Seat belts, child seats, steering and braking

Key points

1. Every person in a moving vehicle must wear a seat belt or be in an approved child restraint.

   Source: PDF page 17

   “Every person in a moving vehicle must wear a seat belt or be securely fastened into an approved child restraint device.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 17

2. Children up to age 2 must ride in a rear facing car seat.

   Source: PDF page 17

   “Children up to age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 17

3. Children 2 to 4 must ride in a car seat with a harness.

   Source: PDF page 17

   “Ages 2 to 4 years must ride in a car seat with a rear- or forward-facing harness.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 17

4. Children 4 and older ride in a car or booster seat until the seat belt fits properly.

   Source: PDF page 18

   “Ages 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 18

5. Children under 13 should never ride in the front seat because an airbag could seriously injure or kill them.

   Source: PDF page 18

   “Airbags are also why children under the age of 13 should never ride in the front seat. They could be seriously injured or killed if an airbag deploys.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 18

6. For hand to hand steering, place your hands at 9 and 3 or 10 and 2.

   Source: PDF page 18

   “Hand-to-hand steering (pull/push) When using this method, your hands should be at 9 and 3 or 10 and 2.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 18

7. Use hand over hand steering for low speed turns, parking and skid recovery.

   Source: PDF page 18

   “Use this method of steering when turning at low speeds, with limited visibility, at an intersection, when parking the vehicle, or when recovering from a skid.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 18

8. The four levels of braking are light, medium, firm and emergency.

   Source: PDF page 19

   “There are four levels of braking: Light Medium Firm Emergency”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 19

9. ABS does not shorten your stopping distance, but it lets you keep steering control.

   Source: PDF page 19

   “An ABS does not shorten your stopping distance, but it will allow you to keep better steering control.”
   Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), PDF page 19

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Washington practice test

1. 1. When may a Washington child move from a booster seat to a regular seat belt under the guide's age and size chart?

   1. At age 4 regardless of belt fit
   2. As soon as the child weighs 40 pounds
   3. When the lap and shoulder belts fit properly, typically between ages 8 and 12
   4. At age 6 even if the shoulder belt crosses the neck
   Show answer

   When the lap and shoulder belts fit properly, typically between ages 8 and 12. Children age four and older should remain in a car or booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder belts fit properly. The guide describes that transition as typically occurring between ages eight and twelve, and its size chart lists four years to 4 feet 9 inches for the booster stage. Age alone does not make a poorly fitting belt safe. A belt should sit correctly across the lap and shoulder, not the stomach or neck. Check fit in the actual vehicle every trip rather than relying on a birthday or weight alone.

2. 2. Why does the Washington guide say children under 13 should never ride in the front seat?

   1. An airbag deploying could seriously injure or kill them
   2. The front belt does not fit them
   3. They cannot see over the dashboard
   4. It is a fine of $124
   Show answer

   An airbag deploying could seriously injure or kill them. Airbags are why children under the age of 13 should never ride in the front seat. They could be seriously injured or killed if an airbag deploys, because the bag inflates with great force at a height that strikes a small body. Every occupant must wear a seat belt or be in an approved child restraint, and child seats must meet federal standards and be installed per the instructions.

3. 3. What are the four levels of braking described in the Washington guide?

   1. Soft, hard, pump and lock
   2. Slow, stop, hold and release
   3. Light, medium, firm and emergency
   4. Foot, hand, engine and parking
   Show answer

   Light, medium, firm and emergency. There are four levels of braking: light, medium, firm and emergency. Ideally you only need light and medium braking, but firm or emergency braking is there when needed. The guide's technique is to imagine a cup of water in your lap that you do not want to spill. Unnecessary firm braking also surprises the drivers behind you, so plan stops early.

Source: the Washington Driver Guide (plain-text version), Chapter 2: Vehicles. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.