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. 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.”
5. 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.”
6. 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.”
7. 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.”
8. 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.”
9. 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.”
10. 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.”
11. When accelerating, how does the vehicle's weight shift according to the section on pitch?
Answer: It shifts to the back, increasing pressure on the rear. The handbook describes pitch as the forward and backward motion where acceleration causes weight to shift to the rear.
Washington Driver Guide, page 20: “When you accelerate, the weight of the vehicle shifts to the back and increases pressure on the rear of the vehicle.”
12. How do automated traffic safety cameras record violations?
Answer: They automatically record images if you fail to stop at a steady red light, fail to stop at a railroad crossing signal, or exceed the speed limit in a school zone. The handbook lists exactly three conditions under which automated cameras record images: failing to stop at red lights, failing to stop at railroad crossings, and speeding in school zones.
Washington Driver Guide, page 44: “Automated traffic safety cameras These cameras automatically record images if you: Fail to stop at a steady red light. Fail to stop at a railroad crossing signal. Exceed the speed limit in a school zone.”
13. If you encounter a center lane marked with left turn arrows, what is the maximum distance you should travel within this lane?
Answer: You should travel no farther than 300 feet. The handbook specifies a limit of 300 feet for traveling in a shared center lane.
Washington Driver Guide, page 52: “These lanes must not be used for passing. You shouldn’t travel farther than 300 feet in a center lane.”
14. Under the Implied Consent Law in Washington, who agrees to be tested if an officer suspects they are under the influence?
Answer: Everyone who drives in Washington. The handbook states that the implied consent applies to everyone driving in the state, not just specific age groups or vehicle types.
Washington Driver Guide, page 10: “Under The Implied Consent Law (RCW 46.20.308), everyone who drives in Washington agrees to be tested if an officer suspects they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
15. What is the required action for drivers traveling in the same direction as a school bus when its red lights are flashing?
Answer: Stop. The handbook states that drivers must stop when the red lights flash and the stop sign is extended.
Washington Driver Guide, page 36: “All drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop when the red lights flash, and the stop sign is extended.”
16. When passing a bicycle in a lane marked with sharrows, how much space should you provide?
Answer: At least 3 feet. The handbook instructs drivers to provide at least 3 feet of space when passing bicycles in sharrow-marked lanes.
Washington Driver Guide, page 54: “Drive slowly and provide at least 3 feet of space when passing.”
17. What is the primary purpose of hazard lights on a vehicle?
Answer: To show other drivers and pedestrians to use caution when near the vehicle. The handbook states that hazard lights are indicators meant to show others to use caution near the vehicle.
Washington Driver Guide, page 77: “Hazard lights: Indicator lights on the front and back of a car showing other drivers and pedestrians to use caution when near the vehicle.”
18. When approaching a work zone, what specific action regarding audio and conversation does the handbook recommend to enhance focus?
Answer: Turn down music and pause conversations. The handbook instructs drivers to turn down music and pause conversations to eliminate distractions and enhance focus in work zones.
Washington Driver Guide, page 55: “Eliminate distractions to enhance focus. Turn down music and pause conversations.”
19. When making a turn at an intersection, which lane must you turn into according to state law?
Answer: The lane closest to the direction you are coming from. Drivers are required to enter the nearest lane to their original path to prevent cutting across other lanes during the turn.
Washington Driver Guide, page 48: “Whether turning left or right at an intersection, state law requires you to turn into the lane closest to the direction you are coming from.”
20. What does the implied consent law require drivers to do if suspected of driving under the influence?
Answer: Submit to certain tests, like breathalyzer tests. The handbook states that implied consent laws mandate submitting to tests such as breathalyzer tests when suspected of DUI.
Washington Driver Guide, page 77: “Implied consent law: Laws that require drivers to submit to certain tests, like breathalyzer tests, if suspected of driving under the influence.”