Washington DOL Motorcycle Practice Test 3
Test 3 of 6. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 40 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real Washington test.
- Questions50
- Correct to pass40
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age16 years
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1. How does Washington law classify a violation of the ban on holding a personal electronic device while driving?
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Answer D: A traffic infraction
Washington classifies a violation of the personal electronic device ban as a traffic infraction, not a criminal offense.
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2. Why do drivers so often misjudge how fast an approaching motorcycle is traveling?
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Answer C: A narrow vehicle seems to grow slowly, so it appears further away
A small frontal area changes size slowly as it approaches, so drivers read a motorcycle as further away and slower than it really is. Never assume a waiting driver has judged your speed correctly.
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3. A diamond-shaped sign is used to
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Answer A: warn of a condition on or next to the road that may call for caution
The diamond is the standard shape of the warning series, which alerts drivers to conditions that would otherwise not be obvious in time to react.
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4. What does a 16-year-old need to legally operate a moped in Washington, beyond meeting the minimum age?
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Answer A: A valid driver's license of any class, with no separate moped exam
Washington allows a person aged 16 or older who holds a valid driver's license of any class to operate a moped without taking a special moped examination.
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5. Where is ice most likely to form first on a cold day?
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Answer B: In shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses
Shaded spots stay cold longer and bridges and overpasses lose heat from below as well as above, so ice appears there before it appears elsewhere.
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6. A sign showing a walking figure inside a red circle with a diagonal slash stands at the start of a bridge. What does it mean?
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Answer C: People on foot may not use that roadway
The no pedestrians sign excludes people on foot from that roadway altogether, which is common on high-speed bridges and freeways.
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7. Why is it worth planning your route before a long drive?
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Answer B: So that you are not reading a map or a screen while the car is moving
A driver who knows the route is not navigating at the wheel, which is one of the commonest sources of distraction.
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8. What is the only reliable remedy for a driver who is sleepy?
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Answer A: Sleep
Caffeine, fresh air and noise may make you feel alert for a few minutes, but they do not remove the need for sleep. Stop somewhere safe and rest.
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9. You are joining a highway from a short ramp that has no acceleration lane. What should you do?
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Answer A: Stop or slow at the end of the ramp and wait for a safe gap
Without an acceleration lane there is no room to match speed, so you must yield at the end of the ramp and enter only when a gap allows it.
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10. A pedestrian is waiting to cross ahead of you and you have slowed down. What helps most?
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Answer D: Making eye contact, so that you both know you have seen each other
Eye contact confirms that you have seen each other; waving someone across can send them into the path of another vehicle.
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11. For which violations do Washington automated traffic safety cameras record images?
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Answer C: Failing to stop at a steady red light, failing to stop at a railroad crossing signal, and exceeding the speed limit in a school zone
Washington automated cameras record failure to stop at a steady red light, failure to stop at a railroad crossing signal and speeding in a school zone, and the ticket is mailed to the vehicle owner.
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12. About how far behind a tractor-trailer does the driver's rear blind spot reach?
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Answer C: Around 30 feet
The area behind a large truck is hidden for roughly 30 feet, so a driver tucked in there cannot be seen at all.
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13. What must a roadside assistance vehicle display to qualify for protection under Washington's move-over law?
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Answer A: Warning lights with 360-degree visibility
Washington's move-over law requires a roadside assistance vehicle to use warning lights visible from all directions, meaning 360-degree visibility, to qualify for coverage.
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14. Oil is visible running down the front fork tubes. What does that mean?
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Answer C: A fork seal has failed and the suspension needs repair
Fork oil escaping past a seal means the front suspension is losing its damping, and the oil can also reach the front brake and ruin its grip.
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15. Who is best suited to ride as the sweep at the back of a group?
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Answer B: An experienced rider who can handle a problem at the back
The sweep has to notice a rider dropping back or stopping and deal with it away from the rest of the group, which takes judgment and experience.
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16. A small plate under a stop sign reads CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP. What is it telling you?
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Answer D: Traffic on the cross street is not required to stop at all
The plate warns that the other road is uncontrolled, so you must wait for a gap instead of expecting anyone to take turns with you.
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17. Why does a passenger often feel the cold sooner than the rider on a long ride?
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Answer B: A passenger sits still and does not have the fuel tank to shelter behind
The rider has a screen or a tank to break the wind and is busy operating the machine, while a passenger sits exposed and inactive and chills faster.
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18. What is the school zone speed limit in Washington?
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Answer B: 20 miles per hour
Washington sets the school zone speed limit at 20 miles per hour, and signs may clarify when the limit applies.
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19. Besides a chemical test, what else supports an impaired driving charge?
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Answer B: The officer's observations of the driving and the driver
Weaving, slow responses, speech and balance observed by the officer are evidence in their own right, which is why a driver can be charged on behavior alone.
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20. What does Washington law say about wearing headphones or earbuds while driving?
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Answer D: It is against the law to drive while wearing earbuds, earphones, headphones or headsets that broadcast sound or cancel noise
Washington makes it illegal to drive while wearing earbuds, earphones, headphones or headsets that broadcast sound or cancel noise, although a compliant hands-free device may be used in one ear.
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21. A turn restriction sign at the corner shows a range of times below the symbol. What does that mean?
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Answer A: The turn is banned only during the hours shown on the sign
Times posted under a regulatory symbol set the period during which the restriction applies; outside those hours the movement is permitted.
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22. Just before the front wheel reaches an obstacle, what should you do with the throttle?
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Answer C: Roll it on slightly to lighten the front end
A small amount of throttle shifts weight rearward and lightens the front wheel so it rides over the obstacle more easily.
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23. You are driving on a divided highway and see a solid yellow line along the left side of your lanes. What does it tell you?
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Answer D: It marks the left edge of the roadway for your direction
On a divided highway or a one-way roadway, the left edge of the traveled way is marked with a solid yellow line.
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24. You arrive at an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure. How should you proceed?
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Answer C: Treat the intersection as an all-way stop
When a signal shows no indication at all, drivers on every approach must stop and then take turns, exactly as at an all-way stop.
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25. You reach a T intersection where the cross street has a ONE WAY sign pointing to the right. What may you do?
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Answer B: Turn right only, because the street carries traffic in that direction
The arrow shows the only direction traffic may travel, so the only legal movement from the terminating road is a right turn.
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26. What happens under Washington law if a driver cannot display proof of financial responsibility when a law enforcement officer requests it?
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Answer C: The driver commits a traffic infraction
Washington makes it a traffic infraction to fail to display proof of financial responsibility when a law enforcement officer requests it.
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27. The added lane warning sign tells a driver that
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Answer A: an extra lane begins ahead, so entering traffic does not have to merge into an existing lane
Where a lane is added, traffic entering the roadway gets a lane of its own, so merging is not required, although drivers should still watch the vehicles beside them.
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28. Besides the sunset-to-sunrise window, when else does Washington law require a vehicle to display lighted headlights?
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Answer B: Whenever visibility drops so low that vehicles can't be seen 1,000 feet ahead
Washington also requires headlights any time insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions keep people and vehicles from being clearly seen at a distance of 1,000 feet.
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29. You are stopped in a line of traffic on a steep uphill grade. What should you do about the gap to the vehicle ahead?
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Answer B: Leave more room than usual, because vehicles can roll back as they pull away
A vehicle ahead can roll back a foot or more as its driver releases the brake, and a motorcycle stopped tight behind it has nowhere to go.
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30. What should a rider understand about the horn on a motorcycle?
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Answer A: It is often weak and may not be heard, so it never replaces an escape route
A small horn competes with a closed car, a radio and traffic noise, so a rider plans a way out instead of trusting the horn to be heard.
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31. What is the standard reissue fee to reinstate a Washington driver's license after a suspension unrelated to DUI?
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Answer D: $75
Washington's standard reissue fee to reinstate a suspended license is $75.
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32. A driver is following your motorcycle much too closely. What should you do?
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Answer B: Ease off the throttle and open more space ahead so the driver can pass
Slowing gradually and opening a bigger gap in front encourages the tailgater to pass and gives the rider room to stop gently instead of hard.
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33. When does Washington law require a motorcycle rider to wear eye protection?
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Answer A: When riding on public roadways, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield
Washington law requires eye protection when riding on public roadways unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.
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34. For a first Washington DUI conviction where the alcohol concentration is below 0.15, what is the mandatory minimum jail term set by statute?
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Answer B: 24 hours
Washington law sets a mandatory minimum of 24 consecutive hours in jail for a first DUI conviction when the alcohol concentration is below 0.15.
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35. A SHOULDER DROP OFF sign warns that
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Answer B: there is a step down from the pavement to the shoulder
The sign is used where the edge of the pavement stands several inches above the shoulder, which can grab a wheel and pull the vehicle sideways.
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36. When a Washington local authority lowers a speed limit through the general alteration process, how far can it go outside of intersections?
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Answer C: No lower than 20 miles per hour
Washington law bars a local authority from lowering a speed limit below 20 miles per hour outside of intersections through the general alteration process.
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37. Roughly how far does a vehicle travel at 55 mph during the few seconds a driver spends reading a text message?
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Answer D: About the length of a football field
Sending or reading a message takes the eyes off the road for about five seconds, which at 55 mph covers roughly the length of a football field with nobody watching the road.
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38. What restrictions apply to a Washington motorcycle instruction permit holder?
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Answer A: No carrying passengers and no riding at night
Washington motorcycle instruction permit holders may not carry passengers and may not ride at night.
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39. You are approaching the entry of a modern roundabout. Who must you yield to?
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Answer C: Traffic already circulating in the roundabout, which approaches from your left
Traffic in a United States roundabout circulates counterclockwise, so drivers entering must look left and yield to vehicles already in the circulating roadway.
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40. You are slowing to turn right at an intersection and a bicyclist is riding beside your right side in a bike lane. What should you do?
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Answer D: Let the bicyclist go through the intersection before you begin the turn
Turning across the path of a bicyclist who is going straight causes the classic right-hook crash. The rider continuing straight has the right-of-way over your turn.
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41. A crash happens directly in front of you and vehicles are blocking both lanes. What should you do?
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Answer B: Stop at a safe distance, put on the hazards and warn the traffic behind
The greatest danger after a crash is a second collision, so stop short of it and make sure the traffic behind you can see the problem.
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42. About how much alcohol can the body eliminate per hour?
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Answer A: About one standard drink
The liver removes alcohol at a nearly fixed rate of roughly one standard drink per hour. Drinking faster than that raises the blood alcohol level, and nothing speeds the process.
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43. Why is a U-turn on a one-way street a problem?
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Answer A: You would end up facing the wrong way against all the traffic
Every lane of a one-way street runs the same way, so turning around leaves you driving head-on against all of the traffic.
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44. The vehicle you have borrowed is larger and heavier than your own. How should you drive it?
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Answer B: Allow more room for stopping and for turns until you are used to it
Extra weight and length mean longer stopping distances and wider turns, so give yourself more room until you are used to it.
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45. A driver has to stop for a train at this sign. How far back from the nearest rail should the vehicle be held?
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Answer C: No closer than roughly fifteen feet
A train and its load overhang the rails, so stopping no closer than about fifteen feet keeps the vehicle outside the space the train actually sweeps.
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46. A driver in the left lane of a freeway realizes only when level with this sign that the ramp beside it is the one they need. What is the correct action?
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Answer A: Carry on to the next interchange and turn back from there
There is no safe way back to a ramp once it has been reached from the wrong lane, so the driver keeps going to the next interchange, where the ramps are built for that movement.
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47. You are stopped at a T-intersection and a driver on the through road is signaling a right turn into your road. What is the safe assumption?
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Answer B: The driver may not actually turn, so wait until the vehicle slows and starts turning
A blinking signal may have been left on by mistake or may be for the next street, so wait until the vehicle actually slows and turns.
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48. You reach an intersection showing a steady red light, and a stop line is painted across your lane. Where must you bring the vehicle to a complete stop?
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Answer C: Before the stop line
A steady red requires a complete stop before the marked stop line. Where there is no stop line you stop before the crosswalk, and where there is neither, before entering the intersection.
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49. What does the implied consent law mean for drivers?
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Answer D: By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test if lawfully arrested for impaired driving
Holding a license and driving on public roads is treated as consent to breath, blood or urine testing when an officer has grounds to arrest you. Refusing normally brings its own license penalties.
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50. What kind of signals must a stationary authorized emergency vehicle be using to trigger Washington's move-over law?
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Answer B: Audible or visual signals meeting state equipment standards
Washington's move-over law requires a stationary authorized emergency vehicle to be using audible or visual signals that meet the state's equipment requirements for such vehicles.