District of Columbia DC DMV Permit Practice Test 1
Test 1 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 20 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real District of Columbia test.
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age16 years
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1. A curb lane is marked BUS ONLY 7 AM TO 9 AM. What may the driver of a car do?
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Answer A: Use the lane outside those hours
A part-time bus lane is reserved only during the posted period, and outside it the lane serves general traffic like any other.
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2. What are the District's minimum bodily injury liability limits?
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Answer B: 25,000 dollars per person and 50,000 dollars per accident
DC requires at least 25,000 dollars per injured person and 50,000 dollars for all persons injured in one accident.
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3. What does DC DMV charge to sit a knowledge test at one of its service centers?
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Answer A: 10 dollars
A knowledge test taken at a DC DMV service center costs 10 dollars; the proctoring center and virtual options cost more.
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4. How many points does DC assess against a learner permit holder caught driving unaccompanied?
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Answer A: 5 points
Driving unaccompanied on a learner permit costs 5 points on the DC record, the same as speeding 21 mph or more over the limit.
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5. What extra document must a 16- or 17-year-old present for a DC learner permit?
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Answer D: A parental consent form with proof of the parental or guardian relationship
Applicants aged 16 or 17 must submit a parental consent form together with a document proving the parental or guardianship relationship.
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6. You are on a four-lane divided highway and a vehicle in your lane is stopped waiting to turn left across the median. What is the normal way past?
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Answer D: Slow down and go by in the lane to the right when it is clear
On a multilane road the free lane beside you is the lawful place to go past a vehicle waiting to turn, and the median is not part of the roadway.
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7. During the school year, how late may a 16- or 17-year-old DC provisional license holder drive from Sunday through Thursday?
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Answer A: Until 10:59 p.m.
Provisional license holders may drive until 10:59 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday during the school year.
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8. A hot drink tips over onto your lap while you are driving. What should you do?
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Answer A: Keep hold of the wheel and stop when it is safe
The spill is painful but the crash risk comes from letting go of the wheel or braking suddenly, so keep control and deal with it once you are stopped.
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9. For how long is a DC driver license revoked after a third driving under the influence conviction within 15 years?
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Answer B: 3 years
A third DUI within 15 years costs the DC driver a three-year revocation, against six months for a first and one year for a second.
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10. The brake warning light stays on even though the parking brake is fully released. What does it indicate?
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Answer B: A possible brake system problem, so have the brakes checked promptly
The brake warning light also signals low brake fluid or a failure in one part of the hydraulic system. Do not ignore it, because braking may be reduced.
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11. What color scheme does a standard stop sign use?
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Answer B: White legend and border on a red background
The stop sign carries a white legend and border on a red background, the color set aside for stop, yield and prohibition messages.
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12. How long may DC revoke driving privileges when a driver refuses a chemical test after being told the consequences?
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Answer A: 12 months
A refusal in DC leads to revocation or denial of driving privileges for 12 months, or to enrolment in the Ignition Interlock System Program.
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13. What driving hours apply to a DC provisional license holder during July and August?
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Answer D: Driving is allowed until 11:59 p.m. every night
During the July and August summer period the provisional limit is 11:59 p.m. every night.
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14. How long must a DC provisional license be held before applying for a full license with conditions?
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Answer C: At least 6 months
A DC provisional license must be held for at least 6 months before the holder can apply for a full license with conditions.
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15. You are traveling beside another vehicle on a multilane highway at nearly the same speed. Why is this a poor position?
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Answer B: You may be sitting in that driver's blind spot with nowhere to go if they move over
Driving alongside removes your side escape route and often puts you where the other driver cannot see you. Speed up or drop back to open space beside you.
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16. What fine does DC set for exceeding the speed limit by 26 to 30 mph?
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Answer B: 300 dollars
The 26 to 30 mph band carries a 300 dollar fine in DC, above the 200 dollars charged for 21 to 25 mph over.
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17. You are the second vehicle waiting to turn left on a green ball. Where should you wait?
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Answer A: Behind the stop line, until the first vehicle has actually turned
Only the lead vehicle should move into the intersection to wait; a second vehicle inside it is likely to be stranded there when the light changes.
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18. A pedestrian steps off the curb without looking your way. What should you assume?
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Answer B: That the person has not seen you at all, and be ready to stop for them
Defensive driving means assuming you have not been seen until there is clear evidence that you have.
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19. At an intersection where turning on a red arrow is not permitted, the signal shows a red left arrow next to a steady green ball. What may you do?
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Answer D: Go straight or turn right if permitted, but not left
An arrow controls only the movement it points to, so here the red arrow stops the left turn while the green ball still allows the other movements.
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20. What uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage must a DC policy carry?
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Answer C: 25,000 dollars per person and 50,000 dollars per accident
DC requires uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of 25,000 dollars per person and 50,000 dollars per accident, matching the liability minimums.
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21. A wheel comes off your car while you are driving. What should you do?
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Answer A: Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and steer gently to the shoulder
A firm grip and a gradual slowing keep the vehicle straight, while hard or sudden braking makes a damaged corner pull the car out of line.
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22. You are waiting inside the intersection to turn left when your light turns red. What should you do?
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Answer A: Complete the turn as soon as the way is clear
Once you have legally entered the intersection you should clear it as soon as the oncoming traffic has stopped, rather than sit in the path of cross traffic.
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23. You have just passed a large truck on the freeway. Why is it dangerous to pull back in front of it and then brake for your exit?
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Answer B: A loaded truck needs much more distance to stop than a car
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can need the length of a football field or more to stop from highway speed. Cutting in and braking leaves the driver no room to avoid hitting you.
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24. A regulatory message is normally carried on a sign whose shape is
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Answer A: a rectangle standing taller than it is wide
Regulatory signs that state a law, such as speed limits and turn restrictions, use a vertical rectangle with a black legend on a white background.
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25. May you park in front of a public or private driveway?
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Answer A: No, blocking a driveway is prohibited even for a short time
Parking in front of a driveway blocks the property owner from entering or leaving, and the prohibition does not depend on how long you stay.