Maryland Car / Permit practice
Sharing the Road
Driving safely around motorcycles, bicycles, large trucks, pedestrians, and school buses — and knowing who has the right of way.
Questions reviewed against the official Maryland driver handbook · July 7, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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. When passing a bicyclist, how much space must a Maryland driver leave between the vehicle and the bicycle?
Correct answer: At least 3 feet
A driver must leave at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicycle, whether it is in a bike lane, on the shoulder, or in the same lane.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Pass with Care - Give Bikes at Least 3 Feet
2. Before turning left at an intersection, why is it important to look carefully for oncoming motorcycles?
Correct answer: Their small size makes their speed and distance hard to judge
A driver must yield to an oncoming motorcycle when turning left; motorcycles are small and their speed and distance are easy to misjudge.
3. At night, Maryland law requires a bicycle being ridden to have which equipment?
Correct answer: A white front headlight and a red rear reflector
When ridden at night, a bicycle must have a white headlight on the front and a red reflector on the rear, both visible from a distance.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Rules and Tips for Bicyclists
4. Under Maryland law, how are bicycles classified on the road?
Correct answer: As vehicles that may use the road
Bicycles are considered vehicles under Maryland law, so bicyclists may use the road and must obey traffic signals just as drivers do.
5. Why should a driver 'look twice' before changing lanes or merging?
Correct answer: A small motorcycle can hide in a blind spot
Motorcycles are small and can hide in a blind spot or be missed in a quick glance, so a driver should use mirrors and check over the shoulder before merging or changing lanes.
6. On a road divided by a physical barrier, when do you NOT have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Correct answer: When the bus is across a physical barrier on a divided road
A driver need not stop when the school bus is on the other side of a physical barrier that divides a multi-lane road.
7. Is it acceptable for a car to share a single lane side by side with a motorcycle?
Correct answer: No, a motorcycle is entitled to the full lane
Drivers should not share a lane with a motorcycle; motorcyclists are entitled to use the full width of the lane and move within it to stay safe.
8. Compared with a car, how much room does a fully loaded large truck need to stop?
Correct answer: Much more room, up to the length of a football field
A fully loaded truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and may need about the length of a football field to come to a stop, so drivers should never cut in front of one.
9. A vehicle displaying a slow-moving-vehicle emblem is traveling at what speed or less?
Correct answer: 25 miles per hour
The slow-moving-vehicle sign warns that the vehicle is traveling at 25 miles per hour or less, so a driver should be ready to slow down.
10. When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing, how far away must an approaching driver stop?
Correct answer: At least 20 feet away
A driver must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red lights, whether approaching it from behind or from the front.
11. Mopeds and motor scooters may be operated on roads with a posted speed limit of no more than what?
Correct answer: 50 miles per hour
Mopeds and scooters may be ridden only on roads where the posted maximum speed limit is 50 miles per hour or lower.
12. There is a simple way to judge whether a truck driver can see you. What is it?
Correct answer: If you cannot see the driver in the truck's mirror, they cannot see you
If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror, then the driver cannot see you, meaning you are in a blind spot.
More Car / Permit topics
Practice Sharing the Road in another state
Every Maryland question is written from the official Maryland driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free