20 questions from the Washington Driver Guide. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. 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.”
2. What is the recommended action if you are the victim of road rage?
Answer: Distance yourself from the situation physically and mentally. The handbook advises victims of road rage to distance themselves physically and mentally from the angry driver.
Washington Driver Guide, page 28: “When you see other drivers around you acting or reacting in anger, distance yourself from the situation physically and mentally.”
3. 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.”
4. Why does the handbook state that teen drivers may be more prone to taking risks or miscalculating situations?
Answer: Because their brain responsible for judgment and decision making is still developing. The handbook attributes the tendency for risk-taking in teens to the ongoing development of the brain areas responsible for judgment.
Washington Driver Guide, page 30: “Teen drivers need to remember the part of their brain responsible for judgment and decision making is still developing. This means teens can be more prone to taking risks or miscalculating situations.”
5. If you stop at the stop line but your view of the cross street is blocked, what does the handbook advise you to do?
Answer: Edge forward slowly until you can see. The handbook instructs drivers to move forward slowly to improve visibility when blocked at the stop line.
Washington Driver Guide, page 48: “If you stop on the stop line, but your view of a cross street is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see.”
6. Why must drivers exercise extra caution regarding the stopping distance of trains?
Answer: Trains cannot stop quickly even if traveling at low speeds. Due to their heavy weight, trains require significant distance to stop, necessitating caution from drivers even at low speeds.
Washington Driver Guide, page 40: “They are heavy and cannot stop quickly even if they are traveling at low speeds.”
7. When a pedestrian is crossing the street in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, how many lanes must be cleared before a driver may proceed?
Answer: The driver's lane and one additional lane. The handbook states that drivers must wait until the pedestrian has cleared their own lane plus one additional lane before moving forward.
Washington Driver Guide, page 36: “Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one additional lane before proceeding.”
8. What is the legal requirement regarding speed when road conditions are poor?
Answer: You are required to reduce your speed when conditions are poor. The handbook mandates that drivers must adjust their speed downward when road conditions are poor to ensure safety.
Washington Driver Guide, page 63: “Washington law also requires you to drive at speeds that are safe for current road conditions. This means reducing your speed when conditions are poor.”
9. What is the recommended action regarding sunglasses when driving at night or on overcast days?
Answer: Do not wear sunglasses or colored lenses. The handbook states that drivers should not wear sunglasses or colored lenses during night driving or overcast conditions because they reduce vision.
Washington Driver Guide, page 67: “Do not wear sunglasses or colored lenses when driving at night or on overcast days.”
10. What is the recommended method for judging lane position using vehicle reference points?
Answer: Align the center of the hood with the lane markings. The handbook specifies that aligning the center of the hood with lane markings helps determine lane position, whereas other points are used for different tasks like parking or stopping.
Washington Driver Guide, page 20: “To determine your lane position, check that the center of your hood is in line with lane markings.”
11. What is the required action when lights are flashing and bells are ringing at a train crossing?
Answer: Stop whether the gate is down or not. Drivers must stop immediately when active warning signals are present, regardless of the physical position of the crossing gate.
Washington Driver Guide, page 40: “When lights are flashing and bells are ringing at a train crossing, you must stop — whether the gate is down or not.”
12. Why does the handbook state that litter creates safety hazards for road users?
Answer: It can cause accidents and spark wildfires. The handbook cites two specific safety hazards caused by litter: causing accidents and sparking wildfires.
Washington Driver Guide, page 34: “Litter on roads can cause accidents. Flammable or inflamed litter can spark wildfires, damaging the environment and potentially causing fatalities.”
13. What is the maximum distance your vehicle should be from the curb when completing parallel parking?
Answer: No more than 12 inches. The handbook states that when adjusting your vehicle in a parallel parking space, it must be no more than 12 inches from the curb.
Washington Driver Guide, page 58: “Make sure your vehicle is no more than 12 inches from the curb.”
14. How should animals be transported in the bed of a truck according to Washington state laws?
Answer: In a protective harness or enclosure. The handbook mandates the use of a harness or enclosure to prevent animals from jumping or falling out of the vehicle.
Washington Driver Guide, page 59: “It’s illegal for anyone to transport an animal outside a vehicle (such as the bed of a truck) without a protective harness or enclosure, so the animal can’t jump or fall out.”
15. How should a driver adjust their driving behavior when driving in the dark with limited visibility?
Answer: Reduce speed and increase following distances. The handbook advises reducing speed and increasing following distance to ensure the driver can stop within the illuminated area.
Washington Driver Guide, page 24: “Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. You should be able to stop inside the lit area created by your headlights.”
16. What is the maximum speed limit allowed when driving through an emergency zone?
Answer: Never faster than 50 mph. The handbook states a hard cap of 50 mph for emergency zones, distinct from the relative reduction rule.
Washington Driver Guide, page 55: “Never drive faster than 50 mph in an emergency zone.”
17. What is the recommended action if an oncoming vehicle has its high beams on?
Answer: Look toward the right side of the road. The handbook advises looking to the right side of the road to avoid distraction from oncoming high beams.
Washington Driver Guide, page 67: “If a vehicle comes toward you with its high beams on, look toward the right side of the road to keep from being distracted by the headlights.”
18. How much stopping distance does a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes require when traveling at 55 mph?
Answer: 450 feet. The handbook states that a loaded truck traveling at 55 mph requires 450 feet to stop completely.
Washington Driver Guide, page 37: “It takes a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes, traveling at 55 mph, 450 feet to come to a complete stop.”
19. According to the definition provided, what is the minimum number of occupants required for a vehicle to use a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane?
Answer: Two or more people. The handbook defines an HOV lane as being reserved for vehicles containing two or more occupants.
Washington Driver Guide, page 77: “Lane reserved for carpooling vehicles with 2 or more people inside.”
20. When is it permissible to make a right turn on a red light?
Answer: If you don’t see a “no turn on red” sign and you have plenty of room to enter traffic. A right turn on red is allowed only after a complete stop, provided there is no prohibiting sign and sufficient room to merge safely.
Washington Driver Guide, page 42: “After coming to a complete stop at a red light, you can turn right if you don’t see a “no turn on red” sign and you have plenty of room to enter traffic.”