District of Columbia DC DMV Permit Practice Test 7
Test 7 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. You are clear of the tracks after your vehicle stalled on a crossing. Whom should you contact?
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Answer C: The emergency number posted on the blue sign at the crossing, or 911
Grade crossings carry an emergency notification sign with a railroad phone number and a crossing identification number so that approaching trains can be stopped, and 911 works if that sign is not visible.
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2. What fine does DC set for passing a stopped school bus that is showing flashing lights or an extended stop arm?
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Answer A: 500 dollars
Passing a stopped school bus or multi-purpose school vehicle with its lights flashing or its stop arm out carries a 500 dollar fine in DC.
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3. What happens to a DC vehicle registration or reciprocity sticker when the insurance lapses?
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Answer B: It is suspended
When insurance lapses, DC DMV suspends the vehicle registration or reciprocity sticker and assesses fines that increase over time.
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4. What is the maximum lawful speed on a District street next to school buildings and grounds at the times shown on official signs?
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Answer C: 15 mph
On streets adjacent to school buildings and grounds the maximum lawful speed is 15 mph at the times indicated on official signs.
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5. What does DC DMV charge for a full driver license issued for its standard eight-year term?
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Answer D: 47 dollars
The DC DMV fee schedule lists 47 dollars for a full driver license, first-time or renewal, covering an eight-year term.
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6. What driving record must a DC applicant have to move up from a learner permit to a provisional license?
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Answer B: No admitted, liable or convicted points offense for at least 12 consecutive months
The applicant must not have admitted to, been found liable for, or been convicted of an offense carrying points for at least 12 consecutive months.
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7. What happens to a DC driver license when the holder reaches 10 or 11 points?
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Answer A: It is suspended and driving privileges are lost for 90 days
A DC driver who accumulates 10 or 11 points loses driving privileges for 90 days.
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8. As a driver keeps drinking, in what order are driving abilities usually lost?
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Answer C: Judgment, then vision, reaction time and coordination
Alcohol reaches the parts of the brain that handle judgment first, and only later does it visibly affect sight, reactions and muscle control.
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9. A police officer is directing traffic at an intersection and waves you through a red light. What should you do?
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Answer C: Follow the officer, whose directions come before signs and signals
Directions given by a police officer or an authorized flagger override signs, signals and pavement markings.
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10. When is a driver or rider most likely to need hand and arm signals instead of the vehicle turn signal lamps?
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Answer D: When the lamps have failed or cannot be seen because of glare or a load
Hand and arm signals replace or reinforce the lamps whenever the lamps do not work or cannot be seen clearly by other road users.
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11. A tow truck with flashing amber lights is loading a car on the shoulder ahead. How should you treat it?
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Answer B: Give it the same room as an emergency vehicle
Tow operators, utility crews and highway workers face the same danger from passing traffic, so move over or slow down for their flashing amber lights too.
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12. At many crossings the walk indication appears only after a button is pressed. What happens if a pedestrian does not press it?
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Answer B: The signal may cycle without showing a walk indication
An actuated pedestrian phase is called in by the pushbutton, so without it the controller may serve the vehicle movements alone.
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13. How should the outside mirrors be aimed to reduce your blind spots?
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Answer A: Outward, so each one covers the lane beside you rather than repeating the inside mirror
Mirrors aimed too far inward show you the same road three times and leave a large gap beside the vehicle, so aiming them outward shrinks the blind spot.
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14. You are already inside an intersection when you realize you should be in the lane beside you. What should you do?
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Answer C: Stay in your lane through the intersection and change lanes afterwards
Drivers in an intersection are watching for cross traffic and turning vehicles, so an unexpected sideways move there is easily missed.
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15. You turn from asphalt onto a loose gravel road. What should you do about your speed?
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Answer D: Lower it, since grip is reduced and stopping takes longer
Loose gravel gives far less grip than pavement, so speed must come down for both steering and stopping.
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16. A friend who has been drinking insists on driving home. What is the right thing to do?
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Answer B: Take the keys and arrange a sober ride, even if the friend objects
An impaired driver is dangerous on any street at any speed, and coffee does not lower blood alcohol. Keeping the keys and finding another way home is the only safe choice.
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17. What does DC law say about all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes?
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Answer C: They may not be operated or parked on public property, including public space in the District
DC prohibits both operating and parking all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes on public property anywhere in the District.
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18. You are stopped at a stop sign waiting to turn onto a highway where traffic moves at 55 mph. How should you choose your gap?
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Answer A: Wait for a much larger gap than the one you would accept on a city street
Fast traffic covers ground while you are still accelerating, so the gap that feels adequate at 25 mph is dangerously short at highway speed.
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19. A fire truck with lights and siren has just passed you and is heading down the same road. How closely may you follow it?
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Answer B: Well back, because following a responding emergency vehicle closely is illegal
Following a responding emergency vehicle closely is prohibited; the exact minimum distance is set by each state, so stay far enough back to keep the scene and other responders clear.
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20. Why is standing water across a road dangerous even when it looks shallow?
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Answer B: It can hide a washed out roadbed, a deep hole or a missing cover
You cannot see the surface under the water, and floods commonly wash the roadbed away or lift covers off drains.
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21. What insurance must be shown to register a vehicle in the District of Columbia?
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Answer B: Proof of valid DC insurance
All vehicles registered in the District must carry proof of valid DC insurance, which must be presented at registration.
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22. What fine does DC set for owning or operating a vehicle without proper insurance?
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Answer B: 500 dollars
A vehicle owner who operates or permits the operation of a vehicle without proper insurance faces a 500 dollar fine in DC.
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23. What may DC not do to a driver who fails to pay an automated traffic enforcement ticket?
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Answer B: Suspend the driver license for that failure
DC law bars suspending a driver license because of failure to pay, respond to, or appear on an automated traffic enforcement notice.
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24. What fine does DC set for using a mobile telephone without a hands-free accessory while driving?
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Answer C: 100 dollars
DC sets a 100 dollar fine for distracted driving offenses, including handheld use of a mobile telephone.
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25. You are stopped at a red light waiting to turn right where the turn is allowed. Besides traffic from the left, what must you check?
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Answer D: Both crosswalks, and anyone approaching along your right side
A right turn on red crosses the crosswalk in front of you and enters the one on the cross street, and cyclists often approach along your right.