Lane Position & Sharing the Road

Study questions with answers

12 sample Lane Position & 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. Under Utah rules, motorcycles operating side by side in one lane may travel no more than:

   Correct answer: Two abreast

   No more than two motorcycles may ride side by side within one lane.

   Source: Traffic Rules and Regulations

2. 2. When you first begin a pass, the manual says to ride in which portion of the lane?

   Correct answer: The left portion

   Position yourself in the lane's left third while keeping a safe gap, which lengthens your sightline and makes you easier to notice before you pull out.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Passing

3. 3. According to the manual, a good way to deal with a tailgater is to:

   Correct answer: Change lanes and let them pass

   Change lanes and let the tailgater pass, or slow and open extra space ahead so both of you have room to stop.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Being Followed

4. 4. When vehicles are traveling on both sides of you, which lane path is usually best?

   Correct answer: The center path of the lane

   With traffic on both sides, the center path of the lane is generally the best position.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Lane Positions

5. 5. When following a car, where should you ride so the driver is most likely to see you in the mirror?

   Correct answer: In the center portion of the lane

   Sitting in the lane's middle third keeps you inside the view of the driver's inside rearview mirror.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Following Another Vehicle

6. 6. Under Utah's lane-filtering rule, a motorcycle may pass a stopped vehicle in the same lane only at a speed of:

   Correct answer: 15 miles per hour or less

   Lane filtering is allowed only when the motorcycle is traveling at 15 miles per hour or less, among other conditions.

   Source: Traffic Rules and Regulations — Lane Filtering

7. 7. What is the minimum following distance the manual recommends behind a vehicle in normal conditions?

   Correct answer: Two seconds

   Keep at least a two-second following distance from the vehicle ahead under normal conditions.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Following Another Vehicle

8. 8. Why should you avoid riding right next to cars or trucks in an adjacent lane?

   Correct answer: You may be in a blind spot and have no escape path

   You may be sitting in a blind spot, a vehicle could change into your lane, and traffic beside you blocks your escape route.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Vehicles Alongside

9. 9. When you are being passed by another vehicle, where should you position yourself in your lane?

   Correct answer: Hold the middle portion of your lane

   Keep to the middle of your lane; riding too near the passing vehicle risks a sideswipe or a hit from extended mirrors.

   Source: Keeping Your Distance — Being Passed

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

    Correct answer: On a slippery road or when you cannot see past the vehicle ahead

    Increase to three or more seconds when the road is slippery, you cannot see past the vehicle ahead, or traffic may squeeze in front of you.

    Source: Keeping Your Distance — Following Another Vehicle

11. 11. How many paths of travel does the manual say a single traffic lane offers a motorcycle?

    Correct answer: Three

    Because a motorcycle is narrow, each lane gives it three usable paths of travel.

    Source: Keeping Your Distance — Lane Positions

12. 12. When a vehicle is merging onto the highway from an entrance ramp, the manual advises you to:

    Correct answer: Give them room, changing lanes or adjusting speed

    Give merging drivers plenty of room; change lanes if you can, or adjust your speed to open space for them.

    Source: Keeping Your Distance — Merging Vehicles