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. You should open up a following gap of three seconds or more when:

   Correct answer: the pavement is slippery or you cannot see past the vehicle ahead

   Slippery roads, a blocked view of the vehicle ahead, or heavy traffic call for three seconds or more of space.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Following Another Vehicle

2. 2. On a two-lane road, riders in a staggered group should pass slower traffic:

   Correct answer: one at a time

   On two-lane roads each rider passes individually when it is safe, not as a group.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Group Riding

3. 3. In a staggered formation, the second rider should stay:

   Correct answer: at least one second back on the other side of the lane

   The second rider keeps to the opposite side of the lane at least one second behind the leader.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Group Riding

4. 4. When should a group switch from staggered to single-file formation?

   Correct answer: In curves, turns, and when entering or leaving a freeway

   Single file is best in curves, turns, and when entering or leaving a freeway.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Group Riding

5. 5. Riding directly next to another rider in the same lane is:

   Correct answer: dangerous because there is no room to maneuver

   Never pair up in a lane; there is no escape path if you must maneuver to avoid a hazard.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Group Riding

6. 6. On a straight road, the safest way for a group to ride is:

   Correct answer: in a staggered formation

   A staggered formation keeps ranks close while preserving each rider's space cushion.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Group Riding

7. 7. You should avoid riding alongside cars or trucks in adjacent lanes because:

   Correct answer: you may sit in a blind spot and lose an escape route

   Riding beside another vehicle can put you in its blind spot and block your escape if a hazard appears ahead.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Vehicles Alongside

8. 8. The best way to deal with a tailgater is usually to:

   Correct answer: let them get in front of you

   Encourage a tailgater to pass, or slow and open space ahead so there is room for both of you to stop.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Being Followed

9. 9. In normal conditions, the minimum following distance behind a vehicle should be:

   Correct answer: two seconds

   Keep at least a two-second gap when following another vehicle in normal conditions.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Following Another Vehicle

10. 10. The first step when preparing to pass another vehicle is to:

    Correct answer: ride in the left portion of your lane and check for oncoming traffic

    Set up in the left of your lane to see and be seen, then signal and check mirrors and your blind spot before moving out.

    Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Passing

11. 11. Lane sharing (riding beside a car within the same lane) is:

    Correct answer: usually prohibited and should be discouraged

    Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane, so hold a center position to discourage others from squeezing in.

    Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Lane Sharing

12. 12. In traffic, a motorcycle needs how much distance to stop compared with a car?

    Correct answer: About the same distance

    Motorcycles need roughly as much stopping distance as cars, so a proper following gap is essential.

    Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Following Another Vehicle