What safe driving rules are on the Washington permit test?

Washington's safe driving questions come from its own statutes and the Washington Department of Licensing handbook. QuizLane covers 3 Washington-specific safe driving items, drawn from 3 distinct source sections, alongside 10 questions on rules that apply in every state.

How many safe driving questions are on the Washington permit test?

Washington Department of Licensing does not publish a per-topic breakdown. The test as a whole has 40 questions and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass, so safe driving is worth studying alongside every other topic rather than in isolation.

Are these official Washington DMV safe driving questions?

No. These are original study questions written against Washington law and the official handbook, each carrying the section it came from. They are not endorsed by Washington Department of Licensing and are not copies of the real exam.

Do I need an account to practice Washington safe driving questions?

No. Practice starts immediately as a guest. An account is optional and only saves your attempt history across devices.

In Washington, using a personal electronic device while driving includes:

Holding the device in either hand or both hands

Washington generally requires a person operating a motorcycle on a public highway to wear:

A motorcycle helmet with the neck or chin strap fastened securely

No helmet if traveling under 30 mph

WASafe driving

Washington safe driving practice questions

3 questions below test Washington’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Washington Department of Licensing handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.

The Washington permit knowledge test has 40 questions in total and needs 32 correct (80%) to pass.

Practice safe driving All Washington topics

Washington law

3 questions on Washington’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. Washington seat-belt law requires every person of what age or older operating or riding in a motor vehicle to wear a properly fastened safety belt?
- A18 years
- B12 years
- C14 years
- 16 years
Answer: 16 years. RCW 46.61.688 requires every person sixteen years of age or older operating or riding in a motor vehicle to wear the safety belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.
Source: Revised Code of Washington — RCW 46.61.688
2. In Washington, using a personal electronic device while driving includes:
- AOnly using social media
- BOnly video calls
- COnly sending text messages
- Holding the device in either hand or both hands
Answer: Holding the device in either hand or both hands. RCW 46.61.672 prohibits using a personal electronic device while driving; "use" includes holding a personal electronic device in either hand or both hands, among other hand/finger interactions.
Source: Revised Code of Washington — RCW 46.61.672
3. Washington generally requires a person operating a motorcycle on a public highway to wear:
- ANo helmet if traveling under 30 mph
- BOnly eye protection
- A motorcycle helmet with the neck or chin strap fastened securely
- DA helmet only under age 18
Answer: A motorcycle helmet with the neck or chin strap fastened securely. RCW 46.37.530 makes it unlawful to operate a motorcycle, moped, or motor-driven cycle on a state highway, county road, or city street unless wearing a motorcycle helmet with the neck or chin strap fastened securely, with limited equipment exceptions.
Source: Revised Code of Washington — RCW 46.37.530

Sources for the Washington 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 Washington items above for 13 questions in total.

1. To reduce glare from an oncoming vehicle's headlights at night, you should look:
- AInto your rear-view mirror
- BDirectly at the oncoming headlights
- Toward the right edge of your lane
- DDown at your dashboard
Answer: Toward the right edge of your lane. Shifting your gaze to the right edge line keeps you oriented in your lane while the bright lights pass out of your direct vision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Night driving — glare
2. How far ahead should you normally be looking while driving?
- AOnly at the vehicle directly in front
- BAs far as your headlights reach, at all speeds
- CJust past the hood of your car
- About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead
Answer: About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead. Looking well ahead gives time to spot hazards and react smoothly instead of braking or swerving at the last moment.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
3. If you must handle something that will take your attention from driving, the safest choice is to:
- ADrive faster to finish the trip sooner
- BLook down briefly while moving
- CAsk traffic to move around you
- Pull over and stop in a safe place
Answer: Pull over and stop in a safe place. Anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind from driving increases risk. Stop safely before handling the task.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Driver fitness — distraction

Practice all 13 safe driving questions

Safe driving rules in other states

Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.

AlaskaAK · 6 questions ArizonaAZ · 2 questions ColoradoCO · 3 questions HawaiiHI · 5 questions IdahoID · 4 questions MontanaMT · 5 questions NevadaNV · 2 questions New MexicoNM · 5 questions

Confirm current Washington rules

Statutes and handbooks change. Washington Department of Licensing is authoritative for Washington safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.

Visit Washington Department of Licensing

Common questions

About Washington safe driving rules and this practice set.