California DMV Motorcycle Written Test 2026

What can a beginner rider do to help with stability when taking off from a stop?

All of the above

Why is hearing loss a concern when riding a motorcycle?

Wind noise

When riding your motorcycle, where is the most likely place to collide with another vehicle?

An intersection

The front brake supplies about _____ of total stopping power on a cruiser-type motorcycle.

$$70\%$$

When riding with a group, the inexperienced rider is usually _____.

Behind the leader of the group

A good entry speed for a curve is _____.

A speed that allows you to roll on the throttle or maintain throttle at the beginning of the curve

Which of the following can affect motorcycle traction?

All of the above

If you accidentally lock the front wheel when applying the front brakes, you should:

Release and then reapply with less pressure

Stopping quickly in a curve requires the rider to _____.

Progressively apply both brakes until the bike is upright

Which lane position is best for being seen at an intersection?

There is no single best lane position

Most motorcycle accidents occur at intersections and _____.

Curves

The best place to find the correct pressure for your tires is _____.

The motorcycle's owner's manual

Which safety standard designators might be found on motorcycle helmets?

All of the above

On a sport bike, approximately _____ of total stopping power is provided by the rear brake.

$$10\%$$

Tire pressure affects tire _____.

Traction

When should you check your motorcycle tire pressure?

Every time before you ride

How should the passenger sit on the motorcycle?

Close to the rider and holding his or her sides (not too tightly)

How many escape paths should a rider keep open in a collision trap?

More than $1$

Which type of helmet provides the most protection in case of a crash?

Full-face helmet

If you are riding during the daytime, how should your headlight be set?

On high beam if it does not interfere with other drivers

It is a good idea to flash your brake light when _____.

You need to slow down suddenly

Bright reflective colors should be worn _____.

All the time when riding

Motorcycle helmets should be _____.

DOT-compliant

Where do most single-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur?

In a curve

When is riding in the rain the most hazardous?

When it first starts to rain

What does the clutch lever do?

Removes power from the rear wheel

The primary purpose of the outer shell of a motorcycle helmet is to:

Resist penetration and disperse energy

Target fixation means:

Looking at one thing for too long

Which type of helmet comes off more frequently than any other type?

Half-shell helmet

The three parts of total stopping distance are:

Perception, reaction, and braking

When riding in the rain, the rider should:

All of the above

The friction zone on a motorcycle is:

Where the motor starts transferring power to the rear wheel through the clutch

The purpose of motorcycle gloves is:

All of the above

Swerving around an obstacle generally occurs at speeds above:

$$20\,\text{mph}$$

Where should a rider look while swerving?

Through the escape path

Counter-steering in normal-speed turns means:

Pushing the handlebar forward slightly in the direction you want to go

The most common scenario in an intersection crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle is:

A left-turning vehicle turning in front of a motorcycle

How does carrying a passenger affect the motorcycle?

All of the above

In seconds, what is the following distance that generally provides enough time to stop or swerve in an urgent situation?

$$2\,\text{seconds}$$

What is the rider's torso position during a swerve?

Upright, independent of motorcycle lean

Why does the motorcycle rider change gears?

To match engine speed to road speed

What is engine braking?

Using the engine to slow down by downshifting and easing out the clutch

Counter-weighting is used:

In low-speed turns

If you are riding a motorcycle and encounter a threatening dog, you should:

Slow down when approaching the dog and then speed up

An important thing to remember when using your turn signal on a motorcycle is:

To remember to cancel it

Which of the following actions should be avoided while swerving?

All of the above

What does ABS stand for?

Anti-lock Braking System

When looking through a curve, what should the rider be looking for?

Any or all of the above

Central, clear vision is a:

$$3^\circ\text{ cone}$$

What should you do about a tailgating driver?

Increase distance from vehicles ahead

To cross tracks that run perpendicular to your course:

Move away, then turn and cross at an angle of at least $45^\circ$

The single most important thing you can do to improve your chances of surviving a collision is to:

Wear a securely fastened helmet

Which of the following best indicates that a vehicle ahead may be about to turn?

Turned wheels, a turn signal, or a driver looking to one side

The best strategy to improve your visibility to drivers at intersections is to:

Position in the left third of the lane, cover the brakes, and be prepared to stop

If a motorcycle fails a safety equipment inspection, the rider must:

Not operate the motorcycle until the defect is corrected

Does California law require motorcycle riders to wear eye protection?

Yes, eye protection is required for all riders at all times

Which of the following best describes what separates responsible motorcycle riders from others according to the MSF?

The ability to ride aware, make critical decisions, and carry them out

When stopped at a red light on a motorcycle, the safest lane position is:

Slightly left or right of center to be visible in the mirrors ahead and to avoid the oil drip zone

In California, a motorcycle must be legally registered and display valid plates because:

All motorcycles operated on public roads must be registered with the state

When a motorcycle is caught in a sudden rainstorm, the safest immediate actions are to:

Slow down gradually, increase following distance, and avoid lane changes on wet paint or metal

According to the MSF, when making a normal turn, the rider and the motorcycle should:

Lean together and at the same angle

What is the minimum age for a full, unrestricted motorcycle license in most states?

$$18$$

At a $4\text{-way}$ stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time. The motorcycle is on the left. Who goes first?

The vehicle on the right has the right-of-way

In California, what must a motorcycle rider do if their license or endorsement is suspended?

Immediately stop riding on public roads until the suspension is resolved

According to the MSF, where should foot position be relative to the controls while riding?

Feet near the controls with toes not pointed downward

When preparing to enter an intersection, the MSF recommends covering the brakes and:

Communicating your presence and scanning for cross traffic

Which of the following is required equipment on any street-legal motorcycle in California?

Headlight, taillight, brake light, turn signals, horn, and two mirrors

A rider using the SEE strategy who evaluates options is deciding:

What the best response options are and which one to execute

The recommended formation for a group of motorcycles riding together is:

Staggered with at least a $2\text{-second}$ gap to the rider directly ahead

A motorcycle approaching a yellow light should:

Evaluate speed and distance and stop if it can be done safely before the stop line

When is newly poured or freshly repaired asphalt most dangerous for motorcycle tires?

In hot weather when the asphalt softens and can cause tires to sink or grab unevenly

Does California law set a minimum age for motorcycle passengers?

No, California does not set a specific minimum age for motorcycle passengers

If a rider takes a prescription medication that causes dizziness as a side effect, they should:

Not ride until they have confirmed the medication no longer causes dizziness

A motorcycle learner's permit most commonly prohibits which of the following?

Carrying passengers and riding after dark

Wind blasts created by large passing trucks on the highway require a motorcycle rider to:

Grip the handlebars firmly and be prepared for a push or pull as the truck passes

The most effective way to maintain balance at very slow speeds is to:

Maintain controlled momentum using the throttle, friction zone, and rear brake together

What speed differential does the California Highway Patrol recommend when lane splitting?

No more than $10\,\text{mph}$ faster than surrounding traffic

A major hazard specific to night riding is:

Overriding your headlights, traveling faster than you can stop within the illuminated distance

What speed differential does the California Highway Patrol recommend when lane splitting?

No more than $10\,\text{mph}$ faster than surrounding traffic

A major hazard specific to night riding is:

Overriding your headlights, traveling faster than you can stop within the illuminated distance