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The Ultimate Washington Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Pass Your DOL Exam!

Your Washington state driving test is booked, and it's time for that final, laser-focused review. This guide is your smart "cheat sheet," designed to arm you with the most critical information you need to recall when the pressure is on. A Washington DOL examiner wants to see a driver who is safe, confident, and knowledgeable about the state's specific rules—and this guide will help you prove you are exactly that.

Use this sheet to quickly refresh your memory on the make-or-break elements of the test, from maneuvers to key numbers.

🚨 Automatic Fails: Critical Errors to Avoid at All Costs

These are the non-negotiable mistakes. Committing any of these actions will result in an immediate failure of your test, regardless of your point total.

  • Violating Any Traffic Law: The easiest way to fail. Running a red light, rolling through a stop sign, or an illegal turn will end your test.
  • Striking an Object: Hitting a cone, a curb (during any maneuver), another car, or a pedestrian is an automatic fail.
  • Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit is a major violation. Pay extra attention in school zones.
  • Dangerous Action: Any move that forces another driver or a pedestrian to brake hard or swerve to avoid you.
  • Examiner Intervention: If the examiner has to give a verbal warning for safety ("Watch out!") or physically take control of the wheel.
  • Failure to Yield: Not giving the right-of-way correctly at intersections, to pedestrians, or at yield signs.

✅ Understanding the Washington Scoring System

  • Point Deductions: You start with a perfect score of 100. For every error, the examiner subtracts points.
  • Passing Score: You must finish with a score of 80 or better to pass.

🅿️ Key Maneuvers You MUST Master

Washington's test includes some specific skill tests. Practice these until they are smooth and consistent.

1. Parallel Parking

This is a required maneuver.

  • The Space: You will need to park in a space that is 25 feet long and 7 feet wide.
  • How to Execute It: Signal, pull up even with the front car, and reverse at a 45-degree angle. When your front door aligns with the rear bumper of the front car, straighten the wheel and back up. Once your front bumper is clear, turn the wheel sharply toward the curb to bring the car in. Aim to be within 12 inches of the curb.

2. Backing Around a Corner

This tests your control while reversing.

  • How to Execute It: You'll back around a 90-degree corner, staying a consistent distance (about 18 inches) from the curb. Look over your right shoulder out the rear window, making quick glances forward. Do not use a backup camera. Go slowly.

3. Parking on a Hill

  • Downhill with a Curb: Turn your wheels toward the curb.
  • Uphill with a Curb: Turn your wheels away from the curb.
  • No Curb (Uphill or Downhill): Turn your wheels toward the edge of the road (the shoulder).

🔢 Key Numbers to Burn Into Your Brain

Your examiner expects you to know these fundamental Washington traffic law numbers.

  • Speed Limits (Unless Posted Otherwise):
    • School Zones: 20 mph
    • City or Town Streets: 25 mph
    • County Roads: 50 mph
    • State Highways: 60 mph
  • Signaling Distance: You must activate your turn signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
  • Following Distance: Maintain the Four-Second Rule. Watch the car ahead pass a fixed object (like a sign), then count "one-one thousand..." up to four. You should not pass the object before you finish counting. This is especially important in Washington's often-rainy weather.
  • Parking Distance From...
    • A fire hydrant: 15 feet
    • A crosswalk: 20 feet
    • A stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal: 30 feet
    • A railroad crossing: 50 feet
  • Headlights On: Your headlights must be on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.

🚗 Other Key Skills & Examiner Focus

The SMOG Check (For Every Lane Change & Turn)

  • S - Signal: Turn on your blinker first.
  • M - Mirrors: Check your rearview and side mirrors.
  • O - Over the Shoulder: ALWAYS perform a physical head check into your blind spot.
  • G - Go: When it is safe, make your smooth, deliberate move.

Final Reminders

  • Hand Position: Keep both hands on the wheel (9 and 3 or 8 and 4 are ideal).
  • Stopping Behind Cars: When stopping behind another vehicle, make sure you can see their rear tires touching the pavement.
  • Left Turns: Keep your wheels pointing straight ahead while waiting to turn. This is a critical safety rule.
  • Bike Lanes: Be extremely cautious around bike lanes. Do not drive in them. When turning right, yield to any cyclists before crossing the bike lane into your turn.

You have studied and practiced. This guide is your final tool to sharpen your focus. Stay calm, drive safely, and show the examiner the confident driver you have become. You've got this!