Sharing the road with bicycles, motorcycles and trucks

Key points

1. Drivers of electric and hybrid cars must watch for blind pedestrians, who may not hear the quiet vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles must be extra alert to blind pedestrians, as they may be unaware of your presence due to the silent nature of these vehicles.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 59

2. Leave at least three feet when passing a bicyclist, and move back only when well clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “At least three feet of space is recommended when passing bicyclists and the passing vehicles should move back into the right lane only when well clear of the bicyclist.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

3. Check for bicyclists before opening your door on the street side.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “When parked on the street, check to the sides and rear for bicyclists before you open your vehicle door.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

4. Give a motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

5. Keep at least a 4 second following distance behind a motorcycle, more when wet.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “When following a motorcyclist, allow for a minimum 4-second following distance or more in wet conditions”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

6. Motorcycle turn signals may not cancel themselves, and the rider may have forgotten to turn them off.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Motorcycle turn signals may not self-cancel, and the motorcyclist may have forgotten to turn them off.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

7. A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 335 feet to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “traveling at 55 mph requires at least 335 feet before coming to a complete stop”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

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

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “If you cannot see the driver's face in the side view mirror, he or she cannot see you.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

9. Large vehicles have blind spots directly behind them up to 200 feet long.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “large vehicles have huge blind spots directly behind them that extend up to 200 feet.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

10. Do not turn until a truck or bus has completed its turn.

    Source: Handbook p. 64

    “To avoid a crash, do not turn until the truck or bus has completed its turn.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. On a road with one lane in your direction, when enough roadway space is available, what minimum clearance does the manual specify for passing a bicycle or electric low-speed scooter?

   1. At least 1 foot until safely past
   2. No minimum distance is stated
   3. At least 6 feet until safely past
   4. At least 3 feet until safely past
   Show answer

   At least 3 feet until safely past. When there is only one lane for traffic traveling in the same direction, pass to the left keeping at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicycle or electric low-speed scooter until safely past. If roadway space is unavailable for three feet, the manual says to use reasonable caution. With more than one same-direction lane, move into the immediate left lane if it is available and the move is reasonably safe.

2. 2. What following distance should a driver allow when following a motorcyclist, especially in wet conditions?

   1. A 2 second gap, closing to 1 second in rain
   2. The same gap used behind a stopped school bus
   3. A minimum 4 second following distance, or more in wet conditions
   4. Whatever distance keeps the motorcycle headlamp visible only
   Show answer

   A minimum 4 second following distance, or more in wet conditions. When following a motorcyclist, allow a minimum four-second following distance and more in wet conditions so you have enough time and space to avoid a crash. Motorcyclists may need to change speed or lane position suddenly to avoid hazards such as potholes or slippery surfaces. Rain calls for more distance, not a shrinking gap. Bus stop duties do not set a motorcycle following distance.

3. 3. Why must drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles be extra alert to blind pedestrians, according to the Kentucky manual?

   1. Those vehicles have weaker brakes
   2. Blind pedestrians cannot see hybrid badges
   3. The vehicles are so quiet that a blind pedestrian may not know they are there
   4. They accelerate faster
   Show answer

   The vehicles are so quiet that a blind pedestrian may not know they are there. A blind pedestrian uses the sound of your vehicle as a guide, so drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles must be extra alert because the silent nature of these vehicles can leave the pedestrian unaware of your presence. Pull up to the crosswalk so you can be heard, do not give verbal directions, and do not wait so long that the pedestrian becomes confused.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Ten: Sharing the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-10-02.