Motorcycle sharing techniques — Oklahoma Permit Test

Pass a motorcycle as you would pass a car, but not too close or too fast, because the blast of air can blow a motorcycle out of control.

A light bike is pushed sideways by the wall of air a car or truck shoves ahead of it.

Pass as you would pass a car and don’t pass too close or too fast, as the blast of air can blow a motorcycle out of control.

Allow at least a three-second following distance behind a motorcycle so the rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

A motorcycle can stop very quickly, and a car following close behind has no time to stop before hitting it.

Allow at least a three-second following distance so the cyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

Check your blind spots when changing lanes, because motorcyclists riding alongside a lane of cars are often out of the driver's view.

A driver who glances only at the mirror can change lanes and clip a rider hidden beside the car.

Cyclists riding alongside a lane of cars are often out of the view of the driver.

A motorcyclist may change lane position to see and be seen, avoid blind spots and surface hazards, protect the lane, signal intentions, avoid windblast, keep an escape route and set up for turns.

Knowing why a rider shifts in the lane keeps you from reading the move as a turn or an opening to pass.

Because a motorcyclist can change lane position for the following reasons:

At intersections, where most collisions and injuries occur, wait until a motorcycle rider's intentions are absolutely clear before you move into the path of travel.

A rider's turn signal may be left on by mistake, and pulling out on a guess is how most car and motorcycle crashes happen.

the rider’s intentions are absolutely clear (turning or going straight) before you move into the path of travel.

Be even more careful near motorcycles in rain, wet roads, ice and heavy winds, when the motorcycle's braking and handling abilities are impaired.

A motorcycle has two small tire patches on the road, so slick pavement or a gust takes its grip away fast.

Be even more careful in difficult driving conditions—rain, wet roads, ice and heavy winds—when the motorcycle’s braking and handling abilities are impaired.

At night you can easily misjudge a motorcycle's distance, because its single headlight and single taillight can blend into the lights of other vehicles.

One light can look like a far-off car, so a driver may pull out in front of a bike that is very close.

You can easily misjudge distance because the single headlight and single taillight of a motorcycle can blend into the lights of other vehicles.

At night, dim your headlights for an oncoming motorcycle just as you would for cars and trucks.

A rider blinded by your high beams has no roof or visor shade and may run off the road.

Always dim your headlights as you would for cars and trucks.

Why must you not pass a motorcycle too close or too fast?

The blast of air can blow it out of control. A light bike is pushed sideways by the wall of air a car or truck shoves ahead of it. Oklahoma Driver Manual, p.53: “Pass as you would pass a car and don’t pass too close or too fast, as the blast of air can blow a motorcycle out of control.”