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South Dakota driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Motorcyclists

A 2-minute lesson from the South Dakota 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
2 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
59

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers but are much harder to see, and road hazards you'd barely notice can be deadly to them.

Sharing the road with motorcycles:

  • Allow a full lane width; never share the lane
  • Always check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles
  • Before turning left, look carefully to the front and sides for motorcycles
  • A flashing signal may not mean a turn; motorcycle signals may not self-cancel
  • Follow at least 4 seconds behind, more in wet conditions
Handbook p. 59 ↗
4 seconds

Minimum following distance behind a motorcycle (more in wet conditions)

Handbook p. 59 ↗

Hazards that make riders suddenly change lane position:

  • Potholes
  • Gravel
  • Wet or slippery surfaces
  • Pavement seams
  • Railroad crossings
  • Grooved pavement
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

Scooters and mopeds travel at much lower speeds than motorcycles.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Mirror and blind spot zones
Motorcycles can hide in your blind spots
Intersection turn restriction
Check for motorcycles before turning left

Put it into practice

You're waiting to turn left and an oncoming motorcycle has its right signal blinking. Don't assume it's turning; the signal may not have cancelled. Wait until you're sure the rider is turning before you go.

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.

Which of these should you never do around a motorcyclist?
  1. Share the lane with the motorcycle
  2. Wait to confirm the motorcycle is actually turning
  3. Check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles
  4. Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width

Answer: Share the lane with the motorcycle

Always allow a motorcyclist a full lane width; do not share the lane with them.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Why shouldn't you assume a motorcycle is turning just because its turn signal is flashing?
  1. Motorcycle signals may not self-cancel
  2. Riders signal only for lane changes
  3. Motorcycle signals are too dim to trust
  4. Riders often signal the wrong direction

Answer: Motorcycle signals may not self-cancel

Unlike many cars, motorcycle turn signals may not self-cancel, so the rider may have simply forgotten to turn it off.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
What minimum following distance is recommended behind a motorcyclist?
  1. 1 second
  2. 10 seconds
  3. At least 4 seconds
  4. 2 seconds

Answer: At least 4 seconds

Allow a minimum 4-second following distance behind a motorcyclist, more in wet conditions.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Which road hazards are specifically noted as dangerous for motorcyclists needing to change lane position?
  1. Only faded lane markings
  2. Potholes and gravel
  3. Only construction barrels
  4. Only speed bumps

Answer: Potholes and gravel

Motorcyclists may need to suddenly change lane position to avoid potholes, gravel, wet surfaces, pavement seams, or railroad crossings.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as other drivers.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers, though they may be harder to see.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Before turning left, you should be especially alert for motorcycles because they are small and harder to see.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Before turning left, be alert for motorcycles by carefully checking the front and sides of the vehicle.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
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More in Sharing the Road

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