Free sample · About 9 min
Washington Driver Study Guide: free sample
Three sections from the WMST Washington driver study guide, exactly as they are in the full guide: road sign colors and shapes, who goes first at intersections, and stopping for school buses.
Step 1 of 3 · 4 min read
4.12 Signs: colors and common signs
DoneSigns show the rules, warn about hazards, point the way and tell you where to find services. Their color, shape, symbols and words are all clues to the kind of message.
| Color | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Red | Stop, or an action that is not allowed or is restricted |
| Orange | Warning: construction and maintenance |
| Yellow | Warning: general road conditions, including unexpected ones |
| Fluorescent yellow-green | Warning: school, pedestrian and bicycle activity |
| White | Regulatory: a rule you must obey |
| Green | Guide: directions and information |
| Blue | Services for drivers |
| Brown | Public recreation, cultural and historic areas |
Common signs
StopStop at the stop line, crosswalk or corner. Look in every direction for crossing vehicles and pedestrians, and yield the right-of-way.
YieldSlow down, and let cross traffic with the right-of-way pass before you go.
Speed limitThe fastest speed allowed. On some roads a sign also sets the slowest speed required.
Keep rightA reminder to drive in the right lane and move left only to pass.
About speed limits
- The posted maximum is for ideal conditions. Slow down when the road calls for it, for example on slippery pavement or in fog that makes it hard to see.
- You can get a ticket for driving too fast for conditions, even when you're under the posted limit.
- Some roads have a minimum speed limit. Go at least that fast so you don't become a hazard to other drivers.
Key fact
Driving under the posted limit doesn't protect you from a ticket. You must slow down for rain, ice, fog and other conditions.
RCW 46.61.400(1)
Automated traffic safety cameraCameras ahead take pictures of vehicles that break certain traffic laws. This one warns of speed cameras in a school zone.
Traffic safety cameras record you if you
- Don't stop for a steady red light.
- Don't stop for a railroad crossing signal.
- Speed in a school zone.
Every camera location is clearly marked with signs. Speeding tickets from these cameras are mailed to the vehicle's owner.
Speed warningA slower speed is advised ahead because of a hazard or road condition, such as a curve or a turn. Follow it, and adjust for the road, weather and traffic.
Variable speed limit and advance noticeA digital sign with a speed limit that changes to spread out the flow of traffic. Digital signs can also close lanes and warn you before you reach slower traffic.
One wayAll traffic on this street goes the way the arrow points. Never drive against it.
When a symbol is crossed out by a red ring and a diagonal bar, that action is not allowed.
Not allowed
No pedestriansPeople on foot may not cross or walk here.
No U-turnDon't turn around here.
No right turnDon't turn right here.
No left turnDon't turn left here.
No trucksTrucks may not use this road.
No parkingDon't park here.
Do not enterA white bar in a red circle on a square sign. You may not enter the street from this direction.
Wrong wayYou're driving against traffic and could crash head-on. Stop and turn around right away.
No passing zonePassing is not allowed from here on. You'll see these where passing is risky: hills, curves, intersections, and anywhere a vehicle might pull onto the road.
Do not passPassing is not allowed here. Other signs and lane markings show where it's safe to pass.
Shared center lane, left turn onlyThe center lane is only for vehicles turning left, from either direction. Don't use it to drive through or to pass. Arrows are often painted in the lane.
RoundaboutYou're coming to a roundabout.
Roundabout lane choiceShows which lanes are for left turns, going straight and right turns in the roundabout ahead. You may also see yield, pedestrian warning and direction arrow signs at roundabouts.
What would you do?
You're on a highway posted at 55 mph when thick fog rolls in and you can barely see the car ahead. What speed should you drive?
In the DOL guide: section 4.12, pages 113–117
Step 2 of 3 · 3 min read
4.13 Common intersections
DoneWherever two or more roads come together, you have an intersection. Examples: side streets, cross streets, driveways, roundabouts, calming circles, and the entrances to shopping centers and parking lots. Each one calls for good judgment, caution and awareness of yourself and others.
Before you enter an intersection
- Stop and yield to pedestrians and to traffic already in the intersection.
- Look in each direction more than once.
- Check your side mirrors and glance over your shoulder so you don't miss a bicyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian moving into your path.
- Look for road markings to follow into your new lane or road.
- Be sure you have a clear view of cross traffic. If something blocks your view at the stop line, creep forward slowly until you can see. Crossing drivers will spot the front of your car before you can see them, which gives them time to slow down or warn you.
- Go only when there's room to get all the way across, or through your turn, without blocking the intersection.
Scan all around the intersection, and take extra care near schoolyards, playgrounds, parks, busy sidewalks, construction areas, parking lots and shopping centers.
Right-of-way
Right-of-way rules set the order in which vehicles go through an intersection. The law decides who must yield, which means giving up your turn and letting the other driver go first.
Four-way stop
- The first vehicle to arrive goes first. The second to arrive goes second, and so on.
- If two vehicles get there at about the same moment, the vehicle on the left lets the one on the right go first.
- A left-turning vehicle waits for vehicles that are going straight or turning right.
Two-way stop
Turning vehicles wait for any vehicle that's going straight, because the straight-through vehicle has the right-of-way.
Key fact
At a four-way stop, if you and another vehicle arrive at about the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
RCW 46.61.180(1)Who goes first?
Four stops you'll meet on real streets. Tap the cars in the order they may go.
Intersection 1 of 4
You and a pickup arrive at a four-way stop at about the same time. The pickup is on your right. You're both going straight.
Tap the cars in the order they may go.
Who goes first?Show the orderHide
- The pickup
- You
You arrived together, so the vehicle on the left waits for the one on the right. The pickup is on your right: it goes first, then you.
RCW 46.61.180(1)Intersection 2 of 4
Three vehicles reach a four-way stop. The van on your left arrived first, you arrived second, and the sedan on your right arrived last. Everyone is going straight.
Tap the cars in the order they may go.
Who goes first?Show the orderHide
- The van
- You
- The sedan
The first vehicle to arrive goes first, the second goes second, and so on. Yielding to the right only settles a tie. So it's the van, then you, then the sedan, even though the sedan is on your right.
Intersection 3 of 4
You arrive at a four-way stop wanting to turn left. A sedan arrives across from you at the same time, going straight.
Tap the cars in the order they may go.
Who goes first?Show the orderHide
- The sedan
- You
Your left turn crosses the sedan's path, so you wait for it. The sedan goes straight through, then you turn.
RCW 46.61.185(1)Intersection 4 of 4
At a two-way stop, you and a car directly across from you have both stopped. You want to turn left. The other car is going straight. The cross street is clear.
Tap the cars in the order they may go.
Who goes first?Show the orderHide
- The car
- You
At a two-way stop, a turning vehicle yields to the vehicle going straight. Let the car go, check the cross street again, then turn.
In the DOL guide: section 4.13, pages 121–122
Step 3 of 3 · 3 min read
4.2 Sharing with school buses
DoneChildren getting on and off a school bus are at real risk. Kids don't always act predictably or notice danger. Near a school bus, be patient and careful, keep to the speed limit and obey the bus's signals.
A school bus's lights work like a traffic signal: red lights mean stop, and yellow lights mean caution, so slow down.
Numbers to know
- DoubleThe fine for passing a stopped school bus, compared with the usual ticket RCW 46.61.370
When you're behind the bus
Key fact
Passing a school bus while its red lights flash is against the law. Once the red lights are flashing and the stop sign is out, all traffic headed the way the bus is going has to stop.
RCW 46.61.370- Never pass a school bus with its lights flashing. The lights and the stop sign mean children are close by, getting on or off.
- A center turn lane is not a way around the bus. Drivers in every turn lane must stop too.
- You may go once the lights stop flashing, the stop sign folds back in and the metal arm swings back to the front bumper.
- Keep looking out for children after the red lights go dark.
When you're in front of the bus
On a 2-lane road, all traffic stops once the red lights are flashing and the stop sign is out, including drivers coming toward the bus. They may move on once the lights stop, the sign folds in and the metal arm is back at the bumper.
On a multilane road, drivers behind the bus must still stop. Drivers coming toward the bus from the other direction don't have to stop if either of these is true:
- The road has three or more marked lanes.
- A median or barrier separates the two directions.
| Road | Behind the bus | Coming toward the bus |
|---|---|---|
| 2 lanes, one each way | Stop | Stop |
| 3 or more marked lanes | Stop, in every lane, turn lanes included | No need to stop |
| Median or barrier between directions | Stop | No need to stop |
What would you do?
You're on a two-lane country road with one lane each way. A school bus coming toward you stops, its red lights start flashing and its stop sign swings out. What do you do?
In the DOL guide: section 4.2, pages 94–97
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