New Mexico: Sharing the road — Part 4 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What should a motorcyclist who is ready to pass do before moving into the left lane?” · “How does a motorcyclist find a place that is clear of traffic on both sides?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "New Mexico Driver Manual" (Version 11.19.19), New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
All 16 questions in this practice test
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On which side should you always pass a large truck or RV?
- The right side
- Whichever side has more room
- The left side
- The side the driver signals
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Correct answer: The left side
The manual says to always pass a large truck or RV on the left side.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 27
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After you pass a large truck or RV, what should you do?
- Stay beside it so the driver can watch you
- Move ahead of it, out of the blind spot
- Slow down at once so it can pass you again
- Move into the lane beside it and match its speed
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Correct answer: Move ahead of it, out of the blind spot
After passing, move ahead of the truck or RV and do not stay in the driver's blind spot.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 27
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What may happen if you drive too close behind a truck?
- The truck may slow down to let you pass
- The trucker may use the horn to warn you
- The truck may leave its lane to avoid you
- The trucker may not know you are there
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Correct answer: The trucker may not know you are there
If you drive too close behind a truck, the trucker may not know you are there.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 27
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How may a big truck or RV look compared with how fast it is really going?
- As if it is going more slowly than it is
- As if it is going faster than it is
- Exactly as fast as a car at that speed
- Slower than it is only when it is turning
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Correct answer: As if it is going more slowly than it is
A big truck or RV may look like it is going more slowly than it is.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 27
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Which advantage do truck drivers have over car drivers, according to the manual?
- They can see better behind and to both sides of the truck
- They have no blind spots because they sit up higher
- They can see better in front of them and have bigger mirrors
- They can see the whole road at night with their lights
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Correct answer: They can see better in front of them and have bigger mirrors
Truckers can see better in front of them and have bigger mirrors, but there are still large areas they cannot see.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 27
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Before passing, where should a motorcyclist ride at a safe following distance to increase the line of sight and be more visible?
- In the right portion of the lane
- In the left portion of the lane
- On the line between the lanes
- On the shoulder of the road
Show answer
Correct answer: In the left portion of the lane
The manual says to ride in the left portion of the lane at a safe following distance to increase your line of sight and make you more visible.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 35
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What should a motorcyclist who is ready to pass do before moving into the left lane?
- Sound the horn and move over to the left lane right away
- Slow down and stay in the right portion of the lane until the way is clear
- Turn on the high beam and accelerate past the vehicle ahead
- Signal, check oncoming traffic, and look behind with mirrors and a head turn
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Correct answer: Signal, check oncoming traffic, and look behind with mirrors and a head turn
To pass, a motorcyclist signals, checks for oncoming traffic, and uses the mirrors and a head turn to look for traffic behind.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 35
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What should a motorcyclist do before returning to the original lane after passing?
- Sound the horn and move back at once
- Cancel the signal and return as soon as the vehicle is behind
- Signal again and complete mirror and head checks
- Slow down sharply while still beside the vehicle
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Correct answer: Signal again and complete mirror and head checks
Before returning to the original lane, the rider signals again and completes mirror and head checks.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 35
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Within what limits must a motorcyclist complete a pass?
- The speed of the vehicle being passed, in any lane
- Posted speed limits, and only where passing is permitted
- Any speed, if the road is clear of traffic
- Posted limits, but only on a freeway
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Correct answer: Posted speed limits, and only where passing is permitted
Passing must be completed within posted speed limits and only where permitted.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 35
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Why should a motorcyclist not ride next to cars or trucks in other lanes if it can be avoided?
- Cars in the next lane always speed up when a motorcycle is beside them
- Motorcycles are not allowed to travel beside other vehicles
- The wind from the car makes the motorcycle's brakes lock
- It could be in the blind spot of a car that may switch lanes without warning
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Correct answer: It could be in the blind spot of a car that may switch lanes without warning
A motorcyclist might be in the blind spot of a car in the next lane, which could switch into the rider's lane without warning.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 35
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How does a motorcyclist find a place that is clear of traffic on both sides?
- Speed up or drop back
- Stay beside the nearest car
- Ride along the lane line
- Slow down beside a truck
Show answer
Correct answer: Speed up or drop back
The manual says to speed up or drop back to find a place clear of traffic on both sides.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 35
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When passing parked cars, where should a motorcyclist stay in the lane?
- Toward the right of the lane, close to the parked cars
- Close to the parked cars, so there is room on the left
- Toward the right of the lane, away from oncoming traffic
- Toward the left of the lane
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Correct answer: Toward the left of the lane
Staying toward the left of the lane avoids problems caused by doors opening, drivers getting out of cars, or people stepping from between cars.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 36
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When a motorcyclist passes parked cars and oncoming traffic is present, what is usually best?
- To remain in the center lane position
- To move to the far left of the lane
- To move to the right, next to the parked cars
- To speed up to get past the parked cars quickly
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Correct answer: To remain in the center lane position
If oncoming traffic is present, it is usually best to remain in the center lane position to maximize your space cushion.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 36
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A driver may pull away from the curb without checking for traffic behind and cut into a motorcyclist's path. What should the rider do?
- Speed up to pass the car before it moves
- Stay close to the curb so the driver sees the rider
- Slow down or change lanes to make room
- Flash the headlight and keep the same speed
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down or change lanes to make room
The rider should slow down or change lanes to make room for someone cutting in.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 36
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Which cars does the manual call the most dangerous to a motorcyclist passing parked cars?
- Cars that are parked with a door open
- Cars making a sudden U-turn
- Cars pulling away slowly from the curb
- Cars waiting at a stop sign
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Correct answer: Cars making a sudden U-turn
Cars making a sudden U-turn are the most dangerous, because they may cut the rider off entirely and block the whole road.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 36
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How can a motorcyclist get the attention of a driver who may make a sudden U-turn?
- Flash the brake light and stop in the lane
- Swerve toward the center line
- Speed up and pass on the right
- Sound the horn and continue with caution
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Correct answer: Sound the horn and continue with caution
Since a rider cannot tell what the driver will do, the manual says to get the driver's attention by sounding the horn and continuing with caution.
Source: New Mexico Driver Manual (Version 11.19.19), page 36