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. Your following distance behind a motorcycle should be what compared to following a car?

   Correct answer: The same or greater

   Allow at least as much room behind a motorcycle as behind a car, and more is better, because riders may need to swerve or slow suddenly.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Sharing the road with motorcyclists

2. 2. Why should you never try to pass a large commercial truck on the right if it may turn right?

   Correct answer: Trucks swing wide and their rear wheels track a shorter path, cutting off the right side

   Big trucks often make wide right turns and may leave a gap on the right; passing there risks being crushed as the trailer's rear wheels cut in.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Commercial vehicles and wide turns

3. 3. When flashing lights, bells, and gates are active at a railroad crossing, where must you stop?

   Correct answer: At least 10 feet from the nearest rail or gate

   Do not cross when the warning devices are active; stop no closer than 10 feet from the nearest rail or gate.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Railroad crossing warning devices

4. 4. You are following a large truck at night. What should you do with your headlights?

   Correct answer: Dim them to avoid glare in the truck's mirrors

   A truck's big side mirrors reflect light, so dim your headlights when following one at night to avoid blinding the driver.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Following a commercial vehicle

5. 5. It is illegal to pass any vehicle within how many feet of a railroad crossing?

   Correct answer: 100 feet

   You may not pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Special vehicles at railroad crossings

6. 6. What should you do when you approach a snowplow at work?

   Correct answer: Stay well back and pass only when you can see the whole plow

   Never crowd a plow; keep your distance from flying material and pass only when the entire vehicle is visible and it is safe.

   Source: Chapter 6 - Sharing the road with snowplows

7. 7. When passing a bicyclist, what minimum space must you leave?

   Correct answer: At least three feet between your car and the rider

   You must keep at least three feet of clearance from a bicyclist, and you may cross the center line to do so when it is safe, even in a no-passing zone.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Passing a bicyclist

8. 8. Driving in a marked bicycle lane is illegal except for which purpose?

   Correct answer: To park where permitted, enter or leave the road, or prepare for a turn

   You may only enter a bike lane to park where allowed, to turn, or to enter and leave the road, and you must yield to bicyclists first.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Bicycle lanes

9. 9. A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) may be driven on streets with what speed limit?

   Correct answer: 35 mph or less

   Anyone with a Class D license may drive a registered NEV, but only on roads posted at 35 mph or lower.

   Source: Chapter 4 - Neighborhood electric vehicles

10. 10. Where are you not allowed to operate a motorized bicycle (moped)?

    Correct answer: On sidewalks, freeways, and paths meant for pedestrians and bicycles

    Mopeds are barred from sidewalks, freeways, and trails set aside for pedestrians and bicycles.

    Source: Chapter 4 - Motorized bicycles

11. 11. Compared with a car, a fully loaded tractor-trailer needs how much room to stop?

    Correct answer: Much more, over 400 feet from 55 mph

    A car at 55 mph stops in roughly 130 to 140 feet, while a loaded tractor-trailer may need more than 400 feet.

    Source: Chapter 4 - Following a commercial vehicle

12. 12. Motorcycle lane splitting in Minnesota is allowed only under which condition?

    Correct answer: At no more than 25 mph and no more than 15 mph over surrounding traffic

    Lane splitting is legal when lanes move in the same direction and traffic is moving, but the rider may not exceed 25 mph or go more than 15 mph over traffic speed.

    Source: Chapter 4 - Lane splitting and filtering