Motorcycle visibility — New York Permit Test
Motorcycle visibility on the New York permit test — 11 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.
The rules
Motorcycles are smaller than most other highway users from every direction, which makes them less visible.
A small object is easy for the eye to skip. That is where the crashes start.
Motorcycles, when compared to other highway users, are smaller.
A motorcycle's smaller size makes it seem much farther away and makes it difficult to judge how far away it is or how fast it is going.
The eye judges distance by size. A small bike reads as a far-off one.
A motorcycle’s smaller size makes it seem much farther away, and makes it difficult to judge how far away they are or how fast they are going.
Motorcycles may not take up the entire lane because they are not as wide as other vehicles, and an experienced rider may move around within a lane to avoid obstacles or to see better.
A rider moving across the lane is working rather than wandering.
Motorcycles may not take up the entire lane because they are not as wide as other vehicles, but an experienced rider may move around within a lane to avoid obstacles, or to help them see better.
Two motorcyclists are allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane, but a motorcyclist cannot pass or share a lane with another motor vehicle that is not a motorcycle.
Two bikes may share a lane; a bike and a car may not. The lane is not that wide.
In addition to using the full lane, two motorcyclists are allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane, but a motorcyclist cannot pass or share a lane with another motor vehicle that is not a motorcycle.
Headlights and taillights on motorcycles must be illuminated when driving, but because so many vehicles have daytime running lights a motorcycle headlight does not stand out.
When everything has its lights on, a light stops being a signal.
Headlights and taillights on motorcycles must be illuminated when driving. But, with so many vehicles equipped with daytime running lights (i.e. headlights that are always on – even in daylight), motorcycle headlights don’t stand out.
Tail lights on a motorcycle are generally smaller than those on other vehicles, and because motorcycle tail lights are always on the brake lights do not always stand out.
A small light that is already lit barely changes when the rider brakes.
Tail lights on a motorcycle are generally smaller in size than those on other vehicles, and because motorcycle tail lights are always on, the brake lights don’t always stand out.
Most motorcycle brake lights are mounted lower than eye level, which makes them less obvious to many motorists.
Drivers look for a brake light where a car carries one, which is higher up.
Most motorcycle brake lights are mounted lower than eye level, which makes them less obvious to many motorists.
Turn signals on motorcycles are often close to the headlight or taillights, and on most motorcycles the directional signal does not turn off automatically after a turn, so the signal may be on when the rider has no intention of turning.
A blinking signal on a bike may be left over from the last corner.
Turn signals on motorcycles are often close to the headlight or taillights, which can make them more difficult to see.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2015, 41 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in the US occurred with the other vehicle turning left while the motorcycles were going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles.
The left turn across a bike is the single commonest way riders are killed.
Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, in 2015, 41 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in the US occurred with “the other vehicle turning left while the motorcycles were going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles.”
In 2014 there were 4,750 reported motorcycle crashes in New York State, and 2,546 of those crashes involved another vehicle.
More than half of the crashes had a second vehicle in them. Usually a car.
In 2014, there were 4,750 reported motorcycle crashes in New York State. 2,546 of these crashes involved another vehicle.
Drivers may not see motorcycles simply because they do not look for motorcycles, so all drivers need to train themselves to look for a multitude of hazards including trucks, buses, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcycles.
The eye finds what it is hunting for. A driver hunting only for cars sees only cars.
All drivers need to train themselves to look for a multitude of hazards (including – BUT NOT LIMITED TO - trucks, buses, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycles).
On the test
Why are motorcycles less visible than other vehicles?
They are smaller from every side. A small object is easy for the eye to skip. That is where the crashes start. New York State Driver's Manual, p.71: “Motorcycles, when compared to other highway users, are smaller.”
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Where these come from
Every rule here is checked against New York State Driver's Manual, published by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-09-15.