WA Permit Practice Test 23

All 20 questions in test 23

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. Which registration alone makes a person a Washington resident for licensing purposes?

   1. Being registered to vote in Washington
   2. Holding a driver license from any other state
   3. Spending one summer working in Washington
   4. Registering a boat that is docked in Washington
   Show answer

   Being registered to vote in Washington. Being registered to vote in Washington is one of the guide’s listed conditions for Washington residency. Other listed conditions include maintaining a residence for personal use and using a Washington address for federal or state taxes. You are registered to vote in Washington. You use a Washington address for federal or state taxes. An out of state license shows licensing elsewhere, not Washington residency.

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

2. 2. A Washington instruction permit holder wants to use a hands-free phone while driving. What rule applies?

   1. Hands-free calls are allowed whenever the phone stays mounted
   2. A mobile electronic device may not be used while driving on the permit
   3. Phone calls are allowed if the supervising adult agrees
   4. Only texting is prohibited on an instruction permit
   Show answer

   A mobile electronic device may not be used while driving on the permit. A person driving with an instruction permit may not use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device, even hands-free. A mount or voice control therefore does not create permission for routine calls. The guide applies this restriction to permit and intermediate-license holders, so the supervising adult's presence does not change it. Put the device away before driving and keep your attention on operating the vehicle and observing traffic.

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

3. 3. How is a Washington fire lane usually marked, and what conduct does it forbid?

   1. Red stripes or a red curb, where parking and stopping are forbidden
   2. White stripes, where short stops are welcome
   3. Yellow tabs, where loading may last an hour
   4. Blue paint, where any placard allows parking
   Show answer

   Red stripes or a red curb, where parking and stopping are forbidden. Fire lanes are usually marked with red stripes or a red curb. Do not park or stop in fire lanes. In some communities, the road in front of a fire station is marked as a fire lane to keep the path clear for aid vehicles. Don’t park or stop in fire lanes. White curb paint allows short stops in ordinary zones, not fire lanes.

   Study this in the handbook: Road markings, lanes and school zones

4. 4. You find an open curb space on the opposite side of a Washington street. May you park there facing oncoming traffic?

   1. Yes, if no vehicle is approaching at that moment
   2. Yes, if you stay within 12 inches of the curb
   3. No, parking facing oncoming traffic is prohibited
   4. Yes, if you leave the parking lights on
   Show answer

   No, parking facing oncoming traffic is prohibited. Washington lists facing oncoming traffic among prohibited parking positions. A space can appear open and still be unsuitable for the direction your vehicle faces. Being close enough to the curb does not cancel this separate restriction, and leaving lights on does not change it. Check the vehicle's orientation as well as nearby signs and curb markings before leaving it. A legal parking location must satisfy the applicable restrictions together.

   Study this in the handbook: Parking rules and hills

5. 5. When adjusting the driver's seat, how far should your chest be from the steering wheel?

   1. About 2 inches, so you can reach the pedals
   2. At least 36 inches in every vehicle
   3. As close as possible for better control
   4. At least 10 inches, to leave space for the airbag
   Show answer

   At least 10 inches, to leave space for the airbag. The Washington guide says your chest should be at least 10 inches from the steering wheel. That gap leaves room for the airbag to inflate without striking you at full force. Sit comfortably straight, make sure you can see clearly over the wheel and reach the pedals, and grip the wheel with a gentle bend in your elbow. Sitting very close may feel like more control, but it puts your face and chest in the path of a deploying airbag.

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

6. 6. How should Washington judge whether an older driver stays safe behind the wheel?

   1. By vision, fitness, and reflex changes rather than age alone
   2. By birthday alone once a set age arrives
   3. By years held without any health review
   4. By family vote at license renewal time
   Show answer

   By vision, fitness, and reflex changes rather than age alone. Driving ability should not be judged by age alone. Changes in vision, physical fitness, reflexes, attention, and quick reactions can affect safety. Assessing these changes can help a driver adjust driving habits or choose other transportation. Decisions about your driving ability shouldn’t be based on age alone. However, changes in vision, physical fitness, and reflexes could cause safety concerns. Birthday alone never decides driving ability; functional changes do.

7. 7. What happens to a vehicle's weight when a Washington driver stops abruptly?

   1. It shifts backward onto the rear
   2. It shifts forward, increasing pressure on the front
   3. It shifts only toward the passenger side
   4. It stays evenly distributed despite the sudden stop
   Show answer

   It shifts forward, increasing pressure on the front. Stopping abruptly transfers weight forward and increases pressure on the front of the vehicle. This change is part of the forward and backward vehicle motion called pitch. The weight does not remain evenly distributed during the sudden stop, and the movement described is not toward the passenger side. Washington connects vehicle stability with balanced weight across the tires. Regular maintenance, correct tire pressure, and alignment checks help maintain that balance, while smooth braking is part of good vehicle handling.

8. 8. Turning where two turn lanes exist in Washington, what lane discipline applies?

   1. Drift toward the widest part of the curve
   2. Stay in your original lane through the turn
   3. Move to the inside lane mid-turn for speed
   4. Change lanes before straightening the wheel
   Show answer

   Stay in your original lane through the turn. State law asks drivers to turn into the lane closest to the direction they came from, and when more than one turn lane exists, stay in the original lane through the turn. Lane discipline through the corner prevents veering into a neighboring vehicle turning beside you on the same plan. Once the turn is complete, a lane change may follow as a separate maneuver if needed. Plan the turn early, check behind for bicyclists, and put on the turn signal at least 100 feet before turning left or right across oncoming traffic.

   Study this in the handbook: Intersections, turns and roundabouts

9. 9. At a Washington four-way stop, a left-turning vehicle must yield to which vehicles?

   1. Vehicles approaching from behind it
   2. No one after it stops completely
   3. Only vehicles that arrived after it
   4. Vehicles going straight or turning right
   Show answer

   Vehicles going straight or turning right. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive goes first, and later arrivals follow in order. If two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, yield to the one on the right. The guide also says that a vehicle turning left must yield to vehicles going straight or turning right. Any vehicle turning left must yield the right-of-way to vehicles going straight or turning right.

   Study this in the handbook: Intersections, turns and roundabouts

10. 10. A legally obtained medicine makes a Washington driver drowsy. What rule applies?

    1. Legal drugs are always safe for driving
    2. Prescription drugs cannot impair a driver
    3. Only illegal drugs count as impaired driving
    4. A legal drug is not automatically safe for driving
    Show answer

    A legal drug is not automatically safe for driving. A legal drug is not automatically safe to use while driving. The guide says over-the-counter remedies for headaches, colds, or allergies can cause drowsiness, while prescription drugs can affect reflexes, judgment, vision, and alertness. Driving while impaired is criminal behavior regardless of how the drug was obtained. Read warning labels and consult your doctor or pharmacist. When starting a prescription, changing to a new prescription, or increasing the dose, wait until you know its effects before driving.

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

11. 11. A school crossing guard directs traffic differently from a working traffic signal. Whose directions must you follow?

    1. The signal always controls
    2. The crossing guard; authorized people can overrule signals
    3. Whoever arrived first at the intersection
    4. The directions of the longest vehicle waiting
    Show answer

    The crossing guard; authorized people can overrule signals. In special circumstances, law enforcement, construction workers, maintenance personnel, and school crossing guards can direct traffic. They can overrule traffic signals, and you must follow their orders or directions. Follow the school crossing guard even when the traffic signal indicates otherwise. These people can overrule traffic signals, and their orders or directions must be followed. Signals yield to authorized people; crossing guards can overrule traffic signals.

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

12. 12. When does the Washington guide say to use hand-over-hand steering?

    1. Only at highway speeds on straight roads
    2. When turning at low speeds, with limited visibility, at intersections, parking, or recovering from a skid
    3. Only while backing in a straight line
    4. Whenever following a large vehicle
    Show answer

    When turning at low speeds, with limited visibility, at intersections, parking, or recovering from a skid. Hand-over-hand steering fits slow, tight work: turning at low speeds, turning with limited visibility, turning at an intersection, parking the vehicle, or recovering from a skid. Hands begin at 9 and 3 or 10 and 2, one arm reaches across to grasp and pull, and the lower hand releases and repositions before you straighten smoothly. Highway driving in a straight line needs none of that crossing motion, and backing calls for one hand at the 12 position with your body turned to watch behind.

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

13. 13. What does Washington say about hitchhiking on freeways?

    1. It is allowed whenever traffic is light
    2. Drivers may stop briefly on shoulders for riders
    3. Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers on freeways
    4. It is allowed during daylight hours only
    Show answer

    Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers on freeways. Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers on Washington freeways. The guide states that this is illegal and dangerous. The guide prohibits hitchhiking on freeways without an exception for light traffic. The guide says not to pick up hitchhikers on Washington freeways. Daylight does not lift the freeway hitchhiking ban. The guide flatly bars hitchhiking and picking up hitchhikers on freeways.

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

14. 14. How should a Washington driver set the rearview mirror before driving?

    1. Angled down to watch the back seat floor
    2. Tilted to frame only the driver face
    3. So the back window is visible without stretching
    4. Pointed at the ceiling to reduce glare
    Show answer

    So the back window is visible without stretching. Adjust the rearview mirror so you can see out the back window without stretching. Adjust the side mirrors to minimize blind zones and recheck mirrors every time you get behind the wheel. Adjust your rearview mirror so you can see out the back window without having to stretch. The mirror exists for traffic behind, not the floor. A face view shows nothing about following traffic.

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

15. 15. Besides lane changes and backing, in which situation must a Washington driver check traffic behind?

    1. Parking inside a closed garage
    2. Slowing down or rolling down a long or steep hill
    3. Waiting with the engine off at a ferry dock
    4. Fueling the car at a pump
    Show answer

    Slowing down or rolling down a long or steep hill. Check behind for vehicles and cyclists when changing lanes, turning across a bicycle lane, slowing down, backing up, or driving down a long or steep hill. Check more often when traffic is heavy. Look for vehicles and cyclists behind you when you change lanes, turn across a bicycle lane, slow down, back up, or are driving down a long or steep hill.

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

16. 16. What kind of information do white traffic signs carry in Washington?

    1. Regulatory information
    2. Motorist services guidance
    3. Public recreation directions
    4. Construction warnings
    Show answer

    Regulatory information. White signs carry regulatory information. Blue signs provide motorist services guidance, brown signs identify public recreation, cultural, and historical areas, and orange signs warn of construction and maintenance. White = Regulatory Green = Guide or directional information Blue = Motorist services guidance. Blue signs guide drivers toward motorist services. Brown signs identify recreation and historical areas. Orange signs warn about construction and maintenance.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signs

17. 17. Crossing signals activate in Washington but no train is visible yet. What should a driver expect?

    1. A train may be closer, quieter, and faster than it appears, from either direction
    2. No train is coming when none can be seen
    3. Trains always approach from the left only
    4. Quiet crossings mean the signals malfunctioned
    Show answer

    A train may be closer, quieter, and faster than it appears, from either direction. Trust activated crossing signals even if you do not see a train. Trains might be closer, quieter, and moving faster than they appear, and can come from either direction on any track. When the signal is flashing, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Even if you don’t see a train, trust the signals. Trains can come from either direction and.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings, emergency vehicles and emergency zones

18. 18. Before a driving maneuver in Washington, how should mirror checks be used?

    1. Only when another driver honks first
    2. To replace signaling your intention to others
    3. To understand the whole situation, including people your decision could affect
    4. Only to confirm the lane behind is empty
    Show answer

    To understand the whole situation, including people your decision could affect. Use mirror checks to understand the whole situation, including people who might be affected by your decisions. Inform others of your intentions, prepare your road position and speed, and make a final check before maneuvering. Inform yourself with mirror checks. Be aware of the whole situation, including people around you who might be affected by your decisions. The guide says to inform yourself with mirror checks before maneuvering.

19. 19. Which trip can an enhanced Washington driver license or ID be used for that a standard one cannot?

    1. International air travel
    2. Identification inside Washington
    3. Operating a motor vehicle with a driver license
    4. International border crossing by land or sea
    Show answer

    International border crossing by land or sea. Enhanced licenses and IDs meet REAL ID standards, so they work for domestic air travel, access to federal facilities, and international border crossing by land or sea. Picking international air travel reaches too far: even the enhanced card lists that use as not suitable, so a flight across a border calls for different documents. Both card types still serve as identification, and a driver license of either kind allows operating a motor vehicle. Remember the pair land or sea with the enhanced card, and leave airplanes out of that pair.

20. 20. You witness an aggressive driving act and call 911. Which detail does the guide list for you to provide?

    1. Your insurance company and policy number
    2. The other driver's home address
    3. The plate number, if known
    4. Your own driver license number only
    Show answer

    The plate number, if known. If you witness or are the victim of aggressive driving, call 911 and provide the location where the vehicles were last seen, plate number if known, direction of travel, road or highway, vehicle colors, any weapons involved, a summary, and whether you were a victim or witness. Report in-progress road rage immediately. If you have witnessed or been a victim of an aggressive driving act, please call 911 and provide the following information: Location vehicles were last seen Plate number (if known).

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