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Motorcycle Permit Test: Lane position questions and answers

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Lane position

24 questions

  1. #1

    How many paths of travel does each traffic lane give a motorcyclist?

    1. Three
    2. One
    3. Two
    4. Four

    Answer: A. Each lane has three paths: left, center and right thirds.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Lane Positions

  2. #2

    When there is traffic on both sides of you, the best lane position is usually:

    1. Left third (path 1)
    2. Center (path 2)
    3. Right third (path 3)
    4. On the lane line

    Answer: B. Path 2 keeps the most space from vehicles on both sides.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Lane Positions

  3. #3

    Under normal conditions, the minimum following distance for a motorcycle is:

    1. Half a second
    2. One second
    3. Two seconds
    4. Ten seconds

    Answer: C. Keep at least two seconds; three or more on slippery roads, in heavy traffic or when you can't see past the vehicle ahead.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Following Another VehicleNormally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained when following a vehicle.

  4. #4

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

    1. The road is dry and empty
    2. You are riding alone
    3. You are on a straight road
    4. The pavement is slippery or traffic is heavy

    Answer: D. Add space when traction is poor, traffic is heavy, or you cannot see past the vehicle ahead.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Following Another Vehicle

  5. #5

    Riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars (lane sharing) is:

    1. Usually prohibited — cars and motorcycles each need a full lane
    2. Always allowed
    3. Required in traffic jams
    4. Allowed at any speed

    Answer: A. Lane sharing is usually prohibited; each vehicle needs a full lane.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Lane Sharing

  6. #6

    In bumper-to-bumper traffic, a rider can discourage drivers from squeezing past by:

    1. Riding on the lane line
    2. Riding in the center of the lane
    3. Riding on the shoulder
    4. Weaving side to side

    Answer: B. A center-lane position discourages drivers from sharing your lane.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Lane Sharing

  7. #7

    Riding next to a car in its blind spot should be:

    1. Done to stay hidden
    2. Done only on highways
    3. Avoided — speed up or drop back
    4. Used when passing slowly

    Answer: C. The driver may change lanes into you without seeing you; find a spot with space on both sides.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Blind SpotsOne absolute, however, is to avoid riding in another vehicle's blind spot.

  8. #8

    A car is tailgating you and you cannot let it pass. You should:

    1. Brake suddenly to warn the driver
    2. Speed up well above the limit
    3. Wave the driver around
    4. Slow down and open more space ahead of you

    Answer: D. Extra space ahead gives both of you room to stop; you may also turn off and re-enter later.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Being Followed

  9. #9

    A driver is merging from an on-ramp onto your lane. You should:

    1. Give them plenty of room — change lanes or adjust speed
    2. Hold your position; you have the right-of-way
    3. Speed up to block them
    4. Sound the horn and keep going

    Answer: A. Merging drivers may not see you; change lanes if open, or adjust speed.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Merging Cars

  10. #10

    When passing a row of parked cars (no oncoming traffic), it is safest to ride:

    1. Close to the parked cars
    2. Toward the left of your lane
    3. On the center line
    4. On the shoulder

    Answer: B. Staying left avoids opening doors and people stepping out.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Passing Parked Cars

  11. #11

    Which lane position do many motorcyclists consider their default?

    1. The exact center of the lane, between the two tire tracks of automobiles
    2. The right third of the lane, the right tire track of automobiles
    3. The portion of the lane closest to the curb, beside parked cars
    4. The left third of the lane, the left tire track of automobiles

    Answer: D. Still, you should vary your lane position as conditions warrant.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 45Many motorcyclists consider the left third of the lane – the left tire track of automobiles – to be their default lane position.

  12. #12

    Which statement about lane positions is correct?

    1. The center of the lane must always be avoided
    2. No portion of the lane needs to be avoided, including the center
    3. You should stay in one lane position for the whole ride
    4. The right third of the lane must always be avoided

    Answer: B. Vary your position as traffic and conditions change.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 45But consider varying your lane position as conditions warrant, keeping in mind that no portion of the lane need be avoided — including the center.

  13. #13

    If vehicles and other potential problems are on your left only, which lane path should you ride in?

    1. Path 1 only
    2. Path 1 or 2
    3. Path 2 or 3
    4. Path 1 or 3

    Answer: C. Moving away from the side with the hazards gives you more space.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 45Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehicles and other potential problems are on your left only.

  14. #14

    What collects in the center third of the traffic lane?

    1. Debris and oil drippings from cars
    2. Only clean, dry pavement
    3. Gravel pushed there by motorcycles
    4. Water that drains from the shoulder

    Answer: A. Hazards such as surface covers are also located there.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 45Remember, the center third of the lane is the place where debris and oil drippings from cars collect and where hazards such as surface covers are located.

  15. #15

    Compared with cars, how much distance do motorcycles need to stop in traffic?

    1. Much less distance than cars
    2. Half the distance of cars
    3. Less distance, since they weigh less
    4. As much distance as cars

    Answer: D. Following too closely is a frequent factor in motorcycle crashes.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 45“Following too closely” is a frequent factor in crashes involving motorcyclists. In traffic, motorcycles need as much distance to stop as cars.

  16. #16

    You count the seconds after the car ahead passes a marker. You reach the marker before you reach “two.” What does this mean?

    1. You are following at a safe distance
    2. You are following too far behind
    3. You are following too closely
    4. You should speed up to match the car ahead

    Answer: C. Open up more space until you reach the marker after counting “two.”

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 46If you reach the marker before you reach “two,” you are following too closely.

  17. #17

    Besides leaving room to stop, what else does a two-second following distance provide?

    1. A better view of potholes and other hazards in the road
    2. A guarantee that nobody will follow you closely
    3. The ability to ride in the vehicle’s blind spot
    4. Less need to check your mirrors

    Answer: A. A larger cushion is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 47It also permits a better view of potholes and other hazards in the road.

  18. #18

    Why should you keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when you are stopped?

    1. It lets you stay in the vehicle's blind spot so the driver does not notice you waiting
    2. It keeps your engine from overheating while it idles in stopped traffic
    3. It saves fuel while you wait, because you can coast forward as soon as traffic moves
    4. It makes it easier to get out of the way if someone bears down on you from behind

    Answer: D. It also gives you a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead starts to back up.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 47Keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when you are stopped. This will make it easier to get out of the way if someone bears down on you from behind.

  19. #19

    When you ride behind a car, where should you position yourself?

    1. Where the driver can see you in the inside rearview mirror
    2. Where you can only be seen in the sideview mirror
    3. Directly in the driver’s blind spot
    4. As close to the bumper as possible

    Answer: A. The center portion of the lane should put you in view.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 47When behind a car, ride where the driver can see you in the inside rearview mirror.

  20. #20

    Why is riding at the far side of a lane less reliable for being seen by the driver ahead?

    1. Most drivers don’t check their sideview mirrors nearly as often as the inside mirror
    2. Sideview mirrors are too small to show a motorcycle in the next lane
    3. The law forbids drivers from using sideview mirrors in traffic
    4. Sideview mirrors point up at the sky and never show the road beside the car

    Answer: A. The center portion of the lane is usually the best place to be seen.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 47But remember that most drivers don’t look at their sideview mirrors nearly as often as they check the inside mirror.

  21. #21

    Besides letting a tailgater pass, what else can you do to get away from a driver following too closely?

    1. Speed up well above the traffic flow
    2. Brake suddenly to teach the driver a lesson
    3. Ride in the driver’s blind spot beside the car
    4. Turn off the roadway and re-enter later, or use a parking area

    Answer: D. Speeding up can end up with someone tailgating you at a higher speed.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 47You can also turn off the roadway and re-enter later, or use a parking area to do the same thing.

  22. #22

    When you begin to pass a vehicle, where should you ride in your lane?

    1. In the right portion of the lane, close to the vehicle
    2. In the left portion of the lane at a safe following distance
    3. In the center of the lane, right behind the vehicle
    4. On the line between lanes

    Answer: B. This increases your line of sight and makes you more visible.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 47Ride in the left portion of the lane at a safe following distance to increase your line of sight and make you more visible.

  23. #23

    When another vehicle passes you from behind, you should:

    1. Stay in the center portion of your lane
    2. Move to the edge of the lane closest to the passing vehicle
    3. Speed up to stay beside the vehicle
    4. Swerve toward the shoulder

    Answer: A. Riding close to the passing vehicle could put you in a hazardous situation.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 48When you are being passed from behind, stay in the center portion of your lane.

  24. #24

    Which of these is a danger of riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane?

    1. All of the drivers will see you and move aside so you can pass between the cars
    2. Your mirrors will stop working because of vibration from the engines of nearby cars
    3. You will use much more fuel because of the constant stopping and starting between cars
    4. A hand could come out of a window, a door could open, or a car could turn suddenly

    Answer: D. Riding there can leave you vulnerable to the unexpected.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 48A hand could come out of a window; a door could open; a car could turn suddenly.
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