Washington State Knowledge Test Sharing the Road 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Washington, when passing a bicyclist on the road, how much space must you provide?
- 1 foot of clearance
- 2 feet of clearance
- 3 feet of clearance (Correct answer)
- 5 feet of clearance
Correct answer: 3 feet of clearance
Washington law requires drivers to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of clearance when passing on the road.
Question 2: What should a driver do when a pedestrian with a white cane is crossing the street in Washington?
- Honk to alert the pedestrian of the vehicle's presence
- Yield completely and wait for the pedestrian to reach the other curb (Correct answer)
- Proceed slowly since the pedestrian can hear the engine
- Yield until the pedestrian reaches the center of the road
Correct answer: Yield completely and wait for the pedestrian to reach the other curb
Drivers must yield completely to pedestrians using white canes or guide dogs, waiting until they have safely reached the opposite curb.
Question 3: When should you check for motorcyclists before changing lanes in Washington?
- Only in your mirrors since they show all vehicles
- In your mirrors and blind spots, as motorcycles are harder to see (Correct answer)
- Only if you cannot hear a motorcycle engine
- Motorcycles are required to stay in the right lane
Correct answer: In your mirrors and blind spots, as motorcycles are harder to see
Motorcycles are smaller and can be hidden in blind spots; always check mirrors and physically look over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Question 4: In Washington, a bicyclist has the right to use the full lane when:
- Only when a bike lane is unavailable
- The lane is too narrow to share safely or when avoiding hazards (Correct answer)
- Only in residential areas
- At all times on roads without bike lanes
Correct answer: The lane is too narrow to share safely or when avoiding hazards
Washington law permits bicyclists to use the full traffic lane when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle or when they need to avoid road hazards.
Question 5: When sharing the road with a large truck in Washington, you should avoid:
- Passing the truck on its left side
- Driving in the truck's blind spots for extended periods (Correct answer)
- Maintaining a 4-second following distance
- Letting the truck merge in front of you
Correct answer: Driving in the truck's blind spots for extended periods
Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides; lingering in these zones means the truck driver cannot see you, creating collision risk.
Question 6: Motorcyclists in Washington are legally entitled to:
- Occupy only half a lane when sharing with other motorcycles
- The full use of a traffic lane (Correct answer)
- Travel between lanes of stopped or slow traffic
- Use bicycle lanes when traffic is heavy
Correct answer: The full use of a traffic lane
Washington law gives motorcyclists the right to the full use of a traffic lane, and other vehicles may not deprive them of that space.
Washington State Knowledge Test Sharing the Road 1
In Washington, when passing a bicyclist on the road, how much space must you provide?