Washington Car / Permit practice
Washington Car / Permit: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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Study questions with answers
12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. A steady yellow traffic light tells you what?
Correct answer: The light is changing to red, so prepare to stop
A solid yellow warns that the signal is about to turn red. Slow down and prepare to stop; you may not speed up past the limit to beat the light.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Traffic Light Signals (4.11)
2. What symbol identifies an HOV (carpool) lane on signs and pavement in Washington?
Correct answer: A diamond
HOV lanes are marked with a diamond symbol and are separated from other lanes by a solid white line. They require meeting posted occupancy rules; motorcycles are allowed.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — HOV / Carpool (4.16)
3. At an intersection, a flashing red traffic light means you should do what?
Correct answer: Treat it as a stop sign and stop fully before going
A flashing red works exactly like a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, then proceed when it is your turn and the way is clear.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Traffic Light Signals (4.11)
4. A solid yellow line paired with a dashed yellow line means what for the driver on the solid-line side?
Correct answer: You must not pass
If a solid yellow stripe sits on your half of the road, passing is prohibited. Where the broken stripe falls on your half instead, passing is allowed once it is safe.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Road Markings (4.16)
5. In a reversible lane, a steady yellow X displayed overhead tells you to do what?
Correct answer: Move out of the lane because it is changing direction
A steady yellow X warns that the lane will soon reverse, so leave it as quickly as you safely can. A green arrow opens the lane for your use, while a red X keeps you out.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Reversible Lanes (4.16)
6. How should you respond to a green arrow signal?
Correct answer: Proceed in the direction of the arrow with the right-of-way
A green arrow grants a protected right-of-way to move the way it points. While it stays lit, crossing vehicles and pedestrians should be held back.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Traffic Light Signals (4.11)
7. A single dashed white line between two lanes going the same direction means what?
Correct answer: You may cross to change lanes when it is safe
A dashed white line means you may cross it to change lanes when it is safe. White separates same-direction traffic; the dashes signal a lane change is permitted.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Road Markings (4.16)
8. What do double solid yellow centerlines indicate about passing?
Correct answer: Passing is banned in both directions
Double solid yellow lines mark the middle of a two-way road where passing is prohibited in both directions. Do not cross them to get around another vehicle.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Road Markings (4.16)
9. A flashing yellow traffic light should be treated the same as which sign?
Correct answer: A yield sign
A flashing yellow signal carries the same message a yield sign does. Ease off the gas, treat the crossing as uncontrolled, and proceed once the way is yours.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Traffic Light Signals (4.11)
10. What does a steady red arrow signal mean for a driver?
Correct answer: You cannot go in the direction the arrow points
A red arrow means you cannot travel in the direction the arrow points. You must wait until the signal changes before moving that way.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Traffic Light Signals (4.11)
11. On a two-lane road, a broken (dashed) yellow center line on your side of the road means what?
Correct answer: You may pass when it is safe
A broken yellow line marks the center of a two-way road. Where it falls on your side, briefly entering the oncoming lane to pass is allowed when doing so is safe.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Road Markings (4.16)
12. What do yellow lines painted between lanes tell you about the traffic they separate?
Correct answer: Traffic on each side flows in opposite directions
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.
Source: Washington Driver Guide — Road Markings, Lanes (4.16)
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