20 questions from the Washington Driver Guide. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the primary advantage of a diverging diamond intersection?
Answer: It allows left turns onto the freeway without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic. The handbook explains that diverging diamonds improve efficiency by allowing left turns without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic.
Washington Driver Guide, page 50: “The main advantage is that it allows you to make left turns onto the freeway without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic.”
2. Which of the following best describes the technique of hand-to-hand steering?
Answer: Moving hands around the steering wheel without crossing them. The handbook defines hand-to-hand steering specifically as moving hands around the wheel without crossing them.
Washington Driver Guide, page 77: “Hand-to-hand steering: Technique of moving hands around the steering wheel without crossing them.”
3. What is the driver's responsibility regarding Vehicle Safety Technology (VST) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)?
Answer: Use hazard awareness skills because the systems have limitations. The handbook emphasizes that drivers remain fully responsible and must use their own awareness because these technologies cannot detect all situations, such as vehicles two lanes over.
Washington Driver Guide, page 14: “Even with VST and ADAS, you still need to use your hazard awareness skills and knowledge of the rules of the road because these systems do have limitations.”
4. According to the handbook, what is the rule regarding driving after consuming cannabis?
Answer: Driving is illegal for all ages after consuming any cannabis. The handbook states that while recreational use is legal for adults, driving after consuming cannabis is illegal regardless of age.
Washington Driver Guide, page 25: “Recreational use of marijuana, THC, and other cannabis products (edibles, patches, vapes, tinctures, and topicals) is legal for those 21 years or over, but driving after consuming any cannabis is illegal for all ages.”
5. When applying first aid to a bleeding person after a crash, what is the correct order of steps?
Answer: Apply pressure with hands, apply bandage/dressing, apply a tourniquet. The handbook outlines a specific progression for treating bleeding: direct pressure first, followed by dressing, and finally a tourniquet if necessary.
Washington Driver Guide, page 72: “Follow these steps if you see bleeding: Apply pressure with hands. Apply bandage/dressing. Apply a tourniquet.”
6. According to the handbook, what specific action should you take before turning to ensure you see bicyclists or pedestrians alongside you?
Answer: Perform an over-shoulder check. The handbook instructs drivers to perform an over-shoulder check in addition to checking mirrors before making a turn.
Washington Driver Guide, page 33: “Before turning, check your side mirrors and do an over-shoulder check for bicyclists or pedestrians who might be alongside you or about to cross the street.”
7. How far from a railroad crossing must a vehicle be parked?
Answer: Within 50 feet. The handbook lists 'Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing' as a specific distance requirement for parking.
Washington Driver Guide, page 56: “Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.”
8. What does a square sign with a white horizontal line inside a circle indicate?
Answer: You can’t enter the street from that direction. The handbook defines the specific visual description of the 'Do Not Enter' sign and states its meaning is that you cannot enter the street from that direction.
Washington Driver Guide, page 45: “Do Not Enter A square sign with a white horizontal line inside a circle means you can’t enter the street from that direction.”
9. When a law enforcement officer pulls you over, what should you do regarding your position in the vehicle?
Answer: Stay in your vehicle unless directed by the officer to get out. The rules state that drivers should remain inside the vehicle until the officer specifically instructs them otherwise.
Washington Driver Guide, page 74: “Stay in your vehicle unless directed by the officer to get out.”
10. What is the consequence of driving with a suspended license?
Answer: You could lose your vehicle and/or get arrested. The handbook specifies that driving while suspended can lead to losing the vehicle or being arrested, rather than just administrative penalties.
Washington Driver Guide, page 75: “Driving with a suspended license could result in losing your vehicle and/or getting arrested.”
11. How far in advance should you activate your turn signal before turning left or right across oncoming traffic?
Answer: At least 100 feet before the turn. The handbook specifies a minimum distance of 100 feet for signaling before executing a turn across traffic.
Washington Driver Guide, page 48: “Put on your turn signal at least 100 feet before you turn left or right across oncoming traffic.”
12. What is the best way to prevent hydroplaning when driving on a wet road?
Answer: Slow down when the road is wet. The handbook states that slowing down is the most effective method to prevent tires from losing traction due to water buildup.
Washington Driver Guide, page 69: “The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down when the road is wet.”
13. When approaching a double solid white line between lanes, what is the correct procedure?
Answer: It is illegal to cross double white lines. The handbook defines double solid white lines as barriers and states it is illegal to cross them.
Washington Driver Guide, page 52: “Double solid white lines are a barrier between lanes. It’s illegal to cross double white lines.”
14. What is the recommended approach to making good decisions while driving according to the section 'Make good decisions'?
Answer: Be aware, predictable, and smooth in your driving behavior. The handbook states that drivers should aim to be aware, predictable, and smooth as the goal of making good decisions.
Washington Driver Guide, page 30: “You should always aim to be aware, predictable, and smooth.”
15. If you disagree with an officer's decision during a traffic stop, what does the handbook advise you to do?
Answer: Do not prolong the contact by arguing; seek to contest the decision in court. The handbook instructs drivers to avoid arguing at the scene and instead pursue legal recourse through the court system.
Washington Driver Guide, page 75: “If you disagree with the officer’s decision or course of action, do not prolong the contact by arguing with the officer. You may seek to contest the decision in court.”
16. What is the required speed range for driving through a roundabout?
Answer: Between 15 and 25 mph. The handbook specifies that roundabouts are designed for speeds between 15 and 25 mph.
Washington Driver Guide, page 50: “Roundabouts are designed for speeds between 15 and 25 mph.”
17. When exiting a parallel parking space, what should you do immediately after checking traffic and placing your foot on the brake?
Answer: Shift to reverse and move backward as much as possible toward the vehicle behind you. The instructions for exiting a parallel parking space specify shifting to reverse and backing up after checking traffic and braking.
Washington Driver Guide, page 58: “Check traffic in all directions, place your foot on the brake, shift to reverse, and move backward as much as possible toward the vehicle behind you.”
18. What should a driver do after spotting a hazard that requires a change in behavior?
Answer: Check behind you to see how your decision-making might be affected. The handbook instructs drivers to check behind them after identifying a hazard because rear traffic influences safe decision-making.
Washington Driver Guide, page 61: “Check behind you after spotting a hazard that requires you to make a change. What’s happening behind you can affect your decision-making.”
19. What is the recommended method for estimating the time available to turn in front of oncoming traffic?
Answer: Count seconds until the vehicle passes a roadside marker. The handbook advises using a fixed roadside object to time the approach of vehicles to accurately judge safe turning gaps.
Washington Driver Guide, page 65: “You can watch oncoming vehicles pass a marker on the side of the road, like a tree, and count how many seconds it takes until they clear the road you want to turn onto.”
20. Which of the following vehicles is allowed to use HOV lanes according to the handbook?
Answer: Motorcycles. The handbook specifically lists motorcycles as being allowed to use HOV lanes alongside carpools, vanpools, and buses.
Washington Driver Guide, page 53: “Motorcycles are also allowed to use HOV lanes.”