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. One major reason crashes between cars and motorcycles happen is that:

   Correct answer: Drivers often fail to notice the motorcycle

   In more than half of car-motorcycle crashes, the other driver did not see the motorcycle in time. Drivers expect four-wheeled vehicles and overlook smaller ones.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Motorcycles

2. 2. Trucks and buses often swing wide before turning. A driver should never:

   Correct answer: Squeeze between the truck and the curb

   Because these vehicles need extra room and have large blind spots, never try to squeeze between a truck or bus and the curb or another vehicle.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Wide Turns

3. 3. You cannot see a large truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. This means:

   Correct answer: The driver cannot see your vehicle

   If the driver's face is not visible in the mirror, the driver cannot see you either; you are in a No-Zone blind spot. Move out of it as soon as you can.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Trucks, Tractor-Trailers, Buses and RVs

4. 4. On which roads are bicyclists generally prohibited from riding in Virginia?

   Correct answer: Interstates and most freeways

   Cyclists may legally use nearly all public roads, but not interstates and most limited-access freeways. Expect them almost anywhere else.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Bicycles

5. 5. When you follow a motorcycle, Virginia advises adjusting your following distance by:

   Correct answer: Adding at least one extra second

   Behind a motorcycle, add one more second to your usual following-distance count, and double that in bad weather, since riders may brake or move suddenly.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Motorcycles

6. 6. Because a motorcycle uses the whole lane as conditions change, a driver should:

   Correct answer: Never share the same lane beside it

   Even though a motorcycle is narrower than the lane, riders shift position to handle traffic and road-surface changes, so never drive beside one in the same lane.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Motorcycles

7. 7. When you see a pedestrian who has stopped and is waiting in front of another vehicle at a crosswalk, you should:

   Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until they clear your lane

   You may not see people crossing in front of other vehicles. Stop and stay stopped until pedestrians have cleared the lane where your vehicle is; passing at a crosswalk is illegal.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pedestrians

8. 8. A sign warns of horse-drawn buggies in the area. Virginia drivers should slow down and:

   Correct answer: Avoid using the horn near them

   Slow down and don't sound the horn, which can spook the animals; give at least three feet of room when you pass and the road is clear.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Warning Signs

9. 9. When driving near light rail trains such as The Tide, you should never:

   Correct answer: Drive around lowered crossing gates

   Never drive around lowered crossing gates. Obey the signs and signals, and remember a train can come on any track at any moment; cross only when you have room to get all the way across.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Light Rail

10. 10. A low-speed vehicle in Virginia may be driven on public roads only where the speed limit is:

    Correct answer: 35 mph or lower

    These four-wheeled vehicles top out at about 21 to 25 mph and may use public roads only where the posted limit is 35 mph or less.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Low Speed Vehicles

11. 11. When passing a person riding a bicycle in Virginia, a driver must allow a clearance of at least:

    Correct answer: Three feet

    State law requires passing a cyclist with a minimum of three feet of space. If the lane is too narrow for that, you must change lanes to pass safely.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Bicycles

12. 12. After passing a large truck, when is it safe to move back in front of it?

    Correct answer: Once its whole front shows in your mirror

    Do not merge back until the truck's whole front is visible in your mirror, then hold a steady speed so it does not have to brake hard.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Front No-Zone