District Of Columbia DMV Practice Test

Question 1

Using a handheld cell phone while driving is:

Accepted Answer

Illegal in most states regardless of speaker mode — handheld use is banned for all drivers in many states

Answer

Legal in most states as long as you use speaker mode

Answer

Only illegal for drivers under 18

Answer

Legal on residential streets but not on highways

Question 2

What is the 'four-second rule' and when does it apply?

Accepted Answer

Double the standard 2-second rule (4+ seconds) applied in adverse conditions - rain, fog, snow, ice, heavy traffic, when towing, or when fatigued

Answer

A rule only for commercial drivers

Answer

A parking distance rule

Answer

The time required to signal and check mirrors before a lane change

Question 3

An 'SR-22' form is:

Accepted Answer

A certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have minimum required insurance — required after DUI, serious violations, or license reinstatement

Answer

A standard vehicle registration form

Answer

A form requesting a driver's record review

Answer

A vehicle inspection certificate

Question 4

In Washington DC, what does a green arrow signal mean?

Accepted Answer

You may proceed in the direction of the arrow — cross-traffic is stopped

Answer

Yield to oncoming traffic before turning

Answer

Pedestrians have the right of way

Answer

Proceed only if the intersection is clear

Question 5

You are about to pass this bicyclist. You should:

Accepted Answer

Give at least three feet of clearance and pass when the opposing lane is clear

Answer

Follow closely until the cyclist moves over

Answer

Pass closely to get by quickly

Answer

Honk and pass immediately

Question 6

The safest place to use your phone or GPS is:

Accepted Answer

In a parking lot or other safe location where your vehicle is completely stopped and off the road

Answer

At a red light — you are stopped so it is safe

Answer

While on a straight highway with no other cars

Answer

During slow stop-and-go traffic

Question 7

What is 'threat identification' as part of the SIPDE process?

Accepted Answer

The second step of SIPDE - after scanning ahead, the driver mentally categorizes which objects, conditions, or behaviors pose actual or potential hazards requiring a response

Answer

Calling police about suspicious vehicles

Answer

Only identifying vehicles running red lights

Answer

Identifying road hazards like potholes

Question 8

What is an 'out-of-service' condition for a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A defect serious enough to prohibit operation until repaired - includes completely failed brakes, structural failures, or defects that make the vehicle imminently dangerous

Answer

The vehicle needs routine maintenance

Answer

The vehicle registration has expired

Answer

The vehicle needs fuel

Question 9

A shared center left-turn lane (two-way left-turn lane) may be used for:

Accepted Answer

Making left turns and for merging when entering traffic from a driveway

Answer

Emergency stopping only

Answer

Passing slower traffic

Answer

Driving for extended distances

Question 10

When turning across multiple lanes, you must turn into:

Accepted Answer

The nearest lane of the direction you are turning into - complete the turn in that lane and then move to the desired lane after completing the turn

Answer

The far lane - it is safer to be away from the curb

Answer

Any available lane as long as you signal

Answer

The leftmost lane to maximize sight distance

District Of Columbia DMV Practice Test

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