Washington DMV Tests & Practice Permit Tests
Results
#1. You are traveling at 50 mph on dry pavement. You have good tires and brakes. What is your approximate stopping distance?
At 50 mph, it can take about 400 feet to react to something you see and bring your vehicle to a stop. That is about the length of a city block. If you cannot see 400 feet ahead, it means you may not be driving safely at 50 mph. By the time you see an object in your path, it may be too late to stop without hitting it.
#2. It is illegal to park a vehicle on the same side as an entrance to a fire station if the entrance is within:
Do not park within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street or within 75 feet of the fire station driveway on the other side of the street.
#3. When backing up or reversing your car:
It is hard for you to see behind your vehicle. Try to do as little backing as possible. Where backing is necessary:
- Check behind your vehicle before you get in.
- Place your right arm on the back of the seat and turn around so you can look directly through the rear window. Do not depend on your rearview or side mirrors to help you see directly behind your vehicle.
- Back slowly, your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing.
- Look left and right and yield to any pedestrians or vehicles.
#4. What does this sign mean?
Cross Road. A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look in all directions for other traffic.
#5. If you are driving in fog and conditions are so bad that you can barely see the road ahead:
You should reduce your speed when it is foggy and difficult to see clearly down the road. Use the low beams in fog. Some vehicles have fog lights that you should also use under these conditions. In some situations, you may not be able to see well enough to drive. If this happens, pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears.
#6. The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at which it is illegal for any person 21 years or older to drive is:
The DUI limits are .08 or higher for adults (21 and over) and .02 or higher for minors (under 21).
Remember, that you can also be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) with BAC levels lower than these if you driveimpaired due to alcohol or drugs.
#7. When exiting from a driveway:
Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, parking lot, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road.
#8. When facing a traffic signal showing a steady green arrow, you:
A green arrow means you can safely turn in the direction of the arrow. There should be no oncoming or crossing traffic while the arrow is green. This is known as a protected turn. You must yield to vehicles already in the intersection and stop for pedestrians if they are in, or within, one lane of your half of the roadway.
#9. When you want to merge with other traffic, you need a gap of about:
Anytime you want to merge with other traffic, you need a gap of about four seconds. If you move into the middle of a four-second gap, both you and the vehicle behind you have a two-second following distance. You need a four-second gap whenever you change lanes, enter a roadway, or when your lane merges with another travel lane.
#10. You should always be alert to the presence of motorcyclists and be extra cautious 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.
#11. If your brakes stop working and you cannot stop the vehicle with your parking brake, you should:
If you cannot get your brakes to work, use the parking brake. Pull on the parking brake handle slowly so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid. Be ready to release the brake if the vehicle does start to skid. If that does not work, start shifting to lower gears and look for a safe place to slow to a stop. Make sure the vehicle is off the roadway. Do not drive the vehicle without brakes.
#12. This hand signal means:
Slowing or stop – left arm extended downward, with the palm to the rear.
#13. The road edge on the right side is marked by a:
Solid white lines divide lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. Solid white lines are also used to mark the right edge of the road.
#14. The four-second rule refers to:
Under normal conditions, a three- to four-second following distance is required. When speeds are increased, or during adverse driving conditions, increase your following distance up to six seconds or more if necessary. Remember, using a four-second following distance does not mean you can stop within four seconds.
Maintaining a following time of four seconds or more improves your line of sight, allows more time to avoid hazards or risks, and gives an idea of path of travel problems that may arise from other vehicles, weather conditions, or unforeseen emergencies or situations.
#15. Whenever it is practical to do so, children up to 13 years should ride:
Children under 13 years old are to be transported in the back seat where it is practical to do so. Children in the front seat, whether in safety seats or seat belts, can be injured or killed when the airbag deploys.
#16. This sign means:
Slippery when wet. In wet weather, drive slowly. Do turn or stop suddenly. When the road is slippery, tires do not grip as well as they do on a dry road. On a wet road, you should reduce your speed about 10 mph. On packed snow, you should cut your speed in half. On ice, you must slow to a crawl.
#17. You approach a stopped school bus on the opposite side of a four-lane roadway with median separation. The bus displays flashing red lights. What should you do?
You are not required to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing when the stopped school bus is traveling in the opposite direction and the roadway has three or more marked traffic lanes, or is separated by a median or a physical barrier.
#18. Which traffic signs are almost always yellow, and diamond shaped?
Diamond shaped signs warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.
#19. If you are involved in a traffic crash, and someone is injured, your first course of action should be:
If someone is injured, always get help. Make sure the police and emergency medical or rescue squad have been called. If there is a fire, tell the police when they are called.
Do not move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or in other immediate danger of being hit by traffic. Moving a person can make injuries worse. Never give injured persons anything to drink, not even water.
#20. What does a solid yellow line on a two-lane road indicate?
Two solid yellow lines between lanes of traffic means neither side can pass. Where there is both a solid and a dashed yellow line between opposing lanes of traffic, you may not pass if the solid yellow line is on your side. If the dashed line is on your side, you are in the passing zone and may pass if it is safe.
| 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
