Bicyclists, motorcycles, trucks and animals

Key points

1. Leave at least four feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist or any vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “Leave at least four feet of clearance between your vehicle and any vehicle or bicycle you are passing.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

2. Two bicyclists may legally ride side by side.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Be aware that two bicyclists may legally ride side by side.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 41

3. Do not honk at a bicyclist unless you have good cause to warn them.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Do not honk at a bicyclist unless you have good cause to warn them.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

4. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; change lanes completely to pass one.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane. When passing a motorcycle, change lanes completely.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

5. Allow more than 4 seconds behind motorcycles, which may slow without a brake light.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more than 4 seconds of following distance.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 42

6. In over 70% of fatal car and truck crashes, the other driver, not the truck driver, caused the crash.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “In more than 70% of fatal crashes involving automobiles and trucks, it was the driver of the other vehicle, not the truck driver, who caused the crash.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

7. If you cannot see the truck's side mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “If you can’t see the trucks side rearview mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

8. Keep at least a 4 second gap behind a horse and rider or herded animals.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “When following a horse with a rider, horse and wagon, or herded animals, leave at least a 4 second following distance.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

9. Headlights may freeze a deer, or it may bolt at up to 40 mph toward its habitat.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “The light from vehicle headlights may cause a deer to temporarily freeze and be unable to get out of the way of a vehicle, or it may bound at speeds up to 40 miles per hour towards their habitat.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

10. Moose weigh much more than deer, more than a thousand pounds.

    Source: Handbook p. 45

    “Moose weigh much more than deer-more than a thousand pounds.”
    Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 45

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. How much clearance must a Vermont driver leave when passing a bicycle or another vehicle?

   1. At least two feet
   2. At least four feet
   3. At least three feet
   4. At least six feet
   Show answer

   At least four feet. Vermont tells drivers to pass vehicles and bicycles on the left and leave at least four feet of clearance between their vehicle and the vehicle or bicycle being passed. Two and three feet are less than Vermont's figure. Six feet is more than the stated minimum. The driver should then return right only after seeing the whole bicycle or vehicle in the inside mirror.

2. 2. What lane rights do motorcycles have on Vermont roads?

   1. They must ride on the shoulder
   2. They must share a lane with cars
   3. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane
   4. They may use only the right third of the lane
   Show answer

   Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane. A car must never try to share the lane or squeeze past a motorcycle within it, and when following a motorcycle you should leave the same following distance you would give a car. Motorcyclists in turn must operate as responsible road users and not exploit the cycle's narrow silhouette to weave through traffic.

3. 3. In fatal crashes between cars and large trucks, who does the Vermont manual say usually caused the crash?

   1. The truck driver in most cases
   2. In more than 70 percent, the driver of the other vehicle, not the truck driver
   3. Both drivers equally
   4. Road conditions in most cases
   Show answer

   In more than 70 percent, the driver of the other vehicle, not the truck driver. In more than 70 percent of fatal crashes involving automobiles and trucks, it was the driver of the other vehicle, not the truck driver, who caused the crash. Car drivers cut in front of trucks, linger in their blind spots, and misjudge how long a truck needs to stop. Stay out of the no zones, pass promptly, and leave room when a truck is backing or turning.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit. 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.