Washington CDL — General Knowledge practice
Washington CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
11 questions · pass with 9 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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11 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. If your vehicle does not have self-canceling turn signals, when should you turn the signal off?
Correct answer: After you have finished the turn
You should keep the signal on continuously through the maneuver and cancel it only after the turn is complete.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
2. You are about to pass a slower vehicle at night. How can you let that driver know you are there?
Correct answer: Flash your lights from low to high beam and back
At night you can signal your presence when passing by flashing your lights from low to high beam and back, assuming the other driver does not see you.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)
3. Why is signaling your intentions important when driving near other traffic?
Correct answer: Other drivers cannot know your plans unless you tell them
Other drivers cannot know what you plan to do until you tell them, so signaling your intentions is important for safety.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
4. In rain, at dawn, or at dusk when it is hard to see, how should you make your vehicle more visible to others?
Correct answer: Turn on your low-beam headlights
When it is hard to see, turn on your headlights, using the low beams rather than just clearance or identification lights.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)
5. At night, within what distance of an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams to low beams?
Correct answer: Within 500 feet
You must dim your lights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle so your high beams do not blind that driver.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Night Driving Procedures)
6. You see a hazard ahead that will force you to slow down. How can you warn the drivers behind you?
Correct answer: Tap the brake pedal lightly to flash your brake lights
A few light taps on the brake pedal will flash your brake lights and warn following drivers that you are slowing.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
7. Why is it best to signal well before you make a turn in a large vehicle?
Correct answer: It keeps other drivers from trying to pass you
Signaling early is the best way to keep other drivers from trying to pass you as you slow to turn.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
8. What should you do before changing lanes to help a driver you may not have seen?
Correct answer: Signal, then move over slowly and smoothly
Put your turn signal on before changing lanes and change lanes slowly and smoothly so an unseen driver has a chance to react.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
9. When should you turn on your four-way emergency flashers?
Correct answer: Whenever you are going very slowly or are stopped
Use the four-way flashers when you are driving very slowly or are stopped, to alert other drivers.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)
10. When you are following another vehicle at night, within what distance should you switch to low beams?
Correct answer: Within 500 feet
Dim your lights when following another vehicle within 500 feet so your high beams do not glare in that driver's mirrors.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Night Driving Procedures)
11. What is the correct approach to using your horn while driving a commercial vehicle?
Correct answer: Use it only when it is actually needed
Use the horn only when it is needed; unnecessary use can startle other road users and become dangerous.
Source: Washington CDL Guide — Section 2: Driving Safely (Use Your Horn When Needed)
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