Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

12 sample Right-of-Way questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Where does a motorcyclist face the greatest chance of conflict with other traffic?

   Correct answer: At intersections

   Intersections carry the greatest potential for conflict, whether at a city crossing or a residential driveway where traffic can cross your path.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

2. 2. The manual notes that a car turning left in front of you may come from where, besides oncoming traffic?

   Correct answer: From the lane to your right

   A left-turning car can even come from the lane to your right, so scan for turning vehicles from multiple directions at intersections.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

3. 3. To lower your crash risk at intersections, the manual recommends covering which controls?

   Correct answer: The clutch and both brakes

   Covering the clutch and both brakes as you approach reduces your reaction time so you can respond quickly to a vehicle entering your path.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

4. 4. When searching with the SEE strategy, which oncoming traffic is a rider especially told to watch for?

   Correct answer: Traffic that may turn left in front of you

   Search for oncoming traffic that may turn left in front of you, along with traffic from the sides and behind and hazardous road conditions.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — SEE: Search

5. 5. As you approach a blind intersection where a parked car blocks the view, where should you position yourself?

   Correct answer: Where the cross driver can see you earliest

   Move to the part of the lane that brings you into the cross-street driver's field of vision as early as possible while still protecting your space.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections: Blind Intersections

6. 6. When a car is merging onto the highway from an entrance ramp, what should a rider do?

   Correct answer: Give them room by changing lanes or adjusting speed

   Give merging drivers plenty of room; change lanes if you can, or adjust speed to open space, since the merging driver may not see you.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Merging Cars

7. 7. A driver waiting to pull out from a side street is watching for cars. Why is this a problem for riders?

   Correct answer: The narrow motorcycle profile is easy to overlook

   Drivers scan for cars and may look right through a motorcycle's narrow silhouette, so you should ride to be seen and be ready to react.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Increasing Conspicuity

8. 8. According to the manual, over half of motorcycle-car crashes are caused by what?

   Correct answer: Drivers entering the rider's right-of-way

   More than half of motorcycle-car crashes happen because a driver enters the rider's right-of-way, such as turning left in front of the motorcycle.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

9. 9. At an intersection, which vehicles pose the biggest danger to a rider?

   Correct answer: Cars turning left in front of you and cars pulling in from side streets

   Cars turning left in front of you and cars pulling into your lane from side streets are the biggest hazards at intersections.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

10. 10. After you enter an intersection, why should you avoid changing your speed or position sharply?

    Correct answer: A driver might think you are turning

    A sudden change might make a waiting driver think you are about to turn, so move away from turning vehicles smoothly instead of abruptly.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

11. 11. Why should a rider never rely on eye contact with a driver as a guarantee they will yield?

    Correct answer: A driver can look at you and still fail to see you

    Drivers often look right at a motorcyclist and still fail to register them, so eye contact is no assurance the driver will actually yield.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections

12. 12. If a car could possibly enter your path at an intersection, the manual advises you to assume what?

    Correct answer: It will enter your path

    Good riders assume that if a car can enter their path, it will, and they stay alert and ready to react rather than trusting others to yield.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Intersections