New York DMV Permit Test Sharing the Road Summary

When a school bus has its red lights flashing, you must stop and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, or the bus driver or a police officer signals you to go.

Wrong choices

• As soon as the children are off the road: Wait for the lights to stop, even if you see no children.
• After waiting 10 seconds: There is no time limit. Wait for the lights to stop.
• When the bus door begins to close: Wait until the red lights stop flashing.

A white cane or guide dog means the person may be blind or have low vision. Always yield: stop and let them cross. Do not honk.

Wrong choices

• Honk to let the person know you are there: Honking can confuse or frighten the person.
• Drive slowly around the person: Do not drive around. Stop and wait.
• Go first if your light is green: You must always yield to a blind pedestrian.

When railroad crossing lights are flashing, you must stop. Wait until the lights stop and you are sure the tracks are clear. Another train may be coming.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and cross if no train is visible: Flashing red lights mean stop, even if you do not see a train yet.
• Drive around the lowered gate: Never drive around a crossing gate.
• Cross quickly before the train arrives: Trains are faster and closer than they look.

In New York, you must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights whether it is ahead of you or coming toward you, even on a divided highway.

Wrong choices

• Keep driving, because the bus is across the divider: In New York, you must stop even when the bus is across a divider.
• Slow to 15 mph and pass carefully: Slowing is not enough. You must stop.
• Stop only if children are on your side: You must stop whether or not you see children.

Large trucks have big blind spots (no-zones) on all four sides. If you cannot see the truck driver in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you. Do not stay in these areas.

Wrong choices

• The truck driver can see you clearly: If you cannot see the driver's mirror, you are likely in a blind spot.
• You are at a safe distance: It means you are in a blind spot (no-zone).
• The truck is about to pass you: It tells you nothing about passing.

Bicycle riders have the same rights as drivers. Wait for a safe chance and pass with plenty of space between your car and the rider.

Wrong choices

• Honk and pass close to the rider: Honking can startle the rider, and passing close is dangerous.
• Pass quickly without slowing down: Slow down and give the rider space.
• Follow very closely until the rider pulls over: Following closely is dangerous and bullies the rider.

A motorcycle has the right to use a full lane. Never share a lane with a motorcycle, and keep a safe following distance.

Wrong choices

• Half the lane, so a car can share it: Do not share a lane with a motorcycle.
• Only the right edge of the lane: Motorcycles may use any part of the lane.
• Only the shoulder: Motorcycles belong in the traffic lane.

Large trucks swing wide to make right turns and may move left first. Do not pull into the space between the truck and the curb. Stay back until it finishes the turn.

Wrong choices

• Pass on the right before the truck turns: The truck could crush your car against the curb.
• Honk so the driver straightens out: Trucks must swing wide to make right turns.
• Pass on the left as fast as you can: The truck is turning; passing quickly is unsafe.

New York's Move Over law requires you to slow down and, if it is safe, move out of the lane next to a stopped police car, ambulance, fire truck, or other vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road.

Wrong choices

• Keep your speed and stay in your lane: You must slow down and move over if you can.
• Stop in your lane next to the police car: Stopping in a travel lane is dangerous.
• Speed up to pass it quickly: Speeding up near a stopped emergency vehicle is dangerous.

When you must stop at a railroad crossing, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail. A train hangs out wider than the tracks.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 5 feet: 5 feet is too close. A train is wider than its rails.
• No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is still too close. The rule is 15 feet.
• As close as you want if the gate is up: The 15-foot rule applies whenever you must stop.