Washington permit test: road markings
Lane lines, center lines, turn lanes, crosswalks, bike lanes, bicycle boxes and other markings. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key road markings rulesShow the rules
- When a road has no lane markings at all, keep your car toward the right edge, as far over as you safely can. (p. 130)
- Medians divide roadways and can be painted 18-inch solid yellow markings. (p. 131)
- Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. (p. 131)
- Double solid white lines are a barrier between lanes, and it is illegal to cross them. (p. 132)
- A dashed yellow line marks the center of a two-way, two-lane road. (p. 132)
- Once you're in a turn lane, you must follow through with the turn. (p. 133)
- Stop lines appear at stop signs and signals. (p. 138)
- Sharrows show a lane is shared with bicycles. (p. 139)
- The school zone speed limit is 20 mph, because higher speeds raise the risk of fatal crashes. (p. 140)
- At a bicycle box you may not make a right turn on red. (p. 140)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample road markings questions
1.You moved into a marked turn lane, then realize you wanted to go straight. What must you do?
- ASwerve back into the through lane
- BBack up into your old lane
- CStop and wait for a gap
- DComplete the turn
Show the answer
✓ D. Complete the turn
Once you're in a turn lane, you must follow through with the turn. Find another way back afterward.
2.You are on a two-lane, two-way road with a dashed yellow center line. What may you do?
- APass only on the right shoulder
- BPass only at night
- CNever pass on this road
- DPass using the other lane when safe
Show the answer
✓ D. Pass using the other lane when safe
A dashed yellow line marks the center of a two-way, two-lane road. If it's safe, you may use the oncoming lane to pass.
3.A pedestrian waits to cross at an intersection with no painted crosswalk lines. Is there a crosswalk there?
- AOnly near a school
- BYes, every intersection is a crosswalk
- COnly if there is a walk signal
- DNo, only painted lines make one
Show the answer
✓ B. Yes, every intersection is a crosswalk
Not all crosswalks are marked. Every intersection is legally a crosswalk whether or not it has markings, and you must yield to pedestrians there.
4.You see sharrow markings in your lane and a cyclist ahead. How much space must you give when passing?
- AAt least 6 feet
- BNo set amount
- CAt least 3 feet
- DAt least 1 foot
Show the answer
✓ C. At least 3 feet
Sharrows show a lane is shared with bicycles. Drive slowly and give at least 3 feet of space when passing.