DC permit practice test 2026

DC's manual sets the unposted school zone speed limit at 15 miles per hour.

Glare hides brake lights and pedestrians. Slow down, clean the inside of your windshield, and leave more room.

Treat a flashing red exactly like a stop sign: full stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when the way is clear.

Expired registration is an easy stop for an officer and, in many states, grounds for towing.

DC's manual requires all vehicles to stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of a stopped school vehicle operating its alternating flashing red lights.

A flashing yellow arrow is an unprotected turn. Oncoming traffic has the green, so you may only go when there is a safe gap.

DC law requires a turn signal, arm, or hand signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning.

Seeing both headlights of the vehicle you passed in your mirror means you have enough room to move back over without cutting the driver off.

States teach 9 and 3, 8 and 4, or lower still. Each gives good control and keeps your arms out of the airbag's path; 10 and 2 puts them where it deploys.

Flashing yellow means proceed with care. You do not have to stop, but you must slow down and watch for cross traffic and pedestrians.

A parent or guardian certifies the hours.

Do not cut into or interrupt a procession, even if you have a green light, unless directed by an officer.

High beams reflect off fog and blind you. Use low beams or fog lights, slow down, and pull well off the road if you cannot see.

Tread channels water away. Once it is shallow, wet grip falls off sharply. Check with a tread gauge or the built-in wear bars.

DC's manual requires certifying at least 10 hours of night driving experience, accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older, before advancing to a full driver license.

Urban interstates are held to a lower maximum than open rural highway, because of interchange spacing and traffic volume.

The orange triangle marks a vehicle traveling under 25 mph. Closing speed is higher than it looks, so slow early and pass only with a long clear view.

DC's manual sets the unposted alley speed limit at 15 miles per hour.

The state requires hands-free operation for every driver. Novice drivers are usually barred from using a phone at all, even hands-free.

This is a true zero tolerance state: any measurable alcohol is enough for a suspension, and mouthwash or cough syrup can reach it.

It is one of the few traffic offenses that regularly carries jail, and it extends the original suspension.

A dark signal is treated as an all-way stop. Stop, then take turns in the order vehicles arrived.

Applicants under 18 also need parental consent, and the permit must be held for a set period before the road test.

Right on red requires a full stop first, then yielding to everyone already entitled to go. A NO TURN ON RED sign removes the option entirely.

Interactions are unpredictable and often far stronger than the sum of the parts.