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. Riding directly next to cars or trucks in an adjacent lane is risky mainly because you might be where?

   Correct answer: In the car's blind spot

   You could be sitting in the next car's blind spot, where it might switch into your lane, and the car also blocks your escape route.

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

2. 2. Why should you not move to the far side of your lane away from a vehicle that is passing you?

   Correct answer: It may tempt the driver to cut back in too early

   Hugging the far edge can tempt the passing driver to swing back over too soon, so keep to the middle of your lane instead.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Being Passed

3. 3. Why should two riders in a group never ride directly side by side?

   Correct answer: There is no room to escape a hazard

   Pairing up leaves nowhere to go if you suddenly must dodge a car or road debris, so never ride directly beside another rider.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Group Riding: Keep Your Distance

4. 4. When riding behind a car, where should you position yourself to be seen in the driver's mirror?

   Correct answer: In the center portion of the lane

   Keeping to the middle third of the lane puts your reflection in the center of the driver's mirror, where they are most likely to notice you.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Following Another Vehicle

5. 5. When a car is passing you, where in your lane should you stay?

   Correct answer: In the center portion of your lane

   Hold the middle part of your lane when another vehicle passes; drifting closer risks a sideswipe, and drifting far off may invite an early cut-in.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Being Passed

6. 6. How does keeping a center-lane position help discourage lane sharing by others?

   Correct answer: It protects your lane and discourages squeezing past

   Holding a center-portion position discourages drivers from squeezing past you, protecting your lane in situations where they'd be tempted.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Lane Sharing

7. 7. When a riding group grows beyond four or five members, what does the manual recommend?

   Correct answer: Split it into smaller groups

   Divide a large group into two or more smaller groups so it is easier for drivers to get around and less likely to be split by traffic or lights.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Group Riding: Keep the Group Small

8. 8. When you begin to pass another vehicle, which part of the lane should you ride in first?

   Correct answer: The left portion

   Start a pass in the left portion of your lane at a safe following distance to widen your line of sight and make yourself more visible before moving over.

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

9. 9. When is single-file formation best for a group of riders?

   Correct answer: When riding curves, turning, or entering or leaving a highway

   Move into single file when riding curves, turning, or entering or leaving a highway, where staggered spacing is harder to maintain safely.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Group Riding: Keep Your Distance

10. 10. Drivers are most tempted to squeeze into a rider's lane in which situation?

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

    Bumper-to-bumper traffic, wanting to pass, your turning at an intersection, or your leaving a highway all tempt drivers to share your lane.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Lane Sharing

11. 11. Why is speeding up a poor way to handle a tailgater?

    Correct answer: You end up with a tailgater at higher speed

    Speeding up usually just leaves you with the same tailgater following at a higher speed, so it doesn't solve the problem.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Keeping Your Distance: Being Followed

12. 12. In a riding group, where should inexperienced riders be placed?

    Correct answer: Just behind the leader

    Put beginners just behind the leader so the more experienced riders behind can keep an eye on them.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Group Riding: Keep the Group Together