Washington DMV Tests & Practice Permit Tests
Results
#1. When approaching a sharp curve where you cannot see what is ahead and there is no immediate danger, you should:
If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need. Give your horn a light tap:
- when a person on foot or on a bike appears to be moving into your lane of travel.
- when you are passing a driver who starts to turn into your lane.
- when a driver is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you.
- when coming to a place where you cannot see what is ahead, like a steep hill, a sharp curve, or exiting a narrow alley.
#2. Your headlights suddenly go out. To get them working again, you should:
If your headlights suddenly go out:
- Try the headlight switch a few times.
- If that does not work, put on the emergency flashers, turn signals, or fog lights, if you have them.
- Pull off the road as soon as possible.
#3. If it feels like your tires have lost traction with the surface of the road, you should not hit the brakes or turn suddenly because:
If it feels like your tires have lost traction with the surface of the road you should ease your foot off the gas pedal and keep the steering wheel straight. Don’t try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again. If you brake or turn quickly, you could skid and lose control of your vehicle.
#4. When driving in foggy conditions, high beams will:
In fog, use your low beam headlights to reduce glare. Light from high beams will reflect back, causing glare and making it more difficult to see ahead.
#5. What do pavement markings in the center of this road indicate?
Two-way left turn lanes are shared center lanes marked on each side by a solid yellow and dashed yellow lines. They are reserved for vehicles making left turns in either direction from or into the roadway (or U turns when they are permitted). These lanes cannot be used for passing and cannot be used for travel further than 300 feet.
#6. When may you drive at the maximum speed indicated by a speed limit sign?
Remember, speed limits are posted for ideal conditions. If the road is wet or icy, if you cannot see well, or if traffic is heavy, then you must slow down. Even if you driveunder the posted speed limit, you can get a ticket for traveling too fast under these conditions.
#7. What color are traffic signs that warn a driver of temporary traffic conditions due to highway construction or maintenance work?
Construction, maintenance, or emergency operations signs are orange with black letters or symbols. They warn you that people are working on or near the roadway.
#8. People who use marijuana:
Marijuana has been shown to impair performance on driving tasks and on driving courses for up to 5 hours. Decreased car handling performance, slower reaction times, impaired time and distance estimation, inability to maintain headway, subjective sleepiness, motor coordination, and impaired ability to focus have all been reported.
#9. What does this sign mean?
Added lane sign. Two roadways come together, but you are not required to merge. An additional lane begins. Watch for traffic in the new lane.
#10. Taking a cold shower after drinking alcohol:
The body disposes of most alcohol through oxidation (burning) in the liver. The oxidation takes place at a constant rate and nothing can be done to slow down or accelerate the process. It continues until all of the alcohol has been burned. In other words, only time will sober up a person.
#11. To prepare for emergencies and when another driver makes a mistake, you should always:
You must always share the road with others. The more distance you keep between yourself and everyone else, the more time you have to react in an emergency. This space is like a safety cushion. The more you have, the safer it can be.
#12. When driving on packed snow, you should:
Remember, when the road is slippery, the vehicle’s tires do not grip as well as they do on a dry road. On a wet road, you should reduce your speed by about 10 mph. On packed snow, you should cut your speed in half.
#13. You should enter a roundabout:
Slow down as you approach the roundabout. Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.
#14. The road sign means:
This sign supplements the Do Not Enter sign. It tells you that you have already entered a one-way road and are driving in the wrong direction.
#15. Using a cell phone while driving is:
Drivers with an Instruction Permit or Intermediate License cannot use any wireless communication device (regardless of if hand-held or hands-free) while driving unless the holder is using the device to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property.
#16. The following equipment must be in proper working order for your car to be safe:
Windshield wiper is required equipment. A bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is not allowed. A red light showing from the front is not allowed. Running board courtesy lights are optional equipment.
#17. What does this sign mean?
Lane reduction ahead. There will be fewer lanes ahead. Traffic must merge left. Drivers in the left lane should allow others to merge smoothly. Right lane ends.
#18. When a traffic signal is showing a flashing yellow light, you must:
A flashing yellow traffic light means slow down and proceed with caution.
#19. Always look carefully for motorcycles before you make a left turn because:
Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. They are easily hidden in a car’s blind spot. It may be hard to judge the distance to motorcycles, or to tell how fast they are moving. Be alert to their presence and be extra cautious.
#20. If red lights are flashingat a railroad crossing, you must:
at some crossings, along with the crossbuck sign, you will see side-by-side red lights that will flash alternately when a train is approaching. When the lights are flashing, you must stop. At some crossings there is also a crossing gate that will lower when a train is coming. Do not drive around the gate. Some crossings also have a bell or a horn that will sound. Do not cross until the bell or horn has stopped. You must also stop if a train is approaching. Never try to beat a train across the tracks. Some crossings may have a stop sign or a flagger.
| This Washington Permit Practice Test | |
|---|---|
| Questions per test: | 20 |
| Question pool: | 800+ |
| Type of test: | Random multiple-choice |
| The Official Washington Written Knowledge Test | |
|---|---|
| Questions on real exam: | 40 questions |
| Passing score: | 80% |
| Correct answers to pass: | 32 |
| Allotted time to complete test: | 45 minutes |
| Wait time before retest: | Varies |
Washington State (WA) – Practice Permit Test
You can double your chances of passing the official WA DOL permit test with this practice test from Driver’s Prep.
Each set of practice questions is easy to use. Every time you start a new practice test, you will get 20 random questions from a database with more than 800 questions. The large pool of possible questions gives you plenty of practice for the official knowledge exam.
After each question, you will get instant feedback on whether your answer is correct. Should you make a mistake, there is also an explanation to help you understand the right answer. Use this explanation to learn more and, when needed, read about the topic in the Driver Guide.
Start by Getting the Washington State Driver Guide
When you prepare for the real knowledge test, you should always start by getting the latest version of the Washington State Driver Guide . The Department of Licensing updates the guide regularly, so make sure you have the latest version.
The Driver Guide helps you clearly understand what you must learn for the examination.
After studying the guide, use these practice tests to check your progress and whether you are ready for the actual driver’s exam.
The passing score in Washington is 80 percent. On the examination, you must answer 32 out of 40 questions correctly.
Each practice test on driversprep.com is limited to 20 questions to speed up the process, but when you have taken 10-15 practice tests, you have also covered all the critical items and the most likely questions on the exam.
Aiming for a 100% score on the practice tests is best. It gives you a good margin on the DOL exam.
Remember, every practice question counts. The more comfortable you are with questions and answers, the more likely you will pass the examination.
Focus on authentic learning instead of simply memorizing answers because investing in knowledge always pays off.
The more you know, the stronger you stand. Invest in your future today, and you won’t regret it.
Read more: How to Ace the DMV Test
When Must I Pass a Knowledge Exam?
If you haven’t been licensed before
All first-time applicants must pass all tests, including the Washington written knowledge test.
If you let your WA license expire for more than six years.
If your Washington license expired more than six years ago, you must apply for a new license and pass all tests.
If you hold an expired license from another state.
If you have an expired out-of-state license, the typical test waiver does not apply, and you must pass the knowledge test before you can get a Washington license.
If you hold a license from a foreign country
If you hold an out-of-country license, the DOL will ask you to take all tests. However, the DOL will waive the knowledge and drive test if you have a valid driver’s license from British Columbia, Germany, South Korea, or Taiwan.
Test Waivers
When moving to Washington, DOL will waive the knowledge test if you hold a valid out-of-state license. If you are under 18, you must prove you completed a driver-training course meeting Washington standards.
When renewing your license, DOL waives the knowledge and driving tests unless the Department determines that you are not qualified to hold a driver’s license.
The Department of Licensing can ask you to retake the knowledge and driving test if necessary—chances of a necessary re-test increase with poor driving records or age.
What You Need to Know about the Washington Written Test
The knowledge exam is sometimes called the written test. It is the same test.
The test aims to verify that you understand road signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, Washington traffic laws, and common safe-driving practices.
DOL draws all questions from the information in the Washington Driver Guide. So, ensure you read the guide. Relying solely on taking practice tests is not a good idea.
Read more: Are Taking Practice Tests Enough?
You can take the test at all driver licensing offices. Unless you have notified DOL about support needs, the office will offer the test on a computerized test station.
The knowledge exam is a multiple-choice test with 40 questions. If you miss more than eight questions on the exam, you may have to wait before you can re-test.
Remember, before you can take the exam, you must apply online or at a WA driver’s license office.
You can also take the test at authorized driving schools and participating high schools.
Should you fail the knowledge examination, there is no official wait time before you can make another attempt. Examiners at a driver licensing office are less likely to let you have another go at the test the same day. Expect a waiting time of at least two to three days, depending on location and how many questions you missed.
With third-party test providers, like a driving school, you can take the test twice in one day, even if they recommend waiting at least 24 hours.
Each attempt to pass the test usually comes with a new fee of $35 (some third-party testers may waive the re-test fee).
The Department of Licensing does not offer the test from the comfort of your home, regardless of age.
Languages
The computerized knowledge test in Washington state is available in these languages:
English
Japanese
Russian
Vietnamese
What is on the Washington Permit Test
The Department expanded the test from 25 to 40 questions a few years back. The new 40-question test focuses more on distracted driving and the distraction of cell phones. Texting and using a handheld phone while driving is against the law in Washington State.
You should know that drivers with an intermediate license or instruction permit cannot use any wireless device, not even a hands-free phone while driving.
On the test, you should also expect questions about impaired driving, including how the use of marijuana affects your ability to drive safely.
Is the Washington Permit Test Hard?
Washington State does not release failures on the knowledge test, but experts generally consider it to be one of the toughest in the United States.
Failing the test can be expensive since you must pay the testing fee again.
Photo credits:
Struggling woman – CollegeDegrees360
Young man with Help sign – Marcos Calvo Mesa
