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BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle overview

BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle: Riding with other motorcycles

Group size, staggered formation, where to put less experienced riders, passing as a group, intersections, group signals and passing another motorcyclist.

  • 13 questions
  • Topic drill
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Riding with other motorcycles · Question 1Score 0/0

What formation should a group normally use on an open highway?

Study reference: Learn to Ride Smart (ICBC, March 2026 edition), Ch. 7 Sharing the road — Other motorcycles, group riding, pp. 104–106

All 13 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. What formation should a group normally use on an open highway?

    1. Side by side in each lane
    2. Single file in the centre
    3. Staggered formation
    4. One rider per lane across the road

  2. After passing, where does the second rider return to?

    1. The right lane position
    2. The centre of the lane
    3. Beside the leader
    4. The left lane position, beside the leader

  3. How should you pass another motorcyclist?

    1. Share their lane and ride past beside them
    2. As you would pass a car, changing lanes legally
    3. Pass them on the shoulder on the right side
    4. Flash your lights at them until they move over for you

  4. Stopped traffic on your right is squeezing your group as you ride straight through an intersection. What may the group do?

    1. Use the paved shoulder on the right
    2. Ride two abreast to clear it faster
    3. Form single file on the left side of the lane
    4. Spread out across both lanes of traffic

  5. How should a staggered group pass a slower vehicle?

    1. All riders together, side by side
    2. The last rider first, then the others
    3. One rider at a time, starting with the leader
    4. Two riders at a time in the same lane

  6. Your group has nine riders. What does the guide suggest?

    1. Ride two abreast in each lane
    2. Split into two smaller groups
    3. Keep one group but ride faster
    4. Ride single file the whole way

  7. Following other riders into a curve, what should you remember?

    1. Speed up so you aren't left behind by the others
    2. Stay right on their rear wheel
    3. Copy the leader's line exactly
    4. Choose your own safe speed and path

  8. What is the minimum following distance in a group?

    1. Half a second
    2. One second
    3. Five seconds
    4. Two seconds

  9. In a staggered formation, the leader is in the left lane position. Where is the second rider?

    1. In the next lane over
    2. Slightly behind, in the right lane position
    3. Directly beside the leader
    4. Directly behind in the left position

  10. The rider behind you falls back in your mirror. What should you do?

    1. Pull over immediately
    2. Ignore it; they know the route
    3. Slow down so the group stays together
    4. Speed up to close the gap ahead

  11. What speed should a group ride at?

    1. A speed comfortable for the least experienced rider
    2. The posted speed limit at all times
    3. The speed of the group's fastest rider
    4. The speed the leader likes best

  12. Friends in your group push you to ride faster than you are comfortable with. What should you do?

    1. Ride side by side with them
    2. Take the lead to set the pace
    3. Leave the group as soon as you safely can
    4. Keep up with them so you don't hold the group back

  13. Where should less experienced riders be placed in a group?

    1. Just behind the leader
    2. Riding side by side with the leader
    3. At the very back
    4. In front of the leader

Riding with other motorcycles: 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 ↗

Other motorcycles and group riding, pp. 104–106

  • Group formation can use less road space and make riders more visible.
  • Put less experienced riders right behind the leader where experienced riders can watch them.
  • Watch the rider behind you in your mirrors; if they fall back, slow down so the group stays together.
  • Know the route and agree on stopping points before you leave.
  • Leave a group that pushes you to ride unsafely as soon as you can.
  • Don't assume the rider ahead is taking a safe line through a curve; choose your own speed and path.
  • More than six riders: split into two or more smaller groups.
  • If a light splits the group, the front riders should pull over safely and wait.
  • Signal early and allow extra time for manoeuvres and the whole trip.
  • Ride at a speed comfortable for the least experienced rider.
  • Staggered formation: the leader in the left lane position, the second rider slightly behind in the right position, and so on.
  • Two seconds is the minimum following distance; increase it when conditions are poor.
  • Use staggered formation on open highway; single file may be needed on blind curves and hills.
  • Group passing: the leader passes and stays in the left position; then the second rider moves to the left position, passes, and returns to the right position; one at a time.
  • Before passing, ask whether the whole group can pass safely; otherwise wait.
  • Going straight through an intersection, normally keep the staggered formation; if stopped traffic on the right squeezes you, form single file on the left side of the lane.
  • For turns, stay staggered or go single file depending on spacing.
  • Agree on hand signals before starting, but every rider is responsible for their own safety.
  • Pass another motorcyclist the same way you would pass a car: change lanes, or use the oncoming lane where it is safe and legal; never share their lane.

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