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Hawaii driving lesson · Trucks, Buses & Motorcycles

Sharing the road with motorcycles

A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Trucks, Buses & Motorcycles
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
75, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94

Motorcycles are fuel- and space-efficient, but riders are far more vulnerable than car occupants. Most car-motorcycle crashes happen because a driver didn't see the bike, so knowing how riders move helps you share the lane safely.

Over two-thirds

Car/motorcycle crashes caused by a car driver turning in front of the motorcyclist

Handbook p. 89 ↗

Know the rule

A motorcycle's narrow profile can make it look farther away and slower than it is. Take a second look, and then a third.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

Make sure you see the motorcycle and know its speed before you start to turn or enter an intersection.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

Some riders use their small size to cut between cars into spots where drivers can't see them. Be alert for a motorcycle to appear unexpectedly.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

Riders change position within the lane to see and be seen, often using the left portion, and to move away from hazards such as potholes or railroad tracks. These moves can be sudden.

Handbook p. 91 ↗

Know the rule

A motorcyclist is entitled to the full width of the lane. Don't share a lane with a motorcycle; it limits the rider's ability to avoid hazards.

Handbook p. 91 ↗

Know the rule

Intersections are the most likely place for car/motorcycle collisions, usually because the driver doesn't see the motorcycle and turns into its path.

Handbook p. 92 ↗

Know the rule

Don't assume a rider's intention until the move clearly starts. Motorcycle turn signals don't shut off automatically, and riders sometimes forget to cancel them.

Handbook p. 92 ↗
2 seconds

Minimum following distance behind a motorcycle – increase it to avoid sudden braking

Handbook p. 93 ↗

Know the rule

When a motorcycle is passing you, keep your lane position and speed, and let the rider finish and get back into position.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

When you pass a motorcycle, give it a full lane. Never crowd into its lane, and don't return too soon; that can force the rider to swerve into traffic or off the road.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

Motorcycle operators must pass separate knowledge and skill tests, and motorcycles must be registered and insured to the same standards as an automobile.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Put it into practice

Waiting to turn left, you see a motorcycle approaching with its left signal blinking. Don't assume it's turning: the signal may have been left on. Wait until the rider clearly starts the turn, or until it has passed.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Most car/motorcycle crashes happen because:
  1. a car driver turns in front of the motorcyclist
  2. the motorcyclist is speeding
  3. the motorcyclist runs a red light
  4. a motorcycle rear-ends a car

Answer: a car driver turns in front of the motorcyclist

Over two-thirds of car/motorcycle crashes result from a car driver turning in front of the motorcyclist.

Handbook p. 89 ↗
A motorcycle's small size often makes it:
  1. seem closer than it really is
  2. easier to judge its speed and distance
  3. harder to judge its speed and distance
  4. seem faster than it really is

Answer: harder to judge its speed and distance

Small size makes it harder to judge a motorcycle's speed and distance.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
A motorcyclist is legally entitled to:
  1. only the right half of the lane
  2. the entire width of their traffic lane
  3. only the left half of their traffic lane
  4. the lane shared with one car

Answer: the entire width of their traffic lane

A motorcyclist is entitled to the entire width of their traffic lane.

Handbook p. 91 ↗
Sharing a lane side-by-side with a motorcyclist is:
  1. encouraged in heavy, slow traffic
  2. something you should refrain from
  3. required whenever traffic is slow
  4. only allowed on wide freeways

Answer: something you should refrain from

Sharing a lane with a motorcycle restricts the rider's ability to avoid hazards.

Handbook p. 91 ↗
When following a motorcycle, you should allow at least:
  1. a 1-second following distance
  2. one car length
  3. a 2-second following distance
  4. a half-second gap

Answer: a 2-second following distance

A 2-second following distance is recommended behind a motorcycle.

Handbook p. 93 ↗
When passing a motorcycle, you should:
  1. pass the motorcycle on the right
  2. squeeze by within the same lane
  3. pull left just far enough to miss it
  4. allow a full lane to the motorcycle

Answer: allow a full lane to the motorcycle

Give a motorcycle a full lane when passing, just as you would a car.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
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