WA Permit Practice Test 20

All 20 questions in test 20

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. You back into a parked car in Washington and the owner cannot be found. What must you leave?

   1. A note with only your first name under the wiper
   2. Nothing, if your own car shows no damage
   3. A call to your insurer without any note at the scene
   4. A visible note with the collision date and time plus your contact information
   Show answer

   A visible note with the collision date and time plus your contact information. If the collision involves a parked vehicle, you must try to locate the owner. If you cannot, leave a note in a place where they can easily see it. Include the date and time of collision and your contact information. A first name alone leaves the owner no way to contact you. After a collision with a parked vehicle, try to find the owner; if you cannot, leave the required visible note.

   Study this in the handbook: Breakdowns, collisions and power lines

2. 2. At a Washington traffic calming circle, why give large vehicles extra space?

   1. Their drivers cannot see painted islands at all
   2. They always enter without yielding to anyone
   3. They are allowed to ignore every posted sign
   4. They might need to travel clockwise to get through
   Show answer

   They might need to travel clockwise to get through. Traffic calming circles are built for passenger vehicles and may not easily fit fire trucks, buses, or delivery trucks. Give larger vehicles plenty of space and expect that they might have to go clockwise, against the usual counterclockwise flow, to get through the circle. That wrong way movement is a size accommodation, not a right to ignore signs or skip yielding; normal right-of-way rules still govern the approaches, which may carry stop or yield signs on all, some, or none of them.

   Study this in the handbook: Intersections, turns and roundabouts

3. 3. What does an antilock brake system change during a Washington emergency stop?

   1. It shortens every stopping distance on dry roads
   2. It replaces steering while brakes stay released
   3. It preserves steering control without shortening stopping distance, and the vehicle shakes a bit when it engages
   4. It locks wheels firmly for straighter stops
   Show answer

   It preserves steering control without shortening stopping distance, and the vehicle shakes a bit when it engages. ABS allows drivers to steer during emergency braking. It does not shorten stopping distance, but it provides better steering control. The vehicle may shake a bit when ABS engages. The guide recommends practicing firm or emergency braking in a large, open, paved space to feel ABS prevent the wheels from locking. A vehicle’s Antilock Brake System (ABS) offers an important safety advantage by allowing drivers to steer during an emergency braking situation.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats, steering and braking

4. 4. A bicyclist rides far right in a wide Washington lane. May you pull alongside in that lane?

   1. Yes, whenever the lane looks wide enough
   2. No, you cannot share a lane with a bicyclist
   3. Yes, below 25 miles per hour only
   4. Only when the rider waves you forward
   Show answer

   No, you cannot share a lane with a bicyclist. You cannot share a lane with a bicyclist, even when the lane is wide and the rider hugs one side. Bicyclists may legally use the full lane and ride where they are most visible, shifting position to avoid hazards you cannot see. When driving behind one, leave at least three feet of space; when passing with two lanes in your direction, move over one full lane. A friendly wave does not repeal the rule, and low speed does not make side by side travel in one lane lawful.

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

5. 5. When does the Washington guide say you may turn off vehicle safety features?

   1. Whenever alerts feel frequent in city traffic
   2. Only when weather is so severe that the notifications become a distraction
   3. At the start of every long drive
   4. As soon as you have learned the vehicle controls
   Show answer

   Only when weather is so severe that the notifications become a distraction. Learn the safety features of any vehicle you drive and leave them on unless weather conditions are so severe that notifications become a distraction. These systems assist healthy driving habits rather than replace them, and you remain fully responsible for operating the vehicle. Read the vehicle manual, ask a dealership, or visit mycardoeswhat.org to learn more. It’s important you are familiar with the features and technologies of any vehicle you drive.

6. 6. Who is the pictured Washington sign warning drivers to watch for?

   
   1. Flag crews directing traffic by hand
   2. Children riding bicycles to a park
   3. Pedestrians crossing the road
   4. Workers repairing the shoulder
   Show answer

   Pedestrians crossing the road. This sign warns of a pedestrian crossing. The pictured sign is a yellow diamond sign with a walking pedestrian. Under the guide list, yellow warns of general and unexpected road conditions. Flag crews, children riding bicycles, and workers repairing the shoulder are people the walking figure does not depict at this crossing. Signs give clues through shape and color, and through their symbols and words.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic signs

7. 7. How does Washington classify road rage?

   1. A traffic offense, like aggressive driving
   2. A criminal offense
   3. A civil infraction handled like a parking ticket
   4. No offense unless a crash occurs
   Show answer

   A criminal offense. Road rage sits a level above aggressive driving in Washington. Aggressive driving, a purposeful act that endangers people or property, is a traffic offense, while road rage is a criminal offense: an angry response on the road that leads to violent behavior with a vehicle or another weapon, between drivers, passengers, or anyone using the road. No crash has to happen before the criminal label applies, and no parking ticket analogy fits. Stress, tight schedules, and traffic feed it, so leave time and space before anger takes the wheel.

   Study this in the handbook: Distracted driving, emotions and road rage

8. 8. What warning does the Washington guide give about over-the-counter drugs taken for headaches, colds, or allergies?

   1. They are always safe because no prescription is needed
   2. They can make a person drowsy and affect driving
   3. They impair only when mixed with cannabis
   4. They affect driving only at double doses
   Show answer

   They can make a person drowsy and affect driving. Common over-the-counter remedies for headaches, colds, or allergies can make a person drowsy enough to affect driving, and prescription drugs can dull reflexes, judgment, vision, and alertness much like alcohol does. A legal purchase says nothing about safety behind the wheel, since impaired driving stays a criminal behavior whether the drug came from a pharmacy shelf, a prescription, or a store. Some medicines also multiply the effects of alcohol. Read warning labels before driving and notice how a new medicine affects you before mixing it with traffic.

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

9. 9. Which action does Washington list among reasons a driver can lose driving privileges?

   1. Putting a construction or emergency worker in danger
   2. Driving a borrowed car with permission
   3. Renewing a license one month early
   4. Carpooling with three coworkers to work
   Show answer

   Putting a construction or emergency worker in danger. Putting a construction or emergency worker in danger is one of the guide’s listed reasons for losing driving privileges. Other listed reasons include running from law enforcement and driving under the influence. Borrowing a car with permission breaks no rule on the loss list. The guide allows renewal up to one year before expiration. Carpooling is encouraged travel, not a privilege losing offense.

   Study this in the handbook: License exams, renewal and losing your license

10. 10. What does yellow or red curb paint signal to a Washington driver hunting for parking?

    1. A loading zone or some other parking restriction
    2. Open parking with no time limit
    3. Short stops welcome at any hour
    4. Parking reserved for electric vehicles
    Show answer

    A loading zone or some other parking restriction. Yellow or red curb paint indicates a loading zone or some other parking restriction. White means that only short stops are permitted. Check signs and curb markings for parking restrictions. Yellow or red indicates a loading zone or some other restriction. Yellow or red indicates a loading zone or another parking restriction. The guide assigns short-stop permission to white curbs; yellow or red indicates a loading zone or another restriction.

    Study this in the handbook: Parking rules and hills

11. 11. Where should you place your car as you approach a curve in Washington?

    1. Hugging the inside edge to shorten the turn
    2. Straddling the center line for a wider view
    3. Weaving gently to warm the tires
    4. Slightly toward the outside of your lane for room and visibility
    Show answer

    Slightly toward the outside of your lane for room and visibility. Position your vehicle slightly toward the outside of your lane as you approach a curve. This gives you more room to maneuver and improves visibility around the curve. Reduce speed before entering and steer smoothly and gradually through the curve. Choose the best lane position. Position your vehicle slightly to the outside of the lane as you approach the curve. This will give you more room to maneuver and improve your visibility around the curve.

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

12. 12. Your engine shuts off while driving in Washington. How should you brake as you leave the road?

    1. Avoid hard braking and use steady pedal pressure while slowing to pull off
    2. Pump the pedal rapidly to build pressure without power
    3. Use only the parking brake to stop the car
    4. Skip braking and coast until the car stops by itself
    Show answer

    Avoid hard braking and use steady pedal pressure while slowing to pull off. Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel, which might be difficult to turn. Look for an escape path. Do not brake hard; use steady pedal pressure, slow down, and pull off the roadway. Stop and try to restart. If unsuccessful, raise the hood, turn on hazard warning lights, and call for help. Instead, brake with steady pressure on the pedal, slow down, and then pull off the roadway.

    Study this in the handbook: Breakdowns, collisions and power lines

13. 13. The road looks wet and clear on a freezing Washington morning, yet the bridge ahead glitters. What should you expect?

    1. Bridges stay warm from traffic and rarely freeze
    2. Overpasses and bridges can hold icy spots even when the rest of the road looks clear
    3. Bridge ice appears only after snowfall buries the deck
    4. A glittering deck means sand has already been spread
    Show answer

    Overpasses and bridges can hold icy spots even when the rest of the road looks clear. Overpasses and other bridges can have icy spots even when the rest of the road does not. Shady spots can also be icy on cold, wet days. Avoid icy roads if possible; if you must drive on them, slow down and leave extra space. Overpasses and other types of bridges can have icy spots even when the rest of the road doesn’t.

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

14. 14. What happens to seat belt protection as Washington driving speeds climb higher?

    1. Belts work better because crash forces stretch them less
    2. Belts stay equally effective at every speed
    3. Belts matter only below the posted limit
    4. Belts lose effectiveness, protecting you less in a crash at higher speed
    Show answer

    Belts lose effectiveness, protecting you less in a crash at higher speed. Belts still belong on at every speed, but higher speed weakens what they can do for you in a crash, alongside longer stopping distances and less scanning time. Equal protection at all speeds ignores impact force, which grows with velocity, and belts never switch off above some legal threshold or improve because forces rise. Buckle up, then treat speed itself as part of your safety equipment. Slowing down also restores stopping room and scanning time. Speed and restraint work as a pair, never as substitutes.

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

15. 15. Which group lists distractions that occur inside the vehicle in Washington?

    1. Cell phones, eating, adjusting the radio, and passengers
    2. Billboards, crashes, and roadside crowds
    3. Daydreaming, worrying, and strong emotions
    4. Fatigue, discomfort, and physical impairments
    Show answer

    Cell phones, eating, adjusting the radio, and passengers. The guide lists cell phones, eating, adjusting the radio, and interacting with passengers as distractions inside the vehicle. Billboards, crashes, and other people’s behaviors are outside distractions. Fatigue, discomfort, and physical impairments are physical distractions; daydreaming, worrying, and strong emotions are mental distractions. Put your phone away, plan ahead, and be observant. Billboards and crash scenes are distractions outside the vehicle. Daydreaming and worry are mental distractions, not in-vehicle items.

16. 16. What minimum age does Washington set for a juvenile agricultural permit?

    1. Age 14
    2. Age 15
    3. There is no minimum age requirement
    4. Age 16
    Show answer

    There is no minimum age requirement. Agricultural permits let drivers under 18 drive within a specific area for farm work, and Washington sets no minimum age for that juvenile permit. The permit still has firm limits: it never replaces an instruction permit, and it waives none of the practice requirements standing between a young person and a first driver license. Ages 15 and 16 belong to other milestones, such as applying for a permit before a training course or qualifying for a first license. For farm work driving, remember area limits and no age floor.

    Study this in the handbook: Instruction permits and the intermediate license

17. 17. During the outside vehicle check before a Washington drive, which hazards should the driver look for around the car?

    1. Objects in tires, broken glass nearby, and fluid leaks underneath
    2. Radio presets and seat memory settings
    3. Expired coupons in the glove box
    4. Dust on the dashboard vents
    Show answer

    Objects in tires, broken glass nearby, and fluid leaks underneath. Before driving, check outside the vehicle for foreign objects in the tires, broken glass nearby, and fluid leaks underneath. Also look for obstructions, children, pets, and weather-related obstacles. Are there foreign objects in the tires, broken glass in the area, or fluid leaks under the vehicle? Presets matter for comfort, not the ground check outside. Glove-box coupons are not the tire, glass, or leak hazards identified in the outside check.

18. 18. Your brake lights stop working. What hand signal tells the driver behind you that you are slowing to stop?

    1. Left arm out the window pointing straight to the left
    2. Left arm out the window with fingers pointing to the ground
    3. Left arm out the window bent so the fingers point to the sky
    4. Right arm waving out the passenger window
    Show answer

    Left arm out the window with fingers pointing to the ground. When brake lights or turn signals fail, Washington drivers use hand signals from the driver side window. To show that you are slowing or stopping, put your left arm out and point your fingers down toward the ground. An arm held straight out means a left turn, and an arm bent upward means a right turn, so mixing them up sends the wrong message. Signal early enough that the driver behind has time to react before you brake.

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

19. 19. Where should a Washington driver place both hands on the steering wheel for the best control?

    1. Inside the spokes, near the hub
    2. At the very bottom of the rim
    3. Outside the wheel, on the top half
    4. Crossed over each other at the top
    Show answer

    Outside the wheel, on the top half. Place your hands outside the wheel on its top half for the best control. The guide illustrates the hands at 9 and 3. Place your hands outside the wheel, on the top half of the steering wheel. This will give you the best control. Hands inside the spokes are not the outside top-half position the guide describes. The guide recommends the outside top half of the wheel for best control, not the bottom.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats, steering and braking

20. 20. What limit does Washington place on a decorative license plate frame?

    1. It may cover the tabs if the numbers stay visible
    2. It must match the color of the vehicle
    3. It cannot cover or obstruct the letters, numbers, or tabs
    4. It is allowed on the rear plate only
    Show answer

    It cannot cover or obstruct the letters, numbers, or tabs. A license plate frame cannot cover or obstruct letters, numbers, or tabs. Plates must be clearly displayed on the front and rear and kept clean and easy to read. You can have a license plate frame, but it cannot cover or obstruct the letters, numbers, or tabs on the plate. Tabs must stay readable too; frames cannot obstruct them. The guide’s stated frame restriction concerns covering or obstructing letters, numbers, or tabs, not matching vehicle color.