Video lessons · Unit 7: Sharing the road

The School Bus

Can you pass a school bus? Grandpa explains it in one minute.

What you'll learn

• The road isn't just yours, kiddo. You share it with everybody.
• Of course! Give them plenty of room when passing. And look before you open your door.
• A motorcycle gets the whole lane. And if you can't see a truck's mirrors, it can't see you.
• Behind it, or oncoming with no median: everybody stops until the lights go off and the arm folds!
• Siren? Pull right and stop. Train tracks? Never stop on top of them.
• And if you see a horse, no honking. It's got no brakes, just nerves!

Test yourself: 5 exam-style questions

1. 1. A pedestrian is about to cross at a corner with no painted lines. You…

   1. Go, since there are no lines
   2. Yield only if they're already mid-street
   3. Yield; corners have crosswalks too
   4. Honk so they wait
   Show answer

   Answer: Yield; corners have crosswalks too

   Most corners have a crosswalk even without paint. The pedestrian goes.

2. 2. You see a person with a white cane or guide dog near the street. You must…

   1. Honk to warn them
   2. Hurry past before they cross
   3. Always give them the right of way
   4. Shout out when it's safe for them to cross
   Show answer

   Answer: Always give them the right of way

   White cane or guide dog: they may not see you. Let them go, no honking.

3. 3. You're passing a bicyclist. How much room do you give?

   1. A few inches is enough
   2. Any amount, as long as you honk
   3. None: the cyclist must move onto the sidewalk
   4. At least about 3 feet, or more
   Show answer

   Answer: At least about 3 feet, or more

   Many states require 3 feet or more. If it doesn't fit, wait a bit.

4. 4. You've parked on the street. Before opening your door on the traffic side…

   1. Check only the inside rearview mirror
   2. Honk, then open it
   3. Open it fast and hop out
   4. Look for bikes and cars coming
   Show answer

   Answer: Look for bikes and cars coming

   Dooring a cyclist is ugly. Look before you open.

5. 5. A motorcycle is in the lane ahead. Can you share the lane with it?

   1. No, it gets the full lane
   2. Yes, if it's going slowly
   3. Yes, to pass it without changing lanes
   4. Yes, if you hug the edge
   Show answer

   Answer: No, it gets the full lane

   A motorcycle is a full vehicle: it gets the whole lane.