In the District of Columbia, if you are under 21, what alcohol level counts as intoxicated?

Any measurable amount. DC law treats any measurable amount of alcohol as intoxicated for drivers under 21.

In the District of Columbia, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?

10 feet. The DC manual says do not stand or park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

In the District of Columbia, a school bus stops with flashing red lights. How far away must you stop?

At least 20 feet. All vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of the school vehicle.

With a learner permit in the District of Columbia, during what hours may you practice driving?

6 am to 9 pm. GRAD learner permit holders may drive every day from 6 am to 9 pm, with a licensed driver 21 or older.

You are 17 with a learner permit in the District of Columbia. May you use a hands-free phone?

No, not even hands-free. Learner permit holders and drivers under 18 may not use any phone, even hands-free, except in an emergency.

In the District of Columbia, how close to an oncoming vehicle must you switch to low beams?

500 feet. Change to low beams at least 500 feet before meeting oncoming vehicles, or 300 feet when following.

You failed the DC DMV knowledge test on a Tuesday. When can you retest?

Saturday. You must wait three full calendar days, so a Tuesday failure means you can retest on Saturday.

In the District of Columbia, what is the minimum age for a provisional license?

16 and a half. You must be at least 16 and a half, hold a learner permit for 6 months and log 40 hours of practice.

In District of Columbia, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?

10 feet. Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

In District of Columbia, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?

100 feet. Signal at least 100 feet before turning.

State guides · District of Columbia

District of Columbia DMV written test guide

Everything you need to know about the written test in District of Columbia, with the rules your state asks about and practice questions with answers.

Agency	District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV)
Official handbook	DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual ↗
Questions	Not published
To pass	Not published by the state
Test in Spanish?	Yes

DC DMV does not publish the number of questions or the passing score. Time limit: 60 minutes for the standard test, 75 minutes for the GRAD or learner permit test. If you fail, wait three full calendar days to retest. Third-party sites claim 25 questions with 20 correct, or 30 questions for GRAD applicants, but this is not on any official page.

District of Columbia rules you need to know

Alcohol, 21 and over: In the District of Columbia the legal limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08% BAC. Official source ↗
Alcohol, under 21: Under 21, any measurable amount of alcohol counts as intoxicated. Official source ↗
Following distance: Leave 3 to 4 seconds; 4 to 5 seconds in bad weather. Official source ↗
High beams: Dim high beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or 300 feet of a car ahead. Official source ↗
Turn signal: Signal at least 100 feet before turning. Official source ↗
Fire hydrant: Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. Official source ↗
School bus: No stop is needed across a divided highway; otherwise stop at least 20 feet from the bus. Official source ↗
Right on red: Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless posted, and many intersections post No Turn on Red. Official source ↗
Cell phone: Hands-free only; learner permit holders and drivers under 18 may not use any phone. Official source ↗
Permit age: Age 16 for a learner permit. Official source ↗

District of Columbia test FAQ

How many questions are on the District of Columbia written test?

District of Columbia doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score; ask your local office.

Can I take the District of Columbia driver's test in Spanish?

Yes. District of Columbia offers the written test in Spanish.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in District of Columbia?

Age 16 for a learner permit.

What documents do I need for a permit in District of Columbia?

It depends on your situation (identity, residency and Social Security number or an alternative). Check the official list from District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) before you go.

Documents guide → · How to pass on the first try →

10 District of Columbia practice questions

1. In the District of Columbia, if you are under 21, what alcohol level counts as intoxicated?
1. Only 0.02% or more
2. Any measurable amount
3. Only 0.05% or more in the blood
4. Only 0.08% or more
Show answer
Answer: Any measurable amount
DC law treats any measurable amount of alcohol as intoxicated for drivers under 21.
Official source ↗
2. In the District of Columbia, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
1. 20 feet
2. 5 feet
3. 10 feet
4. 15 feet
Show answer
Answer: 10 feet
The DC manual says do not stand or park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
Official source ↗
3. In the District of Columbia, a school bus stops with flashing red lights. How far away must you stop?
1. At least 50 feet
2. At least 10 feet
3. At least 100 feet
4. At least 20 feet
Show answer
Answer: At least 20 feet
All vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of the school vehicle.
Official source ↗
4. With a learner permit in the District of Columbia, during what hours may you practice driving?
1. 6 am to 11 pm
2. 5 am to 10 pm
3. 6 am to 9 pm
4. 7 am to 8 pm
Show answer
Answer: 6 am to 9 pm
GRAD learner permit holders may drive every day from 6 am to 9 pm, with a licensed driver 21 or older.
Official source ↗
5. You are 17 with a learner permit in the District of Columbia. May you use a hands-free phone?
1. No, not even hands-free
2. Yes, if hands-free
3. Yes, if your supervisor agrees
4. Yes, only for maps
Show answer
Answer: No, not even hands-free
Learner permit holders and drivers under 18 may not use any phone, even hands-free, except in an emergency.
Official source ↗
6. In the District of Columbia, how close to an oncoming vehicle must you switch to low beams?
1. 500 feet
2. 100 feet
3. 200 feet
4. 1,000 feet
Show answer
Answer: 500 feet
Change to low beams at least 500 feet before meeting oncoming vehicles, or 300 feet when following.
Official source ↗
7. You failed the DC DMV knowledge test on a Tuesday. When can you retest?
1. The next Tuesday
2. Wednesday
3. In 14 days
4. Saturday
Show answer
Answer: Saturday
You must wait three full calendar days, so a Tuesday failure means you can retest on Saturday.
Official source ↗
8. In the District of Columbia, what is the minimum age for a provisional license?
1. 17 and a half
2. 15 and a half
3. 16 exactly
4. 16 and a half
Show answer
Answer: 16 and a half
You must be at least 16 and a half, hold a learner permit for 6 months and log 40 hours of practice.
Official source ↗
9. In District of Columbia, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?
1. 10 feet
2. 25 feet
3. 5 feet
4. 20 feet
Show answer
Answer: 10 feet
Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
Official source ↗
10. In District of Columbia, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?
1. 25 feet
2. 200 feet
3. 100 feet
4. 50 feet
Show answer
Answer: 100 feet
Signal at least 100 feet before turning.
Official source ↗

Practice with District of Columbia rules

360+ voiced questions, a practice test in your state's format and video lessons.

Get started

Facts checked against the official state handbook and website in October 2026. Rules change: always check the official handbook.