Washington DMV Permit Practice Test 4: 50 Questions
Practice Test 4 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Washington driving rules, including WA signal distance before turning, Washington cell phone, yellow X lane signal and red X lane signal. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Washington Practice Tests
What Practice Test 4 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- WA Signal Distance Before Turning
- Washington Cell Phone
- Yellow X Lane Signal
- Red X Lane Signal
- Sticking Accelerator
- Wet Brakes Pumping
- Vehicle Stalled on Tracks
- Slippery Surface Warning Sign
- Traffic Signal Warning Sign
- Large Truck No-Zone
- Large Trucks Make Wide Turns
- Tire Blowout First Step
- Power Steering Failure
- Flashing Amber Lights Tow Truck
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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You must use your turn signal before turning or changing lanes for at least:
Show answer
A. About 100 feet before you move
Signaling at least 100 feet in advance gives others time to react to your movement.
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You may use a cell phone for calls while driving only when:
Show answer
B. You use a hands-free system and remain focused on driving
Even hands-free use can be distracting. Keep calls short and avoid them in heavy traffic.
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If you see a steady red X over your lane on a lane control signal, you must:
Show answer
C. Leave that lane safely as soon as you can
A red X means the lane is closed to traffic in your direction.
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If your accelerator sticks and you cannot free it with your foot, you should:
Show answer
B. Shift to neutral, steer smoothly, and stop off the road
Shifting to neutral lets the engine race without moving the vehicle so you can slow and stop.
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If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming, you should:
Show answer
C. Move everyone out and away from the tracks immediately
Saving lives is more important than saving the vehicle. Get away quickly and at an angle toward the train’s approach.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 4, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. You must use your turn signal before turning or changing lanes for at least:
Correct answer: About 100 feet before you move
Why: Signaling at least 100 feet in advance gives others time to react to your movement.
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Q2. If you plan to turn just after an intersection, when should you signal?
Correct answer: After you pass through the intersection
Why: Wait until you are through the intersection to signal so drivers do not think you will turn at the intersection.
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Q3. You are driving near other vehicles in Washington traffic. How much space does the Washington driver guide say to leave between you and the vehicle ahead?
Correct answer: At least twice the length of your vehicle
Why: When you're driving near other vehicles, leave a distance that's at least twice the length of your vehicle between you and the vehicle ahead.
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Q4. You drive into a Washington work zone when no workers are present. What should you do?
Correct answer: Reduce your speed anyway and increase your following distance
Why: Always reduce your speed in a work zone, even if there are no workers. Increase your following distance and be prepared to stop.
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Q5. When entering a curve, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down before the curve and then gently speed up as you come out
Why: Reducing speed before a curve helps you stay in control and avoid skidding.
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Q6. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, using a lower gear on a steep hill helps you:
Correct answer: Use the engine to control speed and reduce brake wear
Why: Lower gears give more engine braking so you do not rely only on the brake pedal.
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Q7. When you merge into freeway traffic, you should be driving:
Correct answer: At or near the same speed as vehicles in the lane you are joining
Why: Matching the speed of traffic helps you merge smoothly and safely.
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Q8. If you miss your freeway exit, you must:
Correct answer: Take the next exit and then find a safe way to turn around
Why: Stopping, backing, or crossing the median on a freeway is very dangerous and illegal.
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Q9. On a freeway, you should normally drive:
Correct answer: In the right lane except when passing or preparing for a left exit
Why: Keep right except to pass so faster traffic can use the left lane.
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Q10. When driving at night, you should increase your following distance because:
Correct answer: It is harder to see hazards early
Why: Extra space at night gives you more time to react to things you may not see right away.
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Q11. If an oncoming vehicle has high beams on and you have trouble seeing, you should:
Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of your lane and do not stare at the lights
Why: Looking at the right edge line helps guide you without being blinded by glare.
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Q12. You are preparing to parallel park on a level street. You should first:
Correct answer: Signal and stop next to the vehicle ahead of the empty space
Why: Stopping alongside the vehicle ahead of the space puts you in position to back in safely.
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Q13. When backing out of a parking space, you should:
Correct answer: Back slowly while looking through the rear window and checking all around
Why: Backing slowly and looking in all directions helps you spot people and vehicles.
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Q14. In most situations, you should pass another vehicle on the:
Correct answer: Left side
Why: Passing on the left is safer and expected unless signs or lane markings allow a right-side pass.
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Q15. You may pass on the right only when:
Correct answer: The vehicle you are passing is turning left and there is room to pass safely
Why: Passing on the right is allowed only in limited situations and never by driving off the road.
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Q16. When you are being passed by another vehicle, you should NOT:
Correct answer: Increase your speed to keep them from passing
Why: Speeding up while you are being passed is dangerous and can cause a side-by-side conflict.
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Q17. If you see a steady red X over your lane on a lane control signal, you must:
Correct answer: Leave that lane safely as soon as you can
Why: A red X means the lane is closed to traffic in your direction.
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Q18. A steady green arrow over your lane means you may:
Correct answer: Use that lane for the movement shown by the arrow
Why: Lane-use control arrows show which lanes are open for certain movements.
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Q19. You see a yellow sign with a black arrow that curves to the right and a small speed plate under it. This means:
Correct answer: A curve is ahead and the smaller number is a safe speed for that curve
Why: Advisory speed signs suggest a safe speed for curves and turns.
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Q20. A yellow sign with a traffic signal symbol warns you that:
Correct answer: A signal-controlled intersection is ahead
Why: These signs help you prepare to slow down and obey the traffic signal ahead.
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Q21. You are approaching a railroad crossing and the red lights are flashing. You must:
Correct answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop and the gates, if any, are fully raised
Why: Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing always mean stop and do not cross until they stop.
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Q22. When you stop at a railroad crossing without gates or lights, you should:
Correct answer: Look and listen in both directions and only cross when you are sure no train is coming
Why: Always check carefully in both directions and cross only when it is safe.
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Q23. You must never stop your vehicle on railroad tracks:
Correct answer: For any reason
Why: Stopping on tracks can trap your vehicle in the path of a train.
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Q24. If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming, you should:
Correct answer: Move everyone out and away from the tracks immediately
Why: Saving lives is more important than saving the vehicle. Get away quickly and at an angle toward the train’s approach.
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Q25. When driving near a large truck, you should:
Correct answer: Avoid driving alongside it for long periods
Why: Trucks have large blind spots. Do not stay beside or close behind them longer than needed.
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Q26. Large trucks and buses need more room to make turns because they:
Correct answer: May swing wide or start a turn from a middle lane
Why: Give large vehicles plenty of room when they are turning so you do not get trapped.
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Q27. A no-zone around a large truck refers to:
Correct answer: The big blind spots where the driver cannot see you
Why: If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, they may not see you.
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Q28. If a tire suddenly blows out while you are driving, you should first:
Correct answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle straight
Why: Staying calm and keeping control helps you slow down safely.
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Q29. After a tire blows out and you have control, you should:
Correct answer: Let the vehicle slow down, then pull off the road in a safe place
Why: Moving to a safe location away from traffic lets you change the tire safely.
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Q30. If your accelerator sticks and you cannot free it with your foot, you should:
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, steer smoothly, and stop off the road
Why: Shifting to neutral lets the engine race without moving the vehicle so you can slow and stop.
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Q31. If your power steering fails, you should expect:
Correct answer: The steering wheel will be much harder to turn
Why: You can still steer but will need much more effort, especially at low speeds.
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Q32. When you see flashing amber lights ahead on a stopped tow truck or service vehicle, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down and move over a lane if you can do so safely
Why: Move-over laws require slowing down and giving extra space to people working near the road.
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Q33. You may use a cell phone for calls while driving only when:
Correct answer: You use a hands-free system and remain focused on driving
Why: Even hands-free use can be distracting. Keep calls short and avoid them in heavy traffic.
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Q34. Texting while driving is:
Correct answer: Extremely dangerous and often against the law
Why: Looking away from the road to read or send messages greatly increases crash risk.
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Q35. Driving too fast for conditions, even under the speed limit, can result in:
Correct answer: A ticket for speeding or driving too fast for conditions
Why: You must always adjust your speed to match road, traffic, and weather conditions.
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Q36. If your brakes get wet after driving through deep water, you can dry them by:
Correct answer: Gently pressing the brake pedal while driving slowly
Why: Light braking while moving slowly helps warm and dry the brakes.
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Q37. You must turn on your headlights:
Correct answer: From about a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, or when visibility is poor
Why: Headlights are required whenever it is hard to see or be seen.
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Q38. If your vehicle starts to skid because of ice, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want to go
Why: Smooth steering and easing off the gas help you regain traction.
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Q39. When you are stopped in traffic, you should be able to see:
Correct answer: The rear tires of the vehicle ahead touching the pavement
Why: Seeing the rear tires on the pavement means you left enough space to move around if needed.
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Q40. The safest way to deal with a vehicle that suddenly cuts in front of you is to:
Correct answer: Take your foot off the gas and be ready to brake
Why: Slowing down gives you more space instead of creating a conflict.
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Q41. If another driver is angry and yelling at you, you should:
Correct answer: Avoid eye contact and do not react, focusing on driving safely
Why: Do not engage with aggressive drivers. Stay calm and create space.
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Q42. A yellow sign showing a car with wavy skid marks behind it warns that:
Correct answer: The road ahead may be slippery when wet
Why: Slow down on wet or icy pavement in slippery areas.
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Q43. A rectangular white sign with a red circle and a slash over a symbol means:
Correct answer: That action shown by the symbol is not allowed
Why: Regulatory signs with a red slash tell you something you must not do.
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Q44. If you are involved in a minor crash with no injuries, you should first:
Correct answer: Move your vehicle out of traffic if it can be driven
Why: If your car can move, getting it out of traffic helps prevent another crash.
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Q45. After a crash, you must exchange:
Correct answer: Name, address, vehicle information, and insurance details
Why: Sharing correct information is required so insurance and reports can be completed.
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Q46. When stopped by law enforcement, you should:
Correct answer: Stay in the vehicle, keep your hands where they can be seen, and follow instructions
Why: Staying calm and visible helps keep everyone safe during a traffic stop.
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Q47. A green arrow for a left turn means you:
Correct answer: Have a protected left turn but must still watch for people in the crosswalk
Why: A green arrow gives you a protected turn, but you must still watch for people walking.
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Q48. When you first begin driving and your engine is cold, you should:
Correct answer: Accelerate gently and avoid hard stops until it warms up
Why: Smooth driving protects your engine and gives you time to notice any problems.
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Q49. When preparing to change lanes, the last thing you should do just before moving into the lane is to:
Correct answer: Quickly check your blind spot over your shoulder
Why: A quick glance over your shoulder helps you see anything your mirrors might miss.
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Q50. You are driving on a two-lane road and a vehicle is coming toward you in your lane. You should:
Correct answer: Slow down, sound your horn, and move to the right to try to avoid a crash
Why: Slowing and moving right can reduce the force of a crash or help you avoid it completely.