Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds

Key points

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

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “If you cannot see the driver's face in their side-view mirror, they cannot see you.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

2. Truck and bus drivers need almost twice as much time and room to stop as cars.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Truck and bus drivers need almost twice as much time and room to stop as cars.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

3. Fully loaded trucks can weigh over 80,000 pounds and need a football field to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Fully loaded trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and take the length of a football field to stop.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

4. Do not share a lane with a motorcycle.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Do not share a lane with a motorcycle.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 39

5. Leave at least a 3 to 4 second following distance behind a motorcycle.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Leave at least a 3 to 4-second following distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle in front of you.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 39

6. Leave at least 3 feet between your vehicle and a bicycle when passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Then leave at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the bicycle when passing.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

7. Bicyclists have the right of way when you are turning, so you must yield to them.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Bicyclists have the right-of-way when a motor vehicle is making a turn, so you must yield to bicyclists.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

8. Experienced bicyclists can ride as fast as 35 mph and may be closer than you think.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “experienced bicyclists often ride very fast (as fast as 35 mph!) and may be closer than you think.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 41

9. Mopeds and scooters may ride on roads with a posted limit of 50 mph or less.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Mopeds and scooters may be ridden on any road with a posted maximum speed limit of 50 miles per hour or less.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 41

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maryland practice test

1. 1. Why should a driver leave extra space when passing a motorcycle?

   1. A motorcycle may be passed only at an intersection
   2. A motorcycle must remain at the far edge of its lane when passed
   3. Wind gusts and drafts from a passing vehicle can affect the motorcycle
   4. A motorcycle rider must signal the passing vehicle to continue
   Show answer

   Wind gusts and drafts from a passing vehicle can affect the motorcycle. The manual warns that wind gusts and drafts from a passing vehicle can affect a motorcycle. Leaving plenty of space reduces the chance that air movement will unsettle the rider. The motorcycle is not required to stop, and it is allowed to use the whole lane, so those choices misunderstand its road rights. Complete the pass with room, then wait until the motorcycle's headlight appears in your rear-view mirror before returning to the lane.

2. 2. How fast does the Maryland manual say experienced bicyclists may ride?

   1. No more than 10 mph
   2. As fast as 35 mph, so they may be closer than you think
   3. Bicycles cannot exceed 5 mph
   4. About 15 mph at most
   Show answer

   As fast as 35 mph, so they may be closer than you think. Experienced bicyclists often ride very fast, as fast as 35 mph, and may be closer than you think. A bicycle may also come from an unexpected direction, including a sidewalk or trail. Never make a right turn from a through lane immediately after passing a bike on the shoulder or in a bike lane, and check that no bicycles are beside you before turning.

3. 3. On which public roads may Maryland mopeds and scooters be ridden?

   1. Only roads with a posted maximum of 25 mph
   2. Roads with a posted maximum speed limit of 50 mph or less
   3. Any road, including one posted above 50 mph
   4. Only roads without painted lane markings
   Show answer

   Roads with a posted maximum speed limit of 50 mph or less. Maryland permits mopeds and scooters on roads whose posted maximum speed limit is 50 mph or less. The limit is tied to the posted maximum, not to whether lane markings are present or to a lower 25 mph threshold. A road posted above 50 mph falls outside the manual's stated permission, so check the sign before entering it on a moped or scooter.

Source: the Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 7: 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.