California Sharing the Road Practice Test

Unofficial practice test 30 questions · pass at 80% (24 correct)

1. Two identical trucks are moving side by side at the same speed. One is fully loaded and the other is empty. Which one will need more distance to stop safely?

   The empty truck, since it has less weight on its tires Both need exactly the same distance at equal speeds The fully loaded truck, because it is heavier The empty truck, because its brakes heat up faster
2. A large truck is coming up in the lane you want to pull into on the highway. What does the handbook warn about judging the truck?

   Trucks often seem to be moving slower than they really are Trucks always travel slower than the cars around them A truck's size makes its speed easy to judge from far away Trucks can stop as quickly as cars, so small gaps are fine
3. When a long truck makes a turn, how do its rear wheels travel compared with its front wheels?

   They follow the exact same path as the front wheels They follow a longer path that swings outside the front They lift slightly and slide sideways through the turn They follow a shorter path, more so on longer vehicles
4. You are sharing a city street with a light rail vehicle. How does the handbook describe a light rail vehicle's status on public roads?

   It may ignore traffic signals because it runs on rails It has the same rights and duties as any other vehicle It must always yield to cars and trucks at intersections It is treated as a pedestrian under the right-of-way rules
5. Which statement about light rail vehicle operators matches the handbook?

   They can see every car around the tracks at all times They never need to watch for cars, since cars must yield Buildings, trees, and other objects can block their view Their view is clear because the tracks are kept open
6. You are stopped at a signal-controlled intersection, waiting to turn left across light rail tracks. What does the handbook say about making this turn?

   Turn whenever the tracks look clear, whatever the light shows Turn only when the signal allows; light rail can interrupt it Turn before the light changes so you do not hold up the train Light rail never affects signals, so expect the normal cycle
7. You are driving behind a motorcycle. What following distance does the handbook recommend?

   One second, since motorcycles are short and nimble At least three seconds, in case the rider brakes or falls About one car length for every 20 mph of your speed No set gap, as long as you can see the rider's taillight
8. You are about to change lanes on a busy street. Why does the handbook remind you to use your mirrors and check carefully for motorcycles?

   Motorcycles are small and can easily disappear in blind spots Motorcycles may only ride in the far-right lane of a street Motorcycles must yield to any car that is changing lanes Your mirrors show everything beside you, so no head check is needed
9. You are following a motorcyclist on a road with rough patches and potholes. What does the handbook say you should be prepared for?

   The rider may suddenly change speed or direction The rider will hold a steady line through the rough area The rider must pull over to let you pass first The rider is required to leave the road until it is smooth
10. You hear about a large fire a few blocks from your home and decide to drive over to watch. What does the handbook say?

    It is allowed as long as you stay behind the fire trucks It is allowed if you park at least 300 feet away You could be arrested for getting in the way of rescuers It is allowed if you keep your hazard lights flashing
11. A slow-moving vehicle is pulling onto the road from the shoulder just ahead of you. What does the handbook say to expect?

    It will match the speed of traffic almost at once It may take longer than usual to get up to speed It must wait until no vehicles are within a mile It will sound its horn before it enters the lane
12. You are driving up a long, steep grade behind a large truck and a bicyclist. What does the handbook say you should expect?

    Both will keep their speed steady all the way up Both must pull off the road before the hill starts Only the bicyclist could slow down on the climb Both may lose speed as they climb the long hill
13. On a public street in a residential area, you come up behind a slow golf cart. What does the handbook say?

    Golf carts may operate on public roads; adjust your speed Golf carts are banned from all public roads in California Golf carts must stay on the sidewalk next to the street Honk until the golf cart pulls completely off the road
14. You pass a sign that reads NEV ROUTE. What should you watch for?

    A lane that only emergency vehicles may use A railroad crossing with no gates or signals Slow-moving vehicles sharing the roadway A route closed to all vehicles except buses
15. Can a bicyclist ever legally ride on a California freeway?

    Never; bicycles are banned from every freeway section Yes, on any freeway as long as they wear a helmet Yes, but only in daylight and only in the left lane Yes, on certain sections with no alternate route, if not banned
16. A bicyclist stops at the corner and then crosses the street in the crosswalk the way a pedestrian would. What does the handbook say about this?

    Bicyclists may choose to cross this way Bicyclists must never enter a crosswalk It is allowed only if the rider is under 18 It is allowed only at yellow-lined crosswalks
17. On a two-way street, in which direction must a bicyclist ride?

    Against traffic, so the rider can see cars coming In the same direction as the traffic in that lane Either direction, as long as the rider stays right Against traffic when riding in a marked bike lane
18. Which bicyclists does the handbook say must wear a helmet?

    Only riders younger than 13 Only riders younger than 16 Only those who ride at night Riders under 18 years old
19. A bicyclist wants to ride along the sidewalk to avoid a busy street. What does the handbook say?

    Sidewalk riding is always allowed in heavy traffic It is not allowed unless the city permits it It is allowed only for riders under 18 years old It is allowed only after dark, when roads are riskier
20. A bicyclist is riding toward a crosswalk where a pedestrian has just started to cross. What must the bicyclist do?

    Ring a bell and keep going, since bikes are vehicles Ride around the pedestrian along the crosswalk edge Yield to the pedestrian, as all bicyclists must Go first, because the bicyclist is moving faster
21. When a bicycle is ridden after dark, what kind of front lamp must it have?

    A red light that can be seen from 300 feet A white light that can be seen from 100 feet A white light that can be seen from 300 feet A flashing yellow light seen from 50 feet
22. At night, what must a bicycle display at the rear?

    A white reflector visible from 500 feet A red reflector or red light visible from 500 feet A red reflector visible from only 100 feet A yellow light visible from 200 feet
23. For night riding, a bicycle needs reflectors on each pedal or on the rider's shoes or ankles. What color must they be, and from how far must they be visible?

    Red only, visible from 200 feet White or yellow, visible from 50 feet Blue or green, visible from 500 feet White or yellow, visible from 200 feet
24. You are riding a motorized bicycle in a bike lane with other bicyclists. What does the handbook tell you to do?

    Use caution and keep to a reasonable speed Ride as fast as your motor will allow Expect other bicyclists to move aside for you Sound a horn each time you pass a bicyclist
25. Your route takes you along a street marked as a bicycle boulevard. What does this mean?

    The street gives priority to bicycles but is shared with cars Cars are banned, and only bicycles may use the street Bicycles ride on a path walled off from all car traffic Bicyclists must use the sidewalk along that street
26. Which statement about pedestrians matches the handbook?

    Pedestrians have the right-of-way only in marked crosswalks Pedestrians have the right-of-way but must also obey road rules Pedestrians never have to obey traffic signals or signs Drivers may go once a pedestrian's signal starts flashing
27. While stopped at a signal, you hear chirping sounds and a spoken message coming from the pedestrian signal. What are these sounds for?

    They warn drivers that the light is about to turn red They tell drivers a train is approaching the crossing They help blind or visually impaired people cross They warn that an emergency vehicle is on its way
28. According to the handbook, what should you keep in mind about motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists when you drive at night?

    They are easier to spot because of headlight glare They are no harder to see than during the day Only pedestrians become harder to see after dark They are much harder to see than in daylight
29. You are driving through a highway work zone where the lanes have been narrowed and the shoulder is closed. What does the handbook tell you to watch for?

    Bicyclists who may be sharing the narrow lanes A chance to pass slower cars on the closed shoulder Gaps in the cones you can cut through to save time Signs telling you to speed up through the zone
30. It is late at night and you enter a highway construction zone. What does the handbook advise?

    Keep your speed, since crews work only in daylight Switch to parking lights so you do not blind workers Speed up so you spend less time in the work zone Slow down, since road work can happen at night

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