Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and trucks

Key points

1. Pedestrians legally crossing at marked or unmarked crosswalks always have the right of way, so slow down or stop if needed.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “Pedestrians who are legally crossing the road or street at marked or unmarked crossings, like an intersection, always have the right-of-way. You must decrease your speed or, if necessary, come to a complete stop.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

2. Always yield to a blind pedestrian with a guide dog or a white or metal cane at a crosswalk, even if the signals are not in their favor.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “A special right-of-way law allows blind pedestrians to go across the road with a guide dog or a white or metal cane. You must always give them the right-of-way when they are trying to cross at a marked or unmarked crosswalk, even if the traffic signals or other right-of-way rules are not in their favor.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

3. A bicycle ridden at night needs a headlight visible 500 feet ahead and a red taillight visible 300 feet behind.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “A bicycle used at night must have a headlight visible from at least 500 feet (150 m) ahead and a red taillight visible from at least 300 feet (90 m) behind.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

4. Bicyclists and their passengers ages 1 to 13 must wear an approved helmet.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “Bicyclists and their passengers ages 1 - 13 must wear an approved helmet.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

5. Drivers may not operate in bike lanes, bike boxes, cycle tracks and other spaces dedicated to bicycles.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “Drivers are prohibited from operating in these dedicated spaces and must be aware of how bicyclists operate in and around these spaces.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

6. 2 motorcyclists may ride side by side in one lane, but a motorcycle may not share a lane with a car or other vehicle.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “two motorcyclists are allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane, but a motorcyclist cannot pass or share a lane with another motor vehicle that is not a motorcycle.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

7. Tractors with long hoods can have a 20 foot blind spot in front, and you should stay out of these no zones.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “Tractors with long hoods can have a blind spot of 20 feet in front of the vehicle. You should avoid these "no zones."”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

8. After passing a large vehicle, do not pull in front of it until you can see its whole front in your mirror.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “when you pass do not pull in front of it unless you can see the whole front of the vehicle in your mirror.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

9. Near a horse, keep a reasonable speed and distance; sounding your horn as you approach or pass a horse is illegal.

   Source: Chapter 11

   “You must drive at an acceptable speed and at an acceptable distance away from the horse. It is illegal to sound your horn when you approach or pass a horse.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

10. ATVs and snowmobiles crossing a road must stop, yield to traffic and cross at a 90 degree angle.

    Source: Chapter 11

    “Before they cross, they must come to a stop and yield to traffic. They must go across at a 90-degree angle to the road surface.”
    New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the New York practice test

1. 1. A bicycle is being used at night in New York. What lighting must it have?

   1. A headlight visible 500 feet ahead and a red taillight visible 300 feet behind
   2. Only a white reflector visible 100 feet ahead
   3. A red headlight visible 500 feet ahead and no rear light
   4. Hazard lights mounted on the rider's helmet
   Show answer

   A headlight visible 500 feet ahead and a red taillight visible 300 feet behind. A bicycle used at night must show a headlight visible from at least 500 feet ahead and a red taillight visible from at least 300 feet behind. The required colors and directions matter: the white light helps approaching road users see the bicycle, while the red light identifies its rear. A small reflector or helmet light alone is not the stated equipment. When driving near a lit bicycle, slow down, allow space, and expect the rider to be harder to see outside the beam.

2. 2. Why should a New York driver avoid lingering beside a large truck?

   1. The truck's side blind spot can hide the car from its driver
   2. The truck's headlights cannot illuminate a passing car
   3. The truck is required to stop whenever a car is beside it
   4. The truck always has priority in every lane
   Show answer

   The truck's side blind spot can hide the car from its driver. Large vehicles have broad side blind spots, and a car remaining there may be invisible to the truck driver even when the driver knows a vehicle is nearby. That does not give the truck automatic priority or require it to stop. The safer plan is to pass with room, avoid staying alongside the trailer, and make sure the truck driver can see your vehicle before settling into the lane ahead. If you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, assume the driver may not see you.

3. 3. What must a New York driver do when approaching a horse being ridden or walked along the road?

   1. Use an acceptable speed and distance, without sounding the horn
   2. Pass within one vehicle width if the lane is open
   3. Accelerate past before the horse can react
   4. Sound the horn briefly so the rider knows the car is near
   Show answer

   Use an acceptable speed and distance, without sounding the horn. New York requires care around a horse, including an acceptable speed and an acceptable distance. The driver must not sound the horn when approaching or passing because the noise can startle the animal. A close pass or quick acceleration reduces the rider's margin and contradicts the safety rule. The practical cue is quiet space: slow enough to remain controlled, leave generous room, and let the horse and rider proceed without a sudden blast or maneuver.

Source: the New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 11: 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.