Washington DOL Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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
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   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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which of these makes your stopping distance longer?

   • AA wet or icy road
   • BDriving more slowly
   • CTires with deep tread
   • DPaying full attention
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   Answer: A. A wet or icy road

   Wet, snowy and icy roads give your tires less grip, so it takes longer to stop. Slow down and leave more space.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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
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   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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA four-way intersection
    • BA railroad crossing; yield to any train
    • CYou must always stop here, even when no train is near
    • DA hospital is nearby
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    Answer: B. A railroad crossing; yield to any train

    Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen both ways, and stop if a train is coming. Trains always have the right-of-way.

12. Question 12 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
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    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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You are stopped at a red light and want to turn right, as shown. There is no sign about turning. What may you do?

    • ATurn right after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic
    • BWait for the green light, because turns on red are never allowed
    • CTurn right without stopping if no one is coming
    • DTurn right into the farthest lane right away
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn right after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic

    Unless a sign or local rule forbids it, you may turn right on red after a full stop, when pedestrians and traffic are clear.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which of these is an illegal place to park?

    • AIn a marked space next to the curb
    • BOn a residential street with no signs
    • CIn an open space in a parking lot
    • DIn a crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In a crosswalk

    You may never park in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, because it blocks people who are crossing.

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 emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

    • AKeep your speed and lane
    • BStop behind the police car
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

    Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA hospital zone begins
    • BA school is near; slow down and watch for children
    • CA playground is ahead
    • DAn adults-only crosswalk is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A school is near; slow down and watch for children

    The five-sided school sign warns that you are near a school. Slow down, watch for children and obey any school speed limit.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Another car is passing you on a two-lane road. What should you do?

    • AStay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed
    • BMove toward the center line
    • CSpeed up so the other car cannot pass
    • DBrake hard
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed

    When someone passes you, keep to your lane and ease off slightly so they can get back in safely. Never speed up.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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
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    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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What color are the signs that warn of road work ahead?

    • ABlue
    • BBrown
    • CGreen
    • DOrange
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Orange

    Orange signs are used for work zones and other temporary traffic control. Slow down and watch for workers.

25. Question 25 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.

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