Tennessee Motorcycle practice
Tennessee Motorcycle: Lane Position & Sharing the Road practice test
Where to position yourself in the lane to be seen, managing blind spots, and sharing the road safely with cars and trucks.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
11 questions · pass with 9 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
11 sample Lane Position & Sharing the Road questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 11 questions with answers
1. When passing a row of parked cars, which lane position is generally best?
Correct answer: Toward the left of your lane
Staying toward the left of your lane when passing parked cars helps you avoid opening doors and people stepping out from between vehicles.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Passing Parked Cars)
2. How much of a traffic lane is a motorcycle entitled to use under Tennessee law?
Correct answer: The full width of the lane
A motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a lane, and no other motor vehicle may be driven in a way that denies it that full use.
Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Operation of Motorcycles on Laned Roadways
3. Is riding a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stopped traffic (lane splitting) legal in Tennessee?
Correct answer: No, it is not allowed
Lane splitting is prohibited in Tennessee; no one may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles.
Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Operation of Motorcycles on Laned Roadways
4. How many motorcycles may Tennessee law permit to ride side by side in a single lane?
Correct answer: Two
Motorcycles may be operated no more than two abreast within one lane; riding three or more across in the same lane is not permitted.
Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Operation of Motorcycles on Laned Roadways
5. May a Tennessee motorcyclist overtake and pass another vehicle within the same lane that vehicle occupies?
Correct answer: No, this is prohibited
A motorcyclist may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being passed; sharing a lane to pass a car is not allowed.
Source: Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual - Operation of Motorcycles on Laned Roadways
6. Which lane position do many riders treat as their default because it keeps them visible in a car's mirrors?
Correct answer: The left third of the lane
Many motorcyclists use the left third of the lane, the left tire track of cars, as a default position, but they vary it as conditions change.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Lane Positions)
7. Why should you avoid riding directly alongside cars or trucks in adjacent lanes?
Correct answer: You may be in a blind spot with no escape route
Riding beside other vehicles can put you in a blind spot where they might switch into your lane, and they also block your escape if danger appears ahead.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Vehicles Alongside)
8. When you are being passed by another vehicle, where in your lane should you stay?
Correct answer: In the center portion of your lane
When being passed from behind you should stay in the center portion of your lane; riding close to the passing vehicle could put you in a hazardous position.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Being Passed)
9. Is lane sharing, riding side by side with a car in one lane, generally safe?
Correct answer: No, both vehicles need a full lane
Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane, so lane sharing is usually prohibited and leaves you vulnerable to a suddenly opened door or turning car.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Lane Sharing)
10. How can you keep drivers from being tempted to squeeze past you in your lane?
Correct answer: Keep a center-portion lane position
You can discourage lane sharing by keeping a center-portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by, such as in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Lane Sharing)
11. Besides checking your mirrors, what must you do before changing lanes on a motorcycle?
Correct answer: Turn your head to check your blind spot
Mirrors are not enough because motorcycles have blind spots, so you must turn your head and look to the side for other vehicles before changing lanes.
Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual - Ride Within Your Abilities (Head Checks)
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Every Tennessee question is written from the official Tennessee driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free