Washington DC DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   You park facing uphill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

   • AToward the curb
   • BAway from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back
   • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
   • DStraight ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Away from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back

   Uphill with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road and let the front tire gently touch the curb.

2. Question 2 of 25

   The school bus ahead of you turns on flashing yellow (amber) lights. What does this mean?

   • AThe bus is getting ready to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop
   • BThe bus has broken down
   • CYou should pass the bus quickly
   • DThe children have finished crossing
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The bus is getting ready to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop

   Flashing yellow lights on a school bus warn that it will soon stop and turn on its red lights.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Someone is hurt in a crash. When should you move the injured person?

   • AAlways, to make them comfortable
   • BOnly if there is a danger such as fire
   • CRight away, to check for injuries
   • DOnly to drive them to the hospital yourself
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Only if there is a danger such as fire

   Moving an injured person can make injuries worse. Move them only if they face a life-threatening danger, and call for help.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ATraffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in
   • BTwo lanes become three
   • CYour lane ends and you must exit
   • DA divided highway begins
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Traffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in

   Traffic is merging from the side shown. Adjust your speed, or change lanes if it is safe, so vehicles can merge smoothly.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You hit a parked car and the owner is not around. What should you do?

   • AAsk a stranger to watch the car
   • BWait one minute, then leave
   • CTry to find the owner, or leave your information and notify the police
   • DDrive away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Try to find the owner, or leave your information and notify the police

   If you damage an unattended car or property, you must try to find the owner or report it to the police.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • APedestrians are not allowed on this road
   • BThe sidewalk ends ahead
   • CPedestrians must yield to cars here
   • DPeople may be crossing; slow down and yield to pedestrians
   Show answer

   Answer: D. People may be crossing; slow down and yield to pedestrians

   Watch for people crossing the road. Be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Your gas pedal sticks while you are driving. What should you do?

   • AReach down with your hand while driving fast
   • BPump the gas pedal hard
   • CShift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road when it is safe
   • DTurn the key off right away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Shift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road when it is safe

   Shifting to neutral cuts power to the wheels. Turning off the ignition could lock the steering.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does the yellow diamond shape of this sign tell you?

   • AIt marks a work zone
   • BIt shows directions to a city
   • CIt warns of a hazard or change in the road ahead
   • DIt gives a rule you must obey
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It warns of a hazard or change in the road ahead

   Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs. Slow down and get ready for what the symbol shows.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA passing lane is ahead
   • BTraffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road
   • CTwo lanes go your way
   • DA divided highway begins
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Traffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road

   You are leaving a one-way road or divided highway. Oncoming traffic will be beside you, so keep right.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which road users are especially hard to see at night?

    • ATrucks with clearance lights
    • BPolice cars with lights flashing
    • CBuses with interior lights on
    • DPedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists

    People walking, cycling or riding motorcycles are much harder to see in the dark. Slow down and look carefully.

11. Question 11 of 25

    The headlights of an oncoming car are blinding you. Where should you look?

    • AStraight into the headlights
    • BDown at your dashboard
    • CAt the center line
    • DToward the right edge of your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the right edge of your lane

    Look toward the right edge of the road until the car passes. Do not stare into the lights.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You see this emblem on the back of a vehicle. What does it mean?

    • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment
    • BThe vehicle carries hazardous materials
    • CIt is carrying a wide load
    • DIt is an emergency vehicle
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment

    You can come up on these vehicles very quickly. Slow down early and pass only when it is safe and legal.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You park on a hill where there is no curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AStraight ahead
    • BToward the center of the road
    • CLeft if uphill, straight if downhill
    • DToward the side of the road (to the right)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the side of the road (to the right)

    With no curb, uphill or downhill, turn your wheels to the right so the car will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Why should you never try to beat a train to a crossing?

    • AA train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more
    • BTrains must yield to cars at crossings
    • CTrain engineers can steer around cars
    • DTrains always slow down at crossings
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more

    Trains are very heavy and need a long distance to stop. A train at 60 mph may take a mile or more.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • A55 mph is the suggested speed for a curve
    • BOnly trucks must keep to 55 mph
    • CYou must drive at least 55 mph
    • D55 mph is the fastest you may legally drive here in good conditions
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 55 mph is the fastest you may legally drive here in good conditions

    A white speed limit sign shows the maximum legal speed. In bad weather or heavy traffic you must drive slower.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which headlights should you use in fog?

    • ALow beams
    • BHigh beams
    • CNo lights, to reduce glare
    • DParking lights only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Low beams

    High beams reflect off fog and cause glare. Low beams help you see and help others see you.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

    • ASpeed up before the light turns red
    • BSlow down and go through with caution
    • CStop and wait for a green light
    • DThe signal is broken, so treat it as an all-way stop
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Slow down and go through with caution

    A flashing yellow light is a warning. You may go, but slow down and watch for traffic and pedestrians.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which signs use this round shape?

    • AHospital signs
    • BRailroad crossing advance warning signs
    • CSpeed limit signs
    • DSchool zone signs
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Railroad crossing advance warning signs

    In the United States the circle shape is used for the railroad advance warning sign.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn around here
    • BLeft turns are not allowed here
    • CU-turns are not allowed here
    • DSharp curve ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. U-turns are not allowed here

    A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here you may not make a U-turn.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You are in the middle of an intersection when you hear a siren behind you. What should you do?

    • ADrive out of the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
    • BBack up out of the intersection
    • CTurn left right away
    • DStop in the middle of the intersection
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Drive out of the intersection, then pull to the right and stop

    Do not stop inside an intersection. Clear it first, then pull over to the right and stop.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop
    • BNo passing
    • CA railroad crossing is ahead
    • DMerge into the next lane now
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop

    Slow down so you can yield to traffic at the YIELD sign ahead.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which drinks contain about the same amount of alcohol?

    • A1.5 ounces of liquor and 12 ounces of wine
    • B12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor
    • C5 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of liquor
    • D12 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of wine
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor

    A regular beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor each have about the same amount of alcohol. A drink is a drink.

23. Question 23 of 25

    At a four-way stop, you and a car facing you stop at the same time. You want to turn left and the other driver is going straight. Who should go first?

    • AYou, because you signaled first
    • BYou, because left turns go first at stop signs
    • CThe driver going straight
    • DWhoever starts moving first
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The driver going straight

    A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is going straight or turning right.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Total stopping distance, as shown, is made up of which two parts?

    • AThe distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance
    • BThe braking distance, counted twice
    • CThe reaction distance plus the length of your car
    • DThe distance to the car ahead plus the braking distance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance

    Part 1 is how far you travel while you see the danger and move your foot to the brake. Part 2 is how far you travel after braking until you stop.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ARight turns only
    • BThe right lane ends
    • CA side road joins from the right
    • DA sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot

    A sharp turn needs a much lower speed than a gentle curve. Look for a yellow speed plate under the sign.

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