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. Approaching a slow-moving vehicle with an orange warning sign on its rear, how should you react?

   Correct answer: Slow down, use caution, and give room to pass

   Treat a slow-moving vehicle like a bicyclist or pedestrian: slow down, use caution, and leave plenty of room if you pass.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Slow-Moving Vehicles

2. 2. When you see a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and its stop sign out, what must you do?

   Correct answer: Stop regardless of which side of the road you are on

   It makes no difference which way you are headed; you must stop and stay halted until the flashing lights go dark or the stop arm folds away.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: School Buses

3. 3. At a four-way stop where you and another vehicle stop at the same time, who goes first?

   Correct answer: The vehicle on your immediate right

   When two vehicles stop simultaneously, yield to the one on your immediate right; also yield to any vehicle that stopped before you.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Four-Way Stop

4. 4. Riding on a single or two-lane road that meets a larger road, to whom must you yield?

   Correct answer: Vehicles on the divided highway or road with three or more lanes

   You must yield to vehicles on a divided highway or a road of three or more lanes when your smaller road meets it.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersection of Single or Two Lane Road and Multiple Lane Road

5. 5. At an uncontrolled intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way?

   Correct answer: A vehicle entering or approaching from your right

   Give way to any vehicle already in the intersection on your right, or one approaching from the right.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections Not Controlled by Signs or Signals

6. 6. What is the one situation where you do NOT have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?

   Correct answer: When the bus is across a divided highway with a barrier between directions

   You need not stop when the bus sits across a divided highway that has a barrier separating the two directions of travel.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: School Buses

7. 7. What does the White Cane Law require when a blind pedestrian is crossing?

   Correct answer: Come to a complete stop until they have safely crossed

   You must come to a complete stop for a blind pedestrian at a crossing and stay stopped until they have safely crossed; do not honk or wave them on.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Pedestrians

8. 8. Before making a left turn, to whom must you yield?

   Correct answer: To oncoming traffic, vehicles in the intersection, and crossing pedestrians or bicyclists

   A left-turning rider must yield to oncoming vehicles, any vehicle already in the intersection, and pedestrians or bicyclists crossing the intended path.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Turning Left

9. 9. When you approach a designated throughway, what must you do before turning onto it?

   Correct answer: Yield to traffic on the throughway before turning

   Before turning onto a throughway, you must give the right-of-way to the traffic already traveling on it.

   Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Throughways

10. 10. When entering a paved road from a driveway, private road, or unpaved road, what must you do?

    Correct answer: Stop and yield to traffic on the road you are entering

    You must stop first and yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles already traveling on the road you are entering.

    Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Private Roads, Driveways, and Unpaved Roads

11. 11. A first violation of the school-bus stopping law can bring what penalties?

    Correct answer: License suspension and a $250 fine

    A first offense can result in a license suspension and a $250 fine; you should also proceed slowly afterward and watch for crossing children.

    Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: School Buses

12. 12. As you approach a rotary (traffic circle), who has the right-of-way?

    Correct answer: Vehicles already traveling in the rotary

    You must yield to vehicles already in the rotary, and if traffic is heavy, wait at the edge until you can enter safely.

    Source: MA Motorcycle Manual — Right-of-Way Rules: Rotaries