WA DMV Sharing the Road 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Washington, when passing a bicyclist on a roadway, drivers must leave at least how much clearance?
- Three feet (Correct answer)
- One foot
- Ten feet
- Two feet
Correct answer: Three feet
Washington law requires drivers to pass bicyclists with at least three feet of clearance, or move fully into the adjacent lane when available.
Question 2: A large truck is signaling a right turn at an intersection and swings slightly left first. What should you do?
- Stay back and do not pass on the right (Correct answer)
- Quickly pass on the right before it turns
- Honk so the driver corrects the turn
- Pass on the left through the oncoming lane
Correct answer: Stay back and do not pass on the right
Trucks need extra room to make right turns and may swing wide, so squeezing in on the right risks being caught in the turn path.
Question 3: You are driving behind a motorcycle in your lane. How much following distance should you allow compared to following a car?
- More distance, because motorcycles can stop quickly and are harder to see (Correct answer)
- Less distance, because motorcycles are smaller
- Exactly the same distance in all conditions
- No specific distance is needed if you stay in your lane
Correct answer: More distance, because motorcycles can stop quickly and are harder to see
Motorcycles can slow rapidly and their brake lights may be less noticeable, so an increased following distance gives you more time to react.
Question 4: Where are a large truck's blind spots, often called No-Zones, located?
- On both sides, directly behind, and directly in front of the truck (Correct answer)
- Only directly behind the truck
- Only on the left side of the truck
- Trucks have no blind spots because of their large mirrors
Correct answer: On both sides, directly behind, and directly in front of the truck
Large trucks have No-Zones in front, behind, and along both sides where the driver cannot see other vehicles.
Question 5: A pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog is crossing the street mid-block. What must you do?
- Stop and yield until the pedestrian is safely across (Correct answer)
- Yield only if they are in a marked crosswalk
- Slow down and drive carefully around them
- Honk to alert them that a car is near
Correct answer: Stop and yield until the pedestrian is safely across
A white cane or guide dog indicates a blind or low-vision pedestrian, and drivers must always stop and yield to them regardless of location.
Question 6: You approach a stopped transit bus that is signaling to re-enter traffic from a bus stop. Under Washington law, what should you do?
- Yield to the bus and let it merge back into the lane (Correct answer)
- Speed up to get past before it moves
- Honk and hold your position in the lane
- Change lanes only if the bus driver waves you through
Correct answer: Yield to the bus and let it merge back into the lane
Washington law requires drivers to yield to transit buses signaling to re-enter the traffic flow from a stop.
Question 7: Why should you avoid lingering alongside a large truck on a multilane highway?
- You may be riding in the truck's blind spot where the driver cannot see you (Correct answer)
- Trucks are required to change lanes frequently
- It is illegal to drive next to a truck for more than five seconds
- Trucks always travel faster than cars on highways
Correct answer: You may be riding in the truck's blind spot where the driver cannot see you
Staying beside a truck keeps you hidden in its side No-Zone, so you should pass promptly or drop back.
WA DMV Sharing the Road 2
In Washington, when passing a bicyclist on a roadway, drivers must leave at least how much clearance?