DC DMV Permit Test flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

DC default residential speed limit

Unless a sign posts a different limit, DC residential streets and business districts are 25 mph, alleys are 15 mph, and school zones are 20 mph during posted hours.

DC child safety seat rule

Children under 8 years old must ride in an approved child safety seat or booster in DC; older children must use a seat belt properly fitted across the shoulder and lap.

DC hands-free phone law

A driver may not hold or physically support a phone while driving in DC. Only hands-free use is allowed, and texting or reading messages is prohibited.

Right turn on red in DC

After a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, a right turn on red is permitted in DC unless a sign prohibits it. Left on red is limited to one-way to one-way.

Four-way stop right of way

When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. A vehicle already in the intersection goes first.

DC Move Over law

On multi-lane roads, move one lane away from stopped emergency, tow, or maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights. If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and pass cautiously.

Pedestrian crosswalk right of way

Drivers must stop for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks and stay stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the driver's lane and the lane next to it.

DC safety belt enforcement

DC uses primary enforcement: an officer may stop a vehicle solely because an occupant is unbelted. All front-seat occupants and all passengers under 16 must be restrained.

Octagon sign meaning

An eight-sided red sign always means STOP. Come to a complete stop behind the limit line or crosswalk, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe.

Inverted triangle sign meaning

A downward-pointing triangle sign means YIELD. Slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right of way to cross traffic and pedestrians before entering or merging.

Diamond sign meaning

A diamond-shaped sign gives warning of a condition ahead, such as a curve, hill, or merging traffic. Yellow is the standard warning color; orange means construction.

Flashing red signal rule

A flashing red light works like a stop sign: stop completely, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when clear. A flashing yellow means slow down and use caution.

Steady yellow light rule

A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely; if you are already too close to stop, proceed through with caution.

Double solid yellow lines

Two solid yellow lines separate opposing traffic and prohibit passing in both directions. You may cross them only to turn into or out of a driveway or side road where legal.

Broken white lane lines

Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. You may cross them to change lanes after signaling and checking that the move is safe.

Two-way left-turn lane

A center lane bounded by solid yellow lines with broken yellow inside is only for beginning or completing left turns from either direction. It is not a passing or travel lane.

Railroad crossbuck sign

A white X-shaped crossbuck marks a railroad crossing. Yield to trains, and stop completely when red lights flash or gates lower. A round yellow sign warns of the crossing ahead.

Orange construction signs

Orange diamond signs warn of road work, lane closures, or workers ahead. Slow to the posted work-zone limit, and fines for speeding in work zones are often doubled.

Three-second following rule

Pick a fixed object ahead; when the car in front passes it, count three seconds. If you reach it sooner, you are too close. Double the gap in rain and more in ice.

DC implied consent law

Driving in DC implies consent to chemical testing after a lawful arrest. Refusal can bring license sanctions, and a driver 21 or older is over the limit at 0.08% BAC.

Under-21 alcohol limit

DC's zero-tolerance rule sets the limit at 0.02% BAC for drivers under 21. Any measurable alcohol above that level brings license suspension and other penalties.

Recovering from a skid

Ease off the accelerator and steer where you want the front of the car to go. Do not slam the brakes. In a rear-wheel skid, steer gently in the direction of the skid.

Hydroplaning response

When tires ride on water, steering and braking lose effect. Ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel straight, and avoid hard braking until the tires regain contact with the road.

Driving in fog

Use low-beam headlights in fog because high beams reflect off the moisture and cut visibility. Slow down, increase following distance, and avoid stopping in the travel lane.

Tire blowout handling

If a tire blows, grip the wheel firmly, keep the car straight, and ease off the accelerator. Let it slow gradually, then brake gently and pull well off the roadway.

Uphill parking with a curb

When parking uphill with a curb on the right, turn the front wheels away from the curb so the car rolls back into the curb if it moves. Set the parking brake.

Downhill parking rule

When parking downhill, or uphill without a curb, turn the front wheels toward the edge of the road so the vehicle rolls away from traffic if the brakes fail.

Dimming high beams

Switch from high beams to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following another vehicle, to avoid blinding other drivers.

Passing another vehicle

Pass only where permitted, signal, check mirrors and blind spot, and return to the right lane when you can see the passed vehicle in your mirror. Never pass on a hill or curve.

Limited-access highway entry

Use the acceleration lane to match highway speed, signal, check mirrors and blind spot, and merge into a gap without forcing other drivers to brake or change lanes.

Leaving a crash scene

After a crash, stop, give aid, exchange information, and report injury crashes to police. Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death is a criminal offense.