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. 58

   “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. 58

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

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “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. 60

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

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “When parked on the street, check to the sides and rear for bicyclists before you open your vehicle door.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 60

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

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

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

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “When following a motorcyclist, allow for a minimum 4-second following distance or more in wet conditions”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

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

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Motorcycle turn signals may not self-cancel, and the motorcyclist may have forgotten to turn them off.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 61

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

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “traveling at 55 mph requires at least 335 feet before coming to a complete stop”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

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

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “If you cannot see the driver's face in the side view mirror, he or she cannot see you.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

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

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “large vehicles have huge blind spots directly behind them that extend up to 200 feet.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

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

    Source: Handbook p. 63

    “To avoid a crash, do not turn until the truck or bus has completed its turn.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. What minimum following interval does the Kentucky manual recommend trying to keep?

   1. One second whenever the road is dry
   2. Four seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead
   3. Two car lengths at every speed
   4. A half-second gap on a divided highway
   Show answer

   Four seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. The manual recommends trying to keep at least four seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead. Time is more dependable than a fixed number of car lengths because speed and vehicle size change the distance needed. The one-second and half-second choices remove the reaction margin, while two car lengths may be generous at one speed and dangerously short at another. Choose a reference point, count after the vehicle ahead passes it, and enlarge the interval in poor conditions. Your cue is measured time, not bumper spacing.

2. 2. What minimum following distance does the Kentucky manual recommend in front of your vehicle?

   1. Four seconds
   2. One second
   3. Two car lengths regardless of speed
   4. Ten seconds in every condition
   Show answer

   Four seconds. The manual recommends at least four seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead. A time interval adjusts better to changing speeds than a fixed number of car lengths and gives more room to react when traffic stops. One second is too short, and the manual does not make two car lengths a universal measure. Ten seconds is not required in every ordinary situation, although poor weather, darkness, and heavy vehicles may call for additional space.

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 2026-09-27.