Question 1 of 20Road signs
Washington road signs test: free practice
Washington road signs test: free practice with 20 sign questions.
Road-sign questions
Question 2 of 20Speed and following distance
What is the school zone speed limit in Washington?
Question 3 of 20Right of way
Some Washington crosswalks have lights set into the pavement. What must you do when those lights flash?
Question 4 of 20Road signs
Inside a Washington highway work zone, who must yield to road crews and to vehicles with flashing yellow lights?
Question 5 of 20Road signs
What does this sign warn of?
Question 6 of 20Road signs
Why is this sign placed on the left side of the road?
Question 7 of 20Road signs
What should you do when you see this sign?
Question 8 of 20Road signs
What may you not do where this sign is posted?
Question 9 of 20Road signs
You reach this sign as a car with the right-of-way is coming. What should you do?
Question 10 of 20Road signs
You are in the lane that this sign says will end. What should you do?
Question 11 of 20Road signs
What does this blue sign beside the highway tell you?
Question 12 of 20Road signs
What does this white X-shaped sign mark?
Question 13 of 20Road signs
What does this sign warn you about?
Question 14 of 20Road signs
What does this sign warn you about?
Question 15 of 20Road signs
This sign shows a truck on a downward slope. What does it warn you about?
Question 16 of 20Road signs
A crossing has only this sign, with no lights or gates. What should you do?
Question 17 of 20Road signs
What is this sign warning you about?
Question 18 of 20Road signs
What does this orange sign tell you?
Question 19 of 20Road signs
You come to this sign. There is no stop line and no crosswalk. Where should you stop?
Question 20 of 20Road signs
What should you be ready to do after you pass this sign?
1 of 20
Answer each question to see the explanation. Keyboard: A–D or 1–4 to answer, N next, P previous.
Answers and explanations (text version)
The correct answer to each question above, why it is right, and where it comes from. Try the test first.
Question 1: B. A right turn
This sign bans right turns at that spot, so you must go straight or turn left if allowed.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 2: B. 20 mph
The Washington school zone speed limit is 20 mph, and signs may show when the 20 mph limit applies.
Handbook: Chapter 4: Roads, 4.17 Zones — School Zone
Question 3: C. Yield to the people crossing
In-pavement crosswalk lights are turned on by people crossing, and Washington drivers must yield while the lights flash.
Handbook: Chapter 4: Roads, 4.16 Road Markings — Other Road Markings
Question 4: B. Drivers, walkers, and bike riders
In a Washington work zone, drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists must all yield to highway crews and to vehicles with flashing yellow lights.
Handbook: Chapter 4: Roads, 4.12 Signs — Work Zone Signs
Question 5: A. A sharp right turn that needs a low speed
The bent arrow means a sharp turn to the right, which needs a much lower speed than a gentle curve.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 6: C. So a driver about to pass will see it
A driver getting ready to pass looks to the left, so the no-passing zone pennant is placed there where it will be seen.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 7: B. Slow down and get ready to stop
This sign warns of a stop sign ahead. Slow down so you can stop at it.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 8: D. Turn around to go back the way you came
This sign bans U-turns. You may not turn around to go back the way you came at that spot.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 9: B. Slow down or stop and let that car go first
At a yield sign you must give way. Slow down, or stop if needed, and let the car with the right-of-way pass first.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 10: C. Signal and merge when there is a safe gap
When your lane ends, signal early and merge into the next lane when there is a safe gap.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 11: A. Fuel is available at or near the next exit
Blue signs show services for drivers. A gas pump symbol means fuel is available near the next exit.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Guide and service signs
Question 12: B. A railroad crossing
The white X-shaped crossbuck marks the place where the road crosses railroad tracks.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 13: B. The road may be slick when it is wet
This slippery when wet sign means the road gets slick in rain. Slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 14: C. Another lane of traffic will join yours
The merge sign warns that traffic from another lane or ramp will join your lane ahead.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 15: C. A steep downhill grade ahead
The truck on a downward slope warns of a steep downhill grade. Check your speed and use a lower gear.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 16: D. Look both ways and stop if a train is near
Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen, and stop if a train is near.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 17: D. The bridge ahead is narrower than the road
The narrow bridge sign means the bridge is narrower than the road. Slow down and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 18: B. There is road work ahead, so slow down
Orange signs are for work zones. This one warns of road work ahead, so slow down and stay alert.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Work zone signs
Question 19: B. Before you enter the intersection, where you can see
With no stop line or crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection at a point where you can see traffic coming.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 20: D. Follow the signals of a worker directing traffic
This sign warns of a flagger ahead. A flagger directs traffic with signals that you must obey.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Work zone signs
US road signs as shown in the Washington Driver Guide (the guide does not name the MUTCD). 16 correct (80%) is our practice mark, not an official pass mark.
United States road signs and what they mean
Our own simplified drawings of the signs learners meet most. The full list, with meanings, is in the United States sign library; the official reference is the Washington Driver Guide.
Regulatory signs
Come to a complete stop at the line, crosswalk or intersection edge, then go only when the way is clear.
Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians that have the right-of-way go first, stopping if needed.
The highest legal speed on this road under ideal conditions.
You must not drive into this road or ramp from this direction.
You are driving against traffic; stop safely and turn around.
Traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow.
Left turns are not allowed here.
Right turns are not allowed here.
Turning around to go back the way you came is not allowed here.
You may not turn while the signal is red, even after stopping.
Pass to the right of the island or obstruction ahead.
Overtaking other vehicles is not allowed on this stretch.
You may not park here; stopping briefly to load or unload may still be allowed where local rules say so.
Vehicles in this lane must turn left.
Marks the crossing itself; yield to any train and stop if one is coming.
Warning signs
Marks the start of a stretch where passing is not allowed; it sits on the left side of the road.
The road bends gently to the right ahead; slow down before the bend.
The road turns sharply right ahead; slow down a lot before the turn.
A series of bends lies ahead; keep speed down until the road straightens.
Another road crosses yours ahead; watch for traffic from both sides.
A road joins from the right ahead; expect vehicles entering.
The road you are on ends ahead at a crossing road; be ready to turn left or right.
Traffic from another lane or ramp will join yours ahead; adjust speed so both can merge safely.
The right lane ends ahead; drivers in it must move left when safe.
A median will separate the two directions of traffic ahead; keep right of it.
The median ends ahead and traffic in both directions will share one road.
You are leaving a one-way road; oncoming traffic will use the same road ahead.
There is a traffic light ahead; be ready to stop.
A stop sign is coming up; slow down and prepare to stop.
A yield sign is coming up; slow down and be ready to give way.
People may be crossing ahead; slow down and yield to anyone in the crosswalk.
A school is near and children may be crossing; slow down and obey any school speed limit.
A railroad crossing is ahead; slow down, look and listen for trains.
The surface gets slick in rain; slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering.
Deer often cross here, especially at dawn and dusk; slow down and watch the roadsides.
A steep downgrade is ahead; check your speed and use a lower gear.
The bridge ahead is narrower than the road; slow down and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Marks the outside of a sharp curve and shows the direction to steer.
Temporary signs
Construction is ahead; slow down, expect changes and obey work-zone signs.
A worker is directing traffic ahead; follow their signals.
People are working on or next to the road; slow down and give them space.
The usual route is closed; follow the detour signs in the arrow direction.