Other types of vehicle: motorcycle theory test questions

1. The lorry flashing its headlights to warn you
2. Being buffeted by turbulence as it passes ✓
3. Your engine losing power in its slipstream
4. The lorry pulling in sharply in front of you

Answer: Being buffeted by turbulence as it passes. Large vehicles disturb the air as they pass, and motorcyclists are particularly affected. Keep a firm grip and a steady line.

Highway Code rule 233

1. The driver will wave you through when it's safe
2. Long vehicles must always turn right
3. It may need to use the space as it turns, and the driver may not see you ✓
4. It's illegal to pass any vehicle on the left

Answer: It may need to use the space as it turns, and the driver may not see you. Long vehicles need extra room to turn and the driver's view down the left side is limited. Stay behind until it has completed the turn.

Highway Code rule 221

1. Give way to it if you can do so safely ✓
2. Overtake on the right while it signals
3. Speed up to pass it before it pulls out
4. Sound your horn to tell the driver to wait

Answer: Give way to it if you can do so safely. You should give way to buses signalling to pull out from stops, when it's safe to do so.

Highway Code rule 223

1. They make your engine overheat
2. Motorcycles are not allowed to cross them
3. They carry an electric current that affects your bike
4. They can be slippery and can catch your front wheel ✓

Answer: They can be slippery and can catch your front wheel. Tram rails are slippery, especially when wet, and a narrow tyre can get caught in the groove. Cross them at as wide an angle as you can and keep upright.

Highway Code: Light rail transit (trams)

1. It's a slow-moving vehicle ✓
2. It's an emergency vehicle
3. It's about to turn right
4. It has broken down

Answer: It's a slow-moving vehicle. Flashing amber beacons warn of slow-moving vehicles such as tractors and road gritters. Be patient and only overtake when it's safe.

Highway Code rule 225

1. Ride close behind so the road is freshly gritted
2. Pass it on the left
3. Hang back and take great care before overtaking it ✓
4. Overtake straight away to avoid the grit

Answer: Hang back and take great care before overtaking it. Spread grit and salt can be thrown at you and make the road surface loose. The Highway Code warns motorcyclists to take care when overtaking vehicles spreading de-icer.

Highway Code rule 230

1. Its brakes work differently from petrol bikes
2. Electric motorcycles can't use the same roads
3. It will run out of battery in slow traffic
4. Pedestrians may not hear you approaching ✓

Answer: Pedestrians may not hear you approaching. Electric vehicles make very little noise. People may step into the road without knowing you're there, so keep your speed down.

Highway Code rule 224

1. The car will speed up suddenly
2. The caravan may sway or snake ✓
3. It will pull over to let you pass
4. The caravan will stop the car swaying

Answer: The caravan may sway or snake. Caravans and trailers can be pushed about by wind or turbulence. Leave plenty of room and only overtake when it's clearly safe.

Highway Code rule 232

1. Only those where the signs show a motorcycle is allowed ✓
2. None at all, under any circumstances
3. All bus lanes, but only at night
4. All bus lanes at any time

Answer: Only those where the signs show a motorcycle is allowed. Some bus lanes allow motorcycles, but only if the sign shows this. Always check the times of operation too.

Highway Code rule 141

1. Give way to everything on the roundabout from the left
2. Speed up to clear the roundabout
3. Always turn left
4. Straddle two lanes or take an unusual course ✓

Answer: Straddle two lanes or take an unusual course. Long vehicles may need to take a different line or use more than one lane. Stay well back and don't try to pass alongside.

Highway Code rule 187

1. Small family cars
2. Low sports cars
3. Motorcycles ✓
4. Tractors
5. High-sided lorries ✓

Answer: Motorcycles; High-sided lorries. High-sided vehicles are most affected by strong winds, and motorcyclists can easily be blown off course. Allow extra room around them.

Highway Code rule 232

1. It is wider than normal
2. It is carrying dangerous goods ✓
3. It is carrying a load for export
4. It is being driven by a learner

Answer: It is carrying dangerous goods. Orange hazard information panels show that a vehicle carries dangerous goods. In an incident, emergency services use them to identify the load.

Highway Code rule 284

1. About the same space as for overtaking a cyclist
2. Only enough space to get past the cab
3. To sound your horn as you pass
4. A longer clear stretch of road than for a car ✓

Answer: A longer clear stretch of road than for a car. Long vehicles take longer to pass. Make sure you can see far enough ahead and have room to get back in without cutting in.

Highway Code rule 164

1. Wait well back until it has finished, as the driver may not see you ✓
2. Sound your horn and carry on past
3. Ride round behind it while it's moving slowly
4. Filter past on the driver's blind side

Answer: Wait well back until it has finished, as the driver may not see you. Drivers of large vehicles have big blind spots, especially when reversing. Stay back, be patient and make sure you can be seen in their mirrors.

Highway Code rule 221

1. It can't use the roads in towns
2. It can stop much more quickly
3. It can't lean into bends and steers more like a car ✓
4. It must always use the right-hand lane

Answer: It can't lean into bends and steers more like a car. A sidecar outfit has three wheels and doesn't lean, so it handles differently from a solo bike. Give it room on bends and at junctions.

General safe riding advice