Aim a little higher when you are studying and preparing for the exam. You have a better chance of passing the examination if you score 100%.
You Should Always Read the D.C. Driver’s Manual
Studying the D.C. Driver’s Manual is a must for successfully passing the driver knowledge test.
You can get a PDF-version of the manual online from dmv.dc.gov or from your local Service office .
Always start by reading the manual. Then, use these practice tests to check how much you have learned and whether you are ready for the exam.
Don’t use the practice tests instead of the manual, even if friends and some less committed websites suggest such a strategy. The best way to learn is to put the rules of the road in context and not simply try to memorize questions and answers.
Learn more about How to Study for the driver test.
Who Must Pass the District of Columbia Driver’s License Test?
If you never had a license before, you must always pass the written knowledge test.
In District of Columbia, foreign Nationals with a valid out-of-country or out-of-state driver’s license must also pass the knowledge examination.
If you have a D.C. driver’s license and let it expire for more than 365 days, you must take and pass the knowledge test or take the District’s online traffic school course to waive the knowledge test. If your D.C. driver’s license has expired for more than 545 days, you must take and pass both the knowledge test and the road skills test.
When DMV has revoked your driver’s license and you want it back, you must apply for a new license and take all necessary tests again.
Things to Know about the Knowledge Examination
The driver examination checks your knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, and driving safety rules. The knowledge test will show if you can drive a vehicle following D.C. law.
The knowledge test consists of several highway signs. The DMV examiner will also check if you pay attention to the signs during the driving test. You should learn all common highway signs and know how to act when you see one.
Languages
You can take the driver’s license knowledge examination at any DMV service center. There is no need for an appointment. DMV offers all testing on a walk-in basis. Tests are available in the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
You can get an audio-assisted test if you need help with reading. Ask for a headset before you take the exam.
If you fail the official knowledge test, you must wait at least 72 hours (3 days) before retaking it on the 4th day.
Should you fail your knowledge test six (6) consecutive times, you must wait one year from the date you failed the first test.
You must pay a new testing fee each time you take the knowledge test. Trying to pass it the first time by preparing well is a good idea.
How many questions are on the District of Columbia DMV exam?
If you are under 21 years and follow the graduated licensing steps, the official knowledge test has 30 questions. If you are 21 years or older, the test has 25 questions.
What is the passing score on the District of Columbia DMV exam?
The passing score is 80%. On the GRAD test with 30 questions, you must correctly answer 24 questions. On the 25-question test for applicants over 21 years, you must correctly answer 20 questions.
What is the waiting time if I fail the D.C. DMV knowledge exam?
You must wait at least 3 days and can retake the test on the 4th day.
Remember
Walk-in service is available at all Service Centers and Adjudication Services.
Road tests for commercial and noncommercial driver’s licenses are by appointment only.
I need to test on line
DC DMV does not offer the official test online from your home. You must take your knowledge test at a Service Center or Test Proctoring Center.