Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

7 sample Right-of-Way questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. As you approach an intersection where a driver is preparing to cross your path, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Slow down, improve your visibility, and cover the clutch and brakes

   Slow down, choose a lane position that increases your visibility to that driver, and cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce your reaction time.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections

2. 2. What causes more than half of motorcycle-car crashes at intersections?

   Correct answer: Drivers entering the rider's right-of-way

   Over half of motorcycle-car crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider's right-of-way, especially cars turning left in front of you or pulling out from side streets.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections

3. 3. If a car could pull into your path at an intersection, what should you assume?

   Correct answer: That it will enter your path

   Good riders assume that if a car can enter their path, it will; they stay alert, keep a space cushion, and prepare to take evasive action.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections

4. 4. At a stop sign or stop line with a blocked view, what is the recommended procedure?

   Correct answer: Stop, then edge forward and stop again to look around obstacles

   Stop first at the sign or line, then edge forward and stop again just short of the cross-traffic lane, leaning forward to look around obstacles while keeping your front wheel out of the cross lane.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections: Blind Intersections

5. 5. At a blind intersection, why should you move to the portion of the lane that brings you into a cross-street driver's view earliest?

   Correct answer: So the cross-street driver can see you as soon as possible

   Positioning yourself to appear in the other driver's field of vision as soon as possible helps you be seen while protecting your space, for example moving away from a parked car that blocks the view.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections: Blind Intersections

6. 6. As you enter an intersection near a vehicle that could cross your path, why should you avoid changing speed or position radically?

   Correct answer: A driver might think you are about to turn

   Sudden changes in speed or position might make a driver think you are preparing to turn; instead move away from the vehicle smoothly while being ready to brake hard and hold your position.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections

7. 7. Making eye contact with a driver waiting to cross your path means what?

   Correct answer: It does not guarantee the driver will yield

   Eye contact is no guarantee; a driver may look right at a motorcyclist and still fail to 'see' them, so you should never count on eye contact as a sign the driver will yield.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Intersections