Maryland permit test: sharing the road
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, trucks, buses and slow vehicles. 8 questions.
How much space does Maryland require you to leave when passing a bicyclist?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample sharing the road questions
How much space does Maryland require you to leave when passing a bicyclist?
- A At least 3 feet
- B At least 1 foot
- C At least 2 feet
- D At least 10 feet
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A. At least 3 feet
Pass a bicyclist like any slow vehicle: slow down, wait for oncoming traffic to clear, and leave at least 3 feet. Bicyclists may swerve around potholes or glass you cannot see.
You are driving alongside a large truck. How can you tell that the truck driver probably cannot see you?
- A The truck's turn signal is not flashing
- B You can see the truck's brake lights
- C You cannot see the driver's face in the truck's side mirror
- D The truck driver has not honked at you
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C. You cannot see the driver's face in the truck's side mirror
Trucks and buses have large blind spots, called no-zones, on both sides, in front and behind. If you cannot see the driver's face in the truck's side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you, so do not linger beside the truck.
A bicyclist is riding in the middle of a narrow lane, well below the speed of traffic. Is this allowed in Maryland?
- A No, bicyclists must always ride on the shoulder
- B Yes, if the lane is too narrow to pass the bike safely
- C No, bicyclists must keep up with traffic
- D Only on roads that have posted bike route signs along them
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B. Yes, if the lane is too narrow to pass the bike safely
Maryland lets a bicyclist use the full lane, even while going much slower than traffic, if the lane is too narrow for a vehicle to pass safely within it. Wait until you can change lanes or pass with at least 3 feet.
Where may bicycles ride on sidewalks in Maryland?
- A Nowhere; bicycles must always use the road
- B Only in parks and on marked trails
- C Only where a sign permits sidewalk riding
- D Throughout the state, unless a local law prohibits it
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D. Throughout the state, unless a local law prohibits it
Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks throughout Maryland, but local jurisdictions can prohibit it. Riders on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians, and drivers should look both ways before crossing a sidewalk.