Washington DC DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 8

1. Question 1 of 25

   Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake in an emergency?

   • APull the parking brake
   • BPress the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing
   • CTap the brake lightly
   • DPump the brake pedal quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing

   With ABS, press hard and hold steady pressure. The system pumps the brakes for you and lets you steer.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

   • AThe light is about to turn green
   • BStop only if other cars are coming
   • CStop completely, then go when it is safe
   • DSlow down and go with care without stopping
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe

   A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when the way is clear.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

   • ATry to push the car off the tracks
   • BRun along the tracks away from the train
   • CStay in the car and keep trying to start it
   • DGet everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Get everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train

   Get out right away. Moving toward the train at an angle keeps you away from flying debris, which spreads in the direction the train is going.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AU-turns are allowed ahead
   • BTurn around ahead
   • CA roundabout is ahead; slow down and drive counterclockwise
   • DDo not enter
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A roundabout is ahead; slow down and drive counterclockwise

   At a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle and travel counterclockwise, to the right of the center island.

5. Question 5 of 25

   A school bus has stopped on this two-lane road with its red lights flashing and its stop arm out. Which cars must stop?

   • ABoth Car 1 and Car 2
   • BOnly Car 2, facing the bus
   • CNeither car, if no child is in the road
   • DOnly Car 1, behind the bus
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Both Car 1 and Car 2

   On a two-lane road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AYou may pass if you are careful
   • BYou must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road
   • CSlower traffic must keep right
   • DPass only on the right
   Show answer

   Answer: B. You must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road

   Do not pass until a sign or the road markings show that the no-passing area has ended.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How can you check that you are not following another vehicle too closely?

   • AWatch for the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
   • BLook at your speedometer
   • CCount how many car lengths you see
   • DWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it

   Pick a fixed object such as a sign. Start counting when the car ahead passes it; if you reach it before you finish the count, you are too close.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ARoad work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment
   • BWorkers have finished for the day
   • CTake the detour ahead
   • DThe road is closed ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Road work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment

   Slow down, stay alert, and follow work zone signs and flaggers.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Why should you never drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane?

   • AMotorcycles must ride on the shoulder
   • BA motorcyclist has the right to use the full width of the lane
   • CMotorcycles are always slower than cars
   • DIt is fine if the rider waves you by
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A motorcyclist has the right to use the full width of the lane

   A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane, just like a car. Sharing its lane is dangerous and not allowed.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop here
    • BThe road ends ahead
    • CA traffic signal is ahead
    • DA STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop

    This sign warns of a STOP sign that may be hard to see. Slow down and get ready to stop.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does the red circle with a slash on this sign mean?

    • AThe action shown inside it is not allowed
    • BThe rule applies only at night
    • CThere is danger ahead
    • DThe action shown is allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The action shown inside it is not allowed

    On US regulatory signs, red is used for STOP, YIELD and the circle and slash that ban an action.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Where should you stop at this sign if there is a crosswalk but no stop line?

    • AAfter the crosswalk, at the edge of the cross street
    • BInside the intersection, where you can see best
    • CBefore the crosswalk
    • DIn the middle of the crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Before the crosswalk

    Stop at the stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection.

13. Question 13 of 25

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

    • AToward the curb
    • BAway from the curb
    • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
    • DStraight ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Toward the curb

    When parking downhill, turn your wheels into the curb so the car rolls into it, not into the street.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks cross the road ahead
    • BAn uphill passing lane is ahead
    • CA steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear
    • DA truck stop is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear

    On a steep downgrade, slow down before the hill and shift to a lower gear so your brakes do not overheat.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You are entering a freeway from an on-ramp, as shown. What should you do in the acceleration lane?

    • AMerge right away without checking traffic
    • BDrive slowly so freeway drivers notice you
    • CSpeed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap
    • DStop at the end of the ramp and wait for a big gap
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Speed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap

    Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic, check mirrors and your blind spot, signal, and merge into a gap.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What is hydroplaning?

    • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
    • BWhen water gets into your engine
    • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
    • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

    At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is waiting to cross. What should you do?

    • AStop and let the person cross, without honking
    • BWave the person across from far away
    • CHonk so the person knows you are there
    • DDrive around the person
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and let the person cross, without honking

    Pedestrians who use white canes or guide dogs have the right-of-way. Do not honk at a blind pedestrian.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You reach this sign. You cannot see a train, but you hear a train horn. What should you do?

    • ADrive onto the tracks to get a better look
    • BStop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed
    • CHonk your horn and keep going
    • DCross quickly before the train arrives
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed

    Never try to beat a train. Trains cannot stop quickly. Stop before the tracks and cross only when you are sure it is safe.

19. Question 19 of 25

    An angry driver makes rude gestures and shouts at you. What should you do?

    • AStay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond
    • BSpeed up to get in front of the driver
    • CBrake suddenly to teach the driver a lesson
    • DGesture back
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond

    Do not challenge an aggressive driver. Stay calm, ignore the gestures, and give the driver space.

20. Question 20 of 25

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

    • ARight turn
    • BLeft turn
    • CSlowing down or stopping
    • DYou may pass me
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Left turn

    The left arm held straight out means a left turn.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AHeavy vehicles must keep right
    • BThe lane is closed
    • COnly vehicles with two or more people may use this lane
    • DTrucks only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only vehicles with two or more people may use this lane

    HOV means high-occupancy vehicle. 2+ means at least two people, counting the driver.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does keeping a space cushion around your car, as shown, give you?

    • AThe right-of-way over other drivers
    • BA shorter braking distance
    • CTime and room to react if something goes wrong
    • DBetter fuel economy
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Time and room to react if something goes wrong

    Space around your vehicle gives you time to see problems and room to steer or stop.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Your car breaks down on a highway. What should you do first?

    • ATurn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can
    • BKeep the lights off to save the battery
    • CWalk along the highway for help
    • DStop in your lane and get out
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can

    Use your hazard flashers and get your car off the road if possible. Avoid stopping just over a hill or around a curve.

24. Question 24 of 25

    At a T-intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way?

    • AThe vehicle turning left
    • BTraffic on the through road
    • CThe largest vehicle
    • DTraffic on the road that ends
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic on the through road

    Drivers on the road that continues straight through have the right-of-way. Drivers on the road that ends must yield.

25. Question 25 of 25

    How should you exit a freeway?

    • AStop on the shoulder, then take the exit
    • BSlow down in the main lane, then change lanes
    • CMove into the exit lane early, then slow down in the exit lane
    • DCross the painted area at the last moment
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Move into the exit lane early, then slow down in the exit lane

    Get into the correct lane well before the exit, signal, and do most of your slowing after you enter the exit lane or ramp.

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