California DMV Motorcycle Written Test

Where are vehicle/motorcycle collisions most common?

At intersections

Before changing lanes to the left, what should you do?

Check your left mirror and look to the left

Which of the following statements is correct?

a) Press left, lean right, go right

b) Press left, lean left, go right

b) Press left, lean left, go left

b) Press left, lean left, go left

If a car is merging onto the freeway directly in front of you on the right, and a car is directly to your left, what should you do to create more space?

Adjust your speed and stay in the center of your lane

In slow right turns:

a) Lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight

b) Lean your body more than the motorcycle

c) Do not lean

a) Lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight

While in a turn it is best to:

a) Maintain a steady speed or gradually increase

b) Slow down

c) Accelerate and look straight ahead

a) Maintain a steady speed or gradually increase

To make good judgements in traffic, you need to first:

a) Know how to stop quickly

b) Be able to swerve

c) Search ahead

c) Search ahead

Your motorcycle has two brakes. Use both brakes when:

a) Only for normal stops

b) Only for emergency stops

c) Every time you slow or stop

c) Every time you slow or stop

When riding with a passenger you should:

a) Start slowing sooner

b) Use only your front brake to slow

c) Start in the center portion of the lane

a) Start slowing sooner

When swerving it is important to:

a) Always brake before swerving

b) Swerve in the direction of the hazard

c) Separate braking from swerving

c) Separate braking from swerving

You are approaching a 4 way intersection, and directly across from you is a car who is preparing to enter the intersection coming towards you on the opposite side of the road. What should you do to be seen and maintain a space cushion?:

a) Slow down and move away from the vehicle after entering the intersection

b) Slow down and move closer to the curb so the driver can see you better

c) Speed up to get through the intersection quickly and then move left

a) Slow down and move away from the vehicle after entering the intersection

Three motorcyclists are riding as a group on a 4 lane road (2 lanes in each direction). Motorcyclist A is leading in front in the right lane directly in front of a car, B is behind A in the passing lane directly to the left of the car, and C is behind the car in the right hand lane. Motorcyclist B is currently trying to pass the car and join Motorcyclist A in front of the car. Should he:

a) Complete the pass in front of rider A

b) Return to the lane and ride next to rider A

c) Return to the right portion of the lane behind rider A

c) Return to the right portion of the lane behind rider A

Following closely to a vehicle in front of you:

a) Protects you in heavy traffic

b) Helps you see hazards in the road

c) Is a factor in collisions caused by motorcyclists

c) Is a factor in collisions caused by motorcyclists

Alcohol quickly enters the bloodstream and reached the brain. Which of the following is affected first?

a) Speech

b) Balance

c) Judgement

c) Judgement

Most collisions involve riders who:

a) Overbrake the rear tire

b) Underbrake the rear tire

c) Were experienced riders

a) Overbrake the rear tire

Make a special point to use mirrors when:

a) Riding through an intersection

b) Following a vehicle

c) Slowing or stopping

c) Slowing or stopping

You plan to make a right turn after stopping at an intersection. Usually, it is best to turn from which lane position?

a) The left portion

b) The center portion

c) The right portion

b) The center portion

Not turning off a turn signal:

a) Encourages other drivers to pull into your path

b) Keeps other drivers from seeing your brake light

c) Reduces a change of a collision because other drivers stay clear

a) Encourages other drivers to pull into your path

When the front tire goes flat while riding:

a) Apply the rear brake and steer to the edge of the road

b) Steer to the right and apply both brakes

c) You will not be able to control the motorcycle

a) Apply the rear brake and steer to the edge of the road

When you turn?

a) Keep your head and your eyes straight to maintain balance

b) Look through the turn to where you want to go

c) Always lean at the same angle as the motorcycle

b) Look through the turn to where you want to go

Riding in the center portion of the lane:

a) Should be avoided if possible

b) Keeps other drivers from seeing you

c) Keeps others from sharing your lane

c) Keeps others from sharing your lane

Wearing a helmet will:

a) Increase your chances of a head injury

b) Reduce your chances of a head injury

c) Neither reduce nor increase your chances of a head injury

b) Reduce your chances of a head injury

To reduce speed before turning:

a) Close the throttle and apply the brakes

b) Pull in the clutch and use both brakes

c) Apple the rear brake only

a) Close the throttle and apply the brakes

To operate the throttle:

a) Start with your wrist flat

b) Sit forward with arms straight

c) Twist it down and forward for more power

a) Start with your wrist flat

When carrying loads:

a) Keep the load low and as far forward as possible

b) Keep the load to the rear of the motorcycle

c) Fasten the load against the frame on the back of the seat

a) Keep the load low and as far forward as possible

If your approaching railroad tracks that come through the road at a diagonal (rather than perpendicular), should you go across them at a 45 degree angle (straight through your lane) or 90 degree angle (turning your bike to be perpendicular with the tracks?)

45 degree angle. always ride straight through your lane. Turning so you cross at a 90 degree angle can be dangerous if it points you towards the opposing lane of traffic

If you are passing parked cars, the biggest hazard is:

a) A car door opening

b) A car pulling out

c) A person stepping from between parked cars

b) A car pulling out

For higher-speed turns, you should:

a) Lean more than you would at low speed

b) Lean less than you would at low speed

c) Lean the same amount as you would at low speed

a) Lean more than you would at low speed

Three motorcyclists are riding as a group on a 4 lane road (2 lanes in each direction). Motorcyclist A is leading in front in the right lane directly in front of a car, B is behind A in the passing lane directly to the left of the car, and C is behind the car in the right hand lane. Which motorcyclist is in the most dangerous position?

Motorcyclist B

Wearing a helmet can reduce the chance of a fatal head injury in:

a) Low speed crashes only

b) High speed crashes only

c) Any crash, regardless of speed

c) Any crash, regardless of speed

When you are being followed too closely, it is usually best to:

a) Move closer to the vehicle ahead

b) Drop back farther from the vehicle ahead

c) Pass the vehicle ahead

b) Drop back farther from the vehicle ahead

To discourage other drivers from sharing your lane, it is usually best to ride:

a) In the left portion of your lane

b) In the center portion of your lane

c) In the right portion of your lane

b) In the center portion of your lane

When riding where sand and gravel have collected on paved roads, you should:

a) Avoid sudden changes in speed or direction

b) Only use the rear brake to slow down

c) Pull the clutch

a) Avoid sudden changes in speed or direction

Riders in a staggered formation will be passing a car, After the lead rider passes, he/she should return to the _______ of the lane:

a) Left Portion

b) Right Portion

c) Center portion

a) Left Portion

When you carry a passenger:

a) It will take longer to accelerate and brake

b) You will have more balance

c) You will have less chance of skidding

a) It will take longer to accelerate and brake

When you ride over a pothole, it is usually best to:

a) Keep a normal seat position

b) Lean forward as much as possible

c) Look straight ahead and rise slightly off the seat

c) Look straight ahead and rise slightly off the seat

Before changing lanes to the left, when the spot to your direct left is free, but a car is directly behind the empty space in the left lane, you should:

a) Check your left mirror and turn your head to the left

b) Check your right mirror and turn your head to the left

c) Use your horn and speed up

a) Check your left mirror and turn your head to the left

When the front tire goes flat:

a) The steering will feel heavy

b) The back of the motorcycle will jerk side to side

c) You will loose power to the brakes

a) The steering will feel heavy

Alcohol will first affect your:

a) Balance

b) Vision

c) Judgement

c) Judgement

At intersections, the most common cause of motorcycle/vehicle collisions is:

a) Drivers entering a rider's right of way

b) Drivers not yielding to oncoming traffic

c) Drivers tailgating others

a) Drivers entering a rider's right of way

To make a normal stop use:

a) The rear brake only

b) The rear brake first

c) Both brakes and downshift

c) Both brakes and downshift

You are approaching a 4-way intersection. There is a car facing you from the opposite direction with their left turn signal on. You should:

a) Hold your speed and center lane position

b) Slow down and move away from the approaching vehicle

c) Increase your speed and stay in the center

b) Slow down and move away from the approaching vehicle

When you ride at night:

a) Wear reflective clothing

b) Always ride in the center portion of the lane

c) Follow the vehicle ahead more closely for safety

a) Wear reflective clothing

While riding in an unfamiliar motorcycle:

a) Stay in the right portion of the lane

b) Allow extra room for stopping

c) Do not shift above the third gear

b) Allow extra room for stopping

To make good judgement in traffic, you need to first:

a) Be able to swerve

b) Know how to stop quickly

c) Search ahead

c) Search ahead

You are merging onto the freeway and need to make yourself more noticeable to the car in the right lane you are merging into. Which light on your motorcycle will help you to be noticed by the driver?

a) Brake light

b) Taillight

c) Turn signal

c) Turn signal

You are moving through an intersection with a light and it's your right of way. The driver from the opposite direction has already entered the intersection with their left turn signal on (likely about to drive right into you as they make a left) and they are not stopping. Do you:

a) Maintain your position and brake hard

b) Slow and swerve to the left

c) Reduce your speed and move away from the vehicle

c) Reduce your speed and move away from the vehicle

When adjusting your mirrors to carry a passenger, the passenger should:

a) Sit on the seat with you

b) Stand behind the motorcycle

c) Adjust the mirror while you sit on the motorcycle

a) Sit on the seat with you

If you lock the front tire when stopping:

a) Release the rear brake

b) Keep the front brake locked until stopped

c) Release and reapply the front brake

c) Release and reapply the front brake

To avoid causing a rear-end collision when following another vehicle:

a) Ride in the right wheel track

b) Stay at least two seconds behind

c) Tap your brakes lightly

b) Stay at least two seconds behind

When you turn you should:

a) Look through the turn

b) Watch the center line

c) Look straight ahead

a) Look through the turn

What does SEE stand for?

Search, Evaluate, and Execute. Search ahead, to your sides and behind you for potential hazards. Evaluate Road and surface characteristics, Traffic control devices such as traffic signals, vehicles and other traffic that may move into your path. Execute - carry out your decision

During the evaluate step of the SEE procedure, what are you thinking about?

a) Traffic markings and signals

b) Vehicles that may move into your path

c) Possible hazardous road conditions

d) All of the above

d) All of the above

When slowing down, to help others see you, what should you do to help your action be seen by those behind you?

Flash your brake lights

In a single lane of traffic, how many lane positions are there for a motorcycle?

3, left, center and right

When riding in a group, the best formation is the _____ formation:

a) single-file

b) v-shaped

c) side-by-side

d) staggered

d) staggered

Rolling on the throttle through a turn will:

a) help stabilize the motorcycle

b) cause the motorcycle to skid

c) cause the motorcycle to tip over

d) help stop the motorcycle

a) help stabilize the motorcycle

In locations where there is oil and grease buildup, the best lane position is:

a) not important

b) The left or the right

c) the center

d) In the blind spot

b) The left or the right - why? because if you drive where other tires have traveled, there will likely be less oil there

If you motorcycle starts to wobble, your best course of action is to:

a) grip the handlebars tightly and fight the wobble

b) accelerate out of the wobble

c) apply the brakes quickly

d) close the throttle gradually

d) close the throttle gradually

If oncoming traffic is present and you are passing a line of parked cars, which lane position should you choose?

You should ride in the center lane position to create the biggest space cushion between you and both hazards

When parking along the roadside, how should you park your bike?

At a 45 to 90 degree angle to the curb, with a wheel touching the curb

What three restrictions does a class M1 permit carry?

No carrying passengers, no freeway driving and no nighttime driving

Changing your lane position can:

a) Help you avoid being in a blind spot

b) communicate your intentions to other drivers

c) Provide a possible escape route

d) do all of the above

d) do all of the above

Which of the following should be avoided when carrying cargo?

a) Securing cargo with elastic cords

b) Filling saddlebags evenly

c) Securing cargo as low as possible

d) Fastening excess cargo to the sissybar

d) Fastening excess cargo to the sissybar

When driving at night, what is the best way to identify bumps in the road?

a) Only drive where there are street lights

b) Use the taillights of the vehicle ahead of you

c) Use your high beam

d) Scan the road often

b) Use the taillights of the vehicle ahead of you

What are the four steps to making a proper turn?

Slow, look, press, roll

Slow down, look where you want to go, press on the inside handlebar, and roll on the throttle

When riding in a group, who is setting the pace of the group?

a) The tail rider

b) The group leader

c) The middle group rider

d) The traffic in front of the leader

a) The tail rider

According to the handbook, in traffic, motorcycles need:

a) As much distance as a car needs to stop

b) less distance to stop than a car does

c) more distance to stop than a car does

a) As much distance as a car needs to stop

When riding in a group, motorcyclists should communicate with?

hand signals

If a large vehicle such as a truck is passing you on your left, which lane position should you ride in?

Center

If you encounter a large surface so slippery that you must coast at a very slow speed, or travel at a walking pace, consider doing what?

letting your feet skim along to surface so you can catch your bike if it starts to fall. Note that this is for VERY slippery surfaces, like ice, and you should be going at a very slow speed

If your front tire fails, where should you shift your weight to maintain stability?

Shift your weight to the rear to maintain stability

The least effective way to attach cargo to your motorcycle is to use:

a) Ropes

b) Elastic cords

c) Tank bags

d) Saddlebags

a) Ropes

Motorcycles towing trailers:

a) Must not exceed 55 mph

b) Must not use carpool lanes

c) Must keep right

d) Must do all of the above

d) Must do all of the above

If your motorcycle was built before 1978, you must remember to:

a) get a special license

b) ride only during the day

c) avoid carrying passengers

d) turn your headlights on when riding at all times

d) turn your headlights on when riding at all times - bikes made after 1978 have headlights on automatically when the engine is running, so you don't need to think about it unless you have a pre-1978 bike

The best face protection is:

a) approved goggles

b) sunglasses

c) a shatter-resistant face shield

d) a windshield

c) a shatter-resistant face shield

Which following types of vehicles are permitted to use High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes?

a) Buses

b) Motorcycles

c) Low-emission Vehicles

d) All of the above

d) All of the above

When being passed from behind, what lane position should you take?

The center lane position

While passing a row of parked cars, you see a drive in one of the parked vehicles. What should you do?

a) Stop until the drive has exited the vehicle

b) Speed up to pass the vehicle quickly

c) Beep your horn to let the drive know you're there

d) Ride in the right lane so you will be close to the vehicle

c) Beep your horn to let the drive know you're there

On a paved road, sand and gravel are most likely to collect where?

Along the sides of the road

When riding in a group, is it a good idea to pair up?

No, never pair up when riding with a group. A motorcycle requires a full lane width to operate properly

If you are riding in a group and need to pass the vehicle in front of you:

a) never pass while riding in a group

b) pass one rider at a time

c) pass in pairs

d) pass as a whole group

b) pass one rider at a time

What can cause the engine to seize?

a) Being low on oil

b) The front tire skidding

c) Not changing gears properly

d) Braking with only one brakke

a) Being low on oil

When crossing railroad tracks, what's the minimum angle you should cross at?

45 degrees minimum