Pennsylvania Motorcycle: Traffic Laws & Signals Practice Test

Question 1

After an emergency vehicle with its siren and flashing lights has gone by you, the law says you should:

Accepted Answer

Stay back at least 500 feet as you resume driving — Pull over parallel to the curb or edge, keep out of intersections, and once it has passed, resume travel while staying no less than 500 feet behind it. Check that a second one is not right behind.

Answer

Follow closely behind it to get through traffic

Answer

Remain parked until a police officer waves you on

Answer

Pass it as soon as the road widens

Question 2

Unless a sign forbids it, what must you do before turning right while facing a red signal?

Accepted Answer

Come to a full halt, then give way to pedestrians and other traffic — The turn on red is allowed only after a complete halt. You must then look for people in the crosswalk and for cross traffic and let them clear before you go.

Answer

Nothing special; you may roll through if the way looks clear

Answer

Sound your horn to warn cross traffic

Answer

Wait for the signal to turn green first

Question 3

A school bus ahead is stopped with red lights flashing. In which single situation are you excused from stopping?

Accepted Answer

When you are on the far side of a divided highway with a median or barrier between you and the bus — Only a physical divider excuses you. If a median, barrier or guide rail separates you from the bus on a divided highway, you may keep going, but you should ease off and stay watchful.

Answer

When you are running late for work

Answer

Whenever you are traveling in the opposite direction

Answer

When no children can be seen outside the bus

Question 4

When may you legally turn left while the signal facing you is red?

Accepted Answer

After stopping and yielding, when both your street and the one you turn into carry traffic in a single direction — The left-on-red move is permitted only from a one-way street into another one-way street, from the left lane, after stopping and giving way, and only if no sign prohibits the turn.

Answer

Never, under any circumstance

Answer

Any time the intersection looks empty

Answer

Only from a two-lane road onto a divided highway

Question 5

At a minimum, a street-legal motorcycle must be equipped with:

Accepted Answer

Lights, front and rear brakes, turn signals, a horn, and two mirrors — A street-legal motorcycle should have a headlight, taillight and brake light, front and rear brakes, turn signals, a horn, and two mirrors.

Answer

Only a headlight and a horn

Answer

Just one brake and one mirror

Answer

A windshield and saddlebags

Question 6

Under the Move Over law, what must you do if traffic makes it impossible to change lanes away from an emergency response area?

Accepted Answer

Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit — When shifting lanes is not possible, the law still requires you to cut your speed to at least 20 mph under whatever limit is posted for that road.

Answer

Keep your speed steady and sound your horn

Answer

Stop completely until the scene is cleared

Answer

Turn on your four-way flashers and continue at the limit

Question 7

How close may you get to an intersection or a railroad grade crossing and still pass another vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Passing is banned within 100 feet unless a traffic control device permits it — Passing is barred within 100 feet of an intersection or a grade crossing, and while crossing one, unless an official traffic control device tells you the move is permitted there.

Answer

Passing is banned within 25 feet

Answer

Passing is banned within 300 feet

Answer

There is no distance restriction at intersections

Question 8

You may pass a vehicle on its right side when that driver is turning left. Where must you travel while doing it?

Accepted Answer

Along the berm or shoulder — On a road without a second lane in your direction, this pass is legal only if you keep to the berm or shoulder while going around the left-turning driver.

Answer

Anywhere, as long as you signal

Answer

In the oncoming lane

Answer

In the center turn lane

Question 9

A school bus ahead has stopped with red lights flashing and its stop arm swung out. How far back must you stop?

Accepted Answer

At least 10 feet — You have to halt no closer than ten feet from the bus and stay there until the red lamps go dark, the arm folds back in and every child has reached safety.

Answer

At least 3 feet

Answer

At least 25 feet

Answer

At least 50 feet

Question 10

Which statement about making a U-turn in Pennsylvania is correct?

Accepted Answer

Drivers coming from every direction must be at least 500 feet away, and it is barred on curves and near hill crests — The turn is allowed only when it endangers no one: approaching drivers from every direction must be at least 500 feet off and able to see you, and the move is barred on a curve or near the top of a hill.

Answer

It is legal anywhere as long as you signal first

Answer

It is legal on a curve if you can see 100 feet

Answer

It is permitted only between sunrise and sunset

Question 11

What does Pennsylvania law require of you when you travel through a posted work zone?

Accepted Answer

Switch on your headlights, not just daytime running lights — Headlights must be switched on for every posted work zone, day or night. Running lights alone do not satisfy the law, and being stopped there without headlights adds to the fine.

Answer

Switch on your hazard flashers

Answer

Sound your horn as you pass the crew

Answer

Use cruise control to hold a steady speed

Question 12

Pennsylvania law tells you to switch from high beam to low beam within what distances?

Accepted Answer

500 feet from an oncoming vehicle and 300 feet when following — You must drop to low beam once you are inside 500 feet of a vehicle coming at you, and inside 300 feet of a vehicle you are following, so your light does not blind that driver.

Answer

300 feet from an oncoming vehicle and 500 feet when following

Answer

100 feet in both situations

Answer

1,000 feet in both situations

Pennsylvania Motorcycle: Traffic Laws & Signals practice test

Study questions with answers

1. After an emergency vehicle with its siren and flashing lights has gone by you, the law says you should:

2. Unless a sign forbids it, what must you do before turning right while facing a red signal?

3. A school bus ahead is stopped with red lights flashing. In which single situation are you excused from stopping?

4. When may you legally turn left while the signal facing you is red?

5. At a minimum, a street-legal motorcycle must be equipped with:

6. Under the Move Over law, what must you do if traffic makes it impossible to change lanes away from an emergency response area?

7. How close may you get to an intersection or a railroad grade crossing and still pass another vehicle?

8. You may pass a vehicle on its right side when that driver is turning left. Where must you travel while doing it?

9. A school bus ahead has stopped with red lights flashing and its stop arm swung out. How far back must you stop?

10. Which statement about making a U-turn in Pennsylvania is correct?

11. What does Pennsylvania law require of you when you travel through a posted work zone?

12. Pennsylvania law tells you to switch from high beam to low beam within what distances?

More Motorcycle topics

Practice Traffic Laws & Signals in another state