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California DMV Motorcycle Written Test

Terms in this set (84)

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
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