Free DMV Practice Tests for District of Columbia
District of Columbia DMV Knowledge Test – Quick Facts
| What You Should Know | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on exam: | 25 (non-GRAD) 30 (GRAD) |
| Passing score: | 80 percent |
| Correct answers to pass: | 20 (non-GRAD) 24 (GRAD) |
| Allotted time to complete test: | 60 min. (non-GRAD) 75 min. (GRAD) |
| Wait time before retest: | 3 days |
| This Practice Test | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on each practice test: | 25 |
| Question pool: | 500+ |
| Each test is random | |
Results
Good job! This is a passing score. Do you want to try another test?
Unfortunately, this is not a passing score. Do you want to try another test?
#1. When a school bus with flashing red lights stops on the other side of a road with five or more lanes and a shared center turn lane, you should:
When a school vehicle is stopping or has stopped on the roadway, and is operating the alternating flashing red lights, all vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of the school vehicle. No one can proceed until the alternating flashing red lights have been turned off.
Drivers on the other side of a divided highway are not required to stop.
#2. Where is the pavement marked with the letter R on each side of a large X?
Markings on the road, consisting of a white X and the letters RR, alert you that you are about to cross railroad tracks and need to watch for trains.
#3. What is most important when you adjust to a safe speed?
Posted speed limits do not tell you at what speed to drive. They only tell you what the maximum legal speed is under ideal conditions. By law, you must go slower if conditions make the posted speed limit unsafe. Your speed should depend on things like traffic, road condition, weather, visibility, and the presence of bicyclists or pedestrians.
#4. When following a fire vehicle responding to an alarm, you must keep this distance:
Do not follow any fire apparatus closer than 500 feet when it is responding to an emergency.
#5. Which is one factor that significantly affects your stopping distance?
Your actual stopping distance will depend upon many factors, including:
- Your perception and reaction time.
- Type and condition of the pavement.
- Percentage of grade of roadway.
- Kind and condition of tire treads.
- Vehicle design and condition of shock absorbers.
- Type and condition of brakes.
- Direction and speed of the wind.
Note: a posted speed limit does not affect the stopping distance, only your actual speed does. Speed limits do not tell you at what speed you should drive. They only say you cannot go faster than the speed shown.
#6. What lanes are marked by signs or pavement markings with a white diamond symbol?
A diamond-shaped marking shows that a lane is reserved for high occupancy vehicles. The sign means the lane or lanes indicated are reserved for buses and vehicles with the minimum number of occupants specified on the sign.
#7. When you approach a roundabout:
When approaching, slow down to the posted advisory speed. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. When entering a traffic circle or rotary, you must yield to drivers already in the circle.
#8. When must you use your headlights?
By law, you must turn on your headlights one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
You must turn on your headlights at other times when you cannot see persons or vehicles on the highway clearly at 500 feet or less.
You must also turn on your headlights when the windshield wipers are on.
#9. What does this sign mean?
Sharp turn. There is a sharp turn to the left in the road ahead.
The turn is too sharp to take at the regular highway speed. An advisory speed sign may be attached.
#10. When you see a sign with this shape and color, you must:
The stop sign is the only 8-sided sign you will see on the highway. When you come to a stop sign, you must make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop at the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
Before starting, you must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or pedestrian.
#11. If your vehicle stalls in the path of an oncoming train, you should get away from the tracks and move in what direction?
If there is a train coming, get out of the vehicle and run along the side of the tracks toward the train, to avoid being struck by the debris from the accident.
#12. A pentagon-shaped sign means:
The pentagon (five-sided) shape warns you of school zones and marks school crossings.
#13. It is illegal to park a car:
Parking is not allowed in front of any barricade or sign that has been placed for the purpose of closing the street.
#14. What should you do if you have conventional brakes (non-ABS) and the brakes fail?
Try to get some brake pressure by pumping the brake pedal.
If you cannot get your brakes to work, shift to a lower gear and use your parking brake.
#15. When you see this sign:
Merging traffic sign.
Merging traffic from the right is just ahead.
#16. Compared to a passenger car, the stopping distance of a large truck is:
Trucks have longer stopping and accelerating distances.
#17. U-turns at intersections controlled by traffic lights are:
In the District of Columbia, U-turns are prohibited at intersections controlled by traffic lights or police officer, or on a crosswalk adjacent to such an intersection.
#18. A flashing red traffic signal at an intersection has the same meaning as:
A flashing red signal light means stop.
You must come to a complete stop, yield to all other traffic and to pedestrians. Proceed when the way is clear.
#19. You may only overtake another vehicle on the right on a two-lane, two-way roadway if:
On a two-lane highway, you may pass on the right only when the vehicle being overtaken is making or is about to make a left turn.
However, you must stay on the traveled portion of the road. You cannot drive on the shoulder of the road to pass another vehicle.
#20. What should you do at the first sign of rain or snow?
Slow down at the first sign of rain, drizzle, or snow on the road. Turn on your windshield wipers, headlights, and defroster.
#21. When you see a truck with an oversized load ahead of you, you should:
If you cannot see the truck driver’s rear-view mirrors, there is no way the truck driver can see you. Tailgating a truck is dangerous because you take away your own cushion of safety if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly.
Increase your following distance and position your vehicle so the truck driver can see it in the side mirrors, then you will have a good view of the road ahead and the truck driver can give you plenty of warning for a stop or a turn.
#22. If there is an oncoming vehicle approaching head-on in your lane, your best escape path from a collision is:
Avoid swerving to the left, into the oncoming lane or traffic.
If you see a vehicle coming toward you in your lane, pull to the right, slow down, sound your horn, and flash your headlights. Do not turn into the lane the vehicle has left as the other driver may wake up, realize the mistake, and turn back into their proper lane.
Remember, if you have a choice, running your vehicle into a ditch may be preferable to hitting another vehicle head-on.
#23. Which factor most likely affects blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels?
Factors affecting blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels include:
- How quickly you drink
- Body weight
- Alcohol concentration
- Medications
BAC does not depend on what kind of alcoholic beverage you drink, how physically fit you are, or how well you can hold your liquor. Food in the stomach causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly, slowing down the rate and the amount of intoxication. The kind of food is not a primary factor.
#24. A driver's license is:
Driving a motor vehicle in the District of Columbia is a privilege and not a right. Your driver’s license grants you the privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the roadways safely and responsibly.
#25. Which of the following is the most common kind of motor vehicle accident?
Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of motor vehicle accidents.
District of Columbia DMV Sample and Practice Tests
This 25-question sample test addresses the non-grad knowledge test, which includes all questions about road signs, traffic signals, D.C. traffic rules, safe driving, and common courtesy on the road.
The official 30-question GRAD test contains additional questions about the graduated licensing program. If you are under 21 and must complete the graduated licensing steps, you must also pass the 30-question test. You can find an example of this test at Licenseroute.com – DMV Practice Test for Permit or check your knowledge of the D.C. graduated licensing program here
Each Sample Test is Random
Each driver’s license and learner’s permit test at driver’s prep has 25 random questions drawn from a larger pool of questions. Every test is different, and you will likely see new questions when you restart the test.
After each question, you will get instant feedback. If your answer is incorrect, there is also a brief comment that explains the correct answer. Remember that you can find all answers on the official examination in the D.C. Driver’s Manual.
The passing score in the District of Columbia is 80 percent, meaning you must correctly answer at least 20 of these 25 DMV questions. Aim a little higher when you are studying and preparing for the exam. You have a better chance of passing the examination if you score 100%.
You Should Always Read the D.C. Driver’s Manual
Studying the D.C. Driver’s Manual is a must for successfully passing the driver knowledge test.
You can get a PDF-version of the manual online from dmv.dc.gov or from your local Service office .
Always start by reading the manual. Then, use these practice tests to check how much you have learned and whether you are ready for the exam.
Don’t use the practice tests instead of the manual, even if friends and some less committed websites suggest such a strategy. The best way to learn is to put the rules of the road in context and not simply try to memorize questions and answers.
Learn more about How to Study for the driver test.
Who Must Pass the District of Columbia Driver’s License Test?
If you never had a license before, you must always pass the written knowledge test.
In District of Columbia, foreign Nationals with a valid out-of-country or out-of-state driver’s license must also pass the knowledge examination.
If you have a D.C. driver’s license and let it expire for more than 365 days, you must take and pass the knowledge test or take the District’s online traffic school course to waive the knowledge test. If your D.C. driver’s license has expired for more than 545 days, you must take and pass both the knowledge test and the road skills test.
When DMV has revoked your driver’s license and you want it back, you must apply for a new license and take all necessary tests again.
Things to Know about the Knowledge Examination
The driver examination checks your knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, and driving safety rules. The knowledge test will show if you can drive a vehicle following D.C. law.
The knowledge test consists of several highway signs. The DMV examiner will also check if you pay attention to the signs during the driving test. You should learn all common highway signs and know how to act when you see one.
Languages
You can take the driver’s license knowledge examination at any DMV service center. There is no need for an appointment. DMV offers all testing on a walk-in basis. Tests are available in the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
You can get an audio-assisted test if you need help with reading. Ask for a headset before you take the exam.
If you fail the official knowledge test, you must wait at least 72 hours (3 days) before retaking it on the 4th day.
Should you fail your knowledge test six (6) consecutive times, you must wait one year from the date you failed the first test.
You must pay a new testing fee each time you take the knowledge test. Trying to pass it the first time by preparing well is a good idea.
How many questions are on the District of Columbia DMV exam?
If you are under 21 years and follow the graduated licensing steps, the official knowledge test has 30 questions. If you are 21 years or older, the test has 25 questions.
What is the passing score on the District of Columbia DMV exam?
The passing score is 80%. On the GRAD test with 30 questions, you must correctly answer 24 questions. On the 25-question test for applicants over 21 years, you must correctly answer 20 questions.
What is the waiting time if I fail the D.C. DMV knowledge exam?
You must wait at least 3 days and can retake the test on the 4th day.
Remember
Walk-in service is available at all Service Centers and Adjudication Services.
Road tests for commercial and noncommercial driver’s licenses are by appointment only.
I need to test on line
DC DMV does not offer the official test online from your home. You must take your knowledge test at a Service Center or Test Proctoring Center.