Sharing the Road — New York
New York permit practice test: 488 free practice questions (128 official sample questions · Official driver handbook). Official test format: Class D: 20 Q, pass 14 incl. >=2 of 4 sign Qs. Sharing the Road: 48 questions.
Pedestrians, cyclists, school buses, emergency vehicles and heavy trucks.
This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.
| Topic / Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Topic | Sharing the Road |
| License test | New York Car learner's permit test (Class D) |
| Topic questions | 48 (10% of 488 total) |
| Review status | This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines. |
Official handbook
dmv.ny.gov ✓ Verified from official source
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Questions (48)
1. If an approaching train is near enough or going fast enough to be a danger, you must:
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Not cross the tracks until the train has completely passed ✓
- Cross the tracks at your own risk
- Find an alternative route across tracks
Answer: B. Not cross the tracks until the train has completely passed
You must not cross the tracks until the train has completely passed. The handbook says that if a train is close enough or fast enough to be a danger, you cannot go across the tracks, even when there are no signals or the signals are not working. It also tells you to wait until a coming train passes and then cross only when it is safe, and warns that trains cannot stop quickly and are closer and faster than they look. Waiting for the whole train to clear is the only choice that keeps you off the tracks.
2. A motorist approaching a bicyclist should:
- Speed up to pass him
- Proceed as usual
- Swerve into the opposite lane
- Exercise extreme caution ✓
Answer: D. Exercise extreme caution
A motorist approaching a bicyclist should exercise extreme caution. The handbook passage groups bicyclists with vulnerable road users and says drivers must be aware, alert, and defensive around them. It tells drivers to exercise due care and pay attention when they see bicyclists near the roadway. That is why the correct approach is to be extremely careful and watchful. The passage does not give a passing procedure; it sets a general duty of care toward bicyclists.
3. On a road which has no sidewalks a pedestrian should walk on the:
- Side of the road which has the lightest traffic
- Same side of the road in which traffic is moving
- Side of the road facing oncoming traffic ✓
- Side of the road which has the heaviest traffic
Answer: C. Side of the road facing oncoming traffic
4. A motorist should know that a bicyclist operating on a roadway must:
- Ride on the right side of the road ✓
- Ride on the side of the road facing traffic
- Ride on either side of the road
- Ride on the side of the road with the least traffic
Answer: A. Ride on the right side of the road
A bicyclist on a roadway must ride on the right side of the road. The manual says that where there is no bicycle lane, cyclists must stay near the right curb or edge of the road, or on a right shoulder, so they do not interfere with other traffic. It also says bicyclists travel in the same direction as motor vehicles. The right-side rule has exceptions only when the cyclist is preparing for a left turn or must move left to avoid a hazard. That makes riding on the right the general rule a motorist should expect.
5. A blind person legally has the right-of-way when crossing the street when:
- Wearing light-colored clothing
- Led by a guide dog, or using a white or metallic cane ✓
- Helped by another person
- Wearing dark-colored glasses
Answer: B. Led by a guide dog, or using a white or metallic cane
6. You may drive around or under a gate that is being lowered or raised at a railroad crossing:
- As long as an approaching train is not too close
- If your vehicle can do so without damaging the gate
- If you first look carefully in both directions
- Under no circumstances ✓
Answer: D. Under no circumstances
Under no circumstances may you drive around or under a gate that is being lowered or raised at a railroad crossing. The manual is direct: do not drive around or under a gate that is moving up or down. It also says to wait until crossing gates are completely raised and the lights are off, and it calls going around lowered gates illegal and dangerous. A gate that is still lowering or rising has not fully cleared the crossing, so the safe and legal choice is to wait. There is no exception for seeing no train, being careful, or fitting your vehicle past the gate.
7. What is the appropriate action to take when approaching a railroad crossing that does not have signals (such as lights or crossing gates)?
- Always bring the car to a complete stop
- Slow down and be prepared to stop ✓
- Do nothing; all railroad crosings have signals
- Increase speed to get across the tracks quickly
Answer: B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
Slow down and be prepared to stop when you approach a railroad crossing with no signals. The manual covers this directly. It notes that some grade crossings have no gates or flashing lights, and calls these unmarked or passive crossings. At those crossings you should reduce speed and be ready to stop, then check that no train is coming before you cross. If a train is coming, you wait for it to pass and cross only when it is safe. The manual also points out that the train you see is closer and moving faster than it looks, so that check matters.
8. You drive along a street and hear a siren. You cannot immediately see the emergency vehicle. You should:
- Keep driving until you see the vehicle
- Pull to the curb and look to see if it is on your street ✓
- Slow down but don't stop until you see it
- Speed up and turn at the next intersection
Answer: B. Pull to the curb and look to see if it is on your street
9. When you see an emergency vehicle parked, stopped, or standing with its emergency or hazard lights activated on a highway or parkway, you should:
- Move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, if possible to do so safely ✓
- Make a U-turn to avoid the vehicle
- Maintain your speed and lane position if possible
- Stop behind the vehicle and activate your hazard lights
Answer: A. Move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, if possible to do so safely
Move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when you can do it safely. The handbook says drivers must slow down for authorized emergency or hazard vehicles that are stopped with their lights on. On parkways, interstates and other controlled-access roads with several lanes, you also have to leave the lane next to that vehicle unless traffic or another hazard makes the move unsafe. That is why changing out of the adjacent lane, when safe, matches the rule; staying put is only acceptable when you cannot move over safely.
10. A bicyclist differs from a motorist in that a bicyclist isn't required to:
- Obey the same traffic laws
- Signal all turns
- Report accidents resulting in serious injury
- Insure the bicycle ✓
Answer: D. Insure the bicycle
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Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Verified from official source
Updated: · 128 official sample questions · Official driver handbook