NWT Motorcycle Learner Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 5 for the NWT Motorcycle Learner Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Motorcycle
Northwest Territories
110 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
Your helmet hits the pavement hard when it falls off your seat. What should you do?
- Keep using it if you see no cracks
- Cover the scratches with paint
- Replace it, because it may be damaged inside
- Use it only for short trips
Show answer
Answer: C. Replace it, because it may be damaged inside
A hard impact can damage the protective lining even when the outside looks fine. Replace a helmet after a hard hit.
Question 2 of 25
Why should you ride with your headlight on during the day?
- It warms the engine
- It makes you easier for other road users to see
- It charges the battery faster
- It lets you ride faster
Show answer
Answer: B. It makes you easier for other road users to see
Motorcycles are small and easy to miss. A headlight makes you more noticeable, especially to oncoming drivers.
Question 3 of 25
Why can riding a motorcycle be more tiring than driving a car?
- Motorcycles are always slower
- You are exposed to wind, noise and weather
- Motorcycles have no seats
- You cannot stop for breaks
Show answer
Answer: B. You are exposed to wind, noise and weather
Wind, noise, cold and heat wear you down. Take regular breaks and dress for the weather.
Question 4 of 25
What part of the motorcycle should a passenger keep their legs away from?
- The rear handholds
- The seat
- The passenger footpegs
- The hot exhaust pipes and muffler
Show answer
Answer: D. The hot exhaust pipes and muffler
Exhaust parts get very hot and can cause serious burns. Tell your passenger before the ride.
Question 5 of 25
What is the "friction zone"?
- The part of the clutch lever travel where power starts to reach the rear wheel
- The middle of the lane where oil collects
- The space between two motorcycles in a group
- The area where tires touch the road
Show answer
Answer: A. The part of the clutch lever travel where power starts to reach the rear wheel
As you ease out the clutch, there is a zone where the clutch begins to engage. Using it smoothly lets you start and ride slowly with control.
Question 6 of 25
A driver is tailgating you. What should you do?
- Increase the space ahead of you, or change lanes to let them pass
- Speed up as fast as you can
- Brake suddenly to warn them
- Ride on the shoulder
Show answer
Answer: A. Increase the space ahead of you, or change lanes to let them pass
More space ahead gives you and the tailgater time to stop. If you can, let them go by.
Question 7 of 25
Your throttle sticks open. What can you use to cut engine power quickly?
- The turn signal switch
- The engine cut-off switch
- The horn button
- The choke
Show answer
Answer: B. The engine cut-off switch
The engine cut-off switch, usually near your right thumb, stops the engine. Pulling in the clutch at the same time keeps the engine from driving the rear wheel.
Question 8 of 25
You see fresh drips under your parked motorcycle. What should you do?
- Wipe the drips and ignore them
- Ride it and check again later
- Add more fuel
- Find the source before you ride
Show answer
Answer: D. Find the source before you ride
Leaking oil, brake fluid or coolant can cause a breakdown or a crash. A leak onto a tire is especially dangerous.
Question 9 of 25
Under the Criminal Code, what blood alcohol concentration is a criminal offence?
- Any amount at all
- 80 mg or more of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
- 50 mg or more in 100 mL of blood
- 100 mg or more in 100 mL of blood
Show answer
Answer: B. 80 mg or more of alcohol in 100 mL of blood
It is a criminal offence to have a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg or more in 100 mL of blood. Many provinces set lower limits, and new riders often must have zero.
Question 10 of 25
Where should the least experienced riders be in a group?
- Just behind the leader
- Spread out at random
- In front of the leader
- At the very back
Show answer
Answer: A. Just behind the leader
Placing new riders near the front lets the leader watch them and set a pace they can handle.
Question 11 of 25
Where should you put heavy cargo on a motorcycle?
- Low and centred, and secured so it cannot shift
- Hanging from the handlebars
- On one side only
- High on a rack behind the passenger seat
Show answer
Answer: A. Low and centred, and secured so it cannot shift
A load that is low, centred and secure affects handling the least.
Question 12 of 25
In the diagram, which lane position is the centre third of the lane?
- Position 1
- Position 3
- The centre line itself
- Position 2
Show answer
Answer: D. Position 2
Position 2 is the middle third of the lane. Riders often avoid it near intersections, where oil drips collect.
Question 13 of 25
When should a group riding in a staggered formation switch to single file?
- Only at night
- Never
- Only in heavy rain
- In curves, when turning and when entering or leaving a highway
Show answer
Answer: D. In curves, when turning and when entering or leaving a highway
Single file gives every rider room to use the whole lane in curves and while turning or merging.
Question 14 of 25
What does an anti-lock braking system (ABS) do?
- It turns on the brake light at night
- It brakes for you automatically
- It makes the stopping distance zero
- It keeps the wheels from locking when you brake hard
Show answer
Answer: D. It keeps the wheels from locking when you brake hard
ABS stops the wheels from locking so you can keep steering control. You still need space to stop.
Question 15 of 25
What is a safe way to think about other drivers?
- Assume they will always give you the right-of-way
- Assume they always see you
- Assume they may not see you, and ride so you are seen with room to escape
- Assume large vehicles always watch for motorcycles
Show answer
Answer: C. Assume they may not see you, and ride so you are seen with room to escape
Drivers often miss motorcycles. Ride defensively: be visible, keep space and plan an escape route.
Question 16 of 25
How do you measure your following distance?
- Check your speedometer
- Count the number of car lengths
- Watch the other vehicle’s brake lights
- When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
Show answer
Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
Pick a fixed point such as a sign or post. Count from when the vehicle ahead passes it until you reach it.
Question 17 of 25
If you ride regularly, how often should you check your tire pressure?
- Once a season
- Once a year
- Only before long trips
- At least once a week
Show answer
Answer: D. At least once a week
Motorcycle tires can lose air without looking low. Check the pressure when the tires are cold and at least weekly if you ride often.
Question 18 of 25
You notice you are riding beside a car, in the driver’s blind spot. What should you do?
- Sound your horn and stay there
- Speed up or drop back so the driver can see you
- Move closer to the car
- Stay beside the car so you are close
Show answer
Answer: B. Speed up or drop back so the driver can see you
Do not ride where a driver cannot see you. Change your position so you are visible in their mirrors or ahead of them.
Question 19 of 25
Why start a curve near the outside of your lane, as in the diagram?
- To see farther through the curve
- To make the curve sharper
- To stay in the oil strip
- To get closer to oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: A. To see farther through the curve
Starting on the outside lets you see farther around the curve. Never cross into the oncoming lane.
Question 20 of 25
What is the only way to bring your blood alcohol level down?
- Time
- Coffee
- Fresh air while riding
- A cold shower
Show answer
Answer: A. Time
Your body removes alcohol slowly. Coffee, cold water or exercise do not speed it up.
Question 21 of 25
What kind of face shield should you use when riding at night?
- A dark tinted shield
- A clear, clean shield with no deep scratches
- A mirrored shield
- No shield, so you can see better
Show answer
Answer: B. A clear, clean shield with no deep scratches
Tinted shields cut the light you need to see at night. Scratches also scatter light and blur your view.
Question 22 of 25
How is the front brake usually applied?
- With a pedal under your right foot
- With a pedal under your left foot
- With a lever on the right handlebar
- With a lever on the left handlebar
Show answer
Answer: C. With a lever on the right handlebar
The front brake lever is on the right handlebar, in front of the throttle. The rear brake is usually a pedal under your right foot.
Question 23 of 25
Marker 4 in the diagram shows the passenger’s feet. When should they keep them on the passenger footpegs?
- At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
- Only in turns
- Only when the rider asks
- Only on the highway
Show answer
Answer: A. At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
The passenger keeps their feet on the footpegs at all times. The rider supports the motorcycle when it stops.
Question 24 of 25
How do you operate the clutch on most motorcycles?
- With a lever on the left handlebar
- With a pedal under your right foot
- With a lever on the right handlebar
- With a button on the fuel tank
Show answer
Answer: A. With a lever on the left handlebar
The clutch lever is on the left handlebar. Squeeze it to disconnect the engine from the rear wheel.
Question 25 of 25
You are riding past a row of parked cars on your right. Which lane position is usually best?
- The right portion, close to the parked cars
- Between the parked cars and the curb
- The left portion of the lane, away from the parked cars
- Right on the lane line
Show answer
Answer: C. The left portion of the lane, away from the parked cars
Staying away from parked cars gives you more time if a door opens or a car pulls out.

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