District of Columbia driver handbook guide
District of Columbia driver handbook guide.
Use this guide to navigate the 19 chapters in the handbook edition behind Roadwise’s District of Columbia course. Read the source, look up a rule in the study app, or work through 62 companion lessons.
- Handbook chapters
- 19
- Source PDF pages
- 59
- Companion lessons
- 62
- Licensing agency
- DMV
A way through the handbook
Start with the application and licensing material that applies to your age and license type. Then work through the driving rules, signs, and safe-driving chapters. A rule is easier to remember when you can explain what it asks you to do in a real road situation.
For a quick refresher, use the chapter list below. For a deeper study session, follow a companion lesson and its checkpoint questions. The page numbers refer to this course’s source edition and may differ from the newest agency edition.
Chapter list
- Introduction Source p. 3
- Vision Zero Source p. 4
- Driver License Examination Process Source p. 11
- Types of Driver Licenses Source p. 14
- Other Services Source p. 17
- Important Things to Know Source p. 19
- Driver Information Source p. 20
- Safe Driving Practices Source p. 22
- Highways Source p. 30
- Right-of-Way Source p. 34
- Sharing the Roadway With Others Source p. 36
- Driving Rules Source p. 41
- Parking Rules Source p. 43
- Traffic Rules Source p. 46
- Work Zones Source p. 49
- Signals, Signs and Markings Source p. 50
- Identifying Signs by Colors and Shapes Source p. 52
- Regulatory and Warning Signs Source p. 53
- Pavement Markings Source p. 57
What you will find in each chapter
Chapter 1 · source p. 3
Introduction
This chapter’s sections include:
- Mission
- Vision
- DC DMV Overview
Chapter 2 · source p. 4
Vision Zero
This chapter’s sections include:
- What is “Vision Zero”?
- Why “Vision Zero”?
- Developments in the District
- Challenges to Safe Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Impaired Driving
- Sharing the Road
- Drivers
- Vehicle Safety for Bicyclists
- Vehicle Safety for Pedestrians
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists The Danger of Open Doors to Bicyclists
- What is a HAWK Signal?
- HAWK Signals in DC
- Pedestrian Safety
- Accessibility for the Disabled
- Side Street Traffic
- WALK signal
- Wait the WALK signal
- Continue Crossing
- Proceed with Caution
- Questions?
- District Department of Transportation
- (Rrfb)
Chapter 3 · source p. 11
Driver License Examination Process
This chapter’s sections include:
- Driver Knowledge Examination
- Vision Screening
- Road Skills Test
- Answers: 1-A, 2-D, 3-C
Chapter 4 · source p. 14
Types of Driver Licenses
This chapter’s sections include:
- Learner Permit
- Provisional Driver License
- Full Driver License
- Provisional License of 17 – 18 years old
- GRAD Program Restrictions
- GRAD Program Enforcements
Chapter 5 · source p. 17
Other Services
This chapter’s sections include:
- Organ Donor
- Did you know?
- How to sign up?
- Selective Service System
- Registration Information Office
- Voter Registration
Chapter 6 · source p. 19
Important Things to Know
Read this chapter in the study app to see its complete text, source page references, and any accompanying illustrations.
Open this handbook chapterChapter 7 · source p. 20
Driver Information
This chapter’s sections include:
- Be In Shape to Drive
- DC DMV – The Drive to Excellence
- Driving Privilege or Learner Permit
- Road Signs
- Traffic Laws
- Looking and Seeing
- Thinking and Deciding
- Making a Decision
- Obeying Traffic Laws
- General Laws
- Aggressive Driving
- Reckless Driving
- Negligent Driving
- Drag Racing
- Crashes
Chapter 8 · source p. 22
Safe Driving Practices
This chapter’s sections include:
- Animal with a Motor Vehicle
- Turning
- Backing
- Use of the Horn
- Starting from a Garage or Driveway
- Hand Signals under Special Conditions
- Crowding Inside the Vehicle
- Pets
- Loose Objects
- Driving Pass Parked Cars
- When to Reduce Speed
- Wet Pavements
- Hydroplaning and Flooding
- Following Distance
- Stopping Distance Rule The Problem
- Fatigue
- Danger Signs of Drowsy Drivers
- Concentration
- Emotions Affect Your Driving
- Cellular Phones The Solution to Distractions
- Road Rage and Aggressive Driving
- Night Driving
- Winter Driving
- Anti-Lock Brake Systems
- Skid Prevention
- Curves
- Recovery From a Skid
- Driving in Fog
- Drive Defensively
Chapter 9 · source p. 30
Highways
This chapter’s sections include:
- How to Avoid Being Hit From the Rear
- Before You Start
- Entering the Interstate/Highways
- Leaving the Interstate/Highway
- Interstate/Highway
- Roundabouts
- Stopping
- Backing
- Brake Failure
- Wet Brakes
- Windshield Wipers Fail
- Accelerator Pedal Sticks
- Steering Fails
- Loss of Control – Steering and Locking Device
- Headlights Fail
- Fire in Vehicle
- Pull Off the Road
- Keep the Fire from Spreading
- Extinguish the Fire
- Vehicle Approaching in Your Lane
- Stalling on Railroad Tracks
- Running Off the Roadway
Chapter 10 · source p. 34
Right-of-Way
This chapter’s sections include:
- Rumble Strips
- Tires
- Wheel and Rim Problems
- Blowouts
- Flooded Engine
- Disabled Vehicle
- Pedestrians Right-of-Way
- Pedestrian Signals
- Crossing at Crosswalks
- Crosswalks
- Crossings
Chapter 11 · source p. 36
Sharing the Roadway With Others
This chapter’s sections include:
- Intersections
- Individuals With Disabilities
- Maneuverability
- Passing
- Following a Truck
- Side No-Zones
- Rear No-Zones
- Front No-Zones
- Backing up No-Zones
- Truck Stopping Distance
- Right and Left Turns
- Bad Weather
- Some of the Most Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stopping for School Vehicles
- Sharing the Road With Motorcyclists
- Bicycle Right-of-Way
- Following a Bicyclist
- Passing a Bicyclist
- General Safety
- Bus Lanes
- Bus Lane Posted Signage
- Bus Signals
- Sharing the Road with Streetcars
- Passing a Streetcar
- Parking Along a Streetcar Route
Chapter 12 · source p. 41
Driving Rules
This chapter’s sections include:
- Keep to the Right
- Signaling
- Passing
- Lane Highways
- Lane Highway
- Driving on Roads With Marked Lanes
- Right Turn
- Left Turn
- Low Beams
- High Beams
- Energy Saving Tips
Chapter 13 · source p. 43
Parking Rules
This chapter’s sections include:
- Parallel Parking
- Parking on a Hill
- Parking on Highways
- Rolling Stops
- Stopping, Standing, Parking – Prohibited
Chapter 14 · source p. 46
Traffic Rules
This chapter’s sections include:
- Turnabout
- Speed Restrictions
- Otherwise Posted
- Speed Limit Signs
- Advisory (Recommended) Speed Signs
- Safety Zones
- Coasting
- Officers
- U-Turn
- Earplugs - Prohibited
- Vehicle Equipment
- Seat Belt Law/Click It or Ticket
- Seat Belts Must Be Worn
- You Will Be Pulled Over
- $50 Fine and 2 Points
- Persons with Physical Disabilities
- Head Restraints
- Child Safety Seats
- Air Bags
Chapter 15 · source p. 49
Work Zones
Read this chapter in the study app to see its complete text, source page references, and any accompanying illustrations.
Open this handbook chapterChapter 16 · source p. 50
Signals, Signs and Markings
This chapter’s sections include:
- Regulatory Signs
- Warning Signs
- Channeling Devices
- Changeable Message Signs
- Arrow Panels
- Traffic Signals
- Steady Red Signal
- Steady Yellow Signal
- Steady Green Signal
- Steady Red Arrow Signal
- Steady Yellow Arrow Signal
- Steady Green Arrow Signal
- Flashing Red Signal
- Crossing
- Flashing Yellow Signal
- Multiple Signals
- Lane Use Signals
Chapter 17 · source p. 52
Identifying Signs by Colors and Shapes
This chapter’s sections include:
- Red
- Yellow
- White
- Octagon: Stop
- Triangle: Yield
- Diamond: Warning
- Orange
- Green
- Blue
- Brown
- Sign Colors
- Sign Shapes Or Guide
- School Crossing
- Round: Railroad Warning
Chapter 18 · source p. 53
Regulatory and Warning Signs
This chapter’s sections include:
- Stop
- Yield
- Speed Limit
- Parking
- Overhead Lane Use
- High Occupancy Vehicle
- Sharp Right Turn
- Right Curve
- Sharp Right And Left Turns
- Warning Traffic Signs
- Stop Sign Ahead
- 4-Way Stop
- Signal Ahead
- Yield Sign Ahead
- Winding Road
- Side Road
- Crossroad
- No Passing Pennant
- Exit Advisory Speed
- Right Merge
- Left Merge
- Intersection Merge
- “T” Intersection
- Advisory Speed
- “Y” Intersection
- Divided Highway Begins
- Ahead
- Keep To The Right The Right Lane Ends Ahead
- Steep Hill Ahead
- Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path
- Drive With Caution
- Slippery When Wet
- Animal Crossing
- Pedestrian Crossing
- Slow Moving Vehicle
- Two-Way Traffic
- No-Right Turn
- No U-Turn
- Do Not Enter And Hand Signals
- Interstate Route Marker
- U.S. Route Marker
- State Route Marker
- Dc Route Marker
Chapter 19 · source p. 57
Pavement Markings
This chapter’s sections include:
- Broken Yellow Line
- Yellow Lines
- Double Solid Yellow Lines
- Broken White Line
- Solid White Line
- White Lane Arrows
- Double Solid White Line
- Yield Line
- Three-Lane Roads
- Shared Lane Roads
- Bicycle Lane
- (Hov) Lane
Turn the reading into a study routine
The District of Columbia course groups the source material into 12 units. Each lesson includes handbook page references, examples, and a checkpoint in the study app.
Unit 1 · 4 lessons
Getting Your DC License
Who can apply, the knowledge test, vision screening and the road skills test
Unit 2 · 5 lessons
License Types & the GRAD Program
Learner permit, provisional license, full license, curfews and GRAD penalties
Unit 3 · 4 lessons
Points, Violations & Your Record
Points, suspensions, impaired driving, crash duties and everyday legal duties
Unit 4 · 8 lessons
Safe Driving Fundamentals
Being fit to drive, aggression, following distance, distraction, fatigue and everyday handling
Unit 5 · 6 lessons
Weather & Emergency Situations
Rain, flooding, snow and ice, fog, night driving and vehicle emergencies
Unit 6 · 4 lessons
Highway & Roundabout Driving
Entering and leaving interstates, passing, stopping on highways and roundabouts
Unit 7 · 7 lessons
Sharing the Road
Vision Zero, pedestrians, bicyclists, crossing beacons, trucks, school vehicles, motorcycles, buses and streetcars
Unit 8 · 3 lessons
Right-of-Way & Intersections
Who goes first, emergency vehicles and officers, and pedestrians at crosswalks
Unit 9 · 6 lessons
Driving Rules: Turns, Passing & Lights
Signals, passing, no-passing zones, turns, U-turns and headlights
Unit 10 · 3 lessons
Parking & Stopping Rules
Parallel and hill parking, required stops, and where you may not stop, stand or park
Unit 11 · 4 lessons
Speed, Safety Equipment & Work Zones
Speed limits, safety zones and equipment rules, seat belts and air bags, and work zones
Unit 12 · 8 lessons
Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings
Traffic and lane-use signals, sign colors and shapes, regulatory and warning signs, route markers and markings