Michigan permit test: sharing the road
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, trucks, buses and slow vehicles. 6 questions.
Michigan law requires how much space between your vehicle and a bicyclist when you pass?
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
Michigan law requires how much space between your vehicle and a bicyclist when you pass?
- A At least 1 foot
- B At least 5 feet
- C At least 10 feet
- D At least 3 feet
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D. At least 3 feet
Michigan law requires at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist; some cities require 5 feet. If that is not possible, pass at a safe distance and speed, which may mean waiting.
You are behind a slow bicyclist in a no-passing zone. The road ahead is clear and visibility is good. May you pass?
- A Yes, if it is safe to do so
- B No, passing is never allowed in a no-passing zone
- C Only if the bicyclist waves you around
- D Only if you stay within 1 foot of the center line
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A. Yes, if it is safe to do so
Michigan lets you pass a bicyclist in a no-passing zone as long as it is safe. You must still give at least 3 feet of space and stay well clear before moving back.
Why does the Michigan handbook tell you to keep extra space behind a motorcyclist, especially on city streets?
- A Motorcycles are required to ride slower than cars in the city
- B Motorcyclists often slow down without turning on their brake light
- C Motorcycles are not allowed to change lanes on city streets
- D Motorcyclists must stop at every intersection, even on green
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B. Motorcyclists often slow down without turning on their brake light
Motorcyclists often slow by engine braking and downshifting, which does not turn on the brake light. Because you may get no warning that the rider is slowing, keep extra space behind a motorcycle, especially on city streets.
At 55 mph, about how far does a commercial vehicle need to stop compared with a passenger car?
- A About 130 feet, the same as a car
- B About 200 feet, compared with about 130 feet for a car
- C About 1,000 feet, compared with about 400 feet for a car
- D About 400 feet, compared with about 130 feet for a car
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D. About 400 feet, compared with about 130 feet for a car
At 55 mph a car can stop in about 130 feet, while a commercial vehicle needs about 400 feet. Never cut in front of a truck and then slow down.