Washington DC DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe
   • BYou must pass slow vehicles
   • CYou may pass only on the right
   • DPassing is not allowed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe

   This sign marks the end of a no-passing area. Pass only when the road ahead is clear and it is safe.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ATurn right at the next road
   • BThe divided highway ends
   • CKeep to the right of the island or obstacle ahead
   • DThe right lane ends
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep to the right of the island or obstacle ahead

   Pass on the right side of the traffic island, median or obstacle shown on the sign.

3. Question 3 of 25

   While you wait to turn left, why should you keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead?

   • ATo keep your tires from wearing out
   • BSo your turn signal keeps working
   • CSo you can turn faster when the way is clear
   • DSo you are not pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind
   Show answer

   Answer: D. So you are not pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind

   Keep your wheels straight until it is safe to turn. If your wheels are turned and someone hits you from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming cars.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Your car starts to hydroplane. What should you do?

   • ATurn sharply toward the shoulder
   • BBrake hard right away
   • CSpeed up to get through the water
   • DEase off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard

   Slowly take your foot off the gas and hold the wheel steady until the tires grip again. Do not use the brakes hard.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe road becomes divided
   • BA narrow bridge is ahead
   • CA new lane is added
   • DThe right lane ends; merge left when it is safe
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The right lane ends; merge left when it is safe

   If you are in the lane that ends, signal and move over when there is a safe gap. Drivers in the other lane should help by adjusting speed.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Besides police cars, which stopped vehicle with flashing lights should you also slow down and move over for?

   • AA tow truck helping a driver on the shoulder
   • BA car parked in a driveway
   • CA delivery van parked at the curb
   • DA bus at a bus stop with no lights flashing
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A tow truck helping a driver on the shoulder

   In many states, Move Over rules also cover tow trucks and highway work vehicles with flashing lights. Giving them space protects the people working beside the road.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe signal ahead is broken
   • BThere is a pedestrian signal only
   • CThere is a traffic signal ahead
   • DA railroad signal is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: C. There is a traffic signal ahead

   Slow down and be ready to stop for a red light. This sign is used where the signal is hard to see.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Two cars meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which car has the right-of-way?

   • AThe car that is larger
   • BThe car with more passengers
   • CThe car facing uphill
   • DThe car facing downhill
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The car facing uphill

   The vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the other car can pass.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You are involved in a minor crash. What must you do?

   • AWait in your car until the other driver leaves
   • BStop at the scene
   • CDrive home and call your insurance company
   • DLeave if the damage looks small
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Stop at the scene

   If you are in a crash, you must stop, no matter how small the damage is.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does a white diamond painted in a lane mean?

    • AThe lane is for trucks only
    • BThe lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles
    • CThere is a railroad crossing ahead
    • DThe lane ends soon
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles

    A diamond marks a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or other reserved lane. Signs tell you who may use it and when.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • APass the car in front before you reach the crosswalk
    • BHonk to warn the children
    • CSlow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk
    • DSpeed up to get past the crosswalk quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk

    The arrow points to the school crosswalk. Stop for children in the crosswalk and follow any crossing guard. Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

12. Question 12 of 25

    When is the road often most slippery in the rain?

    • AIn the first minutes after rain starts
    • BJust after the rain stops and the sun comes out
    • CAfter it has rained for many hours
    • DOnly at night
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In the first minutes after rain starts

    When rain begins, it mixes with oil and dirt on the road and makes a slick film. Slow down right away.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASpeed up to cross the intersection
    • BKeep going straight
    • CGet ready to stop or turn; your road ends and you must turn left or right
    • DMake a U-turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Get ready to stop or turn; your road ends and you must turn left or right

    The T shape shows that your road ends at a cross street. Slow down and be ready to yield or stop before you turn.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor. What should you try first?

    • ATurn off the engine
    • BShift into park
    • COpen the door to drag your foot
    • DPump the brake pedal to build up pressure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pump the brake pedal to build up pressure

    Pumping the pedal may build enough pressure to stop. If that fails, use the parking brake slowly and shift to a lower gear.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AKeep left
    • BLeft turns only
    • CSharp curve to the left
    • DYou may not turn left here
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You may not turn left here

    The arrow shows a left turn and the red circle and slash ban it. Go straight or turn right if allowed.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which numbered marking separates lanes going in the same direction and allows lane changes when it is safe?

    • AMarking 5
    • BMarking 6
    • CMarking 2
    • DMarking 1
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Marking 5

    A broken white line (marking 5) separates lanes moving the same way. You may change lanes across it when safe.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which of these is a warning sign that you are too sleepy to drive?

    • AChecking your mirrors often
    • BWanting to change the radio station
    • CFeeling hungry
    • DDrifting over lane lines or hitting rumble strips
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Drifting over lane lines or hitting rumble strips

    Drifting from your lane or hitting rumble strips means you are drowsy. Stop in a safe place and rest.

18. Question 18 of 25

    An ambulance (1) with flashing lights and a siren is coming. What should drivers like Car 2 and Car 3 do?

    • APull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
    • BStop right where they are in their lanes
    • CSpeed up to stay ahead of it
    • DMove toward the center line
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes

    Drivers going either way on a two-way road must pull to the right edge and stop for an emergency vehicle using lights and a siren.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent upward at the elbow. What does this hand signal mean?

    • AHazard ahead
    • BSlowing down or stopping
    • CRight turn
    • DLeft turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Right turn

    The left arm bent upward means a right turn.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You see this sign while driving in the rain. What should you do?

    • APump your brakes often to dry them
    • BDrive on the shoulder
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DSlow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns

    Wet roads can make your tires lose grip. Slow down, leave more space, and steer and brake gently.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent downward. What does this hand signal mean?

    • ALeft turn
    • BRight turn
    • CSlowing down or stopping
    • DGo ahead and pass
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slowing down or stopping

    The left arm bent downward means the driver is slowing down or stopping.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You are in a left-turn lane facing a flashing yellow arrow. What may you do?

    • ATurn left, because oncoming traffic must stop for you
    • BTurn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
    • CStay stopped until a green arrow appears
    • DGo straight only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

    A flashing yellow arrow allows the turn, but you must first yield to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

23. Question 23 of 25

    How should you pass a bicyclist riding in the same direction?

    • AFollow closely until the rider moves aside
    • BHonk and pass close by
    • CPass on the right
    • DSlow down and pass on the left with plenty of space
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and pass on the left with plenty of space

    Pass a bicyclist on the left at a safe distance and reduce your speed as you pass.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which of these is distracted driving?

    • AScanning the road ahead
    • BEating or changing the music while driving
    • CKeeping both hands on the wheel
    • DChecking your mirrors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Eating or changing the music while driving

    Any activity that takes your attention from driving is a distraction, including eating, talking and adjusting the stereo or GPS.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Car 1 is behind a school bus on this divided highway. The bus has stopped with its red lights flashing. What must the driver of Car 1 do?

    • AStop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off
    • BPass slowly on the right
    • CHonk and keep going
    • DPass slowly on the left
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off

    Drivers behind a stopped school bus must always stop. Rules for drivers on the other side of a divided highway differ by state.

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