20 questions from the Washington Driver Guide. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. If your vehicle comes in contact with power lines and a fire starts, how should you evacuate?
Answer: Jump clear of the vehicle with both feet landing together. The handbook specifies that when evacuating due to fire caused by power lines, you must jump clear and land with both feet together.
Washington Driver Guide, page 73: “Jump away from your vehicle, with your arms at your sides. Be careful not to touch the vehicle. Make sure both feet land together.”
2. How should you treat bicyclists who are in a crosswalk?
Answer: Yield to them as you would to pedestrians. The handbook clarifies that bicyclists in crosswalks are treated as pedestrians, requiring drivers to yield regardless of whether the crosswalk is marked.
Washington Driver Guide, page 39: “Bicyclists in crosswalks are considered pedestrians. You must yield to them in both marked and unmarked crosswalks and intersections.”
3. Which of the following is listed as a sign of fatigue that indicates a driver should pull over and rest?
Answer: Having difficulty focusing or not remembering driving the last few miles. The handbook lists difficulty focusing and memory gaps regarding recent driving as specific signs of fatigue requiring rest.
Washington Driver Guide, page 26: “Having difficulty focusing, or you can’t remember driving the last few miles.”
4. What is the maximum number of passengers under age 20 allowed for an intermediate driver license holder after the first six months?
Answer: Three. The rule specifies a limit of no more than 3 passengers under age 20, excluding immediate family members.
Washington Driver Guide, page 6: “No more than 3 passengers under age 20 except immediate family members”
5. According to the handbook, what is the status of passing a school bus that has its red lights flashing?
Answer: It is unlawful. The handbook clearly states that it is unlawful to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.
Washington Driver Guide, page 36: “It’s unlawful to pass when red lights flash.”
6. What is the correct procedure when approaching a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign?
Answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and the sign is retracted. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus's flashing lights cease, the stop sign is retracted, and the arm returns to its resting position.
Washington Driver Guide, page 36: “You may go after the lights stop flashing, the sign is retracted, and the metal arm returns to the front bumper of the bus.”
7. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one collision?
Answer: $50,000. The handbook states that coverage must be $50,000 or more when two or more people are injured or killed in a single collision.
Washington Driver Guide, page 13: “$50,000 or more, payable for the bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one collision”
8. If your engine shuts off while driving, how should you apply the brakes to slow down?
Answer: Brake with steady pressure on the pedal. The handbook advises against hard braking when the engine fails, recommending steady pressure instead to maintain control while slowing down.
Washington Driver Guide, page 70: “Don’t brake hard. Instead, brake with steady pressure on the pedal, slow down, and then pull off the roadway.”
9. What is the primary function of turn signals as described in the handbook?
Answer: To indicate the driver’s intention to turn left or right, or to change lanes. The handbook states that turn signals are blinking lights used to communicate the driver's intent to turn or change lanes.
Washington Driver Guide, page 79: “Turn signals: The blinking lights on the front and back of a vehicle that indicate the driver’s intention to turn left or right, or to change lanes.”
10. According to the section on Smart Drivers, what is the definition of 'Divided attention'?
Answer: When you’re performing several things at the same time. The handbook defines divided attention as performing several things simultaneously, distinguishing it from switching, focused, and sustained attention.
Washington Driver Guide, page 32: “Divided attention. When you’re performing several things at the same time.”
11. How is 'right-of-way' defined in the context of traffic rules?
Answer: The legal right to proceed first in traffic. The handbook defines right-of-way as the legal entitlement to proceed ahead of other vehicles in traffic situations.
Washington Driver Guide, page 78: “Right-of-way: The legal right to proceed first in traffic; for example, the first vehicle to stop at an intersection has the right-of-way.”
12. What is the age limit for leaving a child unattended in a parked vehicle when the motor is NOT running?
Answer: Under the age of 12. The handbook specifies that for a parked vehicle (implied stationary/not running context distinct from the previous sentence), the age limit is under 12.
Washington Driver Guide, page 57: “It’s a crime to leave a child under the age of 12 unattended in a parked vehicle.”
13. When calling 911 after a crash, what specific information should you provide regarding your location?
Answer: Clearly state your location, including close landmarks or mile markers. The handbook instructs drivers to include specific details like landmarks or mile markers to help responders find them.
Washington Driver Guide, page 72: “Clearly state your location to the dispatcher, including any close landmarks or mile markers.”
14. Which steering method is recommended when turning at low speeds, such as when parking?
Answer: Hand-over-hand steering. The handbook identifies hand-over-hand steering as the appropriate technique for low-speed turns, parking, and skid recovery.
Washington Driver Guide, page 18: “Hand-over-hand steering Use this method of steering when turning at low speeds, with limited visibility, at an intersection, when parking the vehicle, or when recovering from a skid.”
15. Which of the following is listed as a reason to adjust your speed and driving behavior?
Answer: Road conditions, weather, and traffic. The handbook specifically lists road conditions, weather, and traffic as factors requiring adjustments to driving behavior.
Washington Driver Guide, page 65: “Adjust your speed and driving behavior based on road conditions, weather, and traffic.”
16. How does the handbook define road rage?
Answer: An angry response to something that happened on the road that leads to violent behavior with a vehicle or other weapon. The handbook provides this specific definition for road rage, distinguishing it from general aggressive driving behaviors or simple speeding.
Washington Driver Guide, page 28: “Road rage is an angry response to something that happened on the road that leads to violent behavior with a vehicle or other weapon.”
17. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for bodily injury or death of one person in a collision?
Answer: $25,000. The handbook specifies that liability insurance must provide at least $25,000 for injuries to a single person.
Washington Driver Guide, page 13: “$25,000 or more, payable for the bodily injury or death of one person in a collision in which only one person was injured or killed”
18. How does the handbook suggest drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing compensate for auditory limitations while driving?
Answer: By learning to rely more on vision and staying more alert. The handbook states that hearing-impaired drivers should compensate by increasing visual reliance and alertness.
Washington Driver Guide, page 24: “Drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing can often adjust by learning to rely more on vision and staying more alert.”
19. What is the recommended distance for bystanders to stay from a vehicle that has contacted power lines?
Answer: At least 35 feet away. The handbook states that people should stay at least 35 feet away from the vehicle to avoid electric shock.
Washington Driver Guide, page 73: “When possible, encourage people to stay at least 35 feet away.”
20. When approaching intersections, what does the handbook advise you to pay close attention to?
Answer: Vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists approaching from the left and right. The handbook specifically lists vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists approaching from the left and right as the primary focus when approaching intersections.
Washington Driver Guide, page 33: “When approaching intersections, pay close attention to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists approaching from the left and right.”