Washington DC DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AMany curves are ahead
   • BA sharp turn to the right is ahead
   • CTwo-way traffic is ahead
   • DThe road curves right, then left
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The road curves right, then left

   A reverse curve bends one way and then the other. Slow down before the first curve.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You are passing a car. When is it safe to return to your lane?

   • AAs soon as your rear bumper passes its front bumper
   • BWhen the two cars are side by side
   • CWhen the other driver flashes the headlights
   • DWhen you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror

   Return to your lane only when you can see the whole front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AYou may not turn while the light is red; wait for green
   • BNo turns are allowed at any time
   • CThere is a red-light camera ahead
   • DYou may turn right on red after stopping
   Show answer

   Answer: A. You may not turn while the light is red; wait for green

   In most places you may turn right on red after a full stop. This sign takes that choice away, so wait for a green light.

4. Question 4 of 25

   As you get close to your exit from a roundabout, what should you do?

   • ATurn on your right turn signal and exit
   • BGo around once more to check traffic
   • CStop inside the roundabout before exiting
   • DTurn on your left turn signal and exit
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Turn on your right turn signal and exit

   Signal right as you approach your exit so others know you are leaving the roundabout.

5. Question 5 of 25

   The speed limit is 55 mph, but there is thick fog and the road is slippery. How fast should you drive?

   • AExactly 10 mph under the limit
   • BAs fast as the cars around you
   • CSlower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions
   • D55 mph, because that is the limit
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Slower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions

   The posted limit is the top speed for good conditions. You can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even below the limit.

6. Question 6 of 25

   When may you pass another vehicle on the right?

   • AWhen the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely
   • BWhen you can use the shoulder
   • CWhenever the vehicle ahead is slow
   • DOnly on a two-lane road
   Show answer

   Answer: A. When the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely

   You may pass on the right only when it is safe, such as when the car ahead is turning left or on a road with two or more lanes your way. Never use the shoulder.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A pedestrian is crossing in the crosswalk ahead of you, as shown. What must you do?

   • AStop and wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed
   • BHonk so the pedestrian moves faster
   • CFlash your lights so the pedestrian stops
   • DDrive slowly around the pedestrian
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed

   Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and wait until they can finish crossing safely.

8. Question 8 of 25

   The gates at a railroad crossing are coming down. What should you do?

   • ASpeed up and go under the gates
   • BStop on the tracks until the gates rise
   • CStop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
   • DDrive around the gates if you cannot see a train
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing

   Never drive around or under lowered or lowering gates. Wait until they are fully up.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Must you yield to a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that has no painted crosswalk lines?

   • AOnly if a crossing guard is there
   • BOnly in school zones
   • CYes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way
   • DNo, only painted crosswalks count
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way

   Pedestrians have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What usually happens if you refuse a chemical test after an arrest for impaired driving?

    • AYou get a written warning
    • BNothing happens
    • CYour driver license is suspended or revoked
    • DYou must retake the written test only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your driver license is suspended or revoked

    Refusing a test brings its own penalties, including losing your license, even if you are not convicted of impaired driving.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What information should drivers exchange after a crash?

    • ANothing, because the police handle it
    • BOnly phone numbers
    • CNames, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance
    • DOnly the names of their insurance companies
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Names, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance

    Give and get names, addresses, license numbers, registration and insurance details from the other drivers involved.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You see this sign facing you on a ramp. What should you do?

    • AKeep driving in the left lane with your hazard lights on
    • BYou are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came
    • CSpeed up to get off the ramp quickly
    • DKeep going and take the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came

    WRONG WAY signs face drivers who are going against traffic. Stop safely, turn around and drive in the correct direction.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A driver is tailgating you. What is the safest thing to do?

    • ABrake suddenly to warn the driver
    • BStop on the shoulder right away
    • CKeep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass
    • DSpeed up to get away
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass

    Do not react with sudden braking. Keep extra space in front of you so you can stop gently, and let the tailgater pass when possible.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A flagger in a work zone holds up a STOP paddle. What must you do?

    • AStop and wait until the flagger signals you to go
    • BStop only if workers are in your lane
    • CHonk and keep going
    • DSlow down and drive around the flagger
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and wait until the flagger signals you to go

    Work zone flaggers are allowed to direct traffic. Their signals must be obeyed like a traffic officer's.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Signs with this fluorescent yellow-green color are used for:

    • ASchools, pedestrians and bicycles
    • BGas, food and lodging
    • CRoad work zones
    • DRailroad crossings
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Schools, pedestrians and bicycles

    Fluorescent yellow-green is used for school, pedestrian and bicycle signs because it is easy to see.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You come to a traffic light that is completely dark because of a power outage. What should you do?

    • AHonk and keep going
    • BTreat the intersection like an all-way stop
    • CYield only to cars on your left
    • DDrive through if no cars are close
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Treat the intersection like an all-way stop

    When a signal is not working, stop as you would at a stop sign, then follow the right-of-way rules.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA bike repair shop is ahead
    • BBicycles may cross or enter the road ahead
    • CThe bike lane ends and bicycles must leave the road
    • DBicycles are not allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Bicycles may cross or enter the road ahead

    Watch for people on bicycles crossing or riding on the road. Slow down and give them plenty of room.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You missed your exit on the freeway. What should you do?

    • AGo on to the next exit
    • BBack up on the shoulder
    • CStop and wait for a gap to back up
    • DMake a U-turn across the median
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Go on to the next exit

    If you miss your exit, stay on the freeway until the next exit. Never back up or turn around on a freeway.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In a state where marijuana is legal, may you drive after using it?

    • AYes, if you have a medical card
    • BYes, but only during the day
    • CNo, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal
    • DYes, as long as you feel fine
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal

    Impairment from marijuana is treated like impairment from any other drug. Do not use it before driving.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What is the center lane shown here used for?

    • ADriving for long distances in heavy traffic
    • BLeft turns by drivers from both directions
    • CPassing slower vehicles
    • DParking and loading
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Left turns by drivers from both directions

    A two-way left-turn lane is shared by drivers from both directions to make left turns. It is not a travel lane or passing lane.

21. Question 21 of 25

    In which direction does traffic travel in a US roundabout?

    • AToward the center island
    • BCounterclockwise
    • CClockwise
    • DEither direction
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Counterclockwise

    In the United States, traffic in a roundabout moves counterclockwise, to the right of the center island.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which numbered marking separates traffic going in opposite directions and allows drivers on both sides to pass when it is safe?

    • AMarking 6
    • BMarking 3
    • CMarking 5
    • DMarking 2
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Marking 2

    A broken yellow center line (marking 2) separates opposite directions and allows passing from either side when the way is clear.

23. Question 23 of 25

    At night, a car is coming toward you, as shown. When should you switch from high beams to low beams?

    • AOnly if the other driver flashes the lights
    • BWhen it is within 50 feet
    • CWhen it is within 500 feet
    • DWhen it is within 2 miles
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When it is within 500 feet

    State laws generally require low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, so you do not blind the other driver.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol concentration?

    • ATime
    • BExercise
    • CA cold shower
    • DBlack coffee
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Time

    Your body removes alcohol slowly. Coffee, exercise and cold showers do not lower your BAC.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA highway patrol station is ahead
    • BA helicopter landing pad is ahead
    • CA hospital is nearby
    • DA hotel is nearby
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A hospital is nearby

    Blue signs show services for drivers, such as hospitals, gas, food and lodging.

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