Montana Car / Permit: Sharing the Road Practice Test

Question 1

When you cross the center line to pass a bicyclist on a two-lane road, how much clearance does the manual recommend?

Accepted Answer

Five feet — With no oncoming traffic, ease over the center line and leave a suggested cushion of five feet between your vehicle and the rider.

Answer

Twelve feet

Answer

One foot

Answer

Two feet

Question 2

A cyclist is sharing your lane and your right turn is coming up. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Confirm the rider has stopped for you or let the rider go by first — Make sure the rider has either come to a halt to let you turn or has gone past you before you begin the turn across the rider's path.

Answer

Move right against the curb to block the rider

Answer

Sound the horn and turn without slowing

Answer

Turn quickly in front of the rider

Question 3

Under Montana law, when may two bicyclists ride side by side?

Accepted Answer

On a paved shoulder or parking lane, or in one lane of a multi-lane road when traffic is not impeded — Riding abreast is allowed on a paved shoulder or parking lane, and within one lane of a road with at least two lanes each way when it does not slow traffic more than single file would.

Answer

Only when a child is riding with an adult

Answer

Never, single file is required everywhere

Answer

Only during daylight hours

Question 4

Why does the manual warn against traveling alongside a large truck or bus?

Accepted Answer

Their large blind areas make it hard for the driver to see you — Big vehicles carry wide blind areas, and the driver up in the cab can easily lose track of a smaller vehicle sitting beside the trailer.

Answer

Their brakes work better than yours

Answer

They are not allowed to change lanes

Answer

Their mirrors reflect sunlight into your eyes

Question 5

You see pavement markings showing two arrows above a bicycle symbol. What are they?

Accepted Answer

A shared lane marking telling drivers to expect cyclists and leave passing room — These shared lane markings help riders find the right spot and direction in a lane used by motor vehicles, and they tell drivers to watch for cyclists and leave room when passing.

Answer

A marking indicating a bicycle parking area

Answer

A marking reserving the lane for bicycles only

Answer

A sign that bicycles must dismount ahead

Question 6

Why do many Montana bicyclists ride roughly 18 to 24 inches into the traffic lane rather than hugging the edge?

Accepted Answer

To discourage drivers from attempting an unsafe pass inside the lane — Taking that much of the lane discourages drivers from attempting a squeeze-by inside the same lane, which is the dangerous pass the manual warns motorists against.

Answer

Because shoulders are reserved for pedestrians

Answer

Because state law bars them from the right half of the lane

Answer

To make left turns easier at every intersection

Question 7

How fast do farm tractors, vehicles drawn by animals, and road maintenance equipment usually travel?

Accepted Answer

25 mph or less — The manual puts these vehicles at twenty-five miles an hour or less and requires the slow-moving vehicle emblem on the back of each of them.

Answer

45 mph or less

Answer

35 mph or less

Answer

55 mph or less

Question 8

What does Montana law say about sounding your horn as you approach or pass a horse on the road?

Accepted Answer

It is illegal to sound the horn near a horse — Using the horn around a horse is unlawful, and the manual also requires a reasonable speed and a reasonable amount of space when you go by.

Answer

It is permitted only on gravel roads

Answer

It is required whenever the horse is on the shoulder

Answer

It is required so the rider knows you are there

Question 9

What does the Montana manual say about lights on bicycles during daytime travel?

Accepted Answer

Bicycles are not required to carry lights during the day — Unlike motorcycles, bicycles carry no daytime lighting requirement, which is part of why the manual calls them less visible on the road.

Answer

A red rear lamp is required at all hours

Answer

Reflective clothing takes the place of lights by day

Answer

A white headlight is required at all hours

Question 10

The manual uses the term doored to describe which hazard?

Accepted Answer

A cyclist struck by a door flung open from a parked vehicle — It refers to someone inside a parked vehicle swinging the door open without first checking for a rider coming up from behind.

Answer

A driver blocked in by another parked car

Answer

A pedestrian stepping between two vehicles

Answer

A cyclist swerving around a pothole

Question 11

You are behind a bicyclist on a two-lane road and traffic is coming toward you. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Match the cyclist's speed and wait until passing is safe — Drop back to the rider's pace and hold there until the road ahead is clear enough to move over and go around safely.

Answer

Use the shoulder to get around

Answer

Flash your headlights so the cyclist moves over

Answer

Squeeze past within the lane

Question 12

A truck and trailer is ahead of you in a single-lane roundabout and its rear wheels ride up on the sloped curb of the center island. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Drop back behind the truck until it finishes the roundabout — That sloped flat curb is the truck apron built for long vehicles, and the manual tells the smaller vehicle's driver to fall back behind the truck as it works its way around.

Answer

Pass on the truck's right while it is turning

Answer

Stop inside the circle and wait

Answer

Sound the horn to warn the truck driver

Montana Car / Permit: Sharing the Road practice test

Study questions with answers

1. When you cross the center line to pass a bicyclist on a two-lane road, how much clearance does the manual recommend?

2. A cyclist is sharing your lane and your right turn is coming up. What should you do?

3. Under Montana law, when may two bicyclists ride side by side?

4. Why does the manual warn against traveling alongside a large truck or bus?

5. You see pavement markings showing two arrows above a bicycle symbol. What are they?

6. Why do many Montana bicyclists ride roughly 18 to 24 inches into the traffic lane rather than hugging the edge?

7. How fast do farm tractors, vehicles drawn by animals, and road maintenance equipment usually travel?

8. What does Montana law say about sounding your horn as you approach or pass a horse on the road?

9. What does the Montana manual say about lights on bicycles during daytime travel?

10. The manual uses the term doored to describe which hazard?

11. You are behind a bicyclist on a two-lane road and traffic is coming toward you. What should you do?

12. A truck and trailer is ahead of you in a single-lane roundabout and its rear wheels ride up on the sloped curb of the center island. What should you do?

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