WA Permit Practice Test 7

All 20 questions in test 7

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. What does the guide say drivers are responsible for knowing about Washington signs?

   1. Only signs pictured in the guide
   2. Only signs on interstate highways
   3. All signs, including city and county signs
   4. Only signs with a speed number
   Show answer

   All signs, including city and county signs. The guide lists some Washington State signs but makes clear that the list is not complete. Drivers remain responsible for knowing signs used by cities and counties as well as statewide signs. Limiting attention to pictures in one guide, interstate routes, or speed-number signs would leave important controls unread. Keep scanning for local signs and interpret their shapes, colors, symbols, and words before proceeding.

2. 2. For a Washington driver age 21 or older, which BAC is identified as a DUI threshold?

   1. 0.02% or higher
   2. 0.08% or higher
   3. 0.05% or higher
   4. 0.12% or higher
   Show answer

   0.08% or higher. The guide identifies a BAC of 0.08% or higher as a DUI threshold for drivers who are 21 or older. The 0.02% figure belongs to drivers under 21, so applying it to every adult would erase an important age distinction. A 0.05% reading may still affect safe driving, but it is not the threshold stated in this item. Treat the age in the question as part of the rule, then match it to 0.08%.

3. 3. What lane does a Washington Keep Right sign tell you to use when you are not passing?

   1. The far left lane
   2. The shoulder
   3. The right lane
   4. Any lane closed by a merge sign
   Show answer

   The right lane. The Keep Right sign reminds drivers to stay in the right lane unless they are passing another vehicle. That is a lane positioning rule, not permission to drive on the shoulder or to occupy the far left lane without a passing reason. A merge sign may impose a separate instruction, but it does not erase the keep right reminder. When traveling normally on a multilane road, use the right lane and move left only for a lawful pass.

4. 4. What should you do immediately after seeing a Wrong Way sign facing you?

   
   1. Continue until the next exit
   2. Move to the left lane and speed up
   3. Stop and turn around immediately
   4. Stop only if another car appears
   Show answer

   Stop and turn around immediately. A Wrong Way sign warns that the vehicle is traveling against the intended direction and that a head on collision is possible. The guide says to stop and turn around immediately. Continuing to the next exit leaves you exposed to opposing traffic. Changing lanes or speeding up increases the danger. The practical cue is the sign itself: treat it as an urgent direction error, not a routine route marker.

5. 5. How far does a loaded truck at 55 mph need to stop, according to the Washington guide?

   1. About 100 feet
   2. About 450 feet, even with properly adjusted brakes
   3. About 200 feet
   4. About 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   About 450 feet, even with properly adjusted brakes. It takes a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes, traveling at 55 mph, 450 feet to come to a complete stop. Cutting in front of a truck without enough space is dangerous for everyone. When merging ahead of a large vehicle, wait until you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror, then keep pace with traffic so the truck does not have to brake hard.

6. 6. When driving behind a bicyclist in Washington, how much space should a driver leave?

   1. Less than 1 foot to discourage wobbling
   2. Exactly 10 feet in every situation
   3. At least 3 feet
   4. No space if the bicycle is near the curb
   Show answer

   At least 3 feet. Washington tells drivers to leave at least 3 feet when driving behind a bicyclist. The guide reminds drivers that a bicyclist might need to change position to avoid a hazard the driver cannot see, so riding close to the curb does not erase the space requirement. The less than one foot choice is plainly unsafe, and the fixed ten foot distance is not the guide's stated minimum. Reduce speed, wait for a safe opportunity to pass, and preserve the buffer until the vehicle is clear. The three foot cue applies to the widest part of the vehicle when passing as well.

7. 7. How should you respond to a flashing yellow traffic light?

   1. Stop and remain stopped until a solid green appears
   2. Slow down and proceed as you would at a yield sign
   3. Accelerate because cross traffic must stop
   4. Treat it as a red arrow
   Show answer

   Slow down and proceed as you would at a yield sign. A flashing yellow light has the same meaning as a yield sign. Slow down, treat the intersection as uncontrolled, and proceed only when you have the right of way. A complete stop is not automatically required, although you must stop if traffic or a person in your path makes that necessary. The green assumption reverses the rule by claiming priority over cross traffic. Reduce speed early, scan every approach, and resolve who may proceed before entering.

8. 8. When entering a roundabout, who must yield?

   1. Approaching vehicles must yield to traffic already in the roundabout
   2. The largest vehicle always has priority
   3. Traffic already circulating must stop for every entering vehicle
   4. Vehicles entering from the left have priority
   Show answer

   Approaching vehicles must yield to traffic already in the roundabout. At a roundabout, approaching vehicles yield to traffic already circulating. Slow down, look left, and wait for a safe opening before entering. Once inside, follow your lane and continue counterclockwise toward the chosen exit. Making circulating traffic stop would defeat the roundabout’s continuous flow, and vehicle size does not determine priority. The strongest visual cue is traffic already moving around the center island. Yield before entry, then watch for pedestrians and bicyclists at the crosswalk as you enter and exit.

9. 9. What is the Washington response when a roadside response vehicle displays flashing lights?

   1. Move over into a farther lane or slow at least 10 mph below the limit
   2. Pass without changing speed
   3. Drive no faster than 70 mph
   4. Stop in the lane beside the vehicle
   Show answer

   Move over into a farther lane or slow at least 10 mph below the limit. An emergency zone requires drivers to create a safer buffer around a roadside response vehicle. Move over into a farther lane when possible. If that cannot be done safely, slow to 10 mph or more under the posted speed limit, and never exceed 50 mph in the emergency zone. Stopping in the adjacent lane can expose both vehicles to a collision, while passing at the same speed leaves too little protection. Identify the flashing lights early, check for an open lane, and reduce speed before reaching the scene.

10. 10. At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time. Who goes first?

    
    1. The vehicle that signals first
    2. The vehicle on the left
    3. The vehicle traveling faster
    4. The vehicle on the right
    Show answer

    The vehicle on the right. When two vehicles reach a four-way stop at approximately the same time, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. Arrival order still controls when one vehicle clearly got there first, so this rule applies to the tie condition described. Speed does not decide the sequence, and a turn signal communicates an intention rather than granting priority. Make a complete stop, identify who arrived first, and then use the right-side rule if timing is close. Continue watching for pedestrians and cyclists while the vehicles move.

11. 11. During the first six months with a Washington intermediate license, who may ride as a passenger under age 20?

    1. Up to three friends
    2. One friend if the driver is 17
    3. Anyone, as long as all wear seat belts
    4. Only immediate family members
    Show answer

    Only immediate family members. For the first six months after the intermediate license is issued, the driver may carry no passengers under 20 except immediate family members. After six months the rule loosens to no more than three passengers under 20, still excluding family from the count, so up to three friends describes the later stage. Being 17 does not create an exception, and seat belt use does not change the passenger limit.

12. 12. You think another driver is following and harassing you. Where does the Washington guide tell you to go?

    1. To an area with other people and open businesses
    2. Straight home so you are safe
    3. To a quiet side road to pull over and talk
    4. Onto the freeway at high speed to lose them
    Show answer

    To an area with other people and open businesses. If you are the target of road rage, the Washington guide says to distance yourself physically and mentally, avoid speeding, honking or gestures, and keep your eyes on the road. If you feel you are being followed or harassed, drive to an area where there are other people and open businesses, and call the police if necessary. Do not try to settle the conflict yourself, and do not speed away, because that turns you into an aggressive driver too.

13. 13. What minimum tire tread depth does the Washington guide give?

    1. Not less than 2/32 of an inch
    2. Not less than 1/32 of an inch
    3. Not less than 6/32 of an inch
    4. Any visible tread
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    Not less than 2/32 of an inch. Worn tires can cause slipping and sliding, especially on wet roads, and the guide says tire tread should not be less than 2/32 of an inch. Low tire pressure also affects handling, and the proper inflation figure is on the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver's side door edge or in the owner's manual. Check both regularly rather than waiting for a problem.

14. 14. How far from the nearest rail should a driver stop when a railroad crossing signal is flashing?

    
    1. Exactly 75 feet
    2. Between 1 and 5 feet
    3. At least 100 feet and no closer
    4. Between 15 and 50 feet
    Show answer

    Between 15 and 50 feet. When a railroad crossing signal is flashing, a driver must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. The shorter distances leave too little room if a train enters the crossing, while 75 or 100 feet are not the guide’s stated range. The same stopping distance applies when a gate is lowering, a flagger signals, a train creates an immediate hazard, or a warning horn sounds. Stop before the tracks, wait for the warning to end, and never drive around a lowered gate.

15. 15. When may a Washington intermediate license holder wait to receive an updated physical license?

    1. Only until the driver turns 18
    2. Until the first traffic violation
    3. Only for the first six months
    4. Until the license is renewed
    Show answer

    Until the license is renewed. Intermediate license restrictions end automatically at age 18, but Washington does not require an immediate replacement card at that moment. The guide says the driver can wait until renewing the license to obtain an updated physical copy. The other time markers describe restriction phases or violations, not the timing of a replacement document. Keep the existing license and follow the lifted status while waiting for normal renewal.

16. 16. What speed range is a roundabout designed for?

    1. 15 to 25 mph
    2. 5 to 10 mph
    3. 30 to 40 mph
    4. 45 to 55 mph
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    15 to 25 mph. Washington roundabouts are designed for speeds between 15 and 25 mph. That range supports controlled entry, visibility, and safe interaction with vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Five to 10 mph is unnecessarily slow as a general design range, while 30 mph or more leaves less time to yield and respond. The cue is to slow before entering, choose a lane, yield to circulating traffic, and stay in that lane until exiting.

17. 17. If a driver is not enrolled in driver training, when can the driver take the knowledge exam?

    1. At age 14
    2. After turning 15 and one-half
    3. After turning 18
    4. Only after turning 16
    Show answer

    After turning 15 and one-half. Applicants who are not enrolling in a driver training course can take the Washington knowledge exam after turning 15 and one-half. Age 14 is too early, and waiting until 16 or 18 is not required for this exam. The separate skills exam and license have different timing rules. Remember the distinction: the knowledge exam can begin at 15 and one-half without training, but a person must wait until 18 for the skills exam and license under this path.

18. 18. After getting a Washington traffic ticket, how long do you have to follow the instructions on the back to avoid a suspension?

    1. 5 days
    2. 30 days
    3. 15 days
    4. 60 days
    Show answer

    15 days. The instructions on the back of a ticket must be followed within 15 days, or the driving privilege can be suspended. Driving on that suspended license can lead to losing the vehicle or being arrested. Five days is the deadline for a vehicle report of sale, and 30 and 60 days are not the ticket deadline. Signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt, and refusing to sign can lead to arrest.

19. 19. How does Washington treat fines for passing a stopped school bus?

    1. They are waived for a first offense
    2. They are the same as a parking ticket
    3. They are cut in half if no children are present
    4. They are doubled
    Show answer

    They are doubled. Washington doubles fines for anyone who passes a stopped school bus. The rule has no first offense waiver, and the guide treats it as passing a stopped bus, not as a parking matter. Seeing no children does not reduce the fine, because the lights and sign signal that children are near and getting on or off the bus. Drivers traveling in the same direction must stop when the red lights flash and the stop paddle is out.

20. 20. How close to a fire hydrant may you park in Washington?

    1. No closer than 5 feet
    2. No closer than 10 feet
    3. No closer than 20 feet
    4. No closer than 15 feet
    Show answer

    No closer than 15 feet. Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited in Washington. Five feet is the driveway and alley rule, and 20 feet is the distance from a pedestrian safety zone. Ten feet is shorter than the Washington rule. The same no parking list also covers railroad tracks, construction zones, and double parking. Painted curbs can add limits: white allows only short stops, and yellow or red marks a loading zone or another restriction.