20 questions from the Washington Driver Guide. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the recommended minimum distance to keep between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you?
Answer: At least twice the length of your vehicle. The handbook specifies that the safe following distance is defined as twice the length of the driver's vehicle.
Washington Driver Guide, page 63: “When you’re driving near other vehicles, it’s important to leave a distance that’s at least twice the length of your vehicle between you and the vehicle ahead.”
2. Who is authorized to remove children or animals from a vehicle if no one in the immediate area has access to it?
Answer: Law enforcement. The handbook states that law enforcement has the authority to remove children or animals to protect their health and safety when no one else has access.
Washington Driver Guide, page 57: “If no one in the immediate area has access to the vehicle, law enforcement is authorized to immediately remove children or animals by any means reasonable to protect their health and safety.”
3. When approaching a ferry terminal and entering a designated ferry lane, how should you position your vehicle?
Answer: Pull up behind other vehicles already in line. The handbook instructs drivers to queue behind existing vehicles and notes that cutting in line is a traffic offense.
Washington Driver Guide, page 60: “Pull up behind other vehicles already in line.”
4. If your headlights suddenly go out while driving, what should you do immediately?
Answer: Turn on your hazard warning lights, turn signals, or fog lights. The handbook advises using alternative lighting sources like hazard lights or fog lights to maintain visibility when headlights fail.
Washington Driver Guide, page 70: “Put on your hazard warning lights, turn signals, or fog lights, if you have them.”
5. What specific warning label phrase does the handbook indicate includes driving a vehicle?
Answer: Do not operate heavy machinery. The handbook clarifies that warnings against operating heavy machinery apply to driving a vehicle.
Washington Driver Guide, page 25: “Warnings against “operating heavy machinery” include driving a vehicle.”
6. What is the THC concentration limit considered a DUI for drivers age 21 and older?
Answer: More than 5 nanograms of active THC per milliliter. The handbook states that for adults, a DUI is triggered when active THC exceeds 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood.
Washington Driver Guide, page 10: “For drivers age 21 and older, having more than 5 nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood in their system is considered a DUI and can result in legal consequences.”
7. When driving at night, how should you determine your appropriate speed?
Answer: Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the glow of your headlights. The handbook instructs drivers to adjust their speed so they can stop within the illuminated area provided by their headlights.
Washington Driver Guide, page 66: “Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop within the glow of your headlights (usually 400 feet).”
8. Under the intermediate driver license restrictions for teens aged 16 and 17, during the first six months from the issue date, which passengers are permitted besides immediate family members?
Answer: No passengers under age 20 are permitted except immediate family members. The handbook states that for the first six months, no passengers under age 20 are allowed unless they are immediate family members.
Washington Driver Guide, page 6: “From Issue Date to 6 Months No passengers under age 20 except immediate family members”
9. According to the handbook, which hand position is recommended specifically when backing a vehicle?
Answer: The 12 position. The handbook states that the 12 position is the recommended hand placement for backing up.
Washington Driver Guide, page 19: “The 12 position is recommended only when backing a vehicle.”
10. If a driver's license has been expired for 8 or more years, what must they do to reinstate it?
Answer: Retake the skills and knowledge test. The handbook mandates that licenses expired for eight or more years require the driver to retake both the skills and knowledge tests.
Washington Driver Guide, page 9: “If your license is 8 or more years expired, you’ll need to retake the skills and knowledge test.”
11. According to Washington State laws described in the handbook, which of the following is permitted while driving?
Answer: Using hands-free devices. The handbook states that using hands-free devices is permitted, whereas holding electronic devices like phones, tablets, or gaming devices is prohibited.
Washington Driver Guide, page 32: “Using hands-free devices is permitted, but anything that takes your eyes and mind off the road can still be dangerous.”
12. Why might daytime running lights be insufficient compared to standard headlights?
Answer: They do not activate your taillights. The handbook notes that daytime running lights do not activate taillights, unlike full headlights.
Washington Driver Guide, page 15: “However, daytime running lights aren’t as bright as headlights, and they don’t activate your taillights.”
13. How long can a driver's license be suspended if they refuse to be tested for alcohol or drugs?
Answer: 90 to 730 days, or until age 21, whichever is longer. The handbook defines the suspension period for refusing a test as a range of days or until the driver turns 21, depending on which duration is longer.
Washington Driver Guide, page 10: “If you refuse to be tested, you could lose your driving privilege for 90 to 730 days, or until you reach age 21, whichever is longer.”
14. What does a dashed white line between lanes of traffic indicate?
Answer: You can cross it to change lanes if it is safe. The handbook states that dashed white lines allow lane changes when safe, distinguishing them from solid lines.
Washington Driver Guide, page 52: “A dashed white line between lanes of traffic means you can cross it to change lanes if it is safe.”
15. When parking facing up a hill with a tall curb, how should you position your steering wheel?
Answer: Turn your steering wheel away from the curb until the back of your front tire touches the curb. The handbook specifies that for tall curbs when facing uphill, the wheels should be turned away from the curb so the tire contacts the back of the curb.
Washington Driver Guide, page 58: “On hills with tall curbs, turn your steering wheel away from the curb until the back of your front tire touches the curb.”
16. What is the consequence for a second traffic violation committed by an intermediate driver license holder?
Answer: License is suspended for 6 months or until you turn 18, whichever comes first. The handbook outlines specific penalties, stating that a second violation results in a suspension lasting either 6 months or until the driver turns 18.
Washington Driver Guide, page 6: “2nd Violation: License is suspended for 6 months or until you turn 18, whichever comes first.”
17. When witnessing a crash, what behavior is recommended to prevent traffic congestion?
Answer: Focus on your driving as you pass the scene. Drivers are advised to maintain focus on driving while passing a crash scene rather than slowing down to stare, which causes congestion.
Washington Driver Guide, page 73: “Keep emergency responders and people involved at the collision scene safe by focusing on your driving as you pass.”
18. When parking facing down a hill, what is the correct steering wheel position?
Answer: Turn your steering wheel toward the curb until the front of your front tire touches the curb. The handbook instructs drivers facing downhill to turn the wheel toward the curb so the front tire contacts it.
Washington Driver Guide, page 58: “Facing down the hill Turn your steering wheel toward the curb until the front of your front tire touches the curb.”
19. If you accidentally drive over a power line, what is the immediate action required?
Answer: Stop immediately. The handbook states that upon driving over a power line, the driver must stop immediately to avoid electrocution risks.
Washington Driver Guide, page 73: “If you accidentally drive over a power line, stop immediately.”
20. Under what condition are you permitted to use the oncoming lane to pass another vehicle on a two-way, two-lane road?
Answer: When the center line is a dashed yellow line and it is safe. The handbook states that a dashed yellow line indicates the center of a two-way road where passing is allowed if safe, unlike solid yellow lines which prohibit passing.
Washington Driver Guide, page 52: “If it’s safe, you may use the oncoming lane to pass another vehicle.”