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. What happens to the wind turbulence between your motorcycle and a large truck you meet from the opposite direction?

   Correct answer: It pushes the vehicles apart

   The turbulence pushes vehicles apart rather than sucking them together, so keep to the right of your lane when meeting a truck to avoid being sideswiped.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Large Trucks and Buses

2. 2. May a Tennessee motorcyclist park or ride in a marked bicycle lane?

   Correct answer: No, motorcycles should stay out of bike lanes

   A motorcycle should not park or drive in marked bike lanes, and riders must give bicyclists plenty of room and be ready to stop quickly.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Bicycles

3. 3. When following bicyclists in rainy or icy weather, what should a motorcyclist be prepared to do?

   Correct answer: Give room and be ready to stop quickly

   When following bicyclists you should give them plenty of room and be prepared to stop quickly, using extra caution during rainy and icy weather.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Bicycles

4. 4. Compared with other vehicles, how do motorcycles rank in acceleration?

   Correct answer: They accelerate the fastest

   Of all vehicles, motorcycles accelerate the fastest while trucks and buses are the slowest, so a rider must watch speed around large vehicles.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road Safely (Watch Your Speed)

5. 5. In a crash between a motorcycle and a large truck, why does the manual say your chances are worse?

   Correct answer: A motorcycle offers almost no protection against a heavy truck

   Motorcycles are the smallest and most vulnerable vehicles and offer virtually no protection, so hitting a truck is compared to hitting a steel wall.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road Safely

6. 6. How can you tell whether a truck driver is able to see you in the truck's mirrors?

   Correct answer: If you cannot see the truck's mirror, the driver cannot see you

   The rule of thumb is that if you cannot see the truck's mirror, then the driver cannot see you, so position yourself where the mirror is visible.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Large Trucks and Buses

7. 7. At night, why should you dim your high beam when near a large truck?

   Correct answer: Because bright light in the mirrors can blind the driver

   Bright lights reflected in a truck's mirrors can blind the driver, so you should dim your lights at night around large vehicles.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Large Trucks and Buses

8. 8. About how much distance does a truck traveling 55 mph need to stop compared with a car at the same speed?

   Correct answer: About 450 feet or more, far longer than a car

   A car at 55 mph can stop in about 240 feet, while a truck at the same speed needs roughly 450 feet or more, so you must not cut in front and slow suddenly.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Large Trucks and Buses

9. 9. Why must you be careful about the space on the right side of a truck that is preparing to turn right?

   Correct answer: The truck may swing right and crush you in the squeeze

   Trucks swing wide to the left to make a right turn and may leave open space on the right; moving into that space, the right-turn squeeze, can get you crushed because the driver cannot see you.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Large Trucks and Buses (Right Turn Squeeze)

10. 10. When approaching a slow-moving vehicle you intend to pass, what should you confirm before you begin?

    Correct answer: That the driver has seen you and knows your intent

    You should stay a safe distance behind until it is safe to pass, and be certain the driver has seen you and knows you intend to pass before you begin.

    Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Slow Moving Vehicles (Turns and Passing)

11. 11. Why should you never pull out onto a roadway directly in front of a large truck or bus?

    Correct answer: A truck cannot stop as quickly and may hit you from behind

    A truck or bus cannot slow or stop as quickly as a car, so pulling out in front of one could easily cause a rear-end collision.

    Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Large Trucks and Buses

12. 12. Where are the large blind spots, or No-Zones, located around a big truck?

    Correct answer: On both sides, in front, and behind

    Trucks have large No-Zones on both sides, in front, and behind, where the truck driver cannot see you, increasing the chance of a crash.

    Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road Safely (Watch the No-Zones)