Washington CAR DMV Practice Test 4

"Reduced speed" signs inform drivers that they must reduce their speeds. If a new speed limit is posted on one of these signs, the new speed limit begins at the sign.

It is illegal to drink an alcoholic beverage while in a motor vehicle on a highway. It is also illegal for a person in a vehicle on a highway to possess an alcoholic beverage container that has been open or unsealed, or from which any of the contents have been removed. Open alcohol containers may not be in a vehicle on a highway, unless in an area not normally occupied by the driver or passengers.

The average person’s body will process about one alcoholic drink in one hour. However, many factors play a part in determining how impaired a person will become when consuming alcohol, including the amount of alcohol consumed, how fast it is consumed, and a person’s body weight, food intake, and general health.

This sign indicates that there is a railroad crossing on the road ahead. You should always slow down when approaching a railroad crossing. Trains cannot yield to cars, so you must let them pass before crossing the tracks.

Bicyclists have the choice to ride on the roadway, on the shoulder of a road, in a bicycle lane, or on a sidewalk.

You should slow down at the first sign of rain, snow, or sleet, all of which can create slippery road conditions. When conditions on the road are less than ideal, safety may require that you drive more slowly than the posted speed limit.

In general, you must stop for a school bus that is flashing its red lights, whether it is on your side or the opposite side of the road. However, you are not required to stop if the bus is traveling in the opposite direction on a road that has three or more marked traffic lanes, or that is divided by a median or physical barrier.

If an emergency vehicle using its lights or siren approaches while you are driving on a one-way street, you must drive toward the nearest roadside and stop.

You must stop at a railroad crossing when directed to do so by a flagger or stop sign. Stop when flashing red signals and gates are present and operating.

If there are two railroad tracks next to each other, watch for a second approaching train after one train passes. Do not begin to cross the tracks until you’re sure no train is approaching from either direction on either track.

Your physical condition has an important bearing on your ability to drive safely. Drivers should be aware of their physical limitations and only drive if it is safe to do so.

When entering a roundabout, you must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles that are already in the roundabout.

Before changing directions, you should signal for at least 100 feet.

This sign warns that the road is slippery when wet.

When heavy rain reduces visibility, reduce your speed. Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see your vehicle. If the rain is so heavy that you are unable to see clearly, drive onto the shoulder and stop until the rain lets up.

When roads are wet, cars take a longer distance to stop and may skid on quick turns. Do not use cruise control when driving under wet or icy conditions. Reduce your speed and drive with caution.

By law, your vehicle’s headlights must be turned on from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. You should use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles.

You should increase your following distance when you are behind a large vehicle that blocks your vision, when driving in bad weather or heavy traffic, when exiting an expressway, when behind a motorcycle or bicycle, and if someone is tailgating you.

You must dim your high beams whenever you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

Because a large vehicle, such as a truck or bus, has large blind spots to its sides and rear, avoid driving alongside such a vehicle and do not tailgate one.

A speed limit sign shows the maximum legal driving speed for the stretch of highway where it is posted. Driving safely may require you to travel more slowly than the posted limit. When conditions are less than ideal, drivers should slow down.

A steady green light means you may drive through the intersection if the road is clear. You may also turn right or left on a steady green light unless a sign prohibits the turn. When turning, you must yield to other vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection.

Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. Because of their size, they are easily hidden in a car’s blind spot. It may be difficult to judge your distance to a motorcycle and difficult to tell how fast a motorcycle is moving, so always be alert and extra cautious when near a motorcyclist.

Warning signs are used to warn drivers about upcoming hazardous conditions and are usually yellow with black markings. This sign warns drivers that the road ahead curves to the right and then to the left.

This sign warns that a traffic signal is ahead.