Washington DOL Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   On a freeway with two or more lanes going your way, what is the left lane mainly for?

   • AStopping in an emergency
   • BPassing
   • CSlow vehicles
   • DTrucks only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Passing

   Keep right except to pass. If many vehicles pass you on the right, move right and let them go by on the left.

2. Question 2 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
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   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.

3. Question 3 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
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   Answer: D. The road curves right, then left

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

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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
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   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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AStop only if other vehicles are near
   • BCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe
   • CSlow down and go if no one is coming
   • DStop only when a police officer is present
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   Answer: B. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

   A red octagon always means stop. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then go when it is safe.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does a five-sided (pentagon) sign like this warn you about?

   • AA no-passing zone
   • BA railroad crossing
   • CRoad work
   • DA school zone or school crossing
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A school zone or school crossing

   The pentagon shape is used for school signs, so you know to watch for children.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A common cause of serious motorcycle crashes is a driver who:

   • ATurns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
   • BParks next to a motorcycle
   • CFollows a motorcycle at a safe distance
   • DPasses a motorcycle on a straight road
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle

   Drivers turning left often fail to see oncoming motorcycles. Look carefully for motorcycles before you turn.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Car A wants to turn left on a green light. Car B is coming from the other direction, going straight. Which car should go first?

    • ACar B
    • BCar A, if its turn signal is on
    • CCar A
    • DWhichever car is faster
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Car B

    When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Orange signs like this one are used for:

    • AParks and recreation areas
    • BSchool zones
    • CWork zones and other temporary traffic control
    • DMotorist services
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    Answer: C. Work zones and other temporary traffic control

    Orange is the color for work zones. Expect lane changes, lower speeds and workers on or near the road.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What do green signs like this one show?

    • ARules you must obey
    • BPlaces to get gas and food
    • CDirections and distances to places
    • DRoad work ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Directions and distances to places

    Green guide signs show routes, directions and distances in miles.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A police officer directing traffic waves you through a red light. What should you do?

    • AFollow the officer's directions
    • BTurn right instead
    • CHonk to check that the officer means you
    • DStay stopped until the light turns green
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Follow the officer's directions

    Directions from a police officer directing traffic override traffic lights, signs and pavement markings.

18. Question 18 of 25

    In almost every state, an adult driver age 21 or older is breaking the law if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above what level?

    • A0.12%
    • B0.15%
    • C0.20%
    • D0.08%
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0.08%

    It is illegal in every state except Utah to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Utah's limit is 0.05%, and stricter limits apply to younger and commercial drivers.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When is it right to use your high-beam headlights?

    • AOn dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you
    • BIn fog
    • CIn busy city traffic
    • DWhen following another car closely
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you

    High beams help you see farther on dark roads, but dim them for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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