Speed & Space Management

Study questions with answers

12 sample Speed & Space Management questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Why should you keep well back from the vehicle ahead even while stopped?

   Correct answer: So you can escape a rear threat or a vehicle rolling back

   Leaving room while stopped makes it easier to move aside if someone bears down from behind, and gives you a cushion if the vehicle ahead rolls back.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

2. 2. Why are distances harder to judge at night?

   Correct answer: Shadows and light contrasts you rely on are missing or distorted

   Your eyes rely on shadows and light contrasts to gauge distance and speed, and those cues are missing or distorted under artificial light.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Increasing Conspicuity

3. 3. Is the average greasy center strip a reason to avoid the middle of the lane?

   Correct answer: No; unless the road is wet, the center usually has adequate traction

   Unless the road is wet, the narrow oily strip still leaves enough traction to ride on, so no part of the lane, including the center, must be avoided.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

4. 4. How should your speed at night compare with your daytime speed?

   Correct answer: Slower than you would ride in daylight

   Because seeing and being seen are harder after dark, ride even slower than you would by day, especially on unfamiliar roads.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Increasing Conspicuity

5. 5. When vehicles are traveling on both sides of you, which part of the lane is usually best?

   Correct answer: The center portion of the lane

   With traffic on both sides, the center portion of the lane is generally your best position to keep a cushion of space.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

6. 6. How do you measure your following distance in seconds?

   Correct answer: Count seconds from a fixed marker after the vehicle ahead passes it

   Pick a fixed marker on the road; when the vehicle ahead passes it, count the seconds until you reach the same spot.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

7. 7. When does a rider need a larger cushion of space than normal?

   Correct answer: When the bike will need longer than normal to stop

   If your motorcycle will take longer than usual to stop, for example on slick pavement, open up extra following distance.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

8. 8. When should you open your following distance to three seconds or more?

   Correct answer: When it is slippery, traffic is heavy, or your view ahead is blocked

   Stretch the gap to three seconds or more when the road is slippery, traffic is heavy, or you cannot see past the vehicle ahead.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

9. 9. The best overall protection a rider can have is described as:

   Correct answer: A cushion of space all around the motorcycle

   The manual calls distance, a cushion of space all around the motorcycle, the best protection a rider can have.

   Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

10. 10. In normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance a rider should keep behind the vehicle ahead?

    Correct answer: At least two seconds

    A motorcycle needs as much room to stop as a car, so keep at least a two-second gap behind the vehicle in front.

    Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

11. 11. How wide is the oily strip that collects in the center of a lane?

    Correct answer: About two feet

    The greasy center strip left by cars is usually no more than about two feet wide, so you can ride to either side of it and still stay centered.

    Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Keeping Your Distance

12. 12. At night, how should you adjust your following distance?

    Correct answer: Open it to three seconds or more

    Distances are harder to judge after dark, so open up a following gap of three seconds or more and allow extra room to pass.

    Source: NC Motorcyclists' Handbook — Increasing Conspicuity