PA Motorcycle Permit Practice Test: Traffic Rules

Lane Usage Rules for Motorcycles

No lane sharing.
In PA, two motorcycles may ride side by side in the same lane, but a motorcycle cannot share a lane with a car. That means no squeezing between vehicles in slow traffic on I-76 near Philadelphia or on I-376 approaching the Fort Pitt tunnel in Pittsburgh. It’s simply not allowed, even if it “feels safe.”

One lane. Yours.
You’re entitled to the full lane like any other vehicle. Drivers may try to crowd you on tight streets in Bethlehem or Scranton, but the rule stays the same: you control your lane position.

You can still adjust within the lane to be seen, avoid debris, or create space from blind spots. Just don’t cross into another lane without a proper lane change. Watch mirrors. Then signal.

Here are common lane-position ideas PennDOT expects you to know:

• Keep a space cushion from cars that drift over the line.
• Avoid riding in another vehicle’s blind spot for long.
• Don’t hug the centerline if oncoming traffic is close.

This one trips people up.

Also remember the bicycle passing rule because it affects riders too. Drivers must give at least 4 feet when passing a bicyclist and may briefly cross the centerline if it’s safe and done at a prudent reduced speed. On a motorcycle, you should anticipate that car ahead might move left to give that space, especially on narrow roads around York or Erie.

Work zones count.
PA uses automated work-zone speed enforcement on limited-access highways. You might see it on the Turnpike or other active work zones. First violation is a warning, then fines. No points. Still expensive.

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Right-of-Way Rules for Riders

Green doesn’t mean go.
Especially in Pittsburgh. The informal “Pittsburgh left” is a real habit, but it is not a legal right of way. When your light turns green, scan for a left-turner jumping early. Pause. Then proceed.

At intersections, the basic rules are the same as for cars, but motorcycles are smaller and easier to miss. PennDOT test questions often focus on who goes first when everyone arrives together, or when someone is turning left across traffic.

Keep these straight:

• Left turn yields to oncoming traffic going straight.
• At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first.
• If two vehicles stop at the same time, the one on the right goes first.

This one trips people up.

Right on red is generally allowed after a full stop unless posted otherwise, and in Philadelphia you’ll see plenty of “No Turn on Red” signs in busier areas. Read the sign. Always. For left on red, it’s only allowed from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping, unless a sign prohibits it. That detail shows up on exams.

Move Over law matters, too. When approaching an emergency response area or a vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder, you must move to a non-adjacent lane if possible. If you can’t, slow by at least 20 mph below the posted limit. This applies on I-95, on US-202, and on rural highways where the shoulder is narrow. It’s a big-ticket stop.

And yes, motorcycles must obey the same impairment laws as other vehicles. In PA, horse-drawn buggies are treated as “vehicles,” so DUI laws apply to buggy operators. Odd fact. Memorable. The point is simple: the rules follow the vehicle, not the vibe.

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Speed Limits and Legal Restrictions

Speed limits change fast.
Urban interstates around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh often drop to 50–55 mph, while rural interstates can be 70 mph. Add trucks on I-78, I-80, and I-81 and you’ll see big speed differences. Don’t just match the fastest car. Choose legal and safe.

The exam also cares about special areas:

• Work zones often have lower posted limits and higher fines.
• School zones require strict compliance when posted and active.
• Some corridors use camera enforcement, like Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia.

This one trips people up.

Automated work-zone enforcement is worth repeating because it’s newer. Cameras operate only in active work zones on certain limited-access highways. First notice is a warning. After that, fines follow. No points and no insurance impact, but you still pay.

Winter rules matter in PA. “Christine’s Law” requires motorists to make reasonable efforts to clear snow and ice from their vehicles before driving, and you can be fined even if nothing falls off. As a rider, you should treat snowy days as a visibility problem as much as a traction problem. Black ice forms early on bridges, especially around Erie and in the mountains.

Headlights are required in tunnels, in posted work zones, and whenever your wipers are in continuous use. That’s a classic test line. Simple rule. Wipers on, lights on.

Finally, remember that PA is strict about distraction. Texting while driving is illegal, and statewide rules favor hands-free use. On a motorcycle, distractions are even riskier. Keep your eyes up. Keep your speed legal. And keep practicing with a motorcycle permit practice test until the tricky wording stops feeling tricky.