Motorcycle Maneuvers

Lane position, cornering, swerving, quick stops and crossing obstacles: the riding skills the written test checks before the skills test.

71 practice questions with answers. These rules are the same in every state.

Motorcycle Maneuvers quiz

Answer at your own pace. After each question you see the correct answer and why, and at the end a review of what you missed.

Quick quiz: 10 random questions on motorcycle maneuvers; pass with 8 correct.

Motorcycle Maneuvers questions with answers

To make a motorcycle lean into a turn at normal riding speed, the rider should:
1. Pull back on the handgrip on the side of the turn
2. Lean the upper body only and keep the handlebars still
3. Press forward on the handgrip on the side of the turn
4. Shift weight onto the outside footrest
Show answer

Answer C: Press forward on the handgrip on the side of the turn

This is countersteering: press left to lean left and go left, press right to lean right and go right.
What is the correct order of steps for taking a turn or a curve?
1. Look, roll, press, slow
2. Press, slow, roll, look
3. Roll, look, slow, press
4. Slow, look, press, roll
Show answer

Answer D: Slow, look, press, roll

Reduce speed before the turn, look through it to where you want to go, press the handgrip to lean, then roll on the throttle to steady the motorcycle.
How should a rider use the head and eyes in a turn?
1. Turn only the head to look through the turn, keeping the eyes level with the horizon
2. Turn the head and the shoulders together toward the inside of the turn as the curve tightens
3. Stare down at the front wheel in order to judge how far the machine is leaning
4. Keep the eyes fixed on the pavement a short distance ahead of the front tire
Show answer

Answer A: Turn only the head to look through the turn, keeping the eyes level with the horizon

Turning just the head keeps the upper body from upsetting the motorcycle, and level eyes help the rider judge lean angle and direction.
When should speed be adjusted for a curve?
1. In the middle of the curve
2. Before entering the curve
3. At the exit of the curve
4. Only if the curve carries a warning sign
Show answer

Answer B: Before entering the curve

Slowing before the curve lets the rider hold a steady or slightly increasing throttle through it, which settles the suspension and keeps traction predictable.
In a tight, slow speed turn such as a parking lot U-turn, the rider should:
1. Lean the body and the motorcycle together at the same angle
2. Keep the motorcycle vertical and lean the body inward
3. Lean the motorcycle while keeping the body upright
4. Stand on the footrests and steer with the shoulders
Show answer

Answer C: Lean the motorcycle while keeping the body upright

Keeping the body upright while the motorcycle leans lets the machine turn tightly and helps the rider hold balance at very low speed.
A rider needs to stop quickly while leaned over in a curve. What is the best technique?
1. Grab the front brake as hard as you can while the machine is still fully leaned over
2. Use only the rear brake and hold the same lean angle through the curve
3. Release both brakes completely and coast until the curve straightens
4. Bring the motorcycle upright where possible, then brake firmly with both brakes
Show answer

Answer D: Bring the motorcycle upright where possible, then brake firmly with both brakes

An upright tire has more traction available for braking, so lean angle should be reduced as brake pressure is increased.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
What should a rider do if the front wheel locks during braking?
1. Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it firmly
2. Hold the front brake until the motorcycle has stopped
3. Add rear brake pressure to make up for it
4. Turn the handlebars in the direction of the skid
Show answer

Answer A: Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it firmly

A locked front wheel cannot steer or hold the motorcycle up, so the brake must be released to let the wheel roll again and then reapplied smoothly.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
If the rear wheel locks during a straight line stop on a good surface, the rider should:
1. Release the rear brake instantly, whatever the motorcycle is doing
2. Keep it locked until the motorcycle has come to a complete stop
3. Release the clutch so the wheel turns again
4. Steer sharply to one side
Show answer

Answer B: Keep it locked until the motorcycle has come to a complete stop

Releasing a locked rear wheel while the motorcycle is out of line can snap it upright violently, so on a straight path the rear brake is held until the motorcycle stops.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
How should braking and swerving be combined?
1. Brake hard all the way through the swerve
2. Use the rear brake only during the swerve
3. Brake before or after the swerve, never during it
4. Use the front brake only during the swerve
Show answer

Answer C: Brake before or after the swerve, never during it

Traction can be spent on turning or on braking, and asking for both at once during a swerve is very likely to cause a skid.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
What is the correct swerving technique?
1. Lean the body hard toward the escape route while holding the handlebars perfectly still
2. Close the throttle completely and hold the handlebars rigid until it passes
3. Stand up on the footrests and turn the shoulders toward the open space
4. Press the handgrip on the side you want to go and look toward the escape route
Show answer

Answer D: Press the handgrip on the side you want to go and look toward the escape route

A swerve is two quick countersteering inputs, and because the motorcycle goes where the rider looks, the eyes belong on the open space.
What is the recommended minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?
1. Half a second
2. One second
3. Two seconds
4. Six seconds
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Answer C: Two seconds

A two second gap is the minimum in good conditions and should be stretched to three seconds or more on slippery roads, in poor visibility or in heavy traffic.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
How many usable riding paths does a single traffic lane offer a motorcycle?
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Five
Show answer

Answer C: Three

A lane is normally treated as a left, center and right path, and the rider picks the one that gives the best visibility and the largest space cushion.
What is true about the oily strip down the center of a traffic lane?
1. It must never be ridden on under any circumstances, however dry and clean the road surface looks
2. It offers better traction than the tire tracks on either side of it, wet or dry
3. It is slippery only in dry weather, once the oil has baked onto the surface
4. It usually gives enough traction, but heavy buildups where vehicles idle should be avoided
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Answer D: It usually gives enough traction, but heavy buildups where vehicles idle should be avoided

Passing tires keep the central strip largely clear, but the thick deposits that collect at busy intersections and toll booths really are slick.
Why must a rider turn the head and look before changing lanes?
1. Mirrors leave blind spots that only a direct look can cover
2. It signals the rider's intention to the drivers following behind
3. It is the only way to see what the mirror is showing
4. It helps the motorcycle begin leaning toward the new lane
Show answer

Answer A: Mirrors leave blind spots that only a direct look can cover

Motorcycles have blind spots just as cars do, and a vehicle hidden in one will not appear in the mirrors at all.
What should a rider remember about convex mirrors?
1. They show a narrower view than flat mirrors, so less of the road behind is visible
2. They show a wider view, but vehicles look farther away and slower than they are
3. They remove blind spots entirely, so a shoulder check is never needed
4. They make vehicles behind look closer and faster than they really are
Show answer

Answer B: They show a wider view, but vehicles look farther away and slower than they are

The curved glass fits more of the scene into the mirror, and the price of that extra width is a distorted sense of distance and closing speed.
Study tip. Rule out the options you know are wrong first. Two plausible answers are easier to choose between than four.
What do the letters in the SEE riding strategy stand for?
1. Stop, Enter, Exit
2. Search, Evaluate, Execute
3. Signal, Ease, Engage
4. Scan, Estimate, Escape
Show answer

Answer B: Search, Evaluate, Execute

Riders search for hazards, evaluate how those hazards could interact, and execute a plan by adjusting speed, position or communication.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
You are stopped facing uphill on a steep grade and need to pull away. What is the recommended technique?
1. Let the motorcycle roll back a little to gather momentum before pulling away
2. Release both brakes and open the throttle wide to overcome the slope quickly
3. Hold the front brake with the fingers while shifting straight into second gear
4. Hold with the rear brake, ease the clutch into the friction zone, then release
Show answer

Answer D: Hold with the rear brake, ease the clutch into the friction zone, then release

The rear brake keeps the motorcycle from rolling backward while the clutch takes up the drive, and it is released as the throttle is opened.
What is the recommended way to park a motorcycle at a curb?
1. Facing straight into the curb with the front wheel touching the concrete
2. Parallel to the curb with both wheels a foot or so out into the traffic lane
3. At an angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb
4. Facing away from the curb so the machine can be ridden straight out later
Show answer

Answer C: At an angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb

Backing the rear wheel to the curb at an angle keeps the motorcycle clear of traffic and lets the rider ride out forward instead of backing into the lane.
Why must a rider pay attention to the turn signal after completing a turn or lane change?
1. Many motorcycle signals do not cancel themselves and can mislead other drivers
2. The signal drains the battery so quickly that the engine may fail to restart
3. A signal left on for more than a minute will burn out the indicator bulb
4. The signal switch must be centered before the transmission will shift again
Show answer

Answer A: Many motorcycle signals do not cancel themselves and can mislead other drivers

A signal left flashing tells other drivers the rider is about to turn again, and a driver may pull out in front of the motorcycle because of it.
What is the correct order of actions when passing a vehicle on a two lane road?
1. Move into the oncoming lane first, then signal and check for traffic behind
2. Signal, pass in the same lane as the vehicle ahead, then move back over
3. Check the mirrors only, pass, and signal once the maneuver has been finished
4. Signal, check the mirrors and blind spot, pass in the left lane, signal and return
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Answer D: Signal, check the mirrors and blind spot, pass in the left lane, signal and return

The rider signals and checks behind before moving out, completes the pass in the passing lane, then signals and checks again before returning.
You are riding alongside a car in the next lane at the same speed. What is the problem?
1. The car's mirrors will be blurred by the motorcycle's headlight beam
2. You may be sitting in the driver's blind spot with nowhere to escape
3. The two vehicles will disturb each other with the air they push aside
4. Riding beside another vehicle is prohibited on every multilane highway
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Answer B: You may be sitting in the driver's blind spot with nowhere to escape

A driver who cannot see the motorcycle may change lanes into it, so riders adjust speed to move ahead of or behind the vehicle instead of staying beside it.
An oncoming car is waiting to turn left across your path at an intersection. What is the safest response?
1. Speed up to clear the intersection before the driver can begin the turn
2. Move to the far right of your lane so the turning car has more room
3. Flash the high beam repeatedly and hold your speed and position steady
4. Slow, cover the brakes and pick a lane position that keeps an escape path
Show answer

Answer D: Slow, cover the brakes and pick a lane position that keeps an escape path

A car turning left in front of a rider is one of the most common motorcycle collisions, so the rider prepares to stop or swerve rather than trusting the driver to wait.
You are approaching a blind right hand curve. Which starting lane position gives the best view through it?
1. The right portion of the lane, hugging the inside edge of the curve
2. The center of the lane, riding directly over the painted lane markings
3. The left portion of the lane, toward the outside of the curve
4. Any portion, because lane position has no effect on the view ahead
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Answer C: The left portion of the lane, toward the outside of the curve

Starting at the outside of a curve opens up the line of sight through it, and the rider then moves toward the inside as the exit comes into view.
How does the distance needed to stop change when a rider doubles speed?
1. It stays about the same, since braking force does not depend on speed
2. It grows by about half again as much as the original distance
3. It roughly doubles, in step with the change in road speed
4. It grows to roughly four times the original distance
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Answer D: It grows to roughly four times the original distance

Braking distance rises with the square of speed, so twice the speed needs roughly four times the distance in which to stop.
You are stopped in a line of traffic waiting at a red light. What is the safest way to wait?
1. Stay in first gear, keep watching the mirrors and leave a way out
2. Shift to neutral and rest both feet flat on the pavement until it changes
3. Stop as close as possible to the bumper of the vehicle ahead of you
4. Switch the engine off to save fuel and restart it when the light turns green
Show answer

Answer A: Stay in first gear, keep watching the mirrors and leave a way out

A vehicle approaching from behind may not stop in time, and staying in gear with a gap ahead lets the rider move out of the way.
A driver is following your motorcycle much too closely. What should you do?
1. Speed up sharply until the following vehicle has fallen well behind you
2. Ease off the throttle and open more space ahead so the driver can pass
3. Tap the brake lever repeatedly to warn the driver with the brake light
4. Move to the center of the lane and hold your position and speed steady
Show answer

Answer B: Ease off the throttle and open more space ahead so the driver can pass

Slowing gradually and opening a bigger gap in front encourages the tailgater to pass and gives the rider room to stop gently instead of hard.
You are riding up an entrance ramp to merge onto a freeway. What should you do?
1. Stop at the end of the ramp and wait for a gap large enough to pull into
2. Enter at the lowest speed possible so that following traffic can react
3. Ride along the shoulder until traffic in the right lane has cleared away
4. Build up to traffic speed on the ramp, then signal and check the blind spot
Show answer

Answer D: Build up to traffic speed on the ramp, then signal and check the blind spot

Matching the speed of freeway traffic before merging avoids forcing others to brake, and a head check covers the area the mirrors do not show.
How should a rider adjust speed on an unlit road at night?
1. Keep the same speed as by day, since the headlight lights the way ahead
2. Ride faster so that less time is spent on the unlit stretch of road
3. Slow enough to stop within the distance the headlight actually lights up
4. Match the speed of the vehicle ahead and follow its taillights closely
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Answer C: Slow enough to stop within the distance the headlight actually lights up

A rider can only react to what is visible, so night speed has to fit the distance the headlight reaches rather than the posted limit.
You are riding on a multi-lane road with a car traveling beside you in the lane on your right. Which lane position is usually best?
1. The right portion, so you keep as far as possible from oncoming traffic
2. Whichever portion the vehicle behind you appears to expect you to use
3. The center portion, because it is the correct position in every situation
4. The left portion, so you keep a cushion of space from the car alongside
Show answer

Answer D: The left portion, so you keep a cushion of space from the car alongside

Lane position is chosen to hold space between the motorcycle and the nearest hazard, and here that hazard is the vehicle on the right.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
A car in the lane to your left keeps drifting toward the line between you. Which portion of your lane should you move to?
1. The right portion
2. The left portion, so the driver can see you in the mirror more easily
3. The center portion, since it is always the safest place in any traffic
4. Whichever portion keeps you directly in line with the vehicle ahead of you
Show answer

Answer A: The right portion

Moving to the far side of your lane buys distance and time if that driver keeps coming, and it may also make the motorcycle visible to a driver who had not noticed it.
Why is the center portion of the lane a useful default on an open road?
1. It puts the tires on the smoothest and most heavily swept part of the surface
2. It keeps a space cushion on both sides and discourages lane sharing
3. It hides the motorcycle from drivers waiting to pull out from side streets
4. It is the only portion of the lane that riders are legally allowed to occupy
Show answer

Answer B: It keeps a space cushion on both sides and discourages lane sharing

From the middle of the lane the rider has room to move either way, and no driver sees an obvious gap alongside to squeeze into.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
How often should a rider change position within the lane?
1. Once at the start of the ride, then hold that position for the whole trip
2. Only when a lane change or a turn is about to be made at an intersection
3. As often as the traffic, the road surface and the hazards around you change
4. Never, because moving within a lane confuses the drivers following behind
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Answer C: As often as the traffic, the road surface and the hazards around you change

Lane position is a tool for keeping space and visibility, and both of those change constantly as traffic and road conditions change.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
What is the best path through a curve where you can see all the way to the exit?
1. Start toward the outside, move toward the inside, then drift back out
2. Hold the exact center of your lane from the entry of the curve to its exit
3. Start at the inside, move out to the outside, then return to the inside again
4. Ride the outside edge for the entire curve so you can watch the road surface
Show answer

Answer A: Start toward the outside, move toward the inside, then drift back out

Entering wide, cutting toward the inside and running back out straightens the path, which means less lean angle for the same speed and a better view.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
Once the motorcycle is leaned over and settled in a curve, what should the throttle be doing?
1. Closing steadily so the machine sheds speed all the way through the curve
2. Opening and closing in small pulses to keep the suspension working
3. Held steady or rolled on gently through the curve
4. Held wide open until the motorcycle has been brought fully upright again
Show answer

Answer C: Held steady or rolled on gently through the curve

A steady or slightly increasing throttle keeps the suspension settled and the weight balanced, while closing it mid-curve unloads the rear tire.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
Partway through a curve you realize you have carried in more speed than you wanted. What is the best response?
1. Straighten the motorcycle and brake hard, then turn back into the curve again
2. Sit upright and let the motorcycle run wide across into the next lane
3. Close the throttle completely and put a foot down toward the inside of the curve
4. Look through the curve and lean the motorcycle further with steady throttle
Show answer

Answer D: Look through the curve and lean the motorcycle further with steady throttle

Most motorcycles can lean further than the rider believes, and looking where you want to go while pressing the inside grip harder will usually bring the machine around.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
How should a rider approach a curve whose radius keeps tightening the further you go into it?
1. Enter more slowly than the curve first appears to need, saving lean for the exit
2. Enter at the speed the first part of the curve allows and brake hard later on
3. Take the inside line from the very start so that the path is as short as possible
4. Accelerate through the first half so that speed is already falling in the second
Show answer

Answer A: Enter more slowly than the curve first appears to need, saving lean for the exit

In a decreasing radius curve the sharpest part comes last, so a slower entry leaves both speed and lean angle in reserve for where they are needed.
You are approaching a blind left hand curve. Which starting lane position gives the best view through it?
1. The center portion, since it is a compromise between the two sides
2. The left portion, because it is the inside of a left hand curve
3. The right portion of your lane
4. The shoulder, so that the whole width of the road can be used for the view
Show answer

Answer C: The right portion of your lane

On a left hand bend the outside of the lane is the right side, and moving there lets the rider see farther around the curve before entering it.
You are riding at 30 miles an hour and need to move quickly to the left. What do your hands do?
1. Pull back firmly on the left handgrip while pushing the right one forward
2. Hold both grips still and throw your upper body hard toward the left
3. Pull back on the right handgrip so the front wheel is steered to the left
4. Press forward on the left handgrip
Show answer

Answer D: Press forward on the left handgrip

Above a walking pace a motorcycle turns by leaning, and pressing forward on the grip on the side you want to go is what starts the lean.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
What does a swerve actually consist of?
1. One long, smooth steering input held all the way around the obstacle
2. Two quick presses on the grips, one to go around and one to come back
3. A hard press on one grip followed by full braking once the machine is clear
4. Shifting body weight to one footrest and then to the other in quick succession
Show answer

Answer B: Two quick presses on the grips, one to go around and one to come back

A swerve is two separate countersteering inputs made back to back, so the machine leaves the original path and then returns to it.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
While you swerve around an obstacle, what should the rest of your body be doing?
1. Leaning hard toward the escape route so the machine is pulled around faster
2. Rising off the seat so that the motorcycle can move freely underneath you
3. Staying upright with the knees against the tank while the motorcycle leans
4. Twisting the shoulders toward the obstacle so you can watch it as you pass
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Answer C: Staying upright with the knees against the tank while the motorcycle leans

A swerve happens through the handlebars, and a body that stays still and anchored to the tank lets the motorcycle move quickly beneath the rider.
An obstacle appears ahead and you can see there is no room left to stop before it. What should you do?
1. Brake as hard as you can and accept that you will strike the obstacle slowly
2. Lock the rear wheel deliberately so that the machine slides to a halt sooner
3. Close the throttle and hold a straight line, hoping the obstacle will move
4. Swerve around it
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Answer D: Swerve around it

Once the distance is too short to stop, changing direction is the only option left, and a motorcycle can change direction faster than it can stop.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
What is the correct technique for a maximum effort stop in a straight line?
1. Squeeze the front lever progressively and press the rear pedal, staying upright
2. Squeeze the front lever alone and leave the rear brake completely untouched
3. Stamp on the rear pedal first, then add the front lever once the rear has locked
4. Pump both brakes on and off quickly to keep either wheel from locking up
Show answer

Answer A: Squeeze the front lever progressively and press the rear pedal, staying upright

Both brakes together give the shortest stop, the front is squeezed progressively as weight transfers forward, and the machine must be upright with the bars square.

Source: oregon.gov
Why must the handlebars be kept square during a hard straight line stop?
1. Because a turned wheel makes the speedometer read a much lower speed
2. Because a front wheel turned under heavy braking can put the machine down
3. Because the brake light switch does not operate while the bars are turned
4. Because turning the bars closes the throttle and stalls the engine at once
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Answer B: Because a front wheel turned under heavy braking can put the machine down

With the front tire loaded to its limit, any steering input asks it to do two jobs at once and the front end can wash out instantly.

Source: oregon.gov
What should the clutch be doing during a quick stop?
1. Released fully throughout, so engine braking adds to the braking effort
2. Slipped in the friction zone so that the rear wheel cannot lock at all
3. Pulled in as the motorcycle slows, so the engine does not stall
4. Left alone entirely, because the clutch has no part to play in stopping
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Answer C: Pulled in as the motorcycle slows, so the engine does not stall

Disengaging the clutch as the machine slows keeps the engine running, so the rider can pull away again immediately if that becomes necessary.

Source: oregon.gov
How should a rider use a motorcycle fitted with antilock brakes in an emergency stop?
1. Apply the rear brake only, because the system works on that wheel alone
2. Pump the front lever in time with the pulsing felt through the handlebars
3. Release the brakes the moment the lever begins to pulse under the fingers
4. Apply firm, steady pressure to both brakes and keep it there
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Answer D: Apply firm, steady pressure to both brakes and keep it there

An antilock system releases and reapplies pressure far faster than a rider can, but only while the rider keeps holding the brakes on.

Source: oregon.gov
Study tip. When two answers both seem legal, pick the one that is safer for everyone on the road. That is how most tests are written.
You must slow down in a curve but there is no room to straighten the motorcycle. What should you do?
1. Brake gently at first and reduce the lean angle as your speed comes down
2. Grab the front brake hard, since traction is highest with the tire on its edge
3. Use the rear brake alone and hold exactly the same lean angle throughout
4. Close the throttle sharply and let engine braking do all of the slowing
Show answer

Answer A: Brake gently at first and reduce the lean angle as your speed comes down

Braking and turning compete for the same traction, so brake pressure has to stay light while lean angle is high and can grow as the machine comes upright.

Source: oregon.gov
You are stopped in a line of traffic on a steep uphill grade. What should you do about the gap to the vehicle ahead?
1. Close right up, so that no other driver can move into the gap on the hill
2. Leave more room than usual, because vehicles can roll back as they pull away
3. Leave the same gap you would use on level ground, since the hill changes nothing
4. Move to the far side of the lane and stop level with the vehicle ahead of you
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Answer B: Leave more room than usual, because vehicles can roll back as they pull away

A vehicle ahead can roll back a foot or more as its driver releases the brake, and a motorcycle stopped tight behind it has nowhere to go.
What is the danger of releasing the brake too early when moving off uphill?
1. The engine floods with fuel because the throttle has been open for too long
2. The front wheel lifts off the pavement as the drive reaches the rear wheel
3. The motorcycle rolls backward before the clutch has taken hold
4. The rear tire spins and burns away a large part of its remaining tread
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Answer C: The motorcycle rolls backward before the clutch has taken hold

On a grade the brake has to stay on until the engine is actually pulling, otherwise the machine runs back into whatever is behind it.
You park at the roadside on a hill, facing downhill. What keeps the motorcycle from rolling away?
1. Selecting neutral, so that the engine cannot drag the machine forward at all
2. Leaving the machine on the sidestand alone, which is designed for any slope
3. Turning the front wheel away from the curb so it will not roll into the road
4. Leaving it in first gear with the front wheel turned toward the curb
Show answer

Answer D: Leaving it in first gear with the front wheel turned toward the curb

A motorcycle has no parking brake, so the transmission left in gear stops the wheel turning and the front wheel turned into the curb blocks any roll.
You have just ridden over a large object lying in the road. What should you do next?
1. Pull over when it is safe and check the tires and rims for damage
2. Brake hard immediately to see whether both brakes are still working
3. Accelerate briefly so that any object caught in the tread is thrown clear
4. Nothing, because a motorcycle that is still rolling has taken no damage
Show answer

Answer A: Pull over when it is safe and check the tires and rims for damage

An impact can cut a tire, dent a rim or bend a fork without giving any immediate change in how the machine feels, so it deserves a look.
What is meant by a crowned road?
1. A road with a raised barrier running along the middle of the traveled way
2. A road built higher along its center so that water drains toward the sides
3. A road that has been resurfaced with a second layer laid over the first
4. A road with a wide painted median separating the two directions of travel
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Answer B: A road built higher along its center so that water drains toward the sides

The crown is the built-in slope from the middle of the road down toward each edge, and it exists so rain runs off instead of standing on the surface.
How does the crown of a road affect a turn made on it?
1. It makes both directions of turn equally easy because the slopes cancel out
2. It has no effect at all on a motorcycle, since the wheels are in a single line
3. Turning toward the low side leaves less ground clearance for leaning
4. Turning toward the high side requires far more speed than turning the other way
Show answer

Answer C: Turning toward the low side leaves less ground clearance for leaning

Leaning down the slope of the crown adds the slope to the lean angle, so the footrests and other parts reach the pavement sooner than they otherwise would.
Before making a U-turn on a narrow street, what should the rider do first?
1. Check that the street is wide enough and clear in both directions
2. Shift up into second gear so the engine cannot stall partway around
3. Ride onto the far shoulder to gain the extra width for the turn
4. Start the turn slowly and decide partway around whether it will fit
Show answer

Answer A: Check that the street is wide enough and clear in both directions

A U-turn commits the rider to crossing both directions of traffic in a space the machine may not fit into, so both the width and the traffic are judged before starting.
Where should the rider be looking during a U-turn?
1. Down at the front wheel, to judge how far the machine has come around
2. All the way around toward the point where the turn will finish
3. At the curb the machine is turning away from, to keep clear of it
4. Straight ahead across the road, so the horizon stays level in view
Show answer

Answer B: All the way around toward the point where the turn will finish

A motorcycle follows the eyes, so turning the head to the exit of the turn keeps the machine coming round instead of drifting wide.
Partway through a tight turn in a parking area you realize the motorcycle will not come around in the space available. What is the safest thing to do?
1. Lean the machine further and add throttle so it turns more sharply
2. Straighten up and ride over the curb, since the machine will fit that way
3. Stop, put a foot down and reposition the motorcycle before trying again
4. Pull the clutch in and let the machine coast until the front wheel comes round
Show answer

Answer C: Stop, put a foot down and reposition the motorcycle before trying again

At very low speed there is no cost to stopping and starting the turn over, while forcing a turn the space does not allow simply drops the machine.
Where do the greatest number of collisions involving motorcycles occur?
1. On the shoulder of divided highways, where riders pull off to rest
2. In parking areas and driveways, where speeds are lowest of all
3. On long open curves outside built-up areas, where speeds are highest
4. At intersections
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Answer D: At intersections

Intersections concentrate crossing and turning paths, and the most common single event is a car turning left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
As you approach an intersection, what is a sound search pattern?
1. Look left, then ahead, then right, then left again before you enter
2. Look only at the traffic signal, since it controls everything at the crossing
3. Look right first and then left, because traffic from the right arrives sooner
4. Look straight ahead the whole time so nothing in your path is missed
Show answer

Answer A: Look left, then ahead, then right, then left again before you enter

Traffic from the left reaches the rider first, so it is checked first and then rechecked, with the road ahead and the traffic from the right covered in between.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
A car is waiting at a side street to pull out as you approach the intersection. What speed adjustment helps most?
1. Speed up so that you clear the intersection before the driver can move
2. Slow enough that you could still stop before reaching the intersection
3. Hold your speed exactly so the driver can judge your approach accurately
4. Slow to walking pace well back and wave the driver out ahead of you
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Answer B: Slow enough that you could still stop before reaching the intersection

Covering the brakes and reducing speed turns a possible collision into a stop the rider can actually make if the driver moves out.
A driver waiting to turn left appears to be looking straight at you. What should you assume?
1. That the driver has seen you and will wait for you to pass the intersection
2. That the driver will turn only after flashing the headlights to acknowledge you
3. That the driver may still not have seen you, and may turn across your path
4. That the driver has judged your speed correctly because eye contact was made
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Answer C: That the driver may still not have seen you, and may turn across your path

Drivers look toward motorcycles without registering them, so eye contact is not evidence that the rider has been seen and no plan should depend on it.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
You are approaching an intersection in a line of traffic. What can you do to be more visible to a driver waiting to pull out?
1. Sound the horn continuously from the moment the intersection comes into view
2. Ride closer to the vehicle in front so that you arrive as part of one group
3. Switch the headlight off and on repeatedly until the waiting driver reacts
4. Move to a lane position where you are not hidden behind the vehicle ahead
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Answer D: Move to a lane position where you are not hidden behind the vehicle ahead

A motorcycle tucked directly behind a larger vehicle is invisible to a waiting driver until the moment it appears, so the rider moves to where the headlight can be seen.
Parked cars block your view of a cross street you are about to enter. How should you proceed?
1. Edge forward slowly until you can see along the cross street, then go
2. Cross quickly, since the shorter the time in the intersection the safer it is
3. Sound the horn and continue at your normal speed through the intersection
4. Move to the far left of your lane and cross without slowing down at all
Show answer

Answer A: Edge forward slowly until you can see along the cross street, then go

Creeping forward buys a view of the cross street a little at a time, and it keeps the rider slow enough to stop if something is coming.
You approach a traffic signal that has already been green since it first came into view. What should you expect?
1. That it will stay green, since a signal that has been green will hold
2. That it may change at any moment, so be ready to stop
3. That the signal is faulty and should be treated as a four way stop sign
4. That the green will last at least as long again as it already has
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Answer B: That it may change at any moment, so be ready to stop

A signal already green when you first see it is well into its cycle, so a rider covers the brakes and plans a stop rather than assuming a clear run.
How long should a head check before a lane change last?
1. Long enough to study every vehicle behind you in the lane you are entering
2. Long enough for a following driver to notice that you have turned your head
3. At least three seconds, so that nothing in the blind spot can be missed
4. A quick glance, so you do not lose track of what is happening ahead
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Answer D: A quick glance, so you do not lose track of what is happening ahead

Traffic ahead can change in a second, so the blind spot check is a fast glance and the rider returns attention to the road immediately.
Should a rider change lanes while passing through an intersection?
1. No, the lane change should be completed before or after the intersection
2. Yes, because an intersection is where the lanes are widest and easiest to cross
3. Yes, provided the rider signals for at least a hundred feet in advance of it
4. Yes, as long as the traffic signal is green in the rider direction of travel
Show answer

Answer A: No, the lane change should be completed before or after the intersection

Drivers entering and turning at an intersection are watching lanes rather than a machine moving between them, and lane markings are usually broken there.
Before pulling out to pass on a two lane road, which lane position gives the best view of the road ahead?
1. The right portion, so you stay as far as possible from oncoming traffic
2. The left portion of your lane
3. The center portion, because it is a balance between the two extremes
4. The right portion, because a driver ahead checks the right mirror first
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Answer B: The left portion of your lane

Moving to the left of your own lane lets you see past the vehicle ahead and judge the oncoming lane before committing any part of the machine to it.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
When is it safe to return to your own lane after passing a vehicle?
1. As soon as your rear wheel has drawn level with the front of that vehicle
2. The moment the driver being passed flashes the headlights at your machine
3. Once you can see the whole front of that vehicle in your mirror
4. After counting two seconds from the moment you drew level with the driver
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Answer C: Once you can see the whole front of that vehicle in your mirror

Seeing the entire front of the vehicle in the mirror proves there is a full vehicle length of clear road, which the rider cannot judge by feel alone.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
How long should a rider stay in the oncoming lane while passing?
1. Long enough to reach a comfortable speed before starting to move back over
2. Until the vehicle being passed has slowed down and dropped well behind
3. Long enough to pass at least two vehicles, so the maneuver is worth the risk
4. Only as long as completing the pass safely requires
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Answer D: Only as long as completing the pass safely requires

Every extra second in the oncoming lane is exposure with no benefit, so the rider passes decisively and returns as soon as the road behind is clear.
A car is passing you on a two lane road. Which lane position is generally best while it goes by?
1. The center portion of your lane
2. The left portion, so you can watch the passing vehicle in your mirror
3. The right portion, because the shoulder gives you somewhere to escape to
4. The shoulder itself, so the passing driver has the entire lane available
Show answer

Answer A: The center portion of your lane

The middle of the lane keeps distance from the passing vehicle and its mirrors while leaving room on the other side if the rider needs it.

Source: dmv.ny.gov
You are riding in the right hand lane of a freeway and vehicles ahead are merging on from an entrance ramp. What is the best response?
1. Hold your speed and lane position, since merging traffic must give way to you
2. Move onto the shoulder briefly to leave the whole lane clear for the merge
3. Change lanes if you safely can, or adjust speed to open a gap for them
4. Ride in the left portion of your lane and sound the horn as they approach
Show answer

Answer C: Change lanes if you safely can, or adjust speed to open a gap for them

Merging drivers are looking over a shoulder for a gap and easily miss a motorcycle, so the rider makes room rather than waiting to be seen.
You are leaving a freeway by an exit ramp. Where should you slow down?
1. In the through lane, so the machine is already slow when the ramp begins
2. On the shoulder alongside the exit, which leaves the ramp itself clear
3. Only once the ramp has joined the road at the end of the interchange
4. On the ramp itself, after you have left the through lane
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Answer D: On the ramp itself, after you have left the through lane

Braking in the through lane surprises the traffic behind, so the rider signals, moves onto the ramp and does the slowing in the space provided for it.
You must park on soft ground or on asphalt softened by heat. What should you do about the sidestand?
1. Put a flat, firm object under the stand to spread the load
2. Retract the stand and lean the motorcycle against the nearest solid object
3. Lower the tire pressures so that the machine sits lower and more stably
4. Leave the machine in gear, which removes the weight from the sidestand
Show answer

Answer A: Put a flat, firm object under the stand to spread the load

A sidestand concentrates the weight of the machine onto a very small area, and on soft ground it sinks in until the motorcycle falls over.