Intersections, Turns, Roundabouts, Zones, Parking and Transporting: Before You Enter, Four-Way and Two-Way Stops, Turning Into the Closest Lane, U-Turns, Cross, T, Y and Mid-Block Crossings, Calming Circles, Roundabouts, Diverging Diamonds, Uncontrolled Intersections, School, Work and Emergency Zones, Where You May Not Park, Dutch Reach, Children and Animals Left in Cars, Parking Maneuvers, Hills, Disabled and EV Spaces, Towing, Loads, Animals, Ferries and Beaches

Written for aiforu2 as the source for a practice-test bank and the on-device tutor for the Washington Driving Knowledge Exam. The facts follow the official guide; the wording is ours.

Source: Washington State Driver Guide (text-only edition, 2025), Washington State Department of Licensing, chapter 4 "Roads" (sections 4.13 Common intersections, 4.14 Turning, 4.15 Other intersections, 4.17 Zones, 4.18 Parking, 4.19 Transporting, 4.20 Maritime).

Approaching an intersection

An intersection is any place where roads come together: cross streets, roundabouts, calming circles, side streets, driveways, shopping-center and parking-lot entrances. Every intersection is legally a crosswalk, marked or not. Before entering, stop and yield to pedestrians and traffic already there, look each way several times, check mirrors and over your shoulder for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, and follow the markings into your new lane. If your view of the cross street is blocked at the stop line, edge forward slowly so crossing drivers see your front end before you see them. Make sure there is room to cross or turn without blocking the intersection, and scan hardest near shopping centers, parking lots, construction, busy sidewalks, playgrounds, parks and schoolyards.

Right-of-way

At a four-way stop, the first to arrive goes first, the second second, and so on; two arriving together yield to the vehicle on the right; a vehicle turning left yields to vehicles going straight or turning right. At a two-way stop, turning vehicles yield to the vehicle going straight. At an uncontrolled intersection the normal rules apply, and you must yield when a vehicle is already in the intersection, when you enter or cross a state highway from a secondary road, when you enter a paved road from an unpaved road, and when you plan to turn left with a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

Turning

Turn into the lane closest to the direction you came from; with more than one turn lane, stay in your original lane through the turn and change lanes afterward if needed. Signal at least 100 feet before turning, find a safe gap, check the street you are turning onto, and look behind for bicyclists, yielding to them before you turn. U-turns are generally allowed in Washington unless a sign prohibits them, but you need clear visibility in all directions, so never make one on a curve or approaching the crest of a hill. A cross intersection is a four-way junction; at a T-intersection a road ends at a through road whose traffic may be protected by a yield or stop sign; at a Y-intersection the cars on the major road have the right-of-way. At a mid-block crossing pedestrians always have the right-of-way; stop for pedestrians and bicyclists whether or not a stop sign is posted.

Circles, roundabouts and diamonds

A traffic calming circle has a painted or raised island that traffic flows around counterclockwise, with stop or yield signs on all, some or none of its approaches; apply normal right-of-way rules, and give large vehicles such as fire trucks room, since they may have to go clockwise through it. A roundabout is a circular intersection where every approaching vehicle yields on entry and travels counterclockwise around a raised island. Truck aprons around the island are for large vehicles, which may use both lanes and the apron. Bicyclists may ride it as a vehicle, in the middle of the lane, or cross as pedestrians. Slow to the design speed of 15 to 25 mph, pick a lane from the lane-choice sign and stay in it, stop for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalks entering and exiting, look left and yield to all traffic already in the roundabout, enter to the right when there is a gap, keep back from trucks, exit at your street, and if an emergency vehicle approaches, drive through and then pull over. A diverging diamond interchange guides you across to the left side of the road so left turns onto the freeway are made without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic, then crosses you back to the right; follow the signs and markings and keep a safe speed.

Zones

The school zone speed limit is 20 mph; signs may say when it applies, and students use playgrounds and fields after hours. In a work zone watch for signs, cones, barrels, vehicles and workers; cut distractions; always reduce speed even without workers because lanes are narrower and pavement rough; increase following distance; use extreme caution at night; move over for workers when possible; and obey the signs until "End Road Work." An emergency zone forms around a roadside response vehicle with flashing lights (tow trucks, solid-waste trucks, incident response, highway maintenance, utility vehicles, police, fire, ambulances): you must either move over into a farther lane or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit, and never drive faster than 50 mph in an emergency zone.

Parking

You are responsible for a parked vehicle that endangers others; park only in designated areas and read the signs and curb colors. Do not park in an intersection; on a crosswalk, sidewalk or bike lane; within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign; within 5 feet of a driveway, alley or private road; within 75 feet of a fire station driveway on the opposite side of the street; within 20 feet of a pedestrian safety zone; on railroad tracks or within 50 feet of a crossing; in a construction zone; beside a parked vehicle (double parking); on a freeway shoulder except in an emergency; on a bridge, overpass, tunnel or underpass; facing oncoming traffic; more than 12 inches from the curb; where a sign forbids it; or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. A white curb allows only short stops; yellow or red marks a loading zone or other restriction. Always set the parking brake, especially on a hill. Before opening the door check the mirrors and use the Dutch Reach, opening with the hand farthest from the door so your body turns toward approaching bicyclists. It is a crime to leave a child under 16 unattended in a parked vehicle with the motor running, to leave a child under 12 unattended in a parked vehicle, or to leave an animal where heat, cold, poor ventilation or lack of water could harm it; officers may remove children or animals by any reasonable means without liability for damage. Take your keys and lock the doors.

Perpendicular or angled space: signal, move forward slowly turning into the space until centered between the lines, pull to the front and secure the vehicle; leaving, back straight until your bumper clears the neighboring vehicle, then turn sharply. Parallel parking: signal, back until your front bumper lines up with the rear bumper of the car ahead, turn sharply and back in, straighten, stop short of the car behind, and pull forward so you are within 12 inches of the curb; leaving, back toward the car behind, signal, and pull out when your front door clears its rear bumper. On a hill, set the brake and turn the wheels toward the edge of the road: facing uphill with a tall curb, turn the wheels away from the curb so the back of the front tire rests on it (with a low or rounded curb, toward the curb may be safer); facing downhill, turn toward the curb; with no curb, turn toward the road edge either way. Disabled parking spaces need the plate or placard; the white-striped access aisle must stay clear, and the placard must not hang from the mirror while driving. Parking in an EV charging space is illegal unless the vehicle is connected to the charger.

Transporting

When towing a boat, trailer or camper, follow manufacturer, state and federal rules on weight limits, vehicle restrictions, tow cables and taillight hookups, service brakes and documentation. Driving with an unsecured load is illegal and dangerous: tie everything down with rope, netting or straps, tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer, and carry only what you can secure. It is illegal to transport an animal outside the vehicle, such as in a truck bed, without a harness or enclosure, and a misdemeanor to transport animals in a way that risks the animal or public safety; loose animals or a pet on the driver's lap are distractions.

Ferries and beaches

Washington State Ferries are part of the highway network, so all rules apply; use the designated ferry lane, line up behind the vehicles already waiting (cutting the ferry line is a traffic offense with a fine), and do not block driveways or intersections in residential holding lanes. Bicyclists get priority loading and may pass the waiting vehicles. Driving on ocean beaches is allowed only in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties; the beach is a state highway with a 25 mph limit, pedestrians and bicyclists always have the right-of-way, and you enter only at marked approaches and drive only on hard-packed sand.

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