Washington Motorcycle Road Hazards, Night and Groups Practice Test

What the Washington Motorcycle Operator Manual says about road hazards, night and groups

• Changing Lanes

  To change lanes, signal your intention, check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot while keeping a straight path (the bike tends to go where you look), change lanes, then cancel the signal. p. 5-10

• Passing

  Passing risk usually comes from not checking mirrors and blind spots. p. 5-10

• Riding at Night

  Motorcycle headlights are smaller and weaker than a car's, so seeing and being seen at night is harder. p. 5-11

• Group Riding

  Group riding can be fun but also distracting and stressful, so newer riders should gain experience before riding in a group. Even in a group you're responsible for your own safety: change your position to avoid a hazard, and don't try to keep up with riders who are too fast or reckless. p. 5-12

• Give Each Other Space

  In Washington two motorcycles may legally ride side by side in the same lane, but doing so severely cuts your time and space cushion and leaves nowhere to go to avoid a car or hazard. p. 5-13

• Staggered Formation

  Most two-wheel groups ride in a staggered formation, keeping the group together with a space cushion. p. 5-13

Where it is in the Washington Motorcycle Operator Manual

• p. 5-8–5-11Chapter 5 · Surface hazards, obstacles, passing and night riding
• p. 5-12–5-13Chapter 5 · Target fixation and group riding

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