Washington DC DMV permit practice test
25 questions written from the DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual, covering licensing laws and penalties, emergencies, safe and defensive driving, right of way, speed limits and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.
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Question 1How soon after moving to the District must you get a DC driver license?
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C: Within 60 days. You are required to have a DC driver license within 60 days of moving to the District. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driver License Examination Process, page 11.
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Question 2You are in a crash in DC and an unattended car was damaged. The owner can't be found. What must you do?
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A: Leave a written notice with your identifying information in a conspicuous, secure place on the vehicle. If an unattended vehicle or property is damaged and the owner can't be located, leave a written notice with your name, address and registration in a conspicuous, secure place. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driver Information: Crashes, page 22.
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Question 3According to NHTSA figures in the DC manual, aggressive drivers cause about what share of fatal crashes?
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B: 2/3. NHTSA estimates aggressive drivers cause 2/3 of all fatal crashes and nearly 35% of all crashes. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driver Information: Aggressive Driving, page 21.
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Question 4A police officer directing traffic gives you a signal that conflicts with the traffic light. Which do you follow?
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D: The police officer. An officer's directions come before signs, signals and markings, because officers may need to override them to keep traffic moving safely. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driver Information: General Laws, page 21.
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Question 5When must you slow down according to the DC manual?
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C: At intersections, railroad crossings, curves, hill crests, near playgrounds and schools, on narrow roads, and in bad conditions. Slow down approaching intersections, railroad crossings, curves or hill crests, near playgrounds and schools, on narrow or winding roads, when pedestrians are in danger, or when conditions require. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driving Conditions: When to Reduce Speed, page 23.
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Question 6When is wet pavement especially dangerous?
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C: At the beginning of a light rain, when oil mixes with water. Be especially careful at the beginning of a light rain; oil and water on the pavement are particularly dangerous. Watch for wet leaves in autumn too. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driving Conditions: Wet Pavements, page 24.
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Question 7Using the DC counting method, how do you know you're following too closely?
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B: You reach the reference point before finishing 'one thousand four'. Count 'one thousand one' to 'one thousand four' as the car ahead passes a reference point; if you reach it first, you're too close. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driving Conditions: Following Distance, page 24.
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Question 8Which side of your vehicle should yellow pavement markings be on?
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C: Always your left. Yellow markings should never be on your right but always on your left; yellow divides opposing traffic and marks the left edge, white marks the right edge. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Special Driving Situations: Driving in Fog, page 29.
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Question 9You are on a short ramp onto an interstate that has no acceleration lane. When should you speed up?
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B: Only after you have found a gap in traffic. With no acceleration lane to build speed, wait until you see a gap in the traffic, then speed up on the ramp to merge into it. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Interstate and Other Limited Access Highways: Entering the Interstate/Highways, page 30.
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Question 10In which direction do you travel in a DC roundabout?
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A: Counterclockwise. After entering a roundabout, drivers must travel in a counterclockwise direction. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Roundabouts, page 31.
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Question 11Which sign shape warns of school crossings?
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C: Five-sided (pentagon). A five-sided sign warns of school crossings; diamond-shaped signs warn of pedestrian crossings. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Right-of-Way: Individuals With Disabilities, page 36.
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Question 12On a level highway, how much longer does it take to pass a truck than a car?
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B: Three to five seconds longer. On a level highway it takes only three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Sharing the Road With Large Trucks: Passing, page 36.
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Question 13When parallel parking in DC, how close to the curb must you be?
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B: Within 12 inches. Park parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Parking Rules: Parallel Parking, page 43.
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Question 14In DC, what program must a person found guilty of impaired driving complete?
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B: The Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Program. Anyone guilty of impaired driving must enroll in and complete the IID Program, installing IIDs on all registered vehicles and driving only IID-equipped vehicles on a restricted license. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Introduction: Impaired Driving, page 5.
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Question 15What is the minimum age for a DC learner permit?
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C: 16. To obtain a learner permit you must be at least 16 and pass the knowledge test and vision screening (and have parental consent if under 18). DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Types of Driver Licenses & Permits: Learner Permit, page 14.
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Question 16What information must drivers involved in a DC crash give each other?
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A: Name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance company and policy information; show license on request. Drivers must identify themselves with name, address and vehicle registration, show their license on request, and provide insurance company and policy information. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driver Information: Crashes, page 22.
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Question 17How should you protect yourself from an aggressive driver?
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C: Get out of the way, let them pass, and avoid eye contact. Get out of the way and let the aggressive driver pass, don't challenge them, avoid eye contact, and stay courteous. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driver Information: Aggressive Driving, page 21.
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Question 18If you enter an intersection after another vehicle, who has the right-of-way?
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B: The vehicle that entered first. If you enter the intersection after another vehicle, you must yield the right-of-way. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Right-of-Way, page 35.
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Question 19Can driving too slowly be dangerous?
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C: Yes, drivers who block or hinder traffic by going too slowly can cause crashes. Never drive so slowly as to interfere with normal traffic; drivers who hinder traffic by driving too slowly can cause crashes. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driving Conditions: When to Reduce Speed, page 24.
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Question 20Up to what speed do most tires with tread 'wipe' the road surface in rain?
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B: 35 mph. At speeds up to 35 mph most treaded tires wipe the road; above that, they may start to ride on water (hydroplaning). DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driving Conditions: Hydroplaning and Flooding, page 24.
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Question 21In bad weather, how much following distance does the DC manual recommend?
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C: Four or five seconds. In bad weather, increase the distance to the vehicle ahead to four or five seconds. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Driving Conditions: Following Distance, page 24.
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Question 22The traffic lights at a DC intersection are out of service. What must you do?
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B: Stop as for a stop sign, then follow right-of-way rules unless a traffic officer directs you. If signals are out or malfunctioning, stop as you would for a stop sign and proceed by the right-of-way rules unless an officer directs otherwise. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Signals, Signs and Markings: Traffic Signals, page 50.
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Question 23When entering an interstate, may you cross the solid painted lines between the entrance and the interstate?
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D: No, they should not be crossed. The solid painted lines dividing the entrance from the interstate should not be crossed. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Interstate and Other Limited Access Highways: Entering the Interstate/Highways, page 30.
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Question 24In a dual-lane roundabout, which lane should you use to turn left?
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C: The left lane. To turn right stay right; to go straight use either lane; to turn left stay to the left as you enter. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Roundabouts, page 31.
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Question 25What does a yellow sign generally indicate?
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D: A general warning of what's ahead, such as school or pedestrian crossings. Yellow signs give general warnings of what to expect ahead. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Identifying Signs by Colors and Shapes, page 52.
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Our own questions, written from the DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual and checked against it. Not affiliated with the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles. Found a mistake? Tell us.