QLD motorcycle test lane position and buffering practice questions

Question 1

You are riding past a long row of parked cars. What is the door zone?

• The gap between two parked cars
• The strip beside the parked cars where an opening door would reachCorrect answer
• The area behind the last parked car
• The lane on the far side of the road

A door can swing open with no warning and you cannot stop in time from close range. Buffer away from the parked cars where your lane allows, and slow down where it does not.

Rule cited: A Guide to Riding Safely (Queensland), topic: road position and buffering

Question 2

What following distance should a rider keep behind the vehicle ahead in good conditions?

• One second
• Two seconds
• At least three seconds, and more in rain or at nightCorrect answer
• Whatever feels comfortable

Braking a motorcycle to its limit takes skill and time, and there is nothing between you and the vehicle ahead. Three seconds gives you room to slow smoothly rather than emergency brake.

Rule cited: A Guide to Riding Safely (Queensland), topic: following distance

Question 3

Why should you sit well back from a large vehicle you are following?

• So it uses less fuel
• So you can see past it, appear in the driver's mirrors, and have room if it stops or something falls from itCorrect answer
• Because the law sets a special distance for motorcycles behind trucks
• So the driver can hear you

Close behind a truck you have no view of the road, the driver has no view of you and you are collecting whatever its tyres throw up. Backing off fixes all three at once.

Rule cited: A Guide to Riding Safely (Queensland), topic: road position

Question 4

A car is nosing out of a driveway between parked cars ahead of you. What should you do?

• Hold your speed and expect the driver to wait
• Ease off the throttle, cover the brakes, and move to the part of your lane furthest from the drivewayCorrect answer
• Accelerate past before the car moves
• Ride closer to the parked cars for cover

The driver's view is blocked by the parked cars, so they will edge out to see. Space and reduced speed give you the time to stop, and covering the brakes cuts your reaction time.

Rule cited: A Guide to Riding Safely (Queensland), topic: hazard perception

Question 5

You are riding in the left lane of a motorway and a vehicle is coming down an entry ramp on your left. What is the best response?

• Stay exactly where you are, you have right of way
• Adjust your speed or move to the right of your lane, or change lanes if it is safe, so you are not beside the merging vehicleCorrect answer
• Ride alongside the merging vehicle at the same speed
• Brake hard in the merging lane

Merging drivers are looking for a gap and often do not see a motorcycle. Being clearly ahead of, or clearly behind, the merging vehicle is far safer than being level with it.

Rule cited: A Guide to Riding Safely (Queensland), topic: merging

Question 6

The car ahead of you is indicating to turn left into a driveway. What should you do?

• Pass it on the left while it turns
• Slow down, stay behind it and give it room, and never try to squeeze past on the leftCorrect answer
• Sound the horn and pass on the left
• Move to the left of the lane and hold your speed

Passing a left turning vehicle on its left puts you exactly where it is going. Hold back until the turn is complete, and watch for the car stopping short because something is in the driveway.

Rule cited: A Guide to Riding Safely (Queensland), topic: overtaking and passing