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. Where are collisions between cars and motorcycles most likely to happen?

   Correct answer: At intersections

   Intersections are the most common place for car-motorcycle crashes, often when a driver turns into the motorcycle's path.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

2. 2. You are stopped behind a truck on an upgrade. What should you expect when the truck starts moving?

   Correct answer: It may roll backward as it accelerates

   A truck may roll backward as it begins to accelerate on a hill, so leave extra space behind it.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks

3. 3. When should you give a bicyclist the entire lane?

   Correct answer: When they are passing parked cars

   Give bicyclists the whole lane when they pass parked cars, since they need room to avoid suddenly opening doors.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Bicycles

4. 4. What minimum distance must you leave between your vehicle and a bicyclist when passing?

   Correct answer: 3 feet

   You must keep at least three feet of space between your vehicle and a bicyclist you are passing.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Bicycles

5. 5. In good conditions, how large a following gap should a car leave behind a big truck?

   Correct answer: At least 4 to 5 seconds

   Keep a following gap of about four to five seconds behind a truck so spray and a blocked view do not catch you off guard.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks

6. 6. About how far does a loaded tractor-trailer with good tires and brakes need to stop from 55 mph on a dry road?

   Correct answer: About 290 feet

   Such a rig needs a minimum of roughly 290 feet to stop from 55 mph on clear, dry pavement.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks

7. 7. When you can't spot a truck driver's face in the rig's side mirror, what does it tell you?

   Correct answer: The truck driver cannot see you

   If the driver's face does not show in the mirror, that driver has no view of you and likely does not realize you are nearby.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks

8. 8. When following a motorcycle, how much following distance should you allow at minimum?

   Correct answer: At least 4 seconds

   Allow at least a four-second following distance behind a motorcycle so the rider has room to maneuver or stop.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

9. 9. When passing a big truck, which side should you pass on and what should you do before returning to the lane?

   Correct answer: Pass on the left and allow room before cutting back in

   Always pass a truck on the left and be sure to leave plenty of room before pulling back in front of it.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks

10. 10. Should you sound your horn when you are near a bicyclist?

    Correct answer: No, do not blow your horn near them

    Do not blow your horn near a bicyclist; the sudden noise can startle the rider and cause a crash.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Bicycles

11. 11. What does the term 'No-Zone' refer to when driving around large trucks?

    Correct answer: The truck's blind-spot areas

    The No-Zones are the blind spots around the front, rear, and sides of a truck where the driver cannot see you.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks

12. 12. Why should you avoid cutting into the open space right in front of a large truck?

    Correct answer: That space is the truck's stopping cushion

    That space is the truck's safety cushion for its long stopping distance; cutting in leaves no room if you must stop suddenly.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Sharing the Road with Big Trucks