Start Free Practice

District of Columbia DMV practice test

Prepare for the District of Columbia learner permit knowledge test with questions written from the official driver handbook, in English, Russian and Spanish.

We're verifying this state's test format. You can practice with general questions now.
Quick answer: The minimum age for a learner's permit in District of Columbia is 16 years old. The test is also offered in Russian and Spanish. Source: DC DMV Driver Manual, checked October 20, 2026.

District of Columbia practice tests

Every test is free and works in English, Russian and Spanish. Your progress is saved in this browser.

Start with Test 1

Start here

Full practice tests in the format of the real District of Columbia knowledge test. Questions do not repeat between tests.

25 questionsFreePractice Test 1Start 25 questionsFreePractice Test 2Start 25 questionsFreePractice Test 3Start 25 questionsFreePractice Test 4Start 25 questionsFreePractice Test 5Start

Road signs

Shapes, colors and meanings of the signs on the test.

40 questionsFreeRoad SignsStart

Rules of the road

Right of way, turns, parking and sharing the road.

40 questionsFreeRules of the RoadStart 10 questionsFreeSharing the RoadStart 8 questionsFreeParkingStart

District of Columbia laws

Rules that are specific to District of Columbia.

23 questionsFreeLicense & Permit RulesStart 6 questionsFreeAlcohol & DUIStart

Final exam prep

Check that you are ready before test day.

25 questionsFreeExam SimulatorStart 172 questionsFreeMarathon: All QuestionsStart
All 49 District of Columbia questions with answers → Road signs with answers → Rules of the road with answers →

Key rules from the District of Columbia handbook

These numbers come straight from the official handbook. Each one is also a question in our tests.

Getting your permit and license

  • You can apply for a learner's permit at 16 years old.
  • Hold the permit at least 6 months before the road test.
  • At least 40 hours of supervised driving are required.
  • The supervising driver must be at least 21 years old.
  • Report an address change within 60 days.
  • You are required to have a DC driver license within 60 days of moving to the District.
  • You may obtain a DC driver license at 17 or older; a learner permit at 16.
  • You may not re-test until 3 calendar days after the failed test.
  • You will not be allowed to retest prior to 72 hours after the failed road test.
  • Expired more than 365 days: knowledge test or DC online traffic school; more than 545 days: knowledge and road skills tests.
  • The learner permit is valid for two years for U.S. citizens and is non-renewable.
  • Learner permit: every day, 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., accompanied by a driver 21 or older.
  • To obtain a provisional license you must be at least 16 years, 6 months old.
  • September – June: Monday – Thursday 6:01 a.m. – 10:59 p.m.; Friday – Sunday 6:01 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
  • At least 10 hours of night driving with a licensed driver 21 or older are required for the full license.
  • You must be violation free for twelve consecutive months before graduating.
  • No more than two passengers under age 21; siblings and your children do not count.
  • One passenger with a full license who is 21 or older in the front seat, plus any sibling, child or parent.
  • Learner permit holders may not use a mobile phone or other electronic device, with or without hands-free accessories.
  • 8 points or more, or a GRAD restriction violation, means a 90-day learner permit suspension.
  • 30, 60 or 90 days for the first, second, third or more GRAD violation.
  • 10 or 11 points: suspension for ninety days; 12 or more points: revocation.
  • 12 or more points: the license is revoked and you are not eligible for reinstatement for six months.

Rules of the road

  • Switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
  • Use low beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
  • Headlights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights.
  • Stay at least 500 feet behind a fire truck responding to an alarm.
  • Do not make a U-turn unless you can see approaching traffic 500 feet away.
  • Give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.
  • Drivers may not hold a phone while driving; use a hands-free device.
  • Right on red is allowed after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign says NO TURN ON RED.
  • Not buckling up: $50 fine and 2 points; the driver is responsible for all passengers.
  • It is illegal to turn right in front of such a bus; violators face a fine of at least $200.
  • With no sign posted, you may make the turn within 40 feet of an intersection, yielding to bicycles and buses in the lane.
  • It is illegal to make a left turn on red in the District of Columbia.
  • U-turns are prohibited at intersections controlled by traffic lights, or on a crosswalk adjacent to such an intersection.
  • Signal a lane change no less than 300 feet ahead; signal a turn continuously for at least 100 feet.
  • Having something attached to or hanging from the rear-view mirror while driving is against DC regulations.

Speed limits

  • 15 mph in school zones when children are present, unless posted otherwise.
  • DC city streets: 20 mph unless otherwise posted; alleys and school zones: 15 mph.
  • DC alleys: 15 mph unless otherwise posted.

Parking

  • Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
  • Do not park within 25 feet of a STOP sign.
  • Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
  • Do not park within 20 feet of the entrance to any fire station driveway.
  • Park with your wheels within 12 inches of the curb.

Alcohol and drugs

  • The minimum revocation period is 6 months for a first alcohol-related offense.
  • Minimum revocation: 6 months for the first offense, 1 year for the second, 2 years for the third or subsequent.

How to get a driver's license in District of Columbia

  1. Pass the written knowledge test to get a learner's permit (minimum age 16 years old).
  2. Hold the permit for at least 6 months.
  3. Complete 40 hours of supervised driving.
  4. Drive only with a licensed supervising driver (minimum age 21 years old).
  5. Pass the road (driving) test.

Steps include only rules confirmed in the official handbook; your state may have more requirements (documents, fees, driver education).

District of Columbia driving rules in numbers

Learner's permit and teen license rules by state

Learner's permit from age
16 years old
Hold the permit at least
6 months
Supervised driving hours
40 hours
Supervising driver at least
21 years old

Speed limits by state

School zone
15 mph

Cell phone laws for drivers by state

Adults: phone in hand to talk?
No, only hands-free use is allowed

Parking distances by state

Fire hydrant
10 feet
STOP sign or signal
25 feet
Railroad crossing
50 feet
Fire station driveway
20 feet
Wheels from the curb
12 inches

School bus, move over and bicycle passing laws by state

Stop from a school bus at least
20 feet
Passing a bicyclist
3 feet

License renewal, insurance and points by state

Report a new address within
60 days

Sample questions

In the District of Columbia, what is the minimum age to get a learner's permit?
  1. 15 years old
  2. 15½ years old
  3. 16 years old
  4. 16½ years old

District of Columbia: you can apply for a learner's permit at 16 years old.

In the District of Columbia, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
  1. 5 feet
  2. 10 feet
  3. 15 feet
  4. 20 feet

District of Columbia: do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

In the District of Columbia, you must dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:
  1. 300 feet
  2. 350 feet
  3. 500 feet
  4. 1,000 feet

District of Columbia: switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

District of Columbia permit test: questions and answers

According to the District of Columbia driver handbook, the minimum age is 16.

Yes, as of our last check the District of Columbia DMV offers the knowledge test in this language. Confirm with the DMV before your visit.

Yes, as of our last check the District of Columbia DMV offers the knowledge test in this language. Confirm with the DMV before your visit.

From the official District of Columbia driver handbook (DC DMV Driver Manual). We write our own questions; the DMV does not publish its real exam questions.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming