20 questions from the Washington Driver Guide. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When merging into traffic ahead of a large vehicle, what visual confirmation should a driver wait for before moving in front?
Answer: Wait until you can clearly see both of their headlights in your rearview mirror. The handbook specifies that seeing both headlights in the rearview mirror is the criterion for safely merging in front of a large vehicle.
Washington Driver Guide, page 37: “When entering traffic ahead of a large vehicle, wait until you can clearly see both of their headlights in your rearview mirror before merging in front of them.”
2. What action must a driver take when approaching a crosswalk with flashing in-pavement lights?
Answer: Yield to people crossing. The handbook instructs drivers to yield to pedestrians when in-pavement lights at crosswalks are flashing.
Washington Driver Guide, page 53: “You must yield when these lights are flashing.”
3. When placing emergency flares behind a stopped vehicle to warn other road users, what distance does the handbook recommend?
Answer: 200 to 300 feet. The handbook specifies placing flares between 200 and 300 feet behind the vehicle to provide adequate warning distance.
Washington Driver Guide, page 70: “Warn other road users by placing emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle.”
4. When driving behind a bicyclist, what is the minimum space you must leave between your vehicle and the bicyclist?
Answer: At least 3 feet. The handbook states that drivers must maintain a minimum distance of 3 feet when following a bicyclist.
Washington Driver Guide, page 39: “When you’re driving behind a bicyclist, leave at least 3 feet of space.”
5. Which of the following is listed as an item to check inside the vehicle before driving?
Answer: Warnings on the instrument panel. The handbook lists checking for warnings on the instrument panel as part of the internal vehicle check.
Washington Driver Guide, page 22: “Are there any warnings on the instrument panel?”
6. If you are involved in a collision with a parked vehicle and cannot locate the owner, what must you do?
Answer: Leave a note with date, time, and contact information. The handbook requires leaving a visible note with specific details if the owner is absent.
Washington Driver Guide, page 71: “If you cannot, leave a note in a place where they can easily see it. Include the date and time of collision and your contact information.”
7. What should a driver do when starting a new prescription medication or increasing a dose?
Answer: Wait until they know the effect it has on judgment, coordination, and reaction time. The handbook advises waiting to assess the medication's impact on driving abilities before getting behind the wheel.
Washington Driver Guide, page 25: “Do not drive if you just started taking prescription drugs for the first time, started taking a new prescription medicine, or started taking a higher dose of a current drug. Wait until you know what effect it has on your judgment, coordination, and reaction time.”
8. How should a driver treat an intersection if the traffic signal is not working?
Answer: Treat the intersection like a four-way stop. The rules specify that a non-functioning traffic signal requires drivers to treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Washington Driver Guide, page 42: “If a traffic signal isn’t working, treat the intersection like a four-way stop.”
9. What is the recommended practice for hanging a disabled parking placard while driving?
Answer: Do not hang it from the rearview mirror. The handbook advises against hanging the placard from the rearview mirror to avoid obstructing the driver's view.
Washington Driver Guide, page 59: “Do not hang the parking placard from your rearview mirror while you’re driving because it will obstruct your view.”
10. Who has the right-of-way at a marked crosswalk located in the middle of the roadway?
Answer: Pedestrians. The handbook states that pedestrians always have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks, regardless of other factors.
Washington Driver Guide, page 49: “Pedestrians always have the right-of-way in a marked crosswalk.”
11. What is the correct procedure when encountering a green arrow signal?
Answer: Go in the direction of the arrow, as it gives you the right-of-way. The handbook states that a green arrow grants the driver the right-of-way to proceed in the indicated direction.
Washington Driver Guide, page 43: “Go in the direction of the arrow. A green arrow gives you the right-of-way to travel in that direction.”
12. According to the handbook, how far before making a turn should you activate your turn signal?
Answer: 100 feet. The handbook states that drivers should signal 100 feet before changing direction.
Washington Driver Guide, page 16: “Signal 100 feet before you make your move.”
13. In Washington, under what condition is a U-turn generally NOT allowed?
Answer: Unless a sign is posted telling you a U-turn is not allowed. The handbook states that U-turns are permitted by default in Washington unless a specific sign prohibits them.
Washington Driver Guide, page 49: “In Washington, U-turns are generally allowed unless a sign is posted telling you a U-turn is not allowed.”
14. According to the handbook, what is the speed limit in a school zone?
Answer: 20 mph. The handbook states that the speed limit in school zones is 20 mph to reduce crash risks.
Washington Driver Guide, page 54: “The school zone speed limit is 20 mph because higher speeds increase the risk of fatal crashes.”
15. Within how many days must you follow the instructions on the back of a traffic ticket to avoid having your driving privileges suspended?
Answer: Within 15 days. The handbook specifies a 15-day window for complying with ticket instructions to prevent license suspension.
Washington Driver Guide, page 75: “You need to follow the instructions on the back of the ticket within 15 days to avoid having your driving privileges suspended.”
16. What is the minimum distance required from a fire station driveway on the opposite side of the street?
Answer: Within 75 feet. The handbook specifies a 75-foot clearance requirement from fire station driveways on the opposite side of the street.
Washington Driver Guide, page 56: “Within 75 feet of a fire station driveway on the opposite side of the street.”
17. What is the recommended action regarding speed when approaching sharp curves or hills where visibility is limited?
Answer: Reduce your speed. The handbook lists sharp curves and hills with limited visibility as specific conditions under which a driver should reduce speed.
Washington Driver Guide, page 63: “Reduce your speed in conditions like the following: Sharp curves or hills where visibility is limited”
18. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one collision?
Answer: $10,000. According to the handbook, drivers must have at least $10,000 in coverage for property damage caused to others.
Washington Driver Guide, page 13: “$10,000 or more, payable for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one collision”
19. What action is required when encountering a solid green light?
Answer: Wait for the intersection to clear, yield to emergency vehicles, and yield to pedestrians. The handbook lists three specific requirements for a solid green light: clearing the intersection, yielding to emergency vehicles, and yielding to pedestrians.
Washington Driver Guide, page 43: “Solid Green Go ahead, but make sure to: Wait for the intersection to clear. Yield to emergency vehicles as required by law. Yield to pedestrians.”
20. What is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit considered a DUI for drivers under age 21?
Answer: 0.02%. The handbook states that drivers under age 21 face DUI consequences if their BAC is 0.02% or higher.
Washington Driver Guide, page 10: “Drivers under age 21 have the same potential consequences for having a BAC of 0.02%.”