Nebraska Motorcycle: Lane Position & Sharing the Road Practice Test

Question 1

Someone is tailgating you. What is usually the best way to handle it?

Accepted Answer

Let them get in front of you — Get them past you. If they will not go by, drop your speed and open extra room ahead so both of you have space to stop — which also encourages them to pass.

Answer

Move to the edge of the lane and hold your speed

Answer

Speed up until they fall back

Answer

Tap your brakes repeatedly until they back off

Question 2

What does the manual say about traction on the greasy strip down the middle of a lane?

Accepted Answer

Unless the road is wet, it normally offers adequate traction — Oil drippings and debris do collect there, but unless the road is wet the usual center strip still grips well enough — and you can ride to either side of the strip and remain in the middle third.

Answer

It grips better than the tire tracks in the rain

Answer

It is the safest surface at busy intersections

Answer

It is never safe to ride on at any time

Question 3

How many paths of travel does the Nebraska manual say a single traffic lane offers a motorcycle?

Accepted Answer

Three — Each lane is treated as three usable paths, and your choice among them should help you see and be seen, dodge surface hazards, stay out of blind spots and keep an escape route.

Answer

Five

Answer

One

Answer

Two

Question 4

When are drivers most tempted to squeeze into your lane beside you?

Accepted Answer

In heavy traffic, when passing you, when you set up to turn, or when you head for an exit — In bumper-to-bumper traffic, when a driver wants to get past you, when you are setting up for a turn at an intersection, and as you head for an exit lane or leave a highway.

Answer

Only when your headlight is off

Answer

Only at night

Answer

Only on rural two-lane roads

Question 5

When should you open the gap to three seconds or more?

Accepted Answer

On slippery pavement, when your view ahead is blocked, or in heavy traffic — Stretch it out when the pavement is slippery, when you cannot see past the vehicle ahead, or when traffic is heavy enough that someone may cut in front of you.

Answer

Only when carrying a passenger

Answer

Only on gravel roads

Answer

Never — two seconds covers every condition

Question 6

What is the minimum following distance the manual asks for behind another vehicle in normal conditions?

Accepted Answer

Two seconds — Two seconds is the floor. Pick a marker, and if you reach it before you finish counting off two seconds you are too close.

Answer

Six seconds

Answer

Half a second

Answer

One second

Question 7

Why keep a gap to the vehicle ahead even while you are stopped?

Accepted Answer

So you can escape if you are about to be hit from behind — Space in front lets you get out of the way if someone comes up hard behind you, and it protects you if the vehicle ahead starts rolling backward.

Answer

So you are not visible in the other driver's mirror

Answer

So the rider behind can pass you at the light

Answer

So your engine stays cooler

Question 8

Vehicles are running on both sides of you. Which lane position is usually best?

Accepted Answer

The center of the lane — With traffic on both flanks, the middle of the lane is normally the best place to be; move toward the right paths when problems are only on your left, and toward the left paths when they are only on your right.

Answer

Tight against the center line

Answer

Whichever side has the newer pavement

Answer

Tight against the right edge

Question 9

Is there any part of the lane a motorcyclist must always avoid?

Accepted Answer

No — any part of the lane may be used, including the center — No part of the lane is off limits, the center included. Many riders default to the left third, but the right answer is whichever position keeps you visible with a cushion of space around you.

Answer

Yes, the left third belongs to passing cars

Answer

Yes, the right third is reserved for bicycles

Answer

Yes, the center third must never be used

Question 10

In a staggered group formation, where does the second rider sit relative to the leader?

Accepted Answer

In the right side of the lane, at least one second back — The leader holds the left side of the lane; the next rider sits in the right side, a second or more behind; the third comes back to the left at least two seconds behind the leader, and so on down the line.

Answer

Directly beside the leader in the same lane

Answer

In the left side of the lane, two seconds back

Answer

In the next lane over, level with the leader

Question 11

Riding behind a car, which mirror do you most want to appear in?

Accepted Answer

The inside rearview mirror — Aim to show up in the driver's inside rearview mirror, which normally means riding in the center part of the lane; drivers glance at their side mirrors far less often.

Answer

The left side mirror

Answer

The right side mirror

Answer

It makes no difference which one

Question 12

Why should you avoid riding alongside cars in the neighboring lane?

Accepted Answer

You can sit in a blind spot and lose your escape route — You may be sitting in a blind spot where a driver could change lanes into you, and a vehicle beside you removes the escape route you would want if trouble appeared in your own lane.

Answer

Your mirrors will vibrate

Answer

It doubles your stopping distance

Answer

It is against Nebraska law on any highway

Nebraska Motorcycle: Lane Position & Sharing the Road practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Someone is tailgating you. What is usually the best way to handle it?

2. What does the manual say about traction on the greasy strip down the middle of a lane?

3. How many paths of travel does the Nebraska manual say a single traffic lane offers a motorcycle?

4. When are drivers most tempted to squeeze into your lane beside you?

5. When should you open the gap to three seconds or more?

6. What is the minimum following distance the manual asks for behind another vehicle in normal conditions?

7. Why keep a gap to the vehicle ahead even while you are stopped?

8. Vehicles are running on both sides of you. Which lane position is usually best?

9. Is there any part of the lane a motorcyclist must always avoid?

10. In a staggered group formation, where does the second rider sit relative to the leader?

11. Riding behind a car, which mirror do you most want to appear in?

12. Why should you avoid riding alongside cars in the neighboring lane?

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