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Washington Permit Practice Test
20 real questions from our handbook-verified Washington bank · Updated July 12, 2026
The official Washington knowledge test has 40 questions — you can miss 8 and still pass (80%). That 80% bar ties Washington with 35 other states at #7 strictest of the 50 states. Washington offers the real exam in Spanish — practica en español aquí.
The real Washington exam format — this practice test scores you against the same 80% bar.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. For a driver 21 or older, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above which you are considered driving under the influence is:
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Correct answer: 0.08
A driver 21 or older is legally under the influence at a BAC of 0.08 or higher. Even below that level, you can be charged if alcohol affects your ability to drive safely.
2. At night, you should drive at a speed that lets you:
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Correct answer: Stop within the distance lit by your headlights
Drive slowly enough at night to stop within the glow of your headlights — usually about 400 feet. If you cannot stop within the area you can see, you are overdriving your headlights.
3. Every Washington driver license, permit and ID card is issued with:
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Correct answer: An assigned Washington number, often beginning with the letters WDL
All Washington licenses, permits and ID cards carry an assigned Washington number that is specific to you. It often starts with the letters WDL.
4. The speed limit in a Washington school zone is:
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Correct answer: 20 mph
The school zone speed limit is 20 mph, because higher speeds sharply increase the risk of a fatal crash. Signs may clarify when the 20 mph limit applies.
5. In Washington, which places are legally considered a crosswalk?
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Correct answer: Every intersection, whether it is marked or unmarked
Every intersection is legally a crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked. Be ready to yield to pedestrians at any intersection.
6. Washington law requires you to keep with you or in your vehicle proof of:
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Correct answer: Liability insurance
Washington requires you to have and carry proof of liability insurance. Keep it with you or in your vehicle so you can show it if you are stopped or in a collision.
7. At crosswalks and intersections, pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way:
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Correct answer: Whether the crossing is marked or not
Always yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections whether the crossing is marked or unmarked.
8. At a steady red light in Washington, you may turn right only when:
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Correct answer: You have come to a complete stop, there is no "no turn on red" sign, and you have room to enter traffic
After coming to a complete stop at a red light, you can turn right if you don’t see a "no turn on red" sign and you have plenty of room to enter traffic.
9. A posted speed limit represents the maximum speed that is legal:
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Correct answer: Under ideal conditions — you must slow down when conditions are poor
Speed limits indicate the maximum speed legal under ideal conditions. Washington law also requires you to drive at a speed that is safe for current road conditions, which means slowing down when conditions are poor.
10. When you turn left or right at an intersection, Washington law requires you to:
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Correct answer: Turn into the lane closest to the direction you are coming from
Whether turning left or right, state law requires you to turn into the lane closest to the direction you are coming from.
11. For a driver under 21, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is against the law is:
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Correct answer: 0.02 or higher
Because it is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink, the limit for underage drivers is much lower — a BAC of 0.02 or higher violates the law.
12. When driving at night, you should use your high beams:
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Correct answer: Whenever there are no oncoming vehicles, and switch to low beams for approaching traffic
Use high beams when there are no oncoming vehicles to help you see farther. Switch back to regular headlights when traffic approaches or when you are following another vehicle.
13. What is License Express?
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Correct answer: The secure DOL website where you make appointments, pre-apply for a permit, renew your license and update your address
License Express is the secure website where you can access many of DOL’s services — making an appointment, pre-applying for an instruction permit, scheduling your skills exam, renewing your license and updating your address. New drivers must set up their own account.
14. As soon as you see a roadside response vehicle with flashing lights, Washington law requires you to:
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Correct answer: Move over into a farther lane, or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit
In an emergency zone you must either move over into a farther lane or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit. This gives roadside workers a safe space to do their job.
15. You stop at the stop line but a building blocks your view of the cross street. You should:
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Correct answer: Edge forward slowly until you can see, letting crossing drivers see the front of your vehicle
If your view is blocked after stopping at the line, edge forward slowly until you can see. This also lets crossing drivers see the front of your vehicle and gives them a chance to slow down and warn you if needed.
16. Your liability insurance must cover at least how much for the bodily injury or death of one person in a collision?
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Correct answer: $25,000
Washington requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for the injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $10,000 for damage to the property of others.
17. After a pedestrian steps into the crosswalk in front of you, you may proceed once they have:
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Correct answer: Cleared your lane and one additional lane
Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one additional lane before proceeding. If they use a wheelchair, cane, or service animal, wait until they have completely crossed.
18. After stopping at a red light, you may also turn left on red when:
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Correct answer: You are turning onto a one-way street, no "no turn on red" sign is posted, and you have room to enter traffic
After coming to a complete stop at a red light, you can turn left onto a one-way street if there is no "no turn on red" sign and you have plenty of room to enter traffic.
19. Even if you are driving below the posted speed limit, you can be ticketed for:
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Correct answer: Traveling too fast for the current road conditions
You are always responsible for driving at a safe speed regardless of the posted limit. Even under the limit, you can get a ticket for traveling too fast for road conditions such as a slippery road or fog.
20. When there is more than one turn lane, you should:
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Correct answer: Stay in your original lane through the turn, then change lanes afterward if needed
If there is more than one turn lane, stay in your original lane as you turn so you do not veer into another lane. Once you complete the turn, you can change lanes if you need to.
📱 These 20 questions are a warm-up. PermitPal for iPhone and iPad drills the full handbook-verified Washington bank of 234 questions with spaced repetition, and runs mock exams in the real 40-question format — plus motorcycle and CDL tracks. Free to start, $29.99 once.
Washington test facts
How many questions are on the Washington permit test?
40 questions. You need 32 correct (80%) — you can miss 8. Full details in the passing-score calculator.
What happens if I fail?
Retake scheduling varies by office — check with your local branch before you go back.
Can I take the Washington test in Spanish?
Yes — Washington offers the knowledge test in Spanish. Try the Spanish practice test. See which states test in Spanish.
What age can I get my permit in Washington?
The minimum learner's permit age is 15. You'll need 50 supervised practice hours (10 at night) before the license stage. Full ladder in the permit-age lookup.