Free · 18 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Washington Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version) that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Washington practice test.
18 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Chapter 1: LicensesLaws and paperwork
Instruction permits and the intermediate license
Washington teens start with an instruction permit, then drive with an intermediate license until 18. The intermediate license limits passengers, night driving and phone use, and violations bring suspensions.
10 key points · 12 numbers · PDF pages 4 to 6
- Lesson 2Chapter 1: LicensesLaws and paperwork
License exams, renewal and losing your license
You must pass the Driving Knowledge Exam before the Driving Skills Exam, and the knowledge score lasts 2 years. Keep your address current and know the actions that can cost you your driving privilege.
10 key points · 7 numbers · PDF pages 2 to 12
- Lesson 3Chapter 1: LicensesAlcohol and DUI
DUI limits, implied consent and open containers
Washington's DUI limits are a BAC of 0.08 percent and more than 5 nanograms of THC for adults, with far lower limits under 21. Refusing a test can cost you your license, and DUI covers a parked vehicle you control.
8 key points · 7 numbers · PDF pages 10 to 11
- Lesson 4Chapter 2: VehiclesSafe driving
Headlights, brake lights, tires and signals
Washington law requires headlights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and daytime running lights are not a substitute. Keep tires, lights and signals in working order and use hand signals when you must.
10 key points · 6 numbers · PDF pages 15 to 21
- Lesson 5Chapter 2: VehiclesSafe driving
Seat belts, child seats, steering and braking
Everyone in a moving vehicle must be buckled or in an approved child restraint, and children under 13 belong in the back seat. Good steering and braking technique keeps you in control.
9 key points · 7 numbers · PDF pages 17 to 19
- Lesson 6Chapter 3: DriversAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol, cannabis, medicine and fatigue
Driving after any cannabis is illegal at every age, and many legal medicines impair you too. Mixing drugs is the most common impairment in fatal crashes, and fatigue impairs you like alcohol.
9 key points · 4 numbers · PDF pages 11 to 26
- Lesson 7Chapter 3: DriversSafe driving
Distracted driving, emotions and road rage
Washington bans holding any electronic device while driving, and permit and intermediate drivers may not use phones at all. Aggressive driving is a traffic offense and road rage is a crime.
9 key points · 2 numbers · PDF pages 24 to 32
- Lesson 8Chapter 4: RoadsRight of way
Pedestrians, school buses and transit buses
Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way at every crosswalk and intersection, marked or not. Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights unless you are going the other way on a divided or multilane road.
9 key points · 1 numbers · PDF pages 36 to 53
- Lesson 9Chapter 4: RoadsSafe driving
Large vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and farm vehicles
Large vehicles have big blind zones and need far more room to stop and turn. Never share a lane with a motorcycle or bicyclist, and leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
10 key points · 4 numbers · PDF pages 33 to 41
- Lesson 10Chapter 4: RoadsEmergencies
Railroad crossings, emergency vehicles and emergency zones
Trains always have the right of way and can take a mile to stop, so stop 15 to 50 feet from the rail when warned. Pull right and stop for emergency vehicles, and move over or slow down in emergency zones.
8 key points · 4 numbers · PDF pages 40 to 55
- Lesson 11Chapter 4: RoadsSignals and markings
Traffic signals and rules of the road
Keep right except to pass, never back up on a freeway, and treat a dead signal as a four way stop. Know what each Washington signal means, including when you may turn on red.
10 key points · 0 numbers · PDF pages 41 to 43
- Lesson 12Chapter 4: RoadsRoad signs
Traffic signs
A sign's shape, color, symbols and words tell you what kind of message it carries. You are responsible for knowing all signs, including city and county signs.
9 key points · 0 numbers · PDF pages 43 to 46
- Lesson 13Chapter 4: RoadsRight of way
Intersections, turns and roundabouts
At a four way stop the first to arrive goes first, and when two arrive together, yield to the right. Roundabouts are built for 15 to 25 mph: yield to traffic already in them and stay in your lane.
10 key points · 2 numbers · PDF pages 48 to 51
- Lesson 14Chapter 4: RoadsSignals and markings
Road markings, lanes and school zones
Yellow lines separate opposite directions and white lines separate lanes going the same way. Shared center lanes are for left turns only, and school zones are 20 mph.
10 key points · 3 numbers · PDF pages 51 to 55
- Lesson 15Chapter 4: RoadsParking
Parking rules and hills
Before you leave your car, check signs and curb colors and make sure you are not in one of the many no parking zones. Set the parking brake and turn your wheels correctly on hills.
9 key points · 8 numbers · PDF pages 56 to 58
- Lesson 16Chapter 5: HazardsSafe driving
Speed, following space and zipper merging
Speed limits are the maximum for ideal conditions, and Washington law requires slowing down when conditions are poor. Keep at least two car lengths of space ahead and use the zipper merge when a lane closes.
9 key points · 4 numbers · PDF pages 60 to 65
- Lesson 17Chapter 5: HazardsSafe driving
Night driving, slippery roads, skids and hydroplaning
At night, drive so you can stop within your headlights, usually about 400 feet. On wet, snowy or icy roads, slow down and know how to handle a skid or hydroplaning.
9 key points · 1 numbers · PDF pages 66 to 69
- Lesson 18Chapter 5: HazardsEmergencies
Breakdowns, collisions and power lines
If your vehicle fails, get it off the road where others can see it and warn traffic with flares. After a crash, never drive away, call 911 for injuries, and stay in your car if power lines are involved.
10 key points · 5 numbers · PDF pages 70 to 75
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Washington practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Washington cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.