Prepare for the New York City Motorcycle Permit Test. Get access to a variety of questions, insights, and strategies to boost your confidence and readiness. Let's accelerate your journey to becoming a licensed rider!

Practice this question and more.


When riding, what is the best practice concerning tailgaters?

  1. Speed up to lose them

  2. Change lanes if safe to do so

  3. Signal them to stay back

  4. Ignore their presence

The correct answer is: Change lanes if safe to do so

Changing lanes when it is safe to do so is the best practice when dealing with tailgaters. This approach allows you to create distance between yourself and the tailgater, reducing the risk of a collision or dangerous situation. By moving to another lane, you can safely establish more space, which can help in maintaining a steady speed or adjusting your position on the road without the pressure of someone following too closely. Other options might seem appealing at first glance, but they carry risks. Speeding up could lead to unsafe driving conditions or may not actually rid you of the tailgater if they decide to match your speed. Signaling them to stay back could be misinterpreted or provoke frustration, and ignoring their presence does not address the safety concern and could lead to a hazardous situation if you need to stop suddenly. Thus, changing lanes safely is the most effective and proactive strategy to manage tailgaters while ensuring your own safety on the road.