Sample Emergencies questions
Your car keeps speeding up even though your foot is off the gas. What should you do first?
Shift quickly into neutral Shift into park at speed Turn off the headlights Open the door Show the answer
Shift quickly into neutral
Neutral cuts power to the wheels. Then pull off when safe and turn off the engine.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 5, 5.7 Vehicle failures
Which of these counts as a roadside response vehicle you must move over or slow down for?
A bus at a bus stop A parked delivery van with no lights A solid waste truck with flashing lights A car with a flat tire Show the answer
A solid waste truck with flashing lights
The rule covers many vehicles with flashing lights, including tow trucks, garbage trucks and utility vehicles.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.17 Zones: Emergency zone
After a crash, a downed power line is touching your car and there is no fire. What should you do?
Stay inside, turn off the engine and call 911 Drive forward off the line Get out and run to safety Get out and push the line away Show the answer
Stay inside, turn off the engine and call 911
Assume the line is live. Stay in the vehicle until responders say it is safe to leave.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 5, 5.9 Collisions
You see a fallen tree across railroad tracks at a crossing. Who should you call first?
Nobody, since train crews will see it Your own insurance company's claims line The railroad, using the number on the crossing's emergency sign The local newspaper's news desk Show the answer
The railroad, using the number on the crossing's emergency sign
Call the number on the Emergency Notification System sign and give the crossing ID. If there is no sign, dial 911.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.7 Sharing the road with trains
A tow truck with flashing lights is stopped on the shoulder and you cannot change lanes. How should you slow down?
By 2 mph To exactly the posted limit To 10 mph or more under the posted limit No change is needed Show the answer
To 10 mph or more under the posted limit
If you can't move to a farther lane, slow to at least 10 mph under the posted limit.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.17 Zones: Emergency zone
Police pull you over at night. What should you do once you have stopped?
Get out and walk to the patrol car Turn on your interior lights and keep your hands on the wheel Search for your papers right away Turn off all your lights Show the answer
Turn on your interior lights and keep your hands on the wheel
Interior lights and visible hands help the officer see you. Stay in the vehicle unless told otherwise.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 5, 5.10 Law enforcement
You call 911 to report a crash. When should you hang up?
As soon as you give the location When help arrives After one minute Show the answer
When help arrives
Stay on the line so the dispatcher can ask questions and give you instructions.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 5, 5.9 Collisions
Power lines are on your car and it catches fire. How should you get out?
Step out slowly while holding the door Jump clear with your feet together without touching the car Crawl out on your hands and knees Climb out through the trunk Show the answer
Jump clear with your feet together without touching the car
Jump so you never touch the car and the ground at once, land with both feet together and shuffle away.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 5, 5.9 Collisions
Your vehicle gets stuck on a railroad crossing. What should you do?
Stay inside and wait for a tow Keep trying to restart the engine Get everyone out right away Show the answer
Get everyone out right away
Get all occupants out and away from the tracks at once.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.7 Sharing the road with trains
Your car breaks down on a Washington road. How far behind it should you set out emergency flares?
10 to 20 feet 200 to 300 feet 50 to 75 feet 1,000 feet Show the answer
200 to 300 feet
Flares placed 200 to 300 feet back give approaching drivers time to react.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 5, 5.7 Vehicle failures
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Washington Driver Guide (PDF 520-400 (R/4/25), July 2025, linked from https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-guides, read 2026-11-07 edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
