Motorcycles, Trucks and Slow Vehicles

Key points

1. Motorcycles may use a full lane; do not pass a motorcycle in the same lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Motorcycle operators have the right to use a complete traffic lane and two motorcycles may share a lane. Do not pass a motorcycle in the same lane.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

2. Nearly 40 percent of motorcycle crashes with cars were caused by the car turning left in front of the rider.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Nearly 40 percent were caused by the other vehicle turning left in front of the motorcyclist.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

3. A motorcycle's turn signal may not cancel itself; wait until it actually begins to turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Do not pull out in front of a motorcycle until you see that it is actually beginning to turn.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

4. Follow a motorcycle by 3 to 4 seconds or more in wet conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “When following a motorcyclist, allow for a 3 to 4 second following distance or more in wet conditions.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

5. If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “If you can’t see the driver’s face in his side view mirror, then he can’t see you.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

6. A truck and its tow vehicle can be 65 feet long and take over half a mile of clear road to pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “A truck and its tow vehicle may be as long as 65 feet and it may take you more than half a mile of clear road to pass.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

7. Never follow a truck by less than 3 seconds.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Never follow a truck at a time interval of less than three seconds.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

8. Stop at least 10 feet from an ice cream truck with flashing lights and arms out, then pass at up to 5 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “when approaching or overtaking an ice cream truck displaying flashing lights and extending its stop signal arm and crossing arm, to stop their vehicles at least 10 feet from the front or back of the truck. After stopping, you may proceed past the truck at a reasonable speed, up to 5 mph”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What does the Connecticut manual warn about a motorcycle's flashing turn signal?

   1. It always means a turn is imminent
   2. It means the rider wants you to pass
   3. Do not assume it is turning, since signals may not self cancel; wait until it actually begins to turn
   4. It means the motorcycle is stopping
   Show answer

   Do not assume it is turning, since signals may not self cancel; wait until it actually begins to turn. Do not assume a motorcycle is turning when you see its signal flashing. Motorcycle turn signals may not self cancel and the rider may have forgotten to turn them off, so do not pull out in front of a motorcycle until you see it actually beginning to turn. Motorcycles are also narrower and harder to see than cars, so check mirrors and blind spots carefully.

2. 2. How long can a truck and its tow vehicle be in Connecticut, and how much clear road may passing it take?

   1. As long as 65 feet, needing more than half a mile of clear road
   2. About 30 feet, needing 500 feet
   3. About 100 feet, needing one mile
   4. There is no limit
   Show answer

   As long as 65 feet, needing more than half a mile of clear road. A truck and its tow vehicle may be as long as 65 feet, and it may take you more than half a mile of clear road to pass. Trucks need nearly twice the time and room to stop as cars, so avoid pulling in front of one where traffic may slow. When passing, look for the entire front of the truck in your mirror before pulling in.

3. 3. How can a driver check whether the following distance behind a truck is too short?

   1. Wait until the truck driver flashes the headlights
   2. Use a roadside landmark and count three seconds after the truck passes it
   3. Keep less than one second because trucks accelerate slowly
   4. Match the trucks length with the vehicles hood
   Show answer

   Use a roadside landmark and count three seconds after the truck passes it. The three-second method uses a fixed landmark rather than the truck's size or a signal from its driver. Watch the rear of the truck pass a sign, pole, or other stationary point, then count at a normal pace. If your vehicle reaches the same point before the count ends, the gap is too short and you should drop back. A larger truck blocks your view, so maintaining space improves both reaction time and visibility.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Sharing the Road with Others. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.