Street Riding: Lane Position, Following Distance, and Visibility
Street riding questions ask you to choose a lane position, following gap, and visibility strategy on D.C.'s dense urban streets. The exam favors the position that lets you see and be seen, not the one that feels most comfortable.
Lane position
In normal traffic, ride in the left third of your lane. It puts you closer to the driver's side mirror, gives a longer view into intersections, and discourages same-lane passing. Avoid the center strip at stops: oil, antifreeze, and chain lube collect there. Move to the right third when a left-turning vehicle is waiting across your path, or when the left side is blocked. Change position with a signal and a head check.
Following distance
Use at least a two-second gap. At 40 mph that is roughly 118 feet. Add a second at night, in rain, on gravel, or when following a truck that blocks your view. Behind a large vehicle, four or more seconds is reasonable. D.C. does not authorize lane splitting, so do not treat a narrow gap as an invitation.
Visibility
Run the headlight, signal every lane change, and wear bright or reflective gear. Stay out of blind spots: if you cannot see the driver's face in the mirror, assume the driver cannot see you. Pass quickly rather than riding alongside a car. At night, reduce speed and increase the gap because your headlight does not show hazards as far as you can stop.
Worked example
You are behind a box truck at what feels like two seconds, but you cannot see either of the truck's mirrors and the truck is drifting near the lane line. The best answer is to drop back to four or more seconds and offset to the left, or pass when clear. Reasoning: the truck blocks your forward view, and if you cannot see the mirrors the driver cannot see you. A two-second gap is a minimum, not a target.
Traps that cost marks
Stopping in the oily center of the lane; tailgating to "be seen"; assuming eye contact means the driver will yield; riding in a blind spot; treating a two-second gap as sufficient in rain; lane splitting.