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Washington DC DMV permit practice test 7

25 questions written from the DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual, covering right of way, hazards, weather and night driving, signals and pavement markings, road signs, sharing the road and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.

25 questions
  1. Question 1Must you obey a school crossing guard's directions?

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    C: Yes, crossing guards and traffic control officers have authority to stop and direct traffic. You must follow the direction of any authorized crossing guard or traffic control officer. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Other Traffic Laws: School Crossing Guards and Traffic Control Officers, page 47.

  2. Question 2Does four-wheel drive let you drive normally on ice and snow?

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    B: No, four-wheel drive vehicles slide on ice and snow too. Four-wheel drive vehicles slide on ice and snow too; don't drive as you would on dry pavement. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Special Driving Situations: Winter Driving, page 28.

  3. Question 3On a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane, how far may you travel in that lane?

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    B: No further than 150 feet. When the center lane is marked for left turns, drivers may not travel further than 150 feet in it. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Pavement Markings: Three-Lane Roads, page 58.

  4. Question 4What speed do slow-moving vehicles displaying the orange triangle emblem travel?

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    C: 25 mph or less. Vehicles traveling 25 mph or less, such as farm equipment or horse-drawn vehicles, must display the slow-moving vehicle sign. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Warning Signs: Slow Moving Vehicle, page 55.

  5. Question 5How far from a DC school vehicle with alternating flashing red lights must you stop?

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    A: At least 20 feet from the front or rear. All vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of a school vehicle with alternating flashing red lights. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Stopping for School Vehicles, page 38.

  6. Question 6May a DC learner permit holder carry other passengers besides the supervising driver?

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    A: No, no other passengers. Learner permit holders may not drive with other passengers in the vehicle (besides the supervising driver). DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) Program: GRAD Program Restrictions, page 15.

  7. Question 7A vehicle is coming toward you in your lane. What should you do?

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    A: Pull to the right, slow down, sound your horn and flash your headlights. Pull right, slow down, honk and flash your lights; don't turn into the lane it left, since the driver may return to it. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Emergencies: Vehicle Approaching in Your Lane, page 33.

  8. Question 8In what share of crashes is driver inattention a contributing factor, according to research cited in the DC manual?

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    B: More than 50 percent. Research indicates driver inattention is a contributing factor in more than 50 percent of crashes. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Distracted Driver Syndrome, page 25.

  9. Question 9Is it legal to drive through a safety zone?

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    A: No, never drive through a safety zone marked for pedestrians. Never drive through a safety zone, an area marked by signs for pedestrians only. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Other Traffic Laws: Safety Zones, page 47.

  10. Question 10On a curve posted 35 mph in good weather, what speed might be safe on ice and snow?

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    D: 5 mph or less. A curve posted 35 mph may only be safe at 20 mph in wet weather and 5 mph or less on ice and snow. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Special Driving Situations: Curves, page 29.

  11. Question 11What is a 'sharrow'?

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    D: A bicycle symbol with double chevrons showing where bicyclists ride in a lane shared with cars. A sharrow is a bicycle symbol with a double chevron used on lanes too narrow to share side-by-side; expect bicyclists there. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Pavement Markings: Shared Lane Roads, page 58.

  12. Question 12Is it legal to use your turn signal to tell the driver behind you to pass?

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    B: No, it is against the law. It is against the law to use your directional signals to tell drivers behind you that they can pass. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Turn Signals, Emergency Signals and Hand Signals, page 55.

  13. Question 13When are you not required to stop for a DC school vehicle with flashing red lights?

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    D: When you are on a divided highway and the school vehicle is on the other side. Drivers on a divided highway are not required to stop when the school vehicle is on the other side. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Stopping for School Vehicles, page 38.

  14. Question 14May a DC learner permit holder use a hands-free phone while driving?

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    A: No, not with or without hands-free accessories. Learner permit holders may not use a mobile phone or other electronic device, with or without hands-free accessories. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) Program: GRAD Program Restrictions, page 15.

  15. Question 15After running off the roadway, at what speed should you try to get back on the road?

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    C: 15 mph or less, with the vehicle under control. Don't jam the brakes; get back on only when the vehicle is under control, speed is 15 mph or less, and you have checked traffic. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Emergencies: Running Off the Roadway, page 33.

  16. Question 16What is 'highway hypnosis'?

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    C: Being unaware of what's happening, caused by monotony on long drives. Highway hypnosis is unawareness caused by monotony—the wind, tires and engine hum; drowsiness is the first stage of falling asleep. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Distracted Driver Syndrome: Fatigue, page 25.

  17. Question 17What is a HAWK signal?

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    C: A High-Intensity Activated crossWalk signal-beacon that stops traffic so pedestrians can cross. A HAWK (pedestrian hybrid beacon) helps pedestrians cross busy streets by stopping traffic with a red signal while they get a WALK signal. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Introduction: HAWK Pedestrian Signal, page 7.

  18. Question 18In thick fog, if you cannot go at least how fast should you pull completely off the highway?

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    B: 10 mph. If fog is so thick you can't go at least 10 mph, pull completely off the highway or stop at a rest area or parking area. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Special Driving Situations: Driving in Fog, page 29.

  19. Question 19How are bicycle lanes marked in DC?

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    C: Solid or dashed white lines or green pavement, with a bicyclist symbol. Bicycle lanes are marked by solid or dashed white lines or green pavement plus a bicyclist symbol; drive in them only when necessary to turn. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Pavement Markings: Bicycle Lane, page 58.

  20. Question 20What is DC 295?

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    A: The Anacostia Freeway, DC's only numbered route that is not an Interstate or U.S. highway. DC 295, the Anacostia Freeway, is currently the only numbered route in DC that is not an Interstate or U.S. highway. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: DC Route Marker, page 56.

  21. Question 21About how many fatal motorcycle crashes involve cars?

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    A: Almost half. Almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve cars; drivers often say they never saw the motorcycle. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Sharing the Road With Motorcyclists, page 38.

  22. Question 22Which passengers may a DC provisional license holder carry?

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    A: One full-licensed driver 21+ in the front seat, plus your siblings or parents. A provisional driver may carry one full-licensed driver 21 or older, belted in the front seat, plus their own siblings or parents. No other passengers are allowed. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers (GRAD) Program: GRAD Program Restrictions, page 15.

  23. Question 23Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

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    D: Get out and run along the tracks toward the train, away from the vehicle. Get out and run toward the train along the side of the tracks to avoid being struck by debris. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Emergencies: Stalling on Railroad Tracks, page 33.

  24. Question 24Should you rely on 'stay-awake' drugs to fight drowsiness while driving?

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    A: No, they can make driving even more hazardous. Don't depend on stay-awake drugs; they can make your driving more hazardous. Pull off and rest or change drivers. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Distracted Driver Syndrome: Fatigue, page 26.

  25. Question 25What should drivers do when a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) is flashing?

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    B: Come to a full stop for pedestrians crossing. RRFBs flash yellow when activated; drivers should come to a full and complete stop for pedestrians crossing. DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual: Introduction: Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), page 10.

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Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses 25 questions at the DMV's pass mark, since it doesn't publish the number of questions.

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.