Washington Permit Practice Test: Weather, Breakdowns and Emergencies (2026)

Question 1 of 20

How far can a train need to stop?

1. 100 feet
2. Up to a mile
3. As far as a car

Question 2 of 20

When a crossing signal is flashing, how far from the nearest rail must you stop?

1. Right at the rail
2. 100 feet
3. Between 15 and 50 feet

Question 3 of 20

Lights flash and bells ring at a crossing, but the gate is up. What do you do?

1. Stop anyway
2. Cross quickly
3. Drive around

Question 4 of 20

Your vehicle gets stuck on a railroad crossing. What do you do?

1. Stay inside and wait
2. Get everyone out immediately
3. Try to push it

Question 5 of 20

Something is on the railroad tracks. Whom should you call?

1. A friend
2. No one
3. The number on the blue and white Emergency Notification System sign

Question 6 of 20

How much space should you leave from light rail trains?

1. At least one car length
2. Six inches
3. None

Question 7 of 20

When is pavement especially slippery in rain?

1. After an hour of rain
2. In the first few minutes of rain on a hot day
3. Only in snow

Question 8 of 20

Where can ice form even when the rest of the road is clear?

1. On sunny straightaways
2. In tunnels only
3. On overpasses and bridges

Question 9 of 20

What is black ice?

1. A thin coating of ice that is hard to see
2. Ice mixed with dirt
3. Ice only on gravel roads

Question 10 of 20

Your vehicle starts to skid. Which way should you steer?

1. The opposite way
2. In the same direction the vehicle is moving
3. Lock the wheel

Question 11 of 20

What is the best way to avoid hydroplaning?

1. Brake hard
2. Speed up through puddles
3. Slow down when the road is wet

Question 12 of 20

Your car hydroplanes. What should you do with the steering wheel?

1. Keep it steady and avoid jerking it
2. Turn sharply
3. Let go

Question 13 of 20

Your vehicle breaks down. Where should you place emergency flares?

1. Right next to the car
2. 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle
3. 1 mile ahead

Question 14 of 20

Your vehicle is failing. Where should you avoid stopping?

1. On a straight shoulder
2. In a parking lot
3. Just over a hill or around a curve

Question 15 of 20

A tire blows out. What should you do with the brake?

1. Don't brake; let the vehicle slow by itself
2. Brake hard
3. Pump the brake fast

Question 16 of 20

Your accelerator sticks and the car keeps speeding up. What should you do?

1. Turn off the engine at speed first
2. Quickly shift to neutral, pull off and turn off the engine
3. Pump the gas

Question 17 of 20

Your headlights suddenly go out at night. What should you do?

1. Keep driving in the dark
2. Flash high beams
3. Turn on hazard lights or fog lights and pull off as soon as possible

Question 18 of 20

Your engine shuts off while driving. What should you do?

1. Grip the wheel, find an escape path and brake steadily, not hard
2. Brake hard immediately
3. Let go of the wheel

Question 19 of 20

You accidentally drive over a downed power line. What should you do?

1. Keep driving forward
2. Stop immediately and stay inside
3. Back up quickly

Question 20 of 20

Why shouldn't you follow a snowplow too closely?

1. Snowplows are fast
2. It is always legal to pass them
3. It throws snow that can cut your visibility