When stopped behind a motorcycle, drivers should allow the rider a distance of at least:
- One full vehicle length. ✓
- Three full vehicle lengths.
- Two feet.
- Four feet.
Answer: A. One full vehicle length.
When you are stopped behind a motorcycle, leave at least one full vehicle length between your car and the rider.
Why this is the answer
The Texas handbook addresses this exact situation in its motorcycle section. It says that when you stop behind a motorcyclist at an intersection, signal, or crossing, a full vehicle length is the recommended gap. The handbook gives the reason: that space helps prevent your car from hitting the motorcycle if your vehicle gets rear-ended. The same section separately tells you to keep four to six seconds of following distance while moving, so the stopped rule is its own thing, not the time-based gap.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Three full vehicle lengths. — Three full vehicle lengths is far more room than the handbook calls for when stopped behind a motorcycle.
- C. Two feet. — Two feet leaves almost no room and would not protect the rider if your car were struck from behind.
- D. Four feet. — Four feet is a very short gap, and the handbook recommends a full vehicle length instead.
Remember it
Think of the space you would want if someone bumped you from behind: one whole car length keeps your bumper off the rider.