WA Permit Practice Test 16

All 20 questions in test 16

Every question below comes from the Washington question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. Your vehicle has no antilock brakes and starts hydroplaning on a Washington road. What can forceful brake pressure do?

   1. Forceful braking can make the hydroplaning worse
   2. Forceful braking pushes tires through the water to regain grip sooner
   3. Forceful braking prevents any further loss of road contact
   4. Forceful braking increases traction enough for a sharp steering correction
   Show answer

   Forceful braking can make the hydroplaning worse. Without antilock brakes, pressing the brake pedal forcefully can make hydroplaning worse. Washington instead calls for releasing the accelerator and applying the brakes gently while keeping the steering wheel steady. This warning addresses a vehicle without ABS, rather than changing the whole recovery sequence. Avoid overcorrecting, look where you want to go, and wait calmly for tire contact to return. Once control returns, reassess the road and adjust how you drive.

   Study this in the handbook: Night driving, slippery roads, skids and hydroplaning

2. 2. Leaving a dog alone in a parked car in Washington becomes a crime under what condition?

   1. Whenever the dog is alone for more than five minutes
   2. If heat, cold, poor ventilation, or lack of water could harm or kill the animal
   3. Only when the windows are fully closed on a sunny day
   4. Only when a passerby complains to an officer
   Show answer

   If heat, cold, poor ventilation, or lack of water could harm or kill the animal. It’s a crime to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or lack of necessary water. No five minute threshold decides the crime; danger from heat, cold, ventilation, or water does. Fully closed windows on sun are one danger pattern, but cold and missing water also count.

   Study this in the handbook: Parking rules and hills

3. 3. How does Washington treat driving with an unsecured load?

   1. Legal below 35 mph if the items feel heavy
   2. Legal when a passenger holds the items steady
   3. A violation only after something falls off
   4. Against the law and extremely dangerous, so the load must be secured before driving
   Show answer

   Against the law and extremely dangerous, so the load must be secured before driving. Driving with an unsecured load is against the law and extremely dangerous. Secure loose items so they do not release into the air or slide, shift, or fall onto the road and cause a crash. Tie everything down with rope, netting, or straps. Driving with an unsecured load is both against the law and extremely dangerous. Secure your load so loose items don’t release into the air or slide, shift, or fall onto the road and cause a crash.

4. 4. Which type of vision lets a Washington driver see detail directly ahead?

   1. Peripheral vision
   2. Central vision
   3. Fringe vision
   4. Vision limited to reflections in the side mirror
   Show answer

   Central vision. Central vision provides detail straight in front of you. Washington contrasts it with fringe vision at the edges of what you are focusing on and peripheral vision farther to the side. These types work together while you drive, but they are not interchangeable names for the same area. When reading the detail of something directly ahead, central vision is involved. Higher speeds reduce the quality of each type, making careful scanning important. If you have problems seeing at night, limit night driving to what is necessary and use extra care when you do drive.

   Study this in the handbook: Speed, following space and zipper merging

5. 5. Two qualified drivers are making a long Washington trip together. What driving arrangement does the guide recommend?

   1. Keep the same driver until that person misses an exit
   2. Have one person drive the entire trip while the other only navigates
   3. Take turns driving
   4. Keep the same driver whenever the route is familiar
   Show answer

   Take turns driving. Traveling with another driver gives you the opportunity to share the driving. Washington recommends taking turns and arranging for a companion who can help watch for trouble and stay alert. Do not wait for missed exits or other fatigue signs before considering the arrangement. Before the trip, allow adequate sleep and enough time for breaks. Sharing the work is part of planning a manageable journey, rather than expecting one person to carry the entire driving load.

   Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, cannabis, medicine and fatigue

6. 6. What does the Washington guide say about honking near a pedestrian who is using a service animal?

   1. Honk twice so the person knows you are there
   2. Honk if the person is moving slowly
   3. Do not honk; it could confuse or frighten the animal or pedestrian
   4. Honk once, then pass close on the open side
   Show answer

   Do not honk; it could confuse or frighten the animal or pedestrian. Interfering with a service animal is unlawful, and a horn blast can confuse or frighten the animal or the person relying on it. Among the people who need extra care are those who cannot see you, people who feel distracted, tourists following a map, and anyone using a wheelchair, cane, or service animal. Announcing yourself with two honks or hurrying a slow crossing with one honk trades their safety for your seconds. Slow down, yield at crosswalks and intersections marked or not, and let the pair cross without a startle.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, school buses and transit buses

7. 7. Which consequence can follow a Washington DUI conviction, according to the driver guide?

   1. Removal of the offense from the record after one year
   2. A lower insurance rate as a reward for treatment
   3. An exemption from proof of financial responsibility
   4. An ignition interlock device required to drive
   Show answer

   An ignition interlock device required to drive. Washington's guide warns that the penalties for driving under the influence are severe: loss of license, heavy fines, criminal penalties, jail, and higher insurance rates. A conviction can also bring a probationary license, an ignition interlock device that must be used to drive, required proof of financial responsibility, and an alcohol assessment and treatment report. The guide says these offenses stay on the driving record for life, and insurance costs go up rather than down. Nothing in the guide offers a record wipe after one year or an exemption from proof of financial responsibility.

   Study this in the handbook: DUI limits, implied consent and open containers

8. 8. Who must complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals in Washington?

   1. The applicant and a licensing office manager
   2. The physician and a vehicle dealer
   3. The applicant and the applicant physician together
   4. Only the applicant, with no medical input
   Show answer

   The applicant and the applicant physician together. You and your physician must complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals form. If a disability limits or impairs your ability to walk, you may apply for temporary or permanent disabled parking privileges. Do not hang the placard from your rearview mirror while driving because it obstructs your view. To apply, you and your physician must complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals form.

9. 9. During a Washington traffic stop, the officer walks up on the passenger side instead of the driver side. What should you do?

   1. Lower the window on the side where the officer approaches
   2. Lean across and speak through the driver window only
   3. Exit and meet the officer beside the car
   4. Roll every window fully down at once
   Show answer

   Lower the window on the side where the officer approaches. Lower the window on the side where the officer approaches so you can communicate. Stay in the vehicle unless directed to get out, keep your hands on the steering wheel, and wait for instructions before reaching for documents. Tell the officer right away if you have a weapon in the vehicle. The officer could approach either side of the vehicle. When the officer approaches the vehicle, remember to: Lower the corresponding window so you and the officer can communicate.

10. 10. What driving qualities does low tire pressure affect on a Washington vehicle?

    1. Handling and speed
    2. Paint shine and resale value
    3. Radio reception and clock accuracy
    4. Headlight color and horn volume
    Show answer

    Handling and speed. Low tire pressure can affect handling and speed. Find the proper inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver’s side door edge or in the owner’s manual. Follow the manual’s maintenance recommendations and respond to indicator lights. Low tire pressure can affect your car handling and speed. The guide identifies handling and speed as effects of low tire pressure.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights, brake lights, tires and signals

11. 11. You miss your exit on a Washington freeway. What does the law forbid?

    1. Calling for directions after you park safely
    2. Backing up on the shoulder or freeway
    3. Taking the next exit and rerouting
    4. Continuing forward while following the posted speed limit
    Show answer

    Backing up on the shoulder or freeway. Do not drive in reverse on the road, even if you miss your turn or exit. It is illegal to back up on a shoulder or freeway. Keep moving forward. Calling after parking safely breaks no rule stated here. The next exit reroute is exactly the lawful response. The guide says to keep moving forward and follow speed limit laws. Backing up on the shoulder or freeway is the prohibited move the guide calls out.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and rules of the road

12. 12. What do shorter dashed white lane lines warn a Washington driver about?

    1. The road narrows to one lane each way
    2. The lane is ending, so merge or exit soon
    3. A bicycle lane begins beside your lane
    4. Passing is banned until the dashes lengthen
    Show answer

    The lane is ending, so merge or exit soon. Shorter dashed white lines mean the lane is ending and you will need to merge or exit. You may cross dashed lines when it is safe. A dashed white line between traffic lanes also permits a lane change when safe. Bike lanes are marked with solid white lines and bicycle symbols. You will either need to merge or exit. You can cross dashed lines if it is safe.

    Study this in the handbook: Intersections, turns and roundabouts

13. 13. A yellow arrow appears for your turn in Washington. What should you do?

    1. Treat it as a green arrow with protection
    2. Enter slowly and let oncoming drivers adjust
    3. Speed up to clear before the red arrow
    4. Prepare to stop and give right-of-way to oncoming traffic
    Show answer

    Prepare to stop and give right-of-way to oncoming traffic. A yellow arrow means the light is going to turn red soon. Slow down, prepare to stop, and give the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Protection belongs to a green arrow, not a yellow one. Oncoming traffic holds the right, so they need not adjust for you. The guide says to slow down and prepare to stop when a yellow arrow appears. Preparing to stop and giving right-of-way to oncoming traffic is the response the guide requires.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and rules of the road

14. 14. You choose to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor when you get your Washington license. What appears on the license?

    1. A red cross emblem
    2. A medical alert designation
    3. The donor heart symbol
    4. The letters REAL ID
    Show answer

    The donor heart symbol. Saying yes to donation at the licensing counter puts the donor heart symbol on your license, and your information goes to the donor registry. LifeCenter Northwest and the registry site donatelifetoday.com can explain more before you decide. A medical alert designation is a different voluntary mark tied to health conditions, and no red cross emblem or REAL ID lettering is printed for donors. The small heart is easy to spot once you know to look for it, and it records a choice you made in advance.

15. 15. While scanning ahead in Washington, what should you look for around parked vehicles?

    1. Open windows and roof racks on each car
    2. License plate colors from other states
    3. Reflections of traffic lights in store windows
    4. Feet, wheels, shadows, and movement in, under, and around them
    Show answer

    Feet, wheels, shadows, and movement in, under, and around them. When scanning ahead, look for feet, wheels, shadows, and movement in, under, and around parked vehicles. Also look for blockages that might hide a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another vehicle, and look beyond the vehicle in front. Looking ahead helps you anticipate situations and prepare to stop or change direction. The guide names feet, wheels, shadows, and movement around parked vehicles as scanning targets.

    Study this in the handbook: Large vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and farm vehicles

16. 16. What danger comes from leaving a car running while parked in a garage in Washington?

    1. Exhaust keeps tires from holding air pressure
    2. Harmful gases such as carbon monoxide can build up and kill
    3. The fuel gauge becomes inaccurate overnight
    4. The battery drains before morning
    Show answer

    Harmful gases such as carbon monoxide can build up and kill. Leaving a car running while parked, especially inside a garage, releases harmful gases like carbon monoxide, which can be lethal. Idling also adds pollution to the air even outdoors. Turning the engine off during longer parked waits cuts both risks, and smooth driving, proper tire inflation, and carpooling lower emissions further. A fuel gauge error, a drained battery, or tire pressure loss is not the lethal hazard named here. Treat an idling vehicle in an enclosed space as a poison risk, not a convenience.

17. 17. After a Washington school bus stops flashing red, what must drivers keep doing?

    1. Assume every child is aboard the bus
    2. Check only the opposite side of the road
    3. Watch for children even after the flashing ends
    4. Accelerate quickly to clear the bus zone
    Show answer

    Watch for children even after the flashing ends. You may go once the lights stop flashing, the sign is retracted, and the metal arm returns to the front bumper, but the duty to watch for children continues even after the red lights have stopped flashing. Children near a bus are not always predictable or aware of danger, so a quick launch or a glance at only one side invites a late surprise. Keep scanning both sides of the road and the bus itself as you resume at a cautious pace.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, school buses and transit buses

18. 18. What should drivers remember about motorcycle turn signals in Washington?

    1. A lit motorcycle signal always means a turn is coming
    2. Motorcycle signals are brighter than car signals
    3. Motorcycle brake lights come on when riders slow with the throttle
    4. Some motorcycle signals do not turn off automatically
    Show answer

    Some motorcycle signals do not turn off automatically. Some motorcycles have turn signals that do not turn off automatically. Motorcyclists may also slow using the throttle rather than their brakes, so brake lights would not be visible. Stay alert and pay careful attention around motorcycles. Some motorcycles don’t have turn signals that turn off automatically. A forgotten signal can keep blinking after the turn ends. Nothing in this caution says motorcycle signals are brighter than car signals.

    Study this in the handbook: Large vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and farm vehicles

19. 19. A Washington driver feels unwell yet still needs to reach an appointment. What choice does the guide urge?

    1. Drive slowly with windows down for air
    2. Let someone else drive
    3. Take energy drinks and drive anyway
    4. Drive only on familiar streets nearby
    Show answer

    Let someone else drive. If you are not feeling well but need to go somewhere, the guide says to let someone else drive. Illness can slow mental processes, and headaches or shoulder tension can reduce your ability to handle the vehicle. If you’re not feeling well but need to go somewhere, please let someone else drive. The guide recommends letting someone else drive when you are unwell, not compensating with low speed or open windows.

20. 20. What should a Washington driver expect at the pictured sign?

    
    1. Traffic merging into the road ahead
    2. A mandatory stop for inspection
    3. The end of a passing zone
    4. A detour onto a gravel road
    Show answer

    Traffic merging into the road ahead. This sign warns of merging traffic. The picture shows a yellow diamond sign showing lanes merging. Under the guide color list, yellow signals a general and unexpected road conditions warning. No mandatory inspection stop, passing zone end, or gravel road detour is pictured; the symbol joins two lanes into one stream. Sign shape, color, symbols, and words together give clues to the type of information provided.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signs