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. If a driver cannot give a bicyclist 4 feet of clearance on a section of single-lane road, what must the driver do?

   Correct answer: Slow to 25 mph and be ready to stop until it is safe to pass

   If four feet of clearance cannot be given, the driver has to cut speed to 25 mph and stay ready to halt until passing can be done safely.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Safe Passing Law

2. 2. About how much longer can a truck or tractor-trailer take to stop in bad weather compared with normal conditions?

   Correct answer: As much as 25 percent longer

   Poor weather can stretch the stopping distance of a big rig or bus by up to a quarter beyond what it needs on a good day.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, and Buses

3. 3. The blind-spot areas around large trucks and buses where the driver cannot see other vehicles are called what?

   Correct answer: No-zones

   The blind spots around trucks, tractor-trailers, and buses are called no-zones; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, and Buses

4. 4. Under New Jersey's Safe Passing Law, how much space must a driver give when passing a bicyclist on a single-lane road?

   Correct answer: At least 4 feet

   When there is just one lane, leave a buffer of no less than four feet to pass a vulnerable user; if that buffer is not available, drop to 25 mph and be ready to halt.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Safe Passing Law

5. 5. What is the maximum speed a moped (motorized bicycle) driver may travel in New Jersey?

   Correct answer: 25 mph

   A moped operator has a 25 mph ceiling, must follow every sign and signal, and rides on the right side going with traffic.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Mopeds

6. 6. What must a New Jersey driver do near someone on horseback or handling a horse-drawn carriage?

   Correct answer: Reduce speed to 25 mph or less and use caution

   The law says to bring your speed down to 25 mph or lower and move carefully whenever you near or overtake a horse and rider or a horse-drawn carriage.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Horseback Riders

7. 7. A low-speed vehicle (LSV) in New Jersey is defined as a four-wheeled vehicle able to reach what speed?

   Correct answer: Over 20 mph and up to 25 mph

   An LSV is a four-wheeler that can reach above 20 mph yet tops out at 25 mph on pavement and must satisfy federal safety rules.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Low-Speed Vehicles

8. 8. When sharing the road with motorcycles, what is a key habit a driver should practice before changing lanes or turning?

   Correct answer: Check blind spots twice

   Since a motorcycle is small and simple to overlook, glance at your blind spots a second time before you switch lanes or turn.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Motorcycles

9. 9. What is the most common cause of crashes between cars and motorcycles?

   Correct answer: A driver failing to see the motorcycle in traffic

   The leading reason cars and motorcycles collide is that a driver simply never spots the rider in the flow of traffic.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Motorcycles

10. 10. What is the best way to avoid a crash when an animal darts onto the road?

    Correct answer: Scan both roadsides ahead and stay ready

    Swerving can send you into something else or get you rear-ended, so instead scan both roadsides for animals and expect abrupt movement.

    Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Animals

11. 11. How should a driver never pass a large truck?

    Correct answer: On the right

    A driver should never pass a truck on the right, and should not pull back in front of it until the whole front of the truck is visible in the rearview mirror.

    Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, and Buses

12. 12. Legally, bicyclists, skateboarders, and inline skaters in New Jersey have what status relative to motor vehicles?

    Correct answer: They carry the identical rights and duties that drivers do

    State law gives people on bikes, skateboards, and inline skates the identical rights and duties that drivers have, while also labeling them vulnerable road users.

    Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Bicycles, Skateboards, and Inline Skates