Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

12 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. When traffic signals are absent, a Tennessee motorcyclist must do what for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk on the rider's half of the road?

   Correct answer: Yield, slowing or stopping if necessary

   Where signals are not present or operating, the rider must yield, slowing or stopping if needed, for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk on the half of the road the rider is using.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Pedestrians (Crossing a Road)

2. 2. Which vehicle movement poses the biggest right-of-way danger to a rider at an intersection?

   Correct answer: A car turning left across your path

   Cars turning left in front of you, including those turning from the lane to your right, are the biggest danger at intersections.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Intersections)

3. 3. Over half of motorcycle-car crashes at intersections are caused by what?

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

   More than half of motorcycle-car crashes result from drivers violating a rider's right-of-way, with left-turning cars being the biggest danger.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Intersections)

4. 4. At a blind intersection with a stop sign, what should a rider do after the first stop?

   Correct answer: Edge forward and stop again before the cross lane

   At a blind intersection you should stop at the sign or line first, then edge forward and stop again just short of the cross traffic to see whether anything is coming.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Blind Intersections)

5. 5. Generally, who has the right-of-way at intersections in Tennessee?

   Correct answer: Pedestrians

   Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way at all intersections, and a crosswalk exists at every intersection even where no lines are painted.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Pedestrians

6. 6. Why should you never rely on eye contact with a driver to know that they will yield?

   Correct answer: A driver may look at you and still not see you

   Drivers often look right at a motorcyclist and still fail to see them, so eye contact does not guarantee the driver will yield; the only eyes you can count on are your own.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Intersections)

7. 7. If a car can possibly enter 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, and they position themselves and cover the controls to be ready.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Intersections)

8. 8. When a driver on an entrance ramp is merging onto the highway ahead of you, what is the safest response?

   Correct answer: Give them room by changing lanes or adjusting speed

   Drivers on an entrance ramp may not see you, so give them plenty of room by changing lanes if one is open or by adjusting speed to open space for them.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Merging Vehicles)

9. 9. A crosswalk is considered to exist at an intersection even when what is true?

   Correct answer: Even if no lines are painted

   There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if painted lines and boundaries do not mark the crossing.

   Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Pedestrians

10. 10. Which pedestrians should a rider watch for most carefully as the most frequent victims in pedestrian collisions?

    Correct answer: Young, elderly, disabled, and intoxicated pedestrians

    You should be especially alert for young, elderly, disabled, and intoxicated pedestrians, who are the most frequent victims in pedestrian-related collisions.

    Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Pedestrians

11. 11. You are turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on your right. What is the correct action?

    Correct answer: Let the bicyclist pass, then turn right

    When turning right with a bicyclist approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before you make your turn.

    Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Bicycles

12. 12. You are turning left and a bicyclist is entering the intersection from the opposite direction. What should you do?

    Correct answer: Wait for the bicyclist to pass, then turn

    When turning left with a bicyclist entering from the opposite direction, wait for the bicyclist to pass before you complete your turn.

    Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Sharing the Road with Bicycles