You are riding behind and to the side of a car. You cannot see the driver in their mirrors. What does that tell you?
Alberta Class 6 overview
Alberta Class 6: Lane position, space and being seen
Blind spots, the space cushion, following distance, choosing a lane and lane position, and changing lanes.
- No sign-up
- Every answer explained
- Independent · not a government site
- 19 questions
- Topic drill
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Study reference: Rider's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 5 Managing Risk in Traffic — Be proactive when riding to Changing lanes, pp. 38–41
All 19 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
You are riding behind and to the side of a car. You cannot see the driver in their mirrors. What does that tell you?
- The driver can see you clearly
- The driver probably cannot see you
- You are at a safe following distance
- The driver is about to turn
A car is tailgating you. What does the Rider's Guide suggest?
- Tap your brakes hard to warn the driver to back off
- Slow slightly so it can pass, and add space ahead
- Move onto the shoulder
- Speed up to get away from it
After checking your mirrors, doing a shoulder check and signalling for a lane change, what should you do next?
- Move over right away
- Cancel your signal and wait for the car behind to pass
- Shoulder check again, then move if it is safe
- Sound your horn and move
You are approaching the crest of a hill on a two-lane road. Which lane position is best?
- The centre of your lane
- Straddling the centre line
- The right portion of your lane
- The left portion of your lane
You must ride in the lane next to the yellow dividing line on a four-lane road. Where in that lane should you ride?
- On the yellow line itself
- In the left portion, next to the yellow line
- Exactly in the centre
- In the right portion, where right wheels travel
Is it legal to ride side by side with another motorcycle in the same lane?
- Yes, if both riders agree
- Yes, on roads under 60 km/h
- Yes, if you are riding in a group
- No, it is illegal
You are riding past a row of parked cars. Which part of your lane should you use?
- The left portion
- Right beside the parked cars
- The centre
- The right portion
When should you do a shoulder check?
- Only at night
- Before every lane change
- Only if your mirrors are dirty
- Only when merging onto highways
You are riding at night in light rain. What following distance should you keep?
- One to two seconds
- Exactly 10 metres
- At least three to four seconds
- At least two seconds, as in daylight
Which is a sign that a parked car may pull out into your lane?
- A parking ticket on the windshield
- Exhaust coming from the tailpipe
- A roof rack on top
- A dirty licence plate
A truck ahead is signalling a right turn. Where should you NOT be?
- Stopped behind the truck
- In the left portion of your lane
- Between the truck and the curb
- Well back in your lane
Why should you avoid riding close to the curb or the edge of your lane?
- It blocks pedestrians
- It wears out your tires faster on the rough pavement edge
- It is illegal in Alberta
- It may invite drivers to move into your lane
What following distance should you keep behind another vehicle in good conditions?
- Exactly one car length per 10 km/h
- At least two to three seconds
- At least one second
- At least six seconds
Why must motorcycle riders ride with extra caution in traffic?
- Many drivers do not see or expect motorcycles
- Motorcycles always have the right-of-way
- Motorcycles stop more slowly than cars
- Drivers must give motorcycles a full lane
Why should you leave extra space when following a large truck?
- Trucks always brake slowly
- Trucks create no wind
- The driver can't see you and your view is blocked
- Trucks are required to ride in the left lane
A large truck is coming toward you on a two-lane highway. What should you do?
- Move to the right portion and hold the grips firmly
- Release the grips to stay relaxed
- Speed up to pass it quickly
- Move to the left portion so the truck driver can see you
On a road with two or more lanes each way, which lane and position should you usually use?
- The left lane, in its right portion
- The right lane, near the curb
- The right lane, in its left portion
- The left lane, beside the yellow line
Why is the centre of a lane often a poor place to ride?
- Oil and fluid drips collect there
- It is reserved for passing
- Drivers expect motorcycles there
- It is always wet
On a two-lane road with one lane each way, which part of your lane is usually safest?
- Right on the centre line
- The right portion, near the shoulder and away from traffic
- The centre of the lane
- The left portion, where the left wheels of cars travel
Lane position, space and being seen: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
Rider's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 5 Managing Risk in Traffic, pp. 38–41
- No seat belt or protective shell; collisions usually injure the rider.
- Many drivers don't see or anticipate motorcycles; some say they never saw the rider. Anticipate; position to be seen; horn if needed.
- Mirrors leave large blind spots; shoulder check before changing lanes.
- Stay out of drivers' blind spots; ride where you appear in their inside or outside mirror; if you can't see the driver in their mirror, they probably can't see you.
- Gives time/space to act, escape route, reduces rear-end risk, helps others see you, more time to respond.
- Following distance is the space you control completely.
- At least two to three seconds behind; three to four seconds at higher speeds or in poor light/weather.
- Tailgater behind: slow slightly to let them pass and increase space ahead.
- Sides: avoid riding beside vehicles or in their blind spot.
- Riding beside another motorcycle in the same lane is illegal and reduces escape routes.
- Avoid riding near the lane edge or curb — it invites drivers into your lane.
- Large vehicles: leave wide space; big blind spots; following closely hides you and blocks your view.
- Never ride between the curb and a vehicle (especially a large one) turning right; stay back until it finishes.
- Parked vehicles: ride in the left portion; watch for doors, pedestrians, cars pulling out (person in seat, signal, brake lights, exhaust, arm signal).
- Four or more lanes: use right lane when possible, ride in its left portion.
- In the lane next to the yellow dividing line: ride in the right portion (right wheel track) for escape routes; don't follow too closely or left-turning oncoming drivers can't see you.
- Two-lane road: left portion (left wheel track) usually safest — seen by oncoming traffic and in mirrors, see oncoming vehicles, away from vehicles from the right, away from curb hazards, avoids oily centre and raised centre.
- No position is safest for all situations.
- Before a hill crest: right portion (oncoming vehicle may be passing in your lane).
- Curves: position giving best view ahead.
- Approaching large vehicle: right portion, firm grip (wind blast); wait a few seconds after it passes before moving back.
- Minimise lane changes; plan route.
- Steps: safe and legal spot; check ahead and mirrors; shoulder check; signal (+ optional hand signal); shoulder check again; change if safe, otherwise restart.
Study the Lane position, space and being seen rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Road signsSign shapes and colours, regulatory, permissive and prohibitive signs, warning signs, school and playground zones, and construction signs.
- Traffic lights and signalsSolid, flashing and arrow lights, turns on a red light, pedestrian signals, lane reversal signals and flashing yellow beacons.
- Pavement markingsYellow and white lines, passing zones, two-way left-turn lanes, diamonds, painted islands, bicycle lanes, crosswalks and stop lines.
- Class 6 licensing and GDLLearning to ride, supervisors, Class 7 learner riding conditions, the knowledge and road tests, Class 6-GDL conditions, exiting GDL, mopeds and power bicycles.
- Helmets and protective gearApproved helmet standards, helmet types and fit, eye and face protection, jackets, pants, boots, gloves and hearing protection.
- Rider fitness and distractionsHypothermia, overheating and dehydration, alcohol, drugs and medication, fatigue, cell phones and other distractions.
- Controls and pre-ride inspectionChoosing a motorcycle that fits, learning the controls, the pre-trip inspection checklist and seasonal storage.
- Riding position, gears and parkingRiding position, starting, signalling, the clutch and friction zone, shifting gears, starting on a hill and parking.
- Braking, traction and stopping distanceTires and traction, using the front and rear brakes, threshold braking, and perception, reaction and braking distance.
- Turns, curves and skidsTurning at low speed, push-steering (counter-steering) through curves, and avoiding and recovering from skids.
- Intersections and passingLane position at intersections, a stalled motorcycle, passing emergency vehicles, when not to pass, passing on a two-lane highway and being passed.
- Night, weather and road surfacesRiding at night and in fog, wind and temperature extremes, hydroplaning, gravel, ice, metal gratings and railway tracks.
- Riding emergenciesEmergency braking, swerving around and riding over obstacles, a stuck throttle, wobble, tire blowouts, airborne objects and animals.
- Passengers, cargo and three-wheelersCarrying a passenger legally and safely, loading cargo, towing a trailer, three-wheeled motorcycles and sidecars.
- Group ridingGroup size, the staggered formation and following times, the lead rider's position, passing and changing lanes as a group, and single file.
- Sharing the roadPedestrians, cyclists, large trucks, school buses, snowplows, railway crossings and LRT, from Alberta's Driver's Guide.
- Demerits, impaired riding and penaltiesDemerit point limits for GDL and full licence holders, common demerit values, impaired driving limits and Alberta's Immediate Roadside Sanctions.