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. Strong winds tend to make staying in your lane hardest for what kind of vehicle?

   Correct answer: Lighter vehicles

   The problem of being pushed by strong crosswinds is usually worse for lighter vehicles, and it can be especially bad when leaving a tunnel.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

2. 2. What are two dangers of traveling right alongside other vehicles?

   Correct answer: Another driver turning into you, and being trapped with no escape lane

   A driver beside you might suddenly change lanes into you, and you could be boxed in with no room to move over when you need to.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

3. 3. When someone is following you too closely, why is it unwise to speed up?

   Correct answer: Being tailgated at higher speed is more dangerous

   It is safer to be tailgated at a lower speed than a high one, so increasing speed to escape a tailgater actually raises the danger.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

4. 4. How should you treat a driver who appears to be distracted?

   Correct answer: Give them plenty of room and pass with care

   Give a distracted driver plenty of room, keep your safe following distance, and be careful when passing, because they may not notice you and could drift into your path.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.9: Distracted Driving

5. 5. If a driver is tailgating you, what is one safe thing you can do?

   Correct answer: Increase your following distance ahead

   Open up more room ahead of you; the extra space lets you avoid sudden speed or direction changes and gives the tailgating driver a better chance to move past.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space

6. 6. Why are children considered a serious hazard near the roadway?

   Correct answer: They may act suddenly without watching for traffic

   Children tend to act quickly without checking for traffic, and those playing together may not look before darting into the road.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.8: Seeing Hazards

7. 7. When dealing with an aggressive driver, how should you handle eye contact and gestures?

   Correct answer: Avoid eye contact and ignore their gestures

   Avoid making eye contact and ignore any gestures, refusing to react to them so the situation does not escalate.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.10: Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage

8. 8. What is the first and most important thing to do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

   Correct answer: Get out of their way

   Make every effort to get out of the aggressive driver's way; do not try to hold your own or challenge them by speeding up.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.10: Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage

9. 9. Why are walkers, joggers, and bicyclists on the road especially hazardous?

   Correct answer: They may not see or hear your vehicle

   They may have their backs to traffic and cannot see you, and some wear headphones, so they may not hear you either.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.8: Seeing Hazards

10. 10. What clues might tell you a driver ahead is a confused tourist unfamiliar with the area?

    Correct answer: Out-of-state plates and sudden, hesitant maneuvers

    Out-of-state plates, luggage on the roof, sudden unexplained lane changes, hesitation, and looking at street signs or maps all suggest a confused or unfamiliar driver.

    Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.8: Seeing Hazards

11. 11. Why should you watch delivery-truck drivers closely as hazards?

    Correct answer: Their view is often blocked and they may pull out suddenly

    Packages or open doors often block their view, and being in a hurry they may step out suddenly or pull into the traffic lane without warning.

    Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.8: Seeing Hazards

12. 12. How should you position yourself relative to other vehicles when traffic forces you to travel near them?

    Correct answer: Keep as much space as possible and stay where they can see you

    Keep as much space as you can between yourself and nearby vehicles, and drop back or move ahead so you can be certain the other driver has a clear view of you.

    Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.7: Managing Space