20 questions from the Washington Driver Guide. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action for steering when your vehicle begins to skid?
Answer: Steer in the same direction your vehicle is moving. The handbook instructs drivers to steer in the direction of the vehicle's movement to regain control during a skid.
Washington Driver Guide, page 69: “Steer in the same direction your vehicle is moving.”
2. What action does the handbook recommend regarding your engine when parked for a while to help lower vehicle emissions?
Answer: Turn off your engine. The handbook directly instructs drivers to turn off their engine when parked for a while to reduce harmful gas emissions and pollution.
Washington Driver Guide, page 34: “Turn off your engine if you’re parked for a while.”
3. How often should a driver plan to stop during long trips to prevent fatigue?
Answer: Every 100 miles or 2 hours. The handbook recommends stopping approximately every 100 miles or every two hours to maintain alertness.
Washington Driver Guide, page 26: “Plan to stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips.”
4. When passing an agricultural vehicle on a road with two lanes traveling in the same direction, what is the required maneuver?
Answer: Move over one full lane. The handbook states that when passing an agricultural vehicle on a multi-lane road in the same direction, the driver must move over one full lane.
Washington Driver Guide, page 41: “If you need to pass an agricultural vehicle and there are two lanes in the same direction, move over one full lane.”
5. According to the handbook, what is the recommended approach when judging time to turn in front of approaching vehicles?
Answer: Give yourself too much time rather than not enough. The handbook advises erring on the side of caution by allowing extra time when judging gaps in traffic.
Washington Driver Guide, page 65: “It’s better to give yourself too much time than not enough.”
6. In the hazard management routine, what should you do during the 'Communicate' step?
Answer: Let others know what you plan to do using your signals. The handbook defines the 'Communicate' step as letting others know your plans using signals, distinct from scanning, preparing, or evaluating.
Washington Driver Guide, page 62: “Communicate. Let others know what you plan to do. Use your signals and make sure everyone is well aware of your intentions.”
7. What is the rule regarding driving within or across medians?
Answer: It is illegal to drive within, over, or across medians. The handbook clearly states that driving within, over, or across medians is illegal.
Washington Driver Guide, page 52: “It’s illegal to drive within, over, or across medians.”
8. What is the primary reason for maintaining full attention while driving, as stated in the handbook?
Answer: Your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. The handbook states that because the brain focuses on one thing at a time, eliminating distractions is essential for safety.
Washington Driver Guide, page 65: “Your brain can only focus on one thing at a time.”
9. What are the potential penalties for guilty participants involved in street racing or unauthorized street demonstrations?
Answer: Fines, jail time, and risk having their vehicle impounded. The handbook states that penalties for street racing include fines, jail time, and vehicle impoundment.
Washington Driver Guide, page 27: “Guilty participants can face fines, jail time, and risk having their vehicle impounded.”
10. What is the minimum distance from which brake lights must be clearly visible?
Answer: 100 feet. The handbook specifies that brake lights need to be clearly visible from a distance of 100 feet.
Washington Driver Guide, page 16: “Your brake lights are red and must be clearly visible from 100 feet away.”
11. How far in advance can a driver renew their license before it expires?
Answer: Up to one year. The handbook allows license renewal up to one year prior to the expiration date.
Washington Driver Guide, page 9: “You can renew your license up to one year before it expires.”
12. How many hours of night driving are required for students under age 18 in driver training courses?
Answer: 10 hours. The handbook specifies that the requirement includes 10 hours of night driving in addition to daylight hours.
Washington Driver Guide, page 9: “Attending these sessions will familiarize mentors with the program and further explain the 40 hours of daylight and 10 hours of night driving requirement.”
13. Who has priority loading on most Washington State Ferries?
Answer: Bicyclists. The handbook specifies that bicyclists receive priority loading and have a designated waiting area ahead of motor vehicles.
Washington Driver Guide, page 60: “Bicyclists receive priority loading on most ferries and have a bicycle waiting area in front of motor vehicles.”
14. According to the parking rules, how far must a vehicle be parked from a fire hydrant?
Answer: Within 15 feet. The handbook lists specific distances for various parking restrictions, specifying 15 feet for fire hydrants.
Washington Driver Guide, page 56: “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.”
15. When is it permissible to enter the buffer area of a bike lane marked with diagonal crosshatching?
Answer: Only when making a legal turn after checking it is safe. Drivers may enter the buffer zone only when making a legal turn and ensuring it is safe to do so.
Washington Driver Guide, page 54: “This buffer is considered part of the bike lane and should not be entered unless you’re making a legal turn after checking that it’s safe to do so.”
16. How does the handbook define 'Polydrug use' in the context of driving impairment?
Answer: The mixing or taking of more than one type of drug. The definition provided in the handbook is the mixing or taking of more than one type of drug.
Washington Driver Guide, page 26: “Polydrug use is the mixing or taking of more than one type of drug.”
17. If your tire blows out while driving, how should you apply the brakes according to the handbook?
Answer: Do not brake, or brake gently if necessary. The handbook instructs drivers to avoid hard braking during a blowout, allowing the vehicle to slow naturally or using gentle braking only if needed.
Washington Driver Guide, page 70: “Do not brake. Allow the vehicle to slow by itself, or brake gently if necessary.”
18. How should a driver handle Vehicle Safety Technology (VST) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) under normal weather conditions?
Answer: Leave them on unless weather conditions are so severe that notifications become a distraction. The handbook advises keeping these systems active to assist driving, turning them off only if severe weather makes the alerts distracting.
Washington Driver Guide, page 14: “Leave them on unless weather conditions are so severe that the notifications become a distraction.”
19. When applying the OODA Loop for problem-solving on the road, what is the correct sequence of steps?
Answer: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. The handbook lists the steps of the OODA Loop in the specific order of Observe, Orient, Decide, followed by the implied action of choosing a course of action.
Washington Driver Guide, page 30: “Observe. Observe the situation. What changed? Is there a car swerving, a sudden obstacle, or a change in traffic flow? Orient. Use your knowledge and experience to understand what that change means. How does it affect your safety and the safety of others? What are the potential risks if you don’t change? What opportunities present themselves if you do? Decide. Based on your observations and understanding, choose the safest course of action.”
20. How should a driver approach a curve to maintain control?
Answer: Reduce speed before entering the curve. The instructions specify reducing speed before entering the curve to maintain traction and prevent skidding.
Washington Driver Guide, page 67: “Reduce your speed before entering the curve. This helps maintain traction and prevents your vehicle from skidding or veering off the road.”