New Hampshire permit test: sharing the road
School buses, pedestrians, blind pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, slow vehicles, large trucks and emergency vehicles. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key sharing the road rulesShow the rules
- Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks and when using a sidewalk that crosses an alley entrance or driveway. (p. 42, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- NH law requires a complete stop whenever a person carrying a white cane or using a guide dog is trying to cross. (p. 42, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle; a motorcyclist has a right to the whole lane, just like a car. (p. 43, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Allow at least four seconds of following distance behind a motorcycle. (p. 43, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Avoid honking near bicyclists unless there is a chance of a crash; a horn can startle them into steering into your path. (p. 43, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Motorcycles are about two feet wide, easy to miss, and their speed is hard to judge. (p. 43, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- The orange and red triangle on animal-drawn, farm or construction vehicles means the vehicle travels under 25 mph. (p. 44, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Large vehicles have huge blind spots directly behind them that extend up to 200 feet. (p. 45, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- If you can't see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, the truck driver can't see you. (p. 45, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
- Stay at least 500 feet behind a fire truck that has its siren or flashing lights on. (p. 46, New Hampshire Driver's Manual (unknown) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample sharing the road questions
1.Ahead on the highway, a car with hazard lights and flares is stopped on the shoulder. Traffic allows. What does Sherrill's Law require?
- AHonk to warn them
- BStop behind the car
- CKeep your speed and lane
- DSlow down and give it a wide berth
Show the answer
✓ D. Slow down and give it a wide berth
Near a crash, roadwork, police stop or a stopped vehicle with warning lights or flares, slow down, give a wide berth if practical, and leave a blocked lane.
2.You are turning left across oncoming traffic. Why should you look extra carefully for motorcycles?
- AThey are unable to stop quickly
- BThey always have the right-of-way
- CThey are small and hard to judge
- DThey are banned from that road
Show the answer
✓ C. They are small and hard to judge
Motorcycles are about two feet wide, easy to miss, and their speed is hard to judge. Check carefully for them and know their speed before turning left.
3.An approaching motorcycle has its turn signal on. You want to pull out in front of it. What should you do?
- AFlash your headlights at the rider
- BHonk your horn, then pull right out
- CMake sure the rider is really turning
- DPull out, since it is clearly turning
Show the answer
✓ C. Make sure the rider is really turning
Most motorcycles' turn signals don't cancel automatically, so make sure the rider is actually turning before you pull out in front.
4.You come up behind a bicyclist. When should you sound your horn?
- AOnly if there is a chance of a crash
- BEvery time you pass
- CNever under any conditions
- DTo tell them to move over
Show the answer
✓ A. Only if there is a chance of a crash
Avoid honking near bicyclists unless there is a chance of a crash; a horn can startle them into steering into your path.