Virginia Motorcycle: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

How can you make your brake light more noticeable to a driver behind?

Accepted Answer

Tap the foot brake to flash it before slowing — Flashing the brake light by tapping the foot brake helps a following driver notice you are slowing.

Answer

Turn your headlight off and on

Answer

Wave your left arm

Answer

Rev the engine loudly

Question 2

On most motorcycles the brake light is harder to notice because it:

Accepted Answer

Comes on together with the taillight and headlight — Because the taillight is already on with the headlight, the brake light stands out less than a car's.

Answer

Is smaller than a car's turn signal

Answer

Only works at night

Answer

Blinks continuously

Question 3

It is especially important to flash your brake light when you will:

Accepted Answer

Slow more suddenly, or where others will not expect it — Flash the brake light when slowing unexpectedly, such as turning off a fast highway or mid-block.

Answer

Slow gradually on an open road

Answer

Make your usual stop at a red light

Answer

Ride at a steady highway speed

Question 4

A marking that pairs a bicycle emblem with two forward-pointing chevrons, painted along the center of a lane, means:

Accepted Answer

The lane is too narrow to be shared side by side — That marking is called a sharrow. It appears where the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to travel abreast, showing cyclists where to ride and reminding everyone else to expect them.

Answer

The lane is closed to motor vehicles altogether

Answer

Cyclists must get off and walk from here

Answer

The lane runs out a short distance ahead

Question 5

An overhead yellow X, or a yellow arrow angled down over your lane, is telling you to:

Accepted Answer

Move out of that lane as soon as it is safe — Those lane-use signals mean the lane is being taken out of service, so move across as soon as a safe gap appears. A red X means never ride there at all.

Answer

Stay where you are and hold your speed

Answer

Stop in the lane and wait

Answer

Turn in the direction the arrow points

Question 6

You should use your turn signals:

Accepted Answer

Any time you plan to change lanes, even if no one seems near — Signal every lane change and turn, even when you think no one is around, because unseen cars cause trouble.

Answer

Only when other traffic is close

Answer

Only when turning at intersections

Answer

Only after dark

Question 7

A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn the way it points, but only after you have:

Accepted Answer

Given way to oncoming traffic and to people crossing — The flashing arrow gives you permission but no protection. Give way to traffic coming the other way and to anyone in the crosswalk, and look hard for machines that are easy to miss.

Answer

Come to a complete stop first

Answer

Waited for the arrow to turn green

Answer

Sounded your horn

Question 8

Leaving a turn signal on after your turn is:

Accepted Answer

As dangerous as never signaling at all — A signal left on may make a driver think you will turn again and pull into your path, so cancel it.

Answer

Perfectly fine

Answer

Only a problem at night

Answer

Helpful to drivers behind

Question 9

Two solid white lines dividing lanes that run the same way tell you that you:

Accepted Answer

Are not permitted to cross them — Those lines usually fence a special-use lane, such as a high occupancy lane, off from the ordinary ones. You may not ride across them, and you enter the reserved lane only where signs and markings open it up.

Answer

May change lanes once you check your blind spot

Answer

Must leave at the next exit ramp

Answer

Are riding inside a bicycle lane

Question 10

A solid yellow line running alongside a broken yellow line means passing is:

Accepted Answer

Permitted only from the side where the line is broken — Only traffic on the broken-line side may overtake. From the solid side you may cross only to get around someone walking or riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard, and only when the far lane is clear.

Answer

Permitted from either side when clear

Answer

Prohibited for traffic in both directions

Answer

Permitted only within an intersection

Question 11

A line of painted triangles running across the roadway in front of you is a:

Accepted Answer

Yield line — That marking is a yield line. It shows the point at which you must give way, stopping if that is what the situation demands, and it is often found at the entry to a roundabout.

Answer

Crosswalk

Answer

Stop line

Answer

Bicycle box

Virginia Motorcycle: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test

Study questions with answers

1. How can you make your brake light more noticeable to a driver behind?

2. On most motorcycles the brake light is harder to notice because it:

3. It is especially important to flash your brake light when you will:

4. A marking that pairs a bicycle emblem with two forward-pointing chevrons, painted along the center of a lane, means:

5. An overhead yellow X, or a yellow arrow angled down over your lane, is telling you to:

6. You should use your turn signals:

7. A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn the way it points, but only after you have:

8. Leaving a turn signal on after your turn is:

9. Two solid white lines dividing lanes that run the same way tell you that you:

10. A solid yellow line running alongside a broken yellow line means passing is:

11. A line of painted triangles running across the roadway in front of you is a:

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