Being Seen & Visibility

Study questions with answers

12 sample Being Seen & Visibility questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Because motorcycles have blind spots, what should you do before changing lanes?

   Correct answer: Glance over your shoulder toward the side to check for other vehicles

   Because mirrors miss the blind spots, glance over your shoulder to the side for traffic before you change lanes.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Head Checks

2. 2. At night, how should you adjust your following distance?

   Correct answer: Open it to a four-second gap or more

   Open up to a four-second following distance or more at night, since distances are harder to judge in the dark.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Riding at Night

3. 3. Which headlight beam should you use at night and in fog?

   Correct answer: Low beam

   Use the low beam at night and in fog for the safest lighting.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity: Headlight

4. 4. Why do drivers so often say they never saw the motorcycle before a crash?

   Correct answer: A motorcycle presents a far smaller outline than a car, and drivers aren't watching for one

   A motorcycle's outline is far smaller than a car's, and most drivers simply aren't scanning for motorcycles.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity

5. 5. What advantage do rounded, convex mirrors provide?

   Correct answer: They give a wider view of the road behind

   Convex mirrors give a wider view of the road behind, though they make vehicles look farther away than they are.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Using Your Mirrors

6. 6. When should you use your high beam at night?

   Correct answer: Whenever you are not following or meeting another vehicle

   Use the high beam whenever you are not following another vehicle or meeting one, to get all the light you can.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Riding at Night

7. 7. What is the single best way to help others notice your motorcycle?

   Correct answer: Keep the headlight on at all times

   Keeping the headlight on at all times makes the motorcycle roughly twice as likely to be noticed in daylight.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity: Headlight

8. 8. After you finish a turn, what should you do with your turn signal?

   Correct answer: Make sure it is switched off

   Make sure the signal is off after the turn, or a driver may pull into your path expecting you to turn again.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity: Signals

9. 9. Which clothing colors best help others see you?

   Correct answer: Bright orange, red, yellow, or green

   Bright orange, red, yellow, or green gear gives you the best chance of being noticed.

   Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity: Clothing

10. 10. About how much of the visible area of the rider-and-motorcycle unit is the rider's body?

    Correct answer: About half

    About half of what other drivers can see of you and the bike is your own body, so bright clothing matters.

    Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity: Clothing

11. 11. How should you use the horn near a driver who might move into your lane?

    Correct answer: Give a quick beep before passing

    Give a quick beep before passing anyone who could drift into your lane to get their attention.

    Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Horn

12. 12. When should you use turn signals on a motorcycle?

    Correct answer: Any time you turn or change lanes, even when no one seems near

    Signal whenever you intend to turn or change lanes, even if it seems nobody is nearby.

    Source: Kentucky Motorcycle Manual - Increasing Conspicuity: Signals