Free Washington Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Washington driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 6
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 4
- Sharing the Road — 3
- Emergencies & Crashes — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 1
- Signaling & Communication — 1
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (6 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn:
- Off
- Flashing
- Red
- Green
Show answer
Answer: Red
Yellow means red is coming — stop if you safely can.
2. What does this blue sign with a wheelchair symbol indicate?
- A bus stop
- Parking reserved for people with disabilities
- A hospital
- A ramp
Show answer
Answer: Parking reserved for people with disabilities
The blue wheelchair sign marks disabled parking — a valid permit is required.
3. A red-and-white striped 'DO NOT ENTER' or 'WRONG WAY' sign is meant to:
- Mark a school
- Guide you to services
- Show distances
- Keep you from driving into oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: Keep you from driving into oncoming traffic
These signs stop you from entering a road the wrong way against traffic.
4. At an uncontrolled T-intersection, the driver on the road that ends must:
- Stop only at night
- Go first
- Speed up
- Yield to traffic on the through road
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic on the through road
The through road has priority; the ending road yields.
5. A motorcycle's small size can make it:
- Slower to stop
- Louder
- Easier to see
- Appear farther away and moving slower than it is
Show answer
Answer: Appear farther away and moving slower than it is
Motorcycles look farther and slower than they are — misjudging this causes crashes. Look twice.
6. Tapping your brakes lightly before slowing can:
- Turn off cruise control only
- Confuse drivers
- Save fuel
- Warn following drivers early that you're about to slow
Show answer
Answer: Warn following drivers early that you're about to slow
A light tap flashes your brake lights to warn drivers behind you early.
7. There is no amount of alcohol that is proven 'safe' before driving because:
- It's expensive
- It tastes bad
- Even small amounts impair skills you need
- Rules change
Show answer
Answer: Even small amounts impair skills you need
Impairment begins with the first drink — the safest amount before driving is none.
8. If an animal runs into the road, you should:
- Speed up
- Swerve sharply into another lane
- Brake firmly and stay in your lane if you can't stop safely
- Close your eyes
Show answer
Answer: Brake firmly and stay in your lane if you can't stop safely
Don't swerve into traffic or off the road — brake and stay in your lane if you can't avoid it safely.
9. On a two-lane road, you should not attempt to pass when:
- A truck is ahead
- You're in a hurry
- The road is clear
- You cannot see far enough ahead to complete it safely
Show answer
Answer: You cannot see far enough ahead to complete it safely
Only pass when you can clearly see the pass will be completed safely.
10. 'Slower traffic keep right' means:
- Fast cars stay right
- Slower vehicles should move to the right lane
- Everyone drives right
- Trucks only
Show answer
Answer: Slower vehicles should move to the right lane
Slower drivers should keep right so faster traffic can pass on the left.
11. Before pulling back in after passing, make sure you can see the passed vehicle:
- In your side window
- In your blind spot
- In your rearview mirror
- Nowhere
Show answer
Answer: In your rearview mirror
Return only when the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror.
12. If fog becomes too thick to see, you should:
- Pull completely off the road and wait
- Stop in your lane
- Speed up to get through
- Follow another car's tail lights closely
Show answer
Answer: Pull completely off the road and wait
If you truly can't see, pull well off the road, turn on hazards, and wait for it to lift.
13. If your brakes suddenly fail, you should:
- Turn off the engine immediately
- Steer into oncoming traffic
- Pump the pedal, then use the parking brake gradually and downshift
- Do nothing
Show answer
Answer: Pump the pedal, then use the parking brake gradually and downshift
Pump the brakes to try to build pressure, downshift, and apply the parking brake gradually while steering to safety.
14. When following or passing a motorcycle, you should:
- Pass closely on the right
- Give it a full lane width, just like a car
- Share its lane to save space
- Tailgate to encourage it to speed up
Show answer
Answer: Give it a full lane width, just like a car
A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Never crowd or share a lane with one.
15. A center lane marked with a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line on each side is used for:
- Parking
- Making left turns only (from either direction)
- Through driving
- Passing slower traffic
Show answer
Answer: Making left turns only (from either direction)
This is a two-way left-turn lane — used only to make left turns from either direction, never for through travel or passing.
16. A white sign reading 'TRUCKS USE RIGHT LANE' means:
- Trucks must stay in the right lane
- No trucks at night
- Trucks are banned
- Cars use right lane
Show answer
Answer: Trucks must stay in the right lane
This regulatory sign requires trucks to keep to the right lane.
17. A blue sign with a wheelchair symbol reserves parking for:
- People with a disabled parking permit
- Delivery trucks
- Buses
- Anyone
Show answer
Answer: People with a disabled parking permit
Blue wheelchair signs reserve parking for permit holders.
18. A yellow diamond sign showing an animal (like a deer) means:
- A zoo ahead
- A farm stand
- No hunting
- Watch for animals crossing the road
Show answer
Answer: Watch for animals crossing the road
Animal-crossing signs warn that deer or other animals may enter the road — slow down, especially at dawn/dusk.
19. Most car-motorcycle crashes happen at intersections. Before you turn, you should:
- Look twice for motorcycles — they're small and easy to miss
- Assume no motorcycles are near
- Only check for cars
- Turn quickly
Show answer
Answer: Look twice for motorcycles — they're small and easy to miss
Motorcycles are easy to miss. Look carefully — 'look twice' — for them before turning.
20. In rain, fog, or heavy traffic, you should:
- Maintain the posted speed
- Reduce your speed
- Speed up to clear it
- Use high beams in fog
Show answer
Answer: Reduce your speed
Slow down when conditions reduce traction or visibility.