Sharing the Road

Study questions with answers

12 sample Sharing the Road questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. A good way to deal with a tailgater is to:

   Correct answer: Let them get in front of you by slowing and opening space ahead

   Encourage a tailgater to pass by slowing and opening extra room ahead, rather than speeding up.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Being Followed

2. 2. When passing a row of parked cars, the safest lane position is usually:

   Correct answer: Toward the left of your lane

   Staying to the left of your lane creates room from opening doors, people stepping out, and cars pulling away.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections: Passing Parked Cars

3. 3. If a vehicle is merging and there is no room for you to change lanes, you should:

   Correct answer: Adjust your speed to open a gap for the merging vehicle

   When you can't change lanes for a merging driver, adjust speed to create space for them.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Merging Vehicles

4. 4. Drivers are most tempted to squeeze past a motorcycle:

   Correct answer: In heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic

   Bumper-to-bumper traffic, wanting to pass, and your preparing to turn are situations when drivers try to share your lane.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Lane Sharing

5. 5. When another vehicle is passing you from behind, you should:

   Correct answer: Stay in the center portion of your lane

   Hold the center of your lane while being passed so you keep space from the passing vehicle.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Being Passed

6. 6. One hazard the manual lists when you are being passed is:

   Correct answer: The other vehicle's mirrors sticking out past its fenders

   Passing vehicles' mirrors extend beyond the fenders, and objects thrown from windows or wind blasts are also hazards.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Being Passed

7. 7. In a staggered group formation, the leader rides in the:

   Correct answer: Left side of the lane

   The leader takes the left of the lane and the next rider stays at least one second back on the right.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Group Riding: Staggered Formation

8. 8. Where should inexperienced riders be placed in a group?

   Correct answer: Just behind the leader

   Put newer riders right behind the leader so they keep pace and experienced riders can watch them from behind.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Group Riding: Plan

9. 9. To discourage a driver from squeezing past you inside your lane, you should:

   Correct answer: Keep a center-portion lane position

   A center-lane position discourages drivers from trying to share your lane, especially in heavy traffic or near turns.

   Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Lane Sharing

10. 10. On a two-lane highway, riders in a staggered group should pass slower traffic:

    Correct answer: One rider at a time

    On a two-lane road each rider passes individually, with the leader going first and returning to the left position.

    Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Group Riding: Passing in Formation

11. 11. The manual advises against riding alongside cars in the next lane because:

    Correct answer: You may sit in a blind spot and have no escape if danger appears

    Riding next to other vehicles puts you in a possible blind spot and removes an escape route if a hazard appears.

    Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Vehicles Alongside

12. 12. In a group, riding directly beside another rider in the same lane is:

    Correct answer: Discouraged because there is no room to maneuver

    Never ride side by side in one lane; there is nowhere to go if you must dodge a hazard.

    Source: Indiana Motorcycle Operator Manual — Group Riding: Don't Pair Up