Sample Parking questions
What does a white painted curb usually mean?
Unlimited free parking Fire lane Parking for buses only Only short stops are allowed Show the answer
Only short stops are allowed
White means short stops only; yellow or red marks loading zones or other limits.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
When you parallel park next to a curb, what is the farthest your car may be from it?
24 inches 12 inches 18 inches 6 inches Show the answer
12 inches
Park no more than 12 inches out from the curb.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
What is the Dutch Reach?
Parking with your wheels toward the curb Reaching for the parking brake first Signaling with your left arm Opening the car door with your far hand Show the answer
Opening the car door with your far hand
Using the hand farthest from the door turns your body so you can see bicyclists coming.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
How close to a driveway, alley or private road may you park in Washington?
No closer than 50 feet No closer than 5 feet No closer than 1 foot No closer than 20 feet Show the answer
No closer than 5 feet
Leave at least 5 feet so vehicles can get in and out.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
You park facing uphill beside a low, rounded curb. Which way may be safer to turn your wheel?
It makes no difference Straight ahead Away from the curb Toward the curb Show the answer
Toward the curb
With a low curb, wheels turned toward it make the car roll away from the road if the brake fails.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
Under Washington law, it is a crime to leave a child of what age alone in a parked car?
Under 5 Under 12 Under 18 Under 8 Show the answer
Under 12
Leaving a child under 12 unattended is a crime, and under 16 if the motor is running.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
May you park on the left side of a two-way street, facing oncoming traffic?
No, that is not allowed Yes, for under an hour Yes, at night only Show the answer
No, that is not allowed
Parking facing oncoming traffic is prohibited.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
A fire station driveway is on the other side of the street from where you want to park. How far from it must you stay?
At least 75 feet At least 30 feet At least 10 feet At least 200 feet Show the answer
At least 75 feet
On the opposite side of the street, stay 75 feet away from a fire station driveway.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.18 Parking
The curb is painted red with red stripes in the lane. What does that usually mean?
Parking reserved for buses Parking for a short time only Parking reserved for motorcycles It is a fire lane, so do not stop or park Show the answer
It is a fire lane, so do not stop or park
Red markings usually show a fire lane that must stay clear for emergency vehicles.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 4, 4.16 Road markings
Is the area with diagonal stripes beside a disability space a legal place to park?
Yes, if you have a placard Yes, for less than 15 minutes No, that area must be kept clear Show the answer
No, that area must be kept clear
The striped access aisle gives room for wheelchairs and lifts. No one may park in it.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 7, Parking, Stopping, or Standing ; Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Revised Code 4511.69 ; What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Traffic Laws: Van-accessible disability parking (p. 38) ; Washington Driver Guide, Parking: Reserved disabled parking ; Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 5, International Symbol of Access, PDF p. 38 ; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 5, Safe Driving Habits, Parking and Parking Violations Concerning Accessibility, PDF pp. 75-76 ; Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Traffic Signs, Disabled parking signs, printed p. 9 (PDF p. 12)
Take this topic's test
More Washington practice
Full practice test All topics, as in the knowledge test Road Signs What signs mean and what to do when you see them Right-of-Way Who goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts Traffic Signals Lights, arrows and pedestrian signals Lanes & Turns Lane markings, turns, passing and merging Speed Limits Limits and how to adjust your speed Safe Driving Following distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road Alcohol & Drugs Blood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication Emergencies Breakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings License Rules Permits, restrictions for new drivers and points Insurance & Collisions Required coverage and what to do after a crash Phones & Distraction Phone rules and other distractions
Share this test
Copy link
Email
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.
