District of Columbia safe driving practice questions
6 questions below test District of Columbia’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or DC Department of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The District of Columbia permit knowledge test has 30 questions in total and needs 24 correct (80%) to pass.
District of Columbia law
6 questions on District of Columbia’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. While driving in the District of Columbia, you may not use a mobile telephone or other personal wireless communications device unless you:
- AKeep one hand on the wheel
- Use a hands-free accessory (and you may not hold the device)
- COnly dial, never talk
- DAre over 21
Answer: Use a hands-free accessory (and you may not hold the device). D.C. Code §50-1731.04 restricts use of a mobile telephone or other personal wireless communications device without a hands-free accessory, and prohibits holding or attempting to hold such a device (with listed exceptions).
Source: D.C. Code — §50-1731.04
2. A D.C. driver under 18 generally may not operate a motor vehicle between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday–Thursday nights (except July/August), and between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.:
- ANever — there is no night restriction
- BOnly on federal holidays
- During July and August and on any Saturday or Sunday
- DOnly when raining
Answer: During July and August and on any Saturday or Sunday. D.C. Code §50-1401.01 restricts under-18 operation between 11:00 p.m. on Sunday–Thursday until 6:00 a.m. the following day during any month except July or August, and from 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. during July and August and on any Saturday or Sunday (with statutory exceptions).
Source: D.C. Code — §50-1401.01
3. A D.C. driver under 18 shall not operate a motor vehicle occupied by more than how many passengers under age 21 (except siblings)?
- AOne
- Two
- CThree
- DFour
Answer: Two. D.C. Code §50-1401.01 provides that a person under 18 shall not operate a motor vehicle occupied by more than 2 passengers under the age of 21, except that this restriction shall not apply to a passenger who is a sibling of the permittee.
Source: D.C. Code — §50-1401.01
4. In D.C., a child of less than 3 years of age must be properly restrained in:
- ANo restraint if the trip is under 5 miles
- BA seat belt only
- A child restraint seat (with rear-facing rules for certain young/small children)
- DThe front seat only
Answer: A child restraint seat (with rear-facing rules for certain young/small children). D.C. Code §50-1703(a) provides that the operator may not transport any child of less than 3 years of age unless the child is properly restrained in a child restraint seat, with additional rear-facing requirements for certain children under 2 who weigh less than 40 pounds or measure less than 40 inches.
Source: D.C. Code — §50-1703
5. In D.C., children under 8 years of age shall be properly seated in an installed infant, convertible, or booster child safety seat, and a booster seat shall only be used with:
- AA shoulder belt alone
- BA lap belt alone
- Both a lap and shoulder belt
- DNo belt if the seat has a harness
Answer: Both a lap and shoulder belt. D.C. Code §50-1703(b) requires children under 8 to be properly seated in an installed infant, convertible (toddler) or booster child safety seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and states a booster seat shall only be used with both a lap and shoulder belt.
Source: D.C. Code — §50-1703
6. A D.C. driver under 18 shall not operate a motor vehicle in which:
- AThere is more than one adult
- BAny passenger is under 30
- The permittee or any passenger fails to wear a seat belt
- DThe radio is on
Answer: The permittee or any passenger fails to wear a seat belt. D.C. Code §50-1401.01 provides that a person under 18 shall not operate a motor vehicle in which the permittee or any passenger fails to wear a seat belt.
Source: D.C. Code — §50-1401.01
Sources for the District of Columbia items above
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the District of Columbia items above for 16 questions in total.
1. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
2. How often should you check your mirrors in normal driving?
- AAbout once a minute
- BOnly when slowing down
- Every 5 to 8 seconds
- DOnly before changing lanes
Answer: Every 5 to 8 seconds. Frequent mirror checks keep you aware of vehicles approaching or sitting in your blind areas before a situation develops.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
3. Maintaining a space cushion around your vehicle mainly gives you:
- AFreedom from signalling
- BBetter fuel economy
- Time and room to react to a hazard
- DA higher legal speed limit
Answer: Time and room to react to a hazard. Open space on all sides means a sudden hazard can be met with a steering or braking option instead of a collision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — space cushion
More District of Columbia topics
Other District of Columbia rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current District of Columbia rules
Statutes and handbooks change. DC Department of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for District of Columbia safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit DC Department of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About District of Columbia safe driving rules and this practice set.