As you approach a roundabout, vehicles are already circulating inside it. What should you do before entering?

Yield to the vehicles already circulating in the roundabout before entering

Enter immediately since roundabout traffic must yield to entering vehicles

Speed up to merge ahead of the circulating traffic

Stop completely at the entrance regardless of gaps in traffic

While driving on a city street, you hear a siren and see flashing lights from an ambulance approaching quickly from behind. What is the correct response?

Pull as close to the right edge of the roadway as safely possible and stop until it passes

Speed up to clear the intersection ahead of the ambulance

Stop immediately in your current lane no matter where you are

Continue at the same speed since the ambulance will go around you

You are backing your car out of a driveway onto a residential street when a pedestrian is walking along the sidewalk. What is required?

Yield to the pedestrian before continuing to back into the street

The pedestrian must stop and wait since you are already moving

Only yield if the pedestrian is a child or elderly

Proceed since driveways are private property

You are riding a bicycle in a standard travel lane and approach a stop-sign-controlled intersection at the same time as a car from a cross street. How does right-of-way apply?

The same right-of-way rules apply as if the cyclist were driving a vehicle

The car always has priority over the bicycle

The bicycle always has priority over the car

Right-of-way rules do not apply to bicycles

You reach an intersection with no traffic control at the same moment another vehicle has already entered and is partway through crossing. What should you do?

Yield to the vehicle already in the intersection

Proceed since you have not yet entered the intersection

Honk and proceed simultaneously

Stop only if the other vehicle is turning

You approach a narrow one-lane bridge and see another vehicle already on the bridge traveling toward you from the opposite side. What should you do?

Wait at your end until the other vehicle clears the bridge

Proceed onto the bridge since you arrived at your end first

Flash your lights and continue onto the bridge

Speed up to cross before the other vehicle reaches the middle

You are driving on a two-lane rural road and come up behind a slow-moving farm tractor with several vehicles now following behind you. What is the safe course of action?

Pull off to the side when it is safe to let following traffic pass

Maintain your position directly behind the tractor at all times

Pass immediately regardless of oncoming traffic

Tailgate closely to encourage the tractor to speed up

You see a red sign with eight equal sides positioned at an intersection ahead. What action does this sign require?

Come to a complete stop before proceeding

Slow down and proceed if the way is clear

You are approaching a five-sided, pentagon-shaped sign displaying a symbol of two children walking. What does this sign indicate?

A school zone or school crossing ahead

An upcoming pedestrian-only bridge

A playground with no roadway access

A hospital zone requiring reduced noise

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PRACTICE ENGINE · WASHINGTON ROAD SIGNS

Washington Road Signs Practice Test.
Free practice exam — 55 verified questions, instant feedback.

Written and reviewed by Vincent Ruan, EA, CFP®

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QUESTION 1 / 55Right-of-Way and Safe DrivingEasy0/0

At a four-way stop where all directions have stop signs, two vehicles arrive at slightly different times. Which vehicle should proceed first?

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1. At a four-way stop where all directions have stop signs, two vehicles arrive at slightly different times. Which vehicle should proceed first?
- A. The vehicle heading toward a highway on-ramp
- B. The vehicle making a left turn, regardless of arrival order
- C. The vehicle with its turn signal off
- D. The vehicle that arrived and stopped first
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
At an all-way stop, the general rule is first-to-stop, first-to-go; a driver who reaches and stops at the intersection ahead of others earns the right to proceed first, regardless of turning direction or destination. Turn signal status and travel direction do not establish priority at a stop-controlled intersection.
2. As you approach a roundabout, vehicles are already circulating inside it. What should you do before entering?
- A. Enter immediately since roundabout traffic must yield to entering vehicles
- B. Stop completely at the entrance regardless of gaps in traffic
- C. Yield to the vehicles already circulating in the roundabout before entering
- D. Speed up to merge ahead of the circulating traffic
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
Vehicles already inside a roundabout have the right-of-way over vehicles waiting to enter, so a driver approaching the entrance must yield and wait for a safe gap rather than assuming priority or forcing entry. Entering roundabouts does not require a full stop when the way is clear, only yielding until it is safe to merge.
3. While driving on a city street, you hear a siren and see flashing lights from an ambulance approaching quickly from behind. What is the correct response?
- A. Speed up to clear the intersection ahead of the ambulance
- B. Pull as close to the right edge of the roadway as safely possible and stop until it passes
- C. Stop immediately in your current lane no matter where you are
- D. Continue at the same speed since the ambulance will go around you
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Drivers must move to the right and come to a stop to give an approaching emergency vehicle a clear path, since stopping in place or in the wrong lane can block the ambulance or create a hazard mid-intersection. Speeding up to outrun the emergency vehicle is dangerous and illegal.
4. You are backing your car out of a driveway onto a residential street when a pedestrian is walking along the sidewalk. What is required?
- A. The pedestrian must stop and wait since you are already moving
- B. Yield to the pedestrian before continuing to back into the street
- C. Only yield if the pedestrian is a child or elderly
- D. Proceed since driveways are private property
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A driver backing out of a driveway is entering the roadway and must yield to pedestrians and other traffic already using it, since the driver is the one creating the hazard by crossing into their path. This obligation applies to all pedestrians, not just certain age groups, and does not disappear because the maneuver started on private property.
5. You are riding a bicycle in a standard travel lane and approach a stop-sign-controlled intersection at the same time as a car from a cross street. How does right-of-way apply?
- A. The car always has priority over the bicycle
- B. The same right-of-way rules apply as if the cyclist were driving a vehicle
- C. The bicycle always has priority over the car
- D. Right-of-way rules do not apply to bicycles
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A bicyclist operating in a travel lane is generally treated the same as a motor vehicle for right-of-way purposes, so the usual rules for stop signs and simultaneous arrival apply equally. Assuming either road user automatically has priority, or that right-of-way rules simply do not cover bicycles, misunderstands how cyclists share the road.
6. You reach an intersection with no traffic control at the same moment another vehicle has already entered and is partway through crossing. What should you do?
- A. Proceed since you have not yet entered the intersection
- B. Stop only if the other vehicle is turning
- C. Honk and proceed simultaneously
- D. Yield to the vehicle already in the intersection
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
A vehicle that has already entered and is crossing an uncontrolled intersection has established the right-of-way, so an approaching driver must wait for it to clear rather than entering at the same time. Whether the other vehicle is turning does not change the basic obligation to avoid cutting off traffic already committed to the intersection.
7. You approach a narrow one-lane bridge and see another vehicle already on the bridge traveling toward you from the opposite side. What should you do?
- A. Speed up to cross before the other vehicle reaches the middle
- B. Wait at your end until the other vehicle clears the bridge
- C. Flash your lights and continue onto the bridge
- D. Proceed onto the bridge since you arrived at your end first
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A widely followed driving convention is that a vehicle already on a narrow bridge or similar one-lane passage has the right-of-way, so a driver approaching the other end should wait until it clears rather than trying to beat it across. Racing onto the bridge or assuming arrival order at your own end matters creates a serious head-on risk in a space with no room to maneuver.
8. You are driving on a two-lane rural road and come up behind a slow-moving farm tractor with several vehicles now following behind you. What is the safe course of action?
- A. Tailgate closely to encourage the tractor to speed up
- B. Pass immediately regardless of oncoming traffic
- C. Pull off to the side when it is safe to let following traffic pass
- D. Maintain your position directly behind the tractor at all times
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A driver stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle who has traffic building up behind them should pull over when it is safe to do so, allowing following traffic to pass safely rather than creating a long, frustrated line of cars. Passing without checking oncoming traffic or tailgating the slower vehicle both create unnecessary collision risk.
9. You see a red sign with eight equal sides positioned at an intersection ahead. What action does this sign require?
- A. Come to a complete stop before proceeding
- B. Slow down and proceed if the way is clear
- C. Yield to cross traffic only
- D. Merge into the right lane
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
The eight-sided red sign is the standardized stop sign shape and color, reserved exclusively for this meaning so drivers can recognize it even when the sign is damaged or partly obscured, and it requires a complete stop, not simply slowing or yielding. Confusing it with a yield or merge instruction ignores the sign's unique octagonal shape.
10. You are approaching a five-sided, pentagon-shaped sign displaying a symbol of two children walking. What does this sign indicate?
- A. A school zone or school crossing ahead
- B. A playground with no roadway access
- C. An upcoming pedestrian-only bridge
- D. A hospital zone requiring reduced noise
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
The pentagon shape is reserved specifically for school-related signage, alerting drivers to an approaching school zone or crossing where children may be present, so extra caution and reduced speed are appropriate. This distinct five-sided shape helps drivers recognize school zones even at a distance, unlike a pedestrian bridge or hospital marker.
11. You notice a rectangular white sign with black lettering posted along a roadway stating a rule you must follow. What category of sign is this generally?
- A. A service sign for nearby amenities
- B. A warning sign describing a hazard
- C. A guide sign showing distances
- D. A regulatory sign stating a legally enforceable rule
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
White rectangular signs with black lettering are the standard format for regulatory signs, which state legally enforceable rules such as speed limits or turn restrictions that drivers must obey. Warning signs use yellow, and guide or service signs use green or blue respectively, so the white-and-black rectangle specifically flags a binding rule.
12. While driving on a highway, you notice a green rectangular sign showing an upcoming exit number and the distance remaining. What type of sign is this?
- A. A regulatory sign establishing a legal requirement
- B. A service sign for fuel or food
- C. A guide sign providing directional or distance information
- D. A warning sign about a hazard ahead
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
Green rectangular signs are the standard color for guide signs, which provide directional information like exit numbers, mileage, and route guidance to help drivers navigate, rather than stating legal rules or warning of hazards. Fuel and food information instead appears on blue service signs.
13. You are driving on a multi-lane highway and see white dashed lines separating your lane from the lane beside you traveling the same direction. What do these lines indicate?
- A. Lane changes are prohibited
- B. You are approaching a merge point
- C. Lane changes are permitted when safe to do so
- D. The lane beside you is reserved for buses only
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
White dashed lines between lanes traveling the same direction indicate that changing lanes is permitted when it can be done safely, unlike a solid white line, which discourages lane changes. The dashed marking alone does not designate a lane for buses only or signal an upcoming merge point.
14. You see a white rectangular sign showing a red circle with a diagonal red line through a symbol of a U-shaped arrow. What does this sign prohibit?
- A. Making a U-turn at that location
- B. Right turns at the intersection
- C. Parking in the marked zone
- D. Merging into the right lane
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
A red circle-and-slash over a symbol is the standard regulatory format showing that the depicted action is prohibited, and when the symbol is a U-shaped arrow it specifically prohibits U-turns at that location. The same red circle-and-slash format is used for other prohibitions, but the U-shaped arrow symbol identifies this one as a U-turn restriction rather than a turn, merge, or parking rule.
15. You are driving on a highway when rain begins falling steadily and the road surface becomes wet. What adjustment should you make?
- A. Maintain your speed but turn on hazard lights
- B. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance
- C. Increase speed slightly to clear standing water faster
- D. Follow other vehicles more closely to use their tracks
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Wet pavement reduces tire traction, so a driver should slow down and increase following distance to allow more time and space to stop safely. Turning on hazard lights while moving does not address reduced traction, and following closely or speeding through standing water both increase the risk of skidding or hydroplaning.
16. You are approaching a sharp curve where a warning sign displays a smaller yellow plaque underneath suggesting a specific speed. How should you treat this advisory speed?
- A. As the maximum speed allowed only for trucks
- B. As a recommended safe speed for the curve under normal conditions
- C. As an optional suggestion that can be ignored in light traffic
- D. As a legally enforceable speed limit for that curve
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
An advisory speed plaque beneath a warning sign indicates a recommended safe speed for navigating that section of roadway, such as a curve, under normal conditions, and while it is not a separately posted legal limit, ignoring it increases the risk of losing control. It is not restricted to trucks and should not be dismissed just because traffic is light, since the curve's geometry does not change.
17. Even when driving at or below the posted speed limit, what basic rule still governs how fast you should actually drive?
- A. Only commercial drivers must adjust below the posted limit
- B. The posted limit is the required speed at all times
- C. You may always drive at the posted limit regardless of conditions
- D. You must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if that is below the posted limit
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
The basic speed rule requires drivers to adjust their speed to conditions such as weather, traffic, or visibility, meaning that driving at the posted legal limit is not safe or acceptable if conditions call for going slower. This rule applies to all drivers, not just commercial operators, and a posted limit is a maximum under ideal conditions, not a speed drivers are required to maintain.
18. Traffic conditions turn heavy and rain begins to fall while you are following another vehicle. How should your following distance change?
- A. Increase beyond the normal following distance to allow for reduced traction and visibility
- B. Keep the same following distance used in dry, light conditions
- C. Following distance is not affected by weather
- D. Decrease your following distance to keep pace with traffic
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
Poor weather and heavy traffic reduce traction and increase stopping distances, so a driver should increase their following distance beyond what is normally used in dry, light-traffic conditions to have enough time and space to react safely. Keeping the same distance or shortening it ignores the added risk that wet roads and congestion create.
19. You are driving on a rural road that transitions from pavement to a loose gravel surface. What adjustment is generally recommended?
- A. Steer sharply to test traction before proceeding
- B. Reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering movements
- C. Accelerate to maintain your prior speed on the new surface
- D. Increase tire pressure by pulling over immediately
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Loose gravel provides less traction than paved roads, so drivers should slow down and make smooth, gradual steering and braking inputs to avoid skidding or losing control. Maintaining prior speed, testing traction with sharp steering, or stopping to adjust tire pressure mid-drive are all unsafe or impractical responses to a changing road surface.
20. You are descending a long, steep downhill grade marked with a warning sign showing the percentage of the slope. What is a recommended technique?
- A. Shift to a lower gear to help control speed without overusing the brakes
- B. Coast in neutral to save fuel
- C. Shift into a higher gear to reduce engine noise
- D. Ride the brakes continuously all the way down
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
On a steep downhill grade, shifting to a lower gear uses engine compression to help control speed, reducing the need to rely solely on the brakes, which can overheat and lose effectiveness if used continuously. Coasting in neutral removes this engine braking effect entirely, and a higher gear provides less control on a descent, not more.
21. You are driving after sunset on an unlit rural road where visibility is significantly reduced compared to daytime. What should you generally do?
- A. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance
- B. Maintain daytime speed since your headlights compensate fully
- C. Follow closely behind another vehicle to use its headlights
- D. Use high beams continuously regardless of oncoming traffic
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
Reduced visibility at night means hazards and other road users are harder to see in time to react, so drivers should slow down and increase following distance to compensate. Headlights do not fully replace daytime visibility, and using high beams around oncoming traffic causes glare, while tailgating another vehicle for its light is unsafe and does not restore your own visibility.
22. A driver has consumed a small amount of alcohol and feels only slightly different but not obviously drunk. How does this affect their driving ability?
- A. There is no measurable effect below a certain amount
- B. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment and reaction time
- C. Only large amounts of alcohol affect driving ability
- D. Impairment only occurs after visible signs of intoxication appear
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Alcohol begins impairing judgment, coordination, and reaction time well before a person feels obviously drunk or shows visible signs of intoxication, which is why even modest consumption can meaningfully increase crash risk. Believing that only large amounts or visible intoxication matter overlooks how alcohol affects the brain gradually and often before a person notices any change.
23. By operating a motor vehicle on public roads, drivers generally agree in advance to what regarding alcohol testing if lawfully stopped?
- A. They have given implied consent to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for impaired driving
- B. Testing requires a separate signed agreement at the time of the stop
- C. Testing only applies to drivers involved in a collision
- D. They may refuse any testing without consequence
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
Most states apply an implied consent principle, meaning that simply by driving on public roads, a person has already agreed to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, and refusing such testing typically carries its own consequences rather than being free of any effect. This consent is established by the act of driving itself, not by a separate signed form at the roadside, and it is not limited only to collision situations.
24. A driver who has been awake for many hours and feels extremely drowsy behind the wheel is most comparable to which other impaired condition?
- A. A driver impaired by alcohol, since fatigue similarly slows reaction time and judgment
- B. A condition that only affects long-haul truck drivers
- C. A driver who is simply less talkative than usual
- D. A fully alert driver with no impairment at all
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
Extreme fatigue slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and can even cause brief involuntary lapses in attention, producing effects on driving ability that are comparable to alcohol impairment even though no substance was consumed. Fatigue is not limited to commercial or long-haul drivers, and it represents a real impairment rather than a harmless personality change.
25. A driver takes an over-the-counter cold medication that carries a warning label about drowsiness, then plans a long highway drive. What should they consider?
- A. Only prescription medications carry any risk of impairment
- B. The warning label does not apply to driving, only to work machinery
- C. The medication may impair driving ability similar to alcohol or fatigue
- D. Over-the-counter medications never cause meaningful impairment
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
Certain over-the-counter medications, particularly those causing drowsiness, can impair alertness, coordination, and reaction time in ways comparable to alcohol or fatigue, so warning labels about drowsiness are directly relevant to driving, not just to operating machinery at work. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can carry this risk, and dismissing OTC drugs as harmless ignores the labeled warning.
26. A driver believes that because a substance is legal for personal use in their state, it is also legal to drive while under its influence. Is this correct?
- A. Yes, but only if used more than an hour before driving
- B. Yes, legal substances never affect a driver's legal standing
- C. No, driving while impaired by any substance, legal or not, remains prohibited
- D. No, but only alcohol is restricted while driving; other legal substances are exempt
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
The legality of possessing or using a substance for personal purposes is separate from the rule against driving while impaired, since impaired driving laws apply to any substance that affects a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely, whether or not that substance is otherwise legal. There is no blanket exemption for legal substances, and impairment is judged by its effect on driving, not by a fixed waiting period after use.
27. A group of friends is planning a night out where alcohol will be consumed. What is the safest approach to getting everyone home?
- A. Each person can judge for themselves how much they can safely drive after
- B. Drink coffee before driving to counteract the alcohol
- C. Wait a short while after drinking, then drive carefully
- D. Arrange a designated sober driver or alternative transportation in advance
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
Planning ahead for a sober designated driver, rideshare, or other transportation removes the need for anyone to judge their own impairment after drinking, since self-assessment of impairment is notoriously unreliable. Waiting a short time or drinking coffee does not meaningfully speed up alcohol elimination from the body and provides a false sense of readiness to drive.
28. You are a passenger and notice the driver of your vehicle has clearly been drinking heavily before getting behind the wheel. What is the responsible action?
- A. Refuse to ride with that driver and find another way home
- B. Sit in the back seat for added safety
- C. Say nothing since it is the driver's decision
- D. Get in but ask the driver to go slowly
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
Riding with a driver who is clearly impaired puts the passenger at serious risk regardless of speed or seating position, so the responsible action is to decline the ride and arrange alternative transportation. Staying silent or assuming a slower speed or back seat will offset the danger both ignore how significantly impairment affects a driver's control of the vehicle.
29. While driving through a business district, the signal ahead is flashing yellow rather than showing a steady light. What does this indicate you should do?
- A. Come to a complete stop before proceeding
- B. Treat it exactly like a red light
- C. Stop only if cross traffic has a stop sign
- D. Slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
A flashing yellow signal warns drivers to slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution, without requiring a complete stop the way a flashing red or steady red signal would. It is a caution signal, not an instruction to stop, and its meaning does not depend on what type of control cross traffic has.
30. You are in a left-turn lane and the signal displays a green arrow pointing left while oncoming traffic faces a red light. What does this indicate?
- A. The left turn is prohibited until the arrow disappears
- B. You have a protected left turn and do not need to yield to oncoming traffic
- C. Oncoming traffic also has a green light at the same time
- D. You must still yield to oncoming traffic before turning
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A green arrow paired with a red light for oncoming traffic creates a protected left-turn phase, meaning the turning driver has the right-of-way and does not need to yield because opposing traffic is held at a red light during that time. This differs from a permissive turn on a steady green circle, where yielding to oncoming traffic is still required.
31. A newly licensed teen driver, still within an early probationary licensing period, wants to drive several friends to an evening event. What should they do first?
- A. Assume all restrictions end the moment a full license is issued
- B. Check whether passenger and nighttime driving restrictions still apply during the probationary period
- C. Ask a friend to drive instead, since teens can never carry passengers
- D. Proceed as planned since probationary licenses have no passenger considerations
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Many licensing systems place passenger and nighttime restrictions on newly licensed drivers during an initial probationary period, so a driver in that situation should confirm what restrictions still apply before taking several friends out, rather than assuming there are none or that restrictions vanish immediately once a license is issued. Restrictions typically ease over time but are not an absolute ban on ever carrying passengers.
32. You are turning left at an intersection with a steady green light, and oncoming traffic is proceeding straight through. What must you do?
- A. Only yield if the oncoming vehicle is signaling
- B. Assume oncoming traffic will stop for your turn signal
- C. Yield to the oncoming through traffic before completing your turn
- D. Proceed immediately since the green light guarantees your turn
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A permissive green light lets a left-turning driver proceed only after yielding to oncoming vehicles going straight through the intersection, because the green signal does not grant an exclusive turning phase. Oncoming drivers have no obligation to stop for a turning vehicle just because it displays a signal.
33. You see a blue rectangular sign along the interstate showing icons for a fuel pump and a fork and knife. What does this sign tell drivers?
- A. The exact distance to the next city
- B. A hospital zone with reduced speed
- C. Nearby motorist services such as fuel and food are available at the upcoming exit
- D. A speed limit change is coming
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
Blue signs are reserved for motorist service information, showing symbols such as a fuel pump or utensils to tell drivers what amenities are available near an upcoming exit, rather than stating distances, speed changes, or hospital zones, which use other sign colors and shapes.
34. You notice a brown sign with a symbol of a tent and picnic table alongside the highway. What does the brown color generally signify?
- A. Recreational or cultural points of interest such as parks and campgrounds
- B. A warning about wildlife in the area
- C. A regulatory parking restriction
- D. A construction detour route
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
Brown is the standard color reserved for signs pointing to recreational and cultural destinations such as parks, campgrounds, and historic sites, helping travelers find these amenities distinct from regulatory, warning, or construction information conveyed by other sign colors.
35. You see a yellow, diamond-shaped sign along the roadway with a symbol depicting a curve ahead. What is the general purpose of yellow diamond signs?
- A. To display legally binding speed limits
- B. To warn drivers of a hazard or change in road conditions ahead
- C. To identify nearby services such as fuel or food
- D. To mark the entrance to a school zone only
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Yellow diamond-shaped signs are the standard warning sign format, used to alert drivers to hazards or changes in the roadway ahead such as curves, so they can adjust their driving before reaching the condition. They are not used to state legal speed limits or to mark services, which use different shapes and colors.
36. You are driving on a two-lane road and notice the center line is a single broken yellow line. What does this marking generally allow?
- A. Passing is permitted when it can be done safely
- B. Passing is prohibited in both directions
- C. U-turns are permitted at any point
- D. The lane is reserved for turning traffic only
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
A broken (dashed) yellow center line indicates that passing is permitted on that side when it can be done safely, since the dashes signal a less restrictive zone than a solid line. It does not by itself authorize U-turns or reserve the lane exclusively for turning traffic.
37. A pedestrian steps into a marked crosswalk at an intersection where there is no traffic signal. What should the approaching driver do?
- A. Only stop if the pedestrian is a child
- B. Stop and yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
- C. Honk to warn the pedestrian to wait
- D. Proceed if the pedestrian has not reached the driver's lane yet
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians who have entered a marked crosswalk, since crosswalks give pedestrians the right-of-way at that location regardless of a formal signal. Waiting until the pedestrian reaches the driver's own lane risks a collision, and the rule applies to all pedestrians, not only children.
38. You are merging onto a freeway from an on-ramp where traffic is already flowing at highway speed. Who has the right-of-way?
- A. Whichever driver flashes their lights first
- B. The vehicles already traveling on the freeway
- C. The merging vehicle if its ramp has no yield sign
- D. The merging vehicle, since it needs to gain speed
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
Traffic already established on the freeway has the right-of-way over vehicles entering from an on-ramp, so a merging driver must adjust speed and find a safe gap rather than expecting through traffic to yield. The presence or absence of a yield sign on the ramp does not change this underlying priority.
39. A school bus ahead of you on a two-lane road stops and activates flashing red lights to load children. What must you do?
- A. Slow down and pass carefully once no children are visible
- B. Proceed if you are more than one car length away
- C. Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and children are clear
- D. Stop only if the bus is on your side of the road
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
Flashing red lights on a stopped school bus require traffic from both directions on most roads to stop completely and wait until the lights stop flashing, because children may be crossing near the bus in ways that are not immediately visible. Passing slowly or judging distance by car lengths still puts children at serious risk.
40. Two drivers arrive at the same moment at an intersection with no stop signs, yield signs, or signals on either road. Which driver must yield?
- A. Neither driver has to yield; both may proceed simultaneously
- B. The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right
- C. The driver on the right must yield to the driver on the left
- D. Whichever driver is driving a larger vehicle has the right-of-way
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
At an uncontrolled intersection, right-of-way rules require the driver approaching from the left to yield to the driver approaching from the right when both arrive at essentially the same time, since there is no signal or sign establishing priority. Assuming vehicle size determines priority is incorrect and unsafe, and proceeding simultaneously ignores that only one vehicle can safely cross first.
41. You are traveling on a through road that continues straight ahead, and another street ends at a T-intersection with your road. Neither approach has a stop or yield sign. Who has the right-of-way?
- A. Whichever vehicle signals first
- B. The vehicle on the continuous through road
- C. The vehicle turning left onto the through road
- D. The vehicle approaching from the terminating street, since it must merge
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
At an uncontrolled T-intersection, traffic on the road that continues through generally has the right-of-way over traffic entering from the road that ends at the junction, because the ending street functions like traffic joining an established route. Signaling intent does not itself grant priority over traffic already on the through road.
42. You notice a pedestrian using a white cane and beginning to cross the street ahead of your vehicle. How should you respond?
- A. Yield only if a crossing signal is present
- B. Sound your horn and continue if the pedestrian pauses
- C. Proceed with caution since the pedestrian should wait for a gap
- D. Always yield the right-of-way, since this indicates the pedestrian may be blind
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
A white cane is a recognized signal that a pedestrian may be visually impaired, and drivers must always yield the right-of-way to such a pedestrian regardless of whether a crosswalk signal is present. Expecting the pedestrian to judge a safe gap or reacting to a horn instead of stopping ignores the purpose of this universal safety cue.
43. You are pulling out of a parking lot alley onto a public street where traffic is flowing in both directions. What should you do?
- A. Only yield to vehicles, not bicycles
- B. Proceed once you can see traffic in one direction
- C. Enter and let other drivers adjust their speed
- D. Yield to all vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians already on the street
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
A driver entering a public street from an alley or driveway is required to yield to all road users already traveling on that street, including bicyclists and pedestrians, since they have established priority. Checking traffic in only one direction or excluding bicycles from consideration leaves a dangerous blind spot in judgment.
44. You are in a dedicated left-turn lane with a green arrow, and the arrow changes to a steady green circle while you are still waiting to turn. What should you do?
- A. The turn is no longer permitted from that lane
- B. You may still turn left, but must now yield to oncoming traffic
- C. Wait for the arrow to reappear before turning
- D. Treat the steady green circle as an indication to stop turning
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
When a protected green arrow changes to a steady green circle, left turns are still allowed from that lane, but the turn becomes permissive rather than protected, meaning the driver must now yield to oncoming through traffic before proceeding. Treating the change as a full stop or a ban on turning misreads what the signal change actually means.
45. You approach a downward-pointing triangular sign with a red border and white background. What does this sign instruct you to do?
- A. Slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic on the road you are entering
- B. Come to a complete stop regardless of traffic
- C. Increase speed to merge smoothly
- D. Prepare to merge with oncoming traffic
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
The downward-pointing red-and-white triangle is the standardized yield sign, meaning a driver must slow and be ready to stop if needed, giving the right-of-way to traffic on the road being entered, rather than always coming to a full stop. It calls for caution and readiness to stop, not for increasing speed.
46. You see an orange, diamond-shaped sign near a section of highway where crews are working. What does the orange color typically indicate?
- A. A regulatory speed limit reduction
- B. A permanent warning about wildlife crossing
- C. Temporary conditions related to construction or road work
- D. A designated route for trucks only
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
Orange is the standard color reserved for temporary traffic control, marking construction or maintenance work zones so drivers recognize the hazard as short-term rather than a fixed roadway feature. Wildlife warnings and route markers use other colors, and while work zones often do reduce speed, the orange color itself signals temporary work activity, not a specific regulation.
47. You see a round yellow sign with a black X and the letters marking a railway ahead of the tracks themselves. What is the purpose of this advance sign?
- A. To indicate a toll booth ahead
- B. To mark a detour route around the tracks
- C. To warn drivers in advance that a railroad crossing lies ahead
- D. To indicate the tracks are permanently closed
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
The round yellow sign with a black X and railroad lettering is placed before the actual crossing to warn drivers in advance that a railroad crossing is coming up, giving time to slow down and watch for trains. It does not indicate closure, a detour, or tolling, which use entirely different sign shapes and colors.
48. You are approaching a section of two-lane roadway where the center marking is two solid yellow lines side by side. What does this marking mean?
- A. Passing is permitted from one direction only
- B. The road is a one-way street
- C. Left turns are prohibited at all upcoming intersections
- D. Passing is prohibited in both directions
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
Double solid yellow center lines mean that passing is prohibited for traffic traveling in either direction, marking a zone where visibility or road conditions make overtaking unsafe. This differs from a single broken line, which would allow passing from one side, and it does not indicate a one-way street or a blanket ban on left turns.
49. You notice a solid white line running along the far right edge of the roadway near the shoulder. What is the general purpose of this line?
- A. It indicates a passing zone for slower traffic
- B. It marks the edge of the travel lane, which drivers should generally avoid crossing
- C. It marks a reversible lane
- D. It indicates the beginning of a bike-only lane
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A solid white edge line marks the boundary of the travel lane along the shoulder, and drivers should generally stay within it except in situations like emergencies or when directed otherwise, since crossing it regularly can put a vehicle onto the unpaved or unstable shoulder. It does not itself create a passing zone, a reversible lane, or an exclusive bike lane.
50. You encounter dense fog while driving on a rural highway, sharply reducing visibility. What should you do?
- A. Speed up to get through the fog more quickly
- B. Drive with headlights off to avoid glare
- C. Use your high-beam headlights to see farther ahead
- D. Slow down and use low-beam headlights
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
In fog, low-beam headlights should be used because high beams reflect off the fog and create glare that further reduces visibility, and slowing down gives more time to react to hazards that appear suddenly at close range. Speeding up or driving without headlights both make the vehicle harder to see and reduce the driver's own reaction time.
51. While driving through standing water after heavy rain, you feel your vehicle suddenly become light and difficult to steer. What should you do?
- A. Brake hard immediately to regain control
- B. Ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel straight until traction returns
- C. Turn the steering wheel sharply to correct direction
- D. Accelerate to push through the water faster
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B
A sudden loss of steering feel on standing water is a sign of hydroplaning, where tires lose contact with the pavement, and the correct response is to ease off the gas and hold the steering wheel straight until the tires regain grip. Hard braking or sharp steering can cause the vehicle to skid or spin once traction is lost, and accelerating only prolongs the loss of control.
52. Drivers under the legal drinking age who are found to have any measurable alcohol in their system while driving generally face what kind of standard?
- A. A higher permitted amount than adult drivers
- B. The same standard as any other driver, with no added restriction
- C. No consequence unless a collision occurs
- D. A stricter zero-tolerance standard than drivers of legal drinking age
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D
Because drivers under the legal drinking age are not permitted to consume alcohol at all, many jurisdictions apply a stricter zero-tolerance standard to them for driving with any measurable alcohol present, rather than the higher threshold used for adult drivers. This is a tighter restriction, not a looser one, and it does not require a collision to take effect.
53. You approach a traffic signal that is flashing red in your direction of travel. How should you treat this signal?
- A. As a stop sign, requiring a complete stop before proceeding
- B. As a yield sign only
- C. As a signal to slow down but not stop
- D. As a signal that the intersection is closed
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A
A flashing red signal is treated the same as a stop sign, requiring drivers to come to a complete stop and then proceed only when it is safe, rather than simply slowing or yielding without stopping. It does not mean the intersection is closed; traffic continues to move through it under stop-sign rules.
54. As you approach an intersection, the traffic signal changes from green to a steady yellow light. What is the correct response?
- A. Accelerate to clear the intersection before it turns red
- B. Ignore it since yellow has no legal meaning
- C. Prepare to stop, and stop if it can be done safely before the light turns red
- D. Come to an immediate hard stop regardless of your position
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red, and drivers should prepare to stop, stopping safely if they have not already entered the intersection, rather than speeding up to beat the red light. Slamming on the brakes when already too close to stop safely can also be dangerous, so the response depends on being able to stop safely.
55. A driver holding only a learner's permit wants to practice driving to a nearby store without any other licensed driver in the vehicle. Is this allowed?
- A. Yes, as long as the trip is short and during daylight
- B. No, permit holders may never drive under any circumstances
- C. No, a permit holder must have a qualified licensed driver in the vehicle while driving
- D. Yes, permits allow unsupervised driving after a short probation period from issuance
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C
A learner's permit allows a person to practice driving only while accompanied by a qualified licensed supervising driver, so driving alone to run an errand, even briefly and during daylight, does not meet that requirement. A permit does still allow supervised driving, so it is inaccurate to say the holder may never drive at all under any circumstances.

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Key facts: Washington Road Signs exam

MCQ questions

80% (32 of 40)

To pass

Exam fee

The Washington Road Signs is administered by Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), with 40 scored questions and a 80% (32 of 40) result.

This free Washington Road Signs practice test has 55 original questions written to Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)'s official content outline, last checked against it on August 9, 2026. Every question shows a worked explanation, and nothing here requires a signup.

As of 2026, the Washington Road Signs exam fee is $0 (DOL calls this the Driving Knowledge Exam; road signs are not confirmed as a separately scored section).

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Official sources

Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.

Driver license application, ages 16-17 | Washington State Department of LicensingWashington State Department of Licensingdol.wa.gov
Get your learner permit | Washington State Department of LicensingWashington State Department of Licensingdol.wa.gov
Do I need to take a test? | Washington State Department of LicensingWashington State Department of Licensingdol.wa.gov
Driver licensing fees | Washington State Department of LicensingWashington State Department of Licensingdol.wa.gov
Washington driver knowledge test — official test descriptionWashington State Department of Licensing (DOL)dol.wa.gov

Last verified against the official exam content outline: August 9, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the real Washington DOL knowledge test?

The Washington DOL knowledge test, which includes road signs, has 40 questions.

What score do I need to pass the Washington driving knowledge test?

You need 32 correct answers out of 40, which is 80%, to pass.

Is the road-signs portion tested separately from the rest of the exam?

Road signs are folded into the same knowledge test rather than scored as a standalone section, so you should expect sign-identification questions mixed in with rules-of-the-road questions.

How should I use a practice test to prepare for the real exam?

Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions, review every missed question against the Washington Driver Guide, and repeat until you're consistently scoring above the passing threshold.

Is this practice test free and does it require signup?

Yes, this practice test is free to take and does not require creating an account.