Texas permit test: sharing the road
Trucks, motorcycles, light rail, bicycles and pedestrians. 21 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key sharing the road rulesShow the rules
- Always dim your headlights when following a truck at night. (p. 57, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A fully loaded tractor-trailer may take more than 400 feet to stop from 55 mph, well over a football field. (p. 57, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A truck is much longer than a car, so on flat road a pass takes an extra three to five seconds. (p. 57, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Never cross behind a truck preparing to back up. (p. 57, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Trucks make wide right turns and may leave space on the right before turning. (p. 57, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Allow a motorcycle a full lane width. (p. 58, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Bicyclists must keep right only when a car and bike can share the lane safely side by side. (p. 59, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Light rail is quieter than a bus or most cars, so you may not hear it. (p. 59, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Allow at least four to six seconds when following a motorcycle so the rider has room to maneuver or stop in an emergency. (p. 59, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A white cane means the person may be blind, partly blind or disabled. (p. 67, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample sharing the road questions
1.You are stopped behind a truck on an uphill grade. What should you do?
- ALeave space and keep to the left of your lane
- BHonk so it knows you are there
- CStay directly behind it in the center
- DPull right up to its bumper
Show the answer
✓ A. Leave space and keep to the left of your lane
Leave space in case the truck rolls back when it starts, and keep to the left in your lane so the driver can see you.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 57
2.On a one-way road with two or more lanes, where may a bicyclist ride?
- AAgainst the flow of traffic on the road
- BNear the left curb or edge of the road
- COnly in the far right lane of the road
- DOnly on the sidewalk next to the road
Show the answer
✓ B. Near the left curb or edge of the road
On a one-way road with two or more marked lanes, a bicyclist may ride as near as possible to the left curb or edge of the road.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 68
3.You have just passed a large truck. When is it safe to move back in front of it?
- AWhen you see the truck's whole front in your mirror
- BAs soon as the truck flashes its high beams
- CWhen you are one car length ahead of it
- DAs soon as you clear its front bumper
Show the answer
✓ A. When you see the truck's whole front in your mirror
Move back in front of a truck only when you can see its entire front in your rearview mirror. Then keep your speed.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 57
4.At 55 mph, a car can stop in about 240 feet. How far might a fully loaded tractor-trailer need?
- AAbout 240 feet
- BMore than 400 feet
- CAbout 150 feet
- DAbout 300 feet
Show the answer
✓ B. More than 400 feet
A fully loaded tractor-trailer may take more than 400 feet to stop from 55 mph, well over a football field. Never cut in close in front of one.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 57