Motorcycle learner and instructor reviewing training notes beside a parked motorcycle

Motorcycle study notes

Other Types of Vehicle

Sharing the road with lorries, buses, trams, tractors and bikes.

What this topic covers

Sharing the road with lorries, buses, trams, tractors and bikes. The full Motorcycle Theory Test app contains 17 questions on this topic.

In the app's syllabus: Motorcycles, Lorries, Buses, Trams.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

You're following a long vehicle approaching a crossroads. What should you do if the driver signals right but moves close to the left-hand kerb?

A. Overtake on the right-hand side
B. Report the driver to the police
C. Wait behind the long vehicle ✓ correct
D. Warn the driver about the wrong signal

Explanation: When a long vehicle is going to turn right, it may need to keep close to the left-hand kerb. This is to prevent the rear end of the trailer cutting the corner. You need to be aware of how long vehicles behave in such situations. Do not overtake the lorry, because it could turn as you're alongside. Stay behind and wait for it to turn.

Example 2

You're leaving a safe gap as you follow a large vehicle. What should you do if a car moves into this gap?

A. Start to overtake
B. Flash your headlights
C. Drop back further ✓ correct
D. Sound your horn

Explanation: Sometimes your separation distance is shortened by a driver moving into the gap you've allowed. When this happens, react positively, stay calm and drop further back to re-establish a safe following distance.

Example 3

You're travelling on a single carriageway road. Why should you keep well back while you're following a large vehicle?

A. To offer other drivers a safe gap if they want to overtake you
B. To leave a gap in case the vehicle stops and rolls back
C. To get the best view of the road ahead ✓ correct
D. To give yourself acceleration space if you decide to overtake

Explanation: When following a large vehicle, keep well back. If you're too close, you will not be able to see the road ahead and the driver of the long vehicle might not be able to see you in their mirrors.

Example 4

You're following a large vehicle as it approaches a crossroads. What should you do if the driver signals to turn left?

A. Wait for the vehicle to finish turning ✓ correct
B. Wait for the driver to cancel their signal
C. Overtake if there are no oncoming vehicles
D. Overtake if you can leave plenty of room

Explanation: Hold back and wait until the vehicle has turned before proceeding. Do not overtake, because the vehicle turning left could hide another vehicle emerging from the same junction.

Ready to test yourself?

Take the interactive quiz for Other Types of Vehicle.

Start Other Types of Vehicle quiz →

More Motorcycle study notes

Get all 17 questions on this topic in the Motorcycle Theory Test app.