Washington Permit Practice Test: Safe Driving (2026)

Question 1 of 18

How much distance should you leave behind the vehicle ahead?

1. Half a car length
2. At least twice the length of your vehicle
3. One foot

Question 2 of 18

At night, you should be able to stop within the glow of your headlights, usually how far?

1. About 40 feet
2. About 4,000 feet
3. About 400 feet

Question 3 of 18

Should you wear sunglasses when driving at night?

1. No, tinted lenses reduce your vision
2. Yes, to cut glare
3. Only on freeways

Question 4 of 18

An oncoming car has its high beams on. Where should you look?

1. Directly at the headlights
2. Toward the right side of the road
3. At your dashboard

Question 5 of 18

Driving alone, you feel tired. What does the guide suggest?

1. Open the window and keep going
2. Drink coffee and speed up
3. Pull off and take a 20-minute nap

Question 6 of 18

On long trips, how often should you plan to stop?

1. About every 100 miles or 2 hours
2. Every 500 miles
3. Only for gas

Question 7 of 18

How much sleep do most people need to stay alert?

1. 4 hours
2. 7 to 9 hours
3. 12 hours

Question 8 of 18

When you turn your head to check a blind zone, what should you do with the steering wheel?

1. Turn it the same way
2. Let go of it
3. Keep it straight

Question 9 of 18

How should you report a road rage incident in progress?

1. Call 911 immediately
2. Post it online later
3. Follow the driver

Question 10 of 18

You think an angry driver is following you. What should you do?

1. Drive home
2. Drive to an area with people and open businesses; call police if needed
3. Stop and confront them

Question 11 of 18

Police signal you to pull over. What do you do first?

1. Stop immediately in your lane
2. Keep going to a parking lot miles away
3. Signal and pull to the right side when safe

Question 12 of 18

You have a weapon in the vehicle during a traffic stop. When do you tell the officer?

1. Right away
2. Only if asked
3. Never

Question 13 of 18

Does signing a traffic ticket mean you admit guilt?

1. Yes
2. No, but refusing to sign could lead to arrest
3. You never have to sign

Question 14 of 18

The guide's 'count seconds' exercise uses a marker about how far ahead?

1. 2 seconds
2. 1 minute
3. 15 seconds

Question 15 of 18

In Washington, crashes are a leading cause of death for which age group?

1. 16 to 25
2. 40 to 50
3. Over 80

Question 16 of 18

How many things can your brain fully focus on at once?

1. Three
2. One
3. As many as needed

Question 17 of 18

If you wear corrective lenses, what should you avoid at night?

1. Clear lenses
2. Contacts
3. Dark or tinted lenses

Question 18 of 18

According to the guide, who could be most affected by your driving decisions?

1. The drivers behind you
2. Pedestrians far away
3. No one