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 fines for a driver who illegally passes a stopped school bus in Washington?

   Correct answer: They are doubled

   Anyone who drives past a stopped school bus faces a doubled fine. The steeper penalty reflects the danger to kids getting on and off.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with School Buses (4.2)

2. 2. About how far does a fully loaded truck with good brakes traveling 55 mph need to stop completely?

   Correct answer: About 450 feet

   A loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes at 55 mph needs about 450 feet to stop. That is why cutting in front of a large vehicle without room is so dangerous.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with Large Vehicles, Stopping (4.4)

3. 3. When passing a bicyclist, how much space must you leave between your vehicle and the rider?

   Correct answer: At least 3 feet

   Keep a minimum of 3 feet of clearance from the bicyclist to your vehicle's widest point. Pass slowly on their left, and never swing into oncoming traffic to do it.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Passing a Bicyclist (4.6)

4. 4. What do the yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean?

   Correct answer: Caution; the bus is about to stop

   School bus lights work like traffic signals: yellow means caution or slow down because the bus is preparing to stop, and red means you must stop.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with School Buses (4.2)

5. 5. When you pass a bicyclist on a road with two lanes going the same direction, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Move over one full lane to pass

   Shift a whole lane over to go around. Where the road has just one lane each way, use the opposite lane only when nothing is coming, and still leave 3 feet of room.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Passing a Bicyclist (4.6)

6. 6. Before turning right, what extra check helps you avoid a motorcyclist hidden in your blind zone?

   Correct answer: Do an over-the-shoulder check before turning

   Motorcyclists are easily hidden in blind zones, so do an over-the-shoulder check. Looking left, right, then left again before you turn can save a rider's life.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with Motorcycles, Turning (4.5)

7. 7. Why should you allow extra following room behind a motorcycle when it is raining?

   Correct answer: Wet, slippery surfaces are more hazardous for riders

   Slippery surfaces are especially dangerous for motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable and may need to stop or adjust suddenly. Leave more space in the rain.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with Motorcycles, Following (4.5)

8. 8. After passing a large vehicle, how do you know it is safe to merge back in front of it?

   Correct answer: When you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror

   Do not pull in front until both of the truck's headlights show clearly in your mirror. Once you merge, stay with the flow of traffic.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with Large Vehicles, Merging (4.4)

9. 9. On a multilane road, when may oncoming drivers avoid stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights?

   Correct answer: When the road has three or more lanes or a dividing median or barrier

   Drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop only if the road has three or more lanes or the directions are divided by a median or barrier.

   Source: Washington Driver Guide — When You Are in Front of the Bus (4.2)

10. 10. How should you share a lane with a motorcyclist?

    Correct answer: Never share their lane; give them the full lane width

    Do not pull alongside a motorcyclist within the same lane, even where the lane looks wide. A motorcycle is entitled to the whole lane, the same as any other vehicle.

    Source: Washington Driver Guide — Sharing with Motorcycles, Lanes (4.5)

11. 11. Why should you avoid following a snowplow too closely?

    Correct answer: They can throw snow that creates blinding, blizzard-like conditions

    Snowplows can throw snow up and off the road, creating blizzard-like conditions that cut visibility for anyone following too closely. Keep well back.

    Source: Washington Driver Guide — Snowplows (4.4)

12. 12. You are driving behind a school bus that turns on flashing red lights and extends its stop sign. What must you do?

    Correct answer: Stop and wait until the lights stop and the stop arm retracts

    As soon as the red lamps flash and the stop arm swings out, every vehicle behind the bus must halt. Go only after the lights quit, the sign folds away, and the arm returns to the bumper.

    Source: Washington Driver Guide — When You Are Behind the Bus (4.2)