Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

7 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. When passing parked cars, staying to the left of your lane helps you avoid:

   Correct answer: Opening doors and people stepping out

   A left lane position gives room for opening doors, exiting drivers, and people between cars.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 5: Keeping Your Distance

2. 2. Before turning off onto a soft or uncertain roadside surface, you should:

   Correct answer: Slow down significantly first

   If the roadside is soft grass, loose sand, or uncertain, slow way down before turning onto it.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

3. 3. When you stop to view a roadside before crossing traffic, you should angle the bike so you can:

   Correct answer: See both directions with no part of the bike in the lane

   Angle the bike to view both directions while keeping it out of the lane, especially before crossing traffic.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 5: Keeping Your Distance

4. 4. When you pull off the road to stop, you should:

   Correct answer: Move as far away from the travel lane as possible

   Get well clear of the road, since a bike at the roadside is hard to spot and others may stop there too.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

5. 5. When you stop or park, you should watch for oil spots because:

   Correct answer: Your foot could slip on them and you could fall

   Putting a foot down on an oil spot can make you slip and drop the bike.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 6: Handling Dangerous Surfaces

6. 6. Why should you stay in first gear while stopped in traffic?

   Correct answer: So you can move out of the way quickly if needed

   Remaining in first gear at a stop lets you pull away fast if a hazard appears behind you.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 3: Control for Safety

7. 7. Keeping well back from the vehicle ahead when stopped also protects you if that vehicle:

   Correct answer: Begins to roll backward

   Space when stopped guards against the vehicle ahead rolling backward and lets you escape a threat from behind.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 5: Keeping Your Distance