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. When a school bus has stopped with red lights blinking and the stop arm swung out, other drivers must halt at least:

   Correct answer: 10 feet away

   You must halt at least 10 feet away from a stopped bus showing flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, whether you are behind it or meeting it on the same road.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

2. 2. When a large truck is passing your vehicle, you can help the truck driver by:

   Correct answer: Easing off your speed and keeping it steady

   Keep to the far side of your lane, ease off your speed slightly, and then hold it steady. Do not speed up while the truck is going by.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

3. 3. As a large truck goes by, you can make it easier for that driver by:

   Correct answer: Easing off your speed and keeping it steady

   Keep to the far side of your lane, ease off your speed slightly, and then hold it steady. Do not speed up while the truck is going by.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

4. 4. A truck ahead of you is preparing to make a wide right turn. You should:

   Correct answer: Stay back and give the truck room to turn

   Trucks often swing wide to complete a right turn, and drivers cannot see vehicles squeezing between the truck and the curb. Stay back and give the truck room to turn.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

5. 5. Under Pennsylvania's Move Over law, as you near an emergency response area or a stopped disabled vehicle, you should move over into a lane that is not next to it. If you cannot, you must:

   Correct answer: Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit

   If you cannot safely change lanes away from the emergency or disabled vehicle, you must slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

6. 6. When you come up behind a snow plow clearing the road, the safest choice is to:

   Correct answer: Follow at a safe distance and not try to pass

   Plow drivers have very limited visibility, and wing plows can extend several feet to the side. Do not try to pass a plow on either side; follow at a safe distance.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

7. 7. You see a motorcycle ahead with its turn signal blinking. What should you do?

   Correct answer: Wait until the rider actually begins to turn

   Motorcycle signals often do not turn themselves off, and riders sometimes forget to cancel them. Wait until the rider actually begins to turn before you proceed.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Introduction; Learning to Drive

8. 8. The blind-spot areas around large trucks and buses where a crash is more likely are known as:

   Correct answer: No-Zones

   These danger areas are called No-Zones. If you drive in a truck's No-Zone, the driver cannot see you.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

9. 9. When you are following a large truck, you should position your vehicle so that:

   Correct answer: The truck driver can see you in the side mirrors

   Stay out of the truck's No-Zone and drop back far enough that the driver can see you in the side mirrors. This also gives you a better view of the road ahead.

   Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

10. 10. When a school bus ahead switches on flashing amber (yellow) lights, it means the bus is:

    Correct answer: Getting ready to stop

    Amber lights warn that the bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and be ready to stop, because the red lights and stop arm will come next.

    Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

11. 11. Why should you increase your following distance behind buses, taxis, and trucks carrying hazardous materials?

    Correct answer: They may stop unexpectedly, such as at railroad crossings

    Buses, taxis, and hazmat trucks are required to halt at railroad crossings and can make other sudden stops, so you need extra room to react.

    Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive

12. 12. Pennsylvania law says that when you share the road with a motorcycle, you must allow the rider:

    Correct answer: One full lane of travel

    You must give a motorcyclist or moped rider the use of one complete lane. Do not try to share the lane, because the rider needs the full width to maneuver.

    Source: PA Driver's Manual — Learning to Drive