Pennsylvania permit test: sharing the road
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, trucks, buses and slow vehicles. 6 questions.
Under Pennsylvania's safe passing law, how much space must you leave when passing a bicycle?
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
Under Pennsylvania's safe passing law, how much space must you leave when passing a bicycle?
- A At least 3 feet
- B At least 4 feet
- C At least 6 feet
- D At least 2 feet
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B. At least 4 feet
Pennsylvania requires at least four feet between your vehicle and a bicycle when you pass. If needed and safe, you may cross a double yellow line to give that clearance.
You need to cross the double yellow centerline to give a bicyclist enough room. Is that allowed in Pennsylvania?
- A Only on roads with a 25 mph limit
- B Yes, if necessary and if you can do it safely
- C No, never cross a double yellow line
- D Only if the bicyclist waves you around
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B. Yes, if necessary and if you can do it safely
Pennsylvania allows you to cross a double yellow line to keep four feet of clearance from a bicycle, as long as it is necessary and safe. Check for oncoming traffic first.
When you are about to open your car door on a street, what does the 'Dutch Reach' method tell you to do?
- A Check only your side mirror
- B Open the door quickly to limit the time it blocks the lane
- C Open the door with the hand nearest it
- D Open the door with the hand farther from it
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D. Open the door with the hand farther from it
To protect bicyclists from opening doors, check your rearview and side mirrors, then open the door with your far hand. This 'Dutch Reach' turns your body so you can see approaching riders and slows the door.
How much of the lane does the law say a motorcyclist is entitled to use?
- A Half of a lane, so a car can share it
- B One complete lane
- C Only the shoulder when traffic is heavy
- D Only the right third of the lane
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B. One complete lane
By law you must let a motorcyclist use one complete lane. Even if there seems to be room, do not share the lane, because the rider needs space to avoid hazards.