Washington Driver License: Intersections, Zones, Parking and Transporting

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Intersections, Zones, Parking and Transporting. Free, no account needed.

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1. A driver stopped at a stop line cannot see the cross street because parked vans block the view. What should the driver do?

  1. Cross quickly to minimize exposure time
  2. Wait for another vehicle to arrive and cross first
  3. Back up and find another intersection
  4. Edge forward slowly until crossing drivers can see the front of the vehicle

Answer: D — Edge forward slowly until crossing drivers can see the front of the vehicle

Edging forward lets crossing drivers see the front of the car before the driver can see them, resolving the blocked sightline safely.

2. A shopping center driveway meets a public street. For right-of-way purposes, what is this considered?

  1. A mid-block crossing
  2. A private area where traffic law does not apply
  3. An intersection
  4. A driveway, which counts as an intersection only when signed

Answer: C — An intersection

Driveways and shopping-center entrances are explicitly included in the definition of an intersection, regardless of signage or hours.

3. An intersection has no painted crosswalk lines. What is the legal status of the crossing there?

  1. It is legally a crosswalk
  2. It is not a crosswalk unless it is painted
  3. It is not a crosswalk, only a mid-block crossing
  4. It is a crosswalk only when a signal is present

Answer: A — It is legally a crosswalk

Every intersection is legally a crosswalk whether or not it is marked with paint.

4. Two cars reach a four-way stop at the same moment, one positioned to the left of the other. Which car should go first?

  1. The vehicle on the left
  2. The vehicle on the right
  3. Both vehicles should proceed together
  4. Whichever vehicle is larger

Answer: B — The vehicle on the right

When two vehicles arrive together at a four-way stop, the one on the right goes first.

5. Two vehicles reach a four-way stop at the same time from opposite directions. One is turning left, the other is going straight through. Who has the right-of-way?

  1. The vehicle going straight
  2. The vehicle turning left, because left turns take priority
  3. Whoever arrived first, regardless of direction
  4. The vehicle on the right

Answer: A — The vehicle going straight

A vehicle turning left at a four-way stop must yield to vehicles going straight or turning right.

6. At a two-way stop, one vehicle wants to turn right onto the cross street while another vehicle proceeds straight through without stopping. Who must yield?

  1. The through vehicle
  2. Neither; they proceed at the same time
  3. The vehicle on the right
  4. The turning vehicle

Answer: D — The turning vehicle

At a two-way stop, turning vehicles must yield to the vehicle going straight.

7. A driver is exiting a gravel driveway onto a paved road. What must the driver do?

  1. Only yield if a stop sign is posted
  2. Treat it as a four-way stop
  3. Yield to traffic on the paved road
  4. Proceed first, since minor roads normally have priority

Answer: C — Yield to traffic on the paved road

Drivers must yield when entering a paved road from an unpaved road, sign or no sign.

8. Before turning right, a driver notices a bicyclist approaching from behind in the same lane. What should the driver do?

  1. Yield to the bicyclist before turning
  2. Honk to warn the bicyclist away
  3. Speed up to pass the bicyclist, then turn
  4. Turn quickly before the bicyclist gets closer

Answer: A — Yield to the bicyclist before turning

Drivers must look behind for bicyclists and yield to them before turning.

9. A driver wants to make a U-turn just before the crest of a hill, where no sign prohibits U-turns. Is this allowed?

  1. No, because visibility in all directions isn't possible there
  2. Yes, if done quickly
  3. Yes, as long as no sign prohibits U-turns there
  4. No, U-turns are illegal everywhere in Washington

Answer: A — No, because visibility in all directions isn't possible there

U-turns require clear visibility in all directions, so they must never be made approaching the crest of a hill even where otherwise legal.

10. Approaching a Y-intersection, whose traffic has the right-of-way?

  1. Vehicles turning left
  2. Vehicles on the major road
  3. Whoever signals first
  4. Vehicles on the minor branch

Answer: B — Vehicles on the major road

At a Y-intersection, the cars on the major road have the right-of-way.

11. A pedestrian steps into a marked crossing located in the middle of a block, away from any intersection, where no stop sign is posted. What must an approaching driver do?

  1. Proceed, since no stop sign is posted
  2. Stop for the pedestrian
  3. Only stop if a signal is flashing
  4. Yield only once the pedestrian is halfway across

Answer: B — Stop for the pedestrian

At a mid-block crossing pedestrians always have the right-of-way, and drivers must stop whether or not a stop sign is posted.

12. A driver is inside a roundabout when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches from behind. What should the driver do?

  1. Stop immediately inside the roundabout
  2. Continue through the roundabout, then pull over
  3. Pull over before entering the roundabout
  4. Exit at the nearest street regardless of the planned route

Answer: B — Continue through the roundabout, then pull over

If an emergency vehicle approaches while in a roundabout, the driver should drive through and then pull over.

13. A fire truck needs to pass through a traffic calming circle where other traffic flows counterclockwise. Which direction might the fire truck travel instead?

  1. Straight through the island
  2. The same counterclockwise path, but faster
  3. It must stop and wait for a gap
  4. Clockwise

Answer: D — Clockwise

Large vehicles such as fire trucks may need to go clockwise through a calming circle, so other traffic should give them room.

14. A diverging diamond interchange temporarily shifts traffic to the left side of the road. What is the purpose of this?

  1. To let vehicles turning left onto the freeway do so without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic
  2. To create a pedestrian-only lane
  3. To allow U-turns mid-interchange
  4. To separate truck traffic from car traffic

Answer: A — To let vehicles turning left onto the freeway do so without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic

The diverging diamond design lets left turns onto the freeway be made without stopping or yielding to oncoming traffic, before crossing back to the right.

15. A driver approaches a roundabout and sees another vehicle already circulating inside it. Who has the right-of-way?

  1. The vehicle already circulating in the roundabout
  2. The vehicle to the entering driver's right
  3. Whichever vehicle is larger
  4. The entering driver, since entry is first-come

Answer: A — The vehicle already circulating in the roundabout

Entering drivers must look left and yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.

16. A driver enters a posted school zone while it is in effect. What is the speed limit there?

  1. 15 mph
  2. 25 mph
  3. 20 mph
  4. 30 mph

Answer: C — 20 mph

The school zone speed limit is 20 mph.

17. A driver passes through a work zone where no workers are currently present and the pavement looks fine. Should the driver still slow down?

  1. No, only slow down if workers are visible
  2. No, work zone limits only apply at night
  3. Yes, because lanes are typically narrower and pavement rougher
  4. Yes, but only if cones are visibly present

Answer: C — Yes, because lanes are typically narrower and pavement rougher

Drivers should always reduce speed in a work zone even without workers present, since lanes are narrower and pavement is rougher.

18. A driver approaches a tow truck stopped on the shoulder with flashing lights, and a farther lane is available. What must the driver do?

  1. Only move over if a police vehicle is also present
  2. Stop completely until the tow truck leaves
  3. Sound the horn and pass at normal speed
  4. Move over into a farther lane, or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit

Answer: D — Move over into a farther lane, or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit

An emergency zone forms around a roadside response vehicle with flashing lights, including tow trucks, requiring drivers to move over or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit.

19. An emergency zone is posted along a highway with a 60 mph limit. What is the fastest a driver may legally travel through it?

  1. 45 mph
  2. 40 mph
  3. 50 mph
  4. 60 mph

Answer: C — 50 mph

A driver may never drive faster than 50 mph in an emergency zone, regardless of the posted limit.

20. What is the minimum distance a vehicle must be from a fire hydrant when parking?

  1. 20 feet
  2. 5 feet
  3. 15 feet
  4. 30 feet

Answer: C — 15 feet

Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

21. What is the minimum distance a vehicle must be from a stop sign when parking?

  1. 15 feet
  2. 30 feet
  3. 20 feet
  4. 5 feet

Answer: B — 30 feet

Parking is prohibited within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign.

22. A driver sees an empty space next to a curb painted white. What does this indicate?

  1. It's a loading zone for commercial vehicles only
  2. It marks disabled parking only
  3. No stopping is allowed at any time
  4. Only short stops are allowed

Answer: D — Only short stops are allowed

A white curb allows only short stops, while yellow or red marks a loading zone or other restriction.

23. A driver has just parallel parked on a street with bicycle traffic and is about to open the door. What technique reduces the risk of hitting a passing bicyclist?

  1. Checking the side mirror only, without changing hands
  2. Waiting for a passenger to exit first
  3. Using the hand farthest from the door to open it, turning the body toward traffic
  4. Opening the door quickly to claim the space

Answer: C — Using the hand farthest from the door to open it, turning the body toward traffic

The Dutch Reach means opening the door with the hand farthest from it, which turns the body toward approaching bicyclists.

24. A parent leaves a sleeping toddler alone in a parked car with the engine running while quickly running into a store. Is this legal?

  1. No, but the law only applies to children under 12
  2. No, leaving a child under 16 unattended with the motor running is a crime
  3. Yes, if the windows are cracked open
  4. Yes, for up to 10 minutes

Answer: B — No, leaving a child under 16 unattended with the motor running is a crime

It is a crime to leave a child under 16 unattended in a parked vehicle with the motor running.

25. A driver parks facing uphill on a street with a tall curb. Which way should the front wheels be turned?

  1. Away from the curb, so the back of the front tire rests against it
  2. Straight ahead, not turned at all
  3. It doesn't matter as long as the parking brake is set
  4. Toward the curb

Answer: A — Away from the curb, so the back of the front tire rests against it

Facing uphill with a tall curb, the wheels should be turned away from the curb so the back of the front tire rests against it.

26. A driver without a disability placard pulls into a vacant EV charging space to run a quick errand, without plugging in. Is this legal?

  1. Yes, if the space is vacant and no electric vehicle is waiting
  2. No, but only during business hours
  3. No, it's illegal unless the vehicle is connected to the charger
  4. Yes, as long as it's brief

Answer: C — No, it's illegal unless the vehicle is connected to the charger

Parking in an EV charging space is illegal unless the vehicle is connected to the charger.

27. A driver wants to transport a dog in the open bed of a pickup truck. What is required?

  1. A visible warning sign must be displayed
  2. It's legal only on rural roads
  3. Nothing; it's always legal
  4. The dog must be secured with a harness or in an enclosure

Answer: D — The dog must be secured with a harness or in an enclosure

It is illegal to transport an animal outside the vehicle, such as in a truck bed, without a harness or enclosure.

28. A large piece of furniture is loaded in an open trailer. What must the driver do to comply with load-securing rules?

  1. Tie the object directly to the vehicle or trailer
  2. Cover it loosely with a tarp
  3. Drive under 25 mph instead of securing it
  4. Nothing extra, since the trailer has high sides

Answer: A — Tie the object directly to the vehicle or trailer

Large objects must be tied directly to the vehicle or trailer, not merely covered or slowed for.

29. A driver waiting in line for a ferry cuts ahead of vehicles that arrived earlier. What is the consequence?

  1. Nothing; ferry lines aren't legally enforced
  2. It's only a problem if a ferry worker notices
  3. It's allowed with a reservation
  4. It is a traffic offense with a fine

Answer: D — It is a traffic offense with a fine

Cutting the ferry line is a traffic offense with a fine.

30. A driver wants to drive on an ocean beach in Washington. In which counties is this legal?

  1. Grays Harbor and Pacific
  2. Clallam and Jefferson
  3. Any coastal county
  4. Pacific County only

Answer: A — Grays Harbor and Pacific

Driving on ocean beaches is allowed only in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

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