After another person drives your car, you can no longer press the pedals comfortably while sitting upright. What should you do before moving?
Correct answer: Adjust the seat and controls for safe reach and visibility
Set up the driving position before departure so you can see clearly and operate the pedals comfortably. Another driver's adjustment is not necessarily suitable for you.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 51; Section 2.5 Vehicle Maintenance—Driver's Seat. ↗
The pressure molded on a tire differs from the car's recommended cold inflation pressure. Which reference should you use for the car's specified inflation?
Correct answer: The vehicle's tire-information label or owner instructions
Use the vehicle manufacturer's specified cold pressure, not the figure on the tire sidewall. The source also notes that front and rear specifications can differ.
Source: NHTSA, Maintenance—Tire Pressure; Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure; full current reader body read September 13, 2026. Handbook context: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 48; Section 2.5 Vehicle Maintenance—Tire Pressure. https://dol.wa.gov/media/pdf/4745/driver-guidepdf#page=48 ↗
A hanging decoration blocks part of your view near the windshield, although the glass itself is clean. What is the appropriate correction?
Correct answer: Remove or reposition it so it cannot obstruct the driving view
Objects and decals can obstruct vision even on clean glass. Keep the driver's necessary view clear instead of planning to look around a preventable obstruction.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 48; Section 2.5 Vehicle Maintenance—Glass Surfaces. ↗
A passenger says the car's airbags make wearing a seat belt unnecessary. Which response is correct?
Correct answer: Airbags supplement properly worn seat belts; they do not replace them
Airbags and belts are designed to work together. The presence of an airbag does not remove the need for correct belt use.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 54; Section 2.6 Occupant Protection—Airbags. ↗
A parking reference that worked in your old car gives a different apparent position in a taller vehicle. What is the sound conclusion?
Correct answer: Learn the reference points for the vehicle you are actually using
Reference points depend on the vehicle and viewing position. Learn the references for the vehicle you are driving instead of assuming another car's references give the same clearance.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 62; Section 2.11 Vehicle Reference Points. ↗
A heavy bottle is loose near the driver's pedals before a trip. What is the appropriate preparation?
Correct answer: Secure it where it cannot interfere with the controls
Secure loose items before moving. Waiting for an object to interfere with a control leaves a preventable driving hazard.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 66; Section 2.14 Before You Go. ↗
You have just started a medicine and do not yet know how it affects you. What is the prudent driving plan?
Correct answer: Follow the warnings and obtain professional advice before deciding to drive
Learn the effects and follow professional advice and labeling. Do not independently change prescribed treatment to accommodate a trip.
Source: FDA, How to Avoid Impaired Driving; full current reader body read September 13, 2026. Handbook context: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 74; Section 3.1 Impaired Driving—Medications and Driving. https://dol.wa.gov/media/pdf/4745/driver-guidepdf#page=74 ↗
After an upsetting argument, you are parked and too distracted to concentrate on driving. What is the sensible next step?
Correct answer: Take time to regain focus before starting the trip
Strong emotions can affect decisions and attention. Address them while safely parked rather than using traffic as a test of readiness.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 77; Section 3.1 Impaired Driving—Mental Health. ↗
Before a trip, you expect messages that would tempt you to keep checking your phone. What preparation reduces that distraction?
Correct answer: Silence it and put it away before moving
Removing the temptation before departure helps protect attention. Moving the screen closer to a driving instrument does not turn message reading into safe observation.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 87; Section 3.5 Smart Drivers—Pay Attention. ↗
Before leaving, an official advisory reports a closure on your planned route. What is the useful response?
Correct answer: Reassess the route while parked using current information
Current advisories help identify closures and hazards before departure. Update the travel plan safely rather than relying on yesterday's conditions or searching while moving.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 89; Section 3.6 Respect and Responsibility—Traffic Advisories. ↗
A tall vehicle ahead blocks your view beyond it because you are following closely. What benefit can a safely increased gap provide?
Correct answer: More opportunity to see developing conditions ahead
Space can improve your view of developing hazards and provide room to respond. Adjust the following gap for speed, visibility and road conditions.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 155; Section 5.0 Dangers of Driving—Risk Awareness. ↗
Slow traffic reaches a designated merge point where two lanes become one. What pattern describes a courteous zipper merge?
Correct answer: Vehicles alternate from the two lanes at the merge point
In a slow lane-closure queue, alternating vehicles at the designated merge area makes the joining pattern predictable. This is not a command to force entry into an unsafe gap.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 160; Section 5.3 Merging—Zipper Merging; continuation physical161. ↗
Most of a cold road looks clear, but a shaded patch and a bridge lie ahead. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: Those areas may still have ice despite clearer pavement nearby
Shaded areas and bridges can have icy spots when nearby pavement does not. Assess each part of the road rather than assuming uniform traction.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 171; Section 5.6 Road and Driving Conditions—Slippery Roads. ↗
You have stopped after a flat tire, but the location does not allow a safe tire change. What is preferable to trying to work beside passing traffic?
Correct answer: Use hazard warnings and call for assistance from the safest available position
Do not attempt roadside work where passing traffic makes it unsafe. The guide advises obtaining help when a safe place for the tire change is unavailable; assess the actual surroundings.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 173; Section 5.7 Vehicle Failures—Tires. ↗
After a crash, a passenger wants to stand in an active lane to examine the damage. What danger needs to be addressed?
Correct answer: The person could be struck by approaching traffic
A crash does not remove the danger from moving traffic. Keep people out of active lanes and assess the situation from a safe position.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, 520-400 (R/4/25) English; physical PDF page 175; Section 5.9 Collisions—Crashing a Vehicle. ↗
