NWT Motorcycle Learner Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 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
At night, what helps you see and be seen?
- Riding close to the vehicle ahead to use its lights
- Using a tinted face shield
- Wearing dark clothing
- Using high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, slowing down and leaving more space
Show answer
Answer: D. Using high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, slowing down and leaving more space
At night you see less and others see you less. Use your lights well, slow down, keep more space and wear reflective gear.
Question 2 of 25
Does a windshield on your motorcycle take the place of a face shield or goggles?
- Only when it is raining
- Only on the highway
- No, wind, rain, dust and insects can still reach your eyes
- Yes, a windshield replaces eye protection
Show answer
Answer: C. No, wind, rain, dust and insects can still reach your eyes
A windshield does not protect your eyes the way a face shield or goggles do. Wear eye protection on every ride.
Question 3 of 25
Which describes a correctly fitting motorcycle helmet?
- Loosely, so it is easy to take off
- With the strap open at low speeds
- Tilted back so you can see more
- Snugly all around, with the strap fastened
Show answer
Answer: D. Snugly all around, with the strap fastened
A helmet should fit snugly and stay in place when you move your head. An unfastened helmet can come off in a crash.
Question 4 of 25
Marker 3 in the diagram shows where the passenger’s hands go. What should they hold?
- The rider’s shoulders
- The rider’s waist or the passenger handholds
- The fuel tank
- Nothing; they should balance
Show answer
Answer: B. The rider’s waist or the passenger handholds
Holding the rider’s waist or the handholds keeps the passenger secure without pulling the rider off balance.
Question 5 of 25
What protective gear should a passenger wear?
- Nothing special if the ride is short
- Only sunglasses
- Only a helmet
- The same gear as the rider, including an approved helmet
Show answer
Answer: D. The same gear as the rider, including an approved helmet
A passenger faces the same risks as the rider. They need a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing.
Question 6 of 25
Item 6 in the diagram shows boots. What kind of footwear should you wear when you ride?
- Running shoes
- Sandals
- Low dress shoes
- Sturdy boots that cover your ankles
Show answer
Answer: D. Sturdy boots that cover your ankles
Boots that cover the ankles protect your feet and ankles and give good grip when you stop. Saskatchewan requires ankle-covering boots for new riders.
Question 7 of 25
How far ahead should you scan when you ride?
- At least 12 seconds ahead
- Only at the front wheel
- Only as far as the vehicle in front
- About 2 seconds ahead
Show answer
Answer: A. At least 12 seconds ahead
Look at least 12 seconds ahead. In the city that is about one to two blocks; on the highway it is about half a kilometre.
Question 8 of 25
In a normal turn like the one in the diagram, how should your body lean?
- Straight up while the motorcycle stays upright
- Opposite to the motorcycle
- Forward onto the fuel tank
- With the motorcycle, at the same angle
Show answer
Answer: D. With the motorcycle, at the same angle
In a normal turn, the rider and motorcycle lean together at the same angle.
Question 9 of 25
On most motorcycles, how is the rear brake applied?
- By rolling off the throttle
- With a pedal under your right foot
- With a lever on the left handlebar
- With a pedal under your left foot
Show answer
Answer: B. With a pedal under your right foot
Most motorcycles use a right foot pedal for the rear brake. Some motorcycles and scooters use hand levers instead.
Question 10 of 25
How should you use the throttle through a curve?
- Close it fully in the middle of the curve
- Pull in the clutch and coast
- Keep it steady or roll it on gently
- Open it fully as you enter
Show answer
Answer: C. Keep it steady or roll it on gently
A steady or slightly increasing throttle keeps the motorcycle stable through the curve. Closing it suddenly can upset your balance.
Question 11 of 25
You must stop quickly while leaning in a curve. What should you do first?
- Use only the rear brake while leaning
- Brake as hard as you can while leaning
- Straighten the motorcycle, then brake firmly
- Speed up to get out of the curve
Show answer
Answer: C. Straighten the motorcycle, then brake firmly
Hard braking while leaned over can make the tires slide. Bring the motorcycle upright first, then brake.
Question 12 of 25
You are taking a cold medicine that warns about drowsiness. What should you do?
- Ride only on the highway
- Do not ride until you know it will not affect you
- Ride slowly with the hazard lights on
- Drink coffee and ride
Show answer
Answer: B. Do not ride until you know it will not affect you
Some medicines cause drowsiness or slow reactions. Read the label and ask a pharmacist before you ride.
Question 13 of 25
What is a common cause of crashes where a rider runs off the road in a curve?
- Looking through the curve
- Using the turn signals
- Going into the curve too fast
- Keeping a steady throttle
Show answer
Answer: C. Going into the curve too fast
Many single-motorcycle crashes happen when riders enter a curve too fast and cannot hold their line. Slow down before the curve.
Question 14 of 25
Why should you downshift as you slow down?
- So the clutch is not needed
- So you can turn off the engine
- So the brake light comes on
- So you are in a gear that lets you speed up again if you need to
Show answer
Answer: D. So you are in a gear that lets you speed up again if you need to
Being in the right gear lets you speed up quickly to avoid a hazard. When you stop, be in first gear, ready to move.
Question 15 of 25
A large animal such as a moose is on the road ahead. What is usually safest?
- Slow down and be ready to stop
- Sound the horn and ride toward it
- Ride onto the shoulder at speed
- Speed up to pass it quickly
Show answer
Answer: A. Slow down and be ready to stop
Large animals are unpredictable. Slowing down and preparing to stop gives you the best chance to avoid them.
Question 16 of 25
A tire suddenly loses air while you are riding. What should you do?
- Lean the motorcycle to the side of the flat
- Brake hard with both brakes
- Accelerate to reach a garage
- Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
Show answer
Answer: D. Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
Steer straight and slow down gradually. Avoid braking with the flat tire if you can, and pull off the road when you are slow.
Question 17 of 25
How should you cross railway tracks that run across the road at an angle?
- While leaning as far as possible
- As close to a right angle to the tracks as you safely can
- Parallel to the tracks
- While braking hard
Show answer
Answer: B. As close to a right angle to the tracks as you safely can
Crossing at a sharp angle can catch your front wheel in the gap beside the rail. Cross as close to straight across as is safe.
Question 18 of 25
At an intersection, an oncoming car is waiting to turn left across your path. What should you do?
- Move to the centre of the lane and look away
- Sound your horn and keep your speed
- Speed up to get through first
- Slow down, cover your brakes and be ready to stop or swerve
Show answer
Answer: D. Slow down, cover your brakes and be ready to stop or swerve
Assume the driver may not see you. Reduce speed and be ready to react.
Question 19 of 25
Many motorcycle turn signals do not cancel on their own. What should you do?
- Turn the signal off yourself after the turn or lane change
- Use hand signals only
- Leave it on until you stop
- Never use the turn signals
Show answer
Answer: A. Turn the signal off yourself after the turn or lane change
A signal left on can make a driver think you are about to turn and pull out in front of you.
Question 20 of 25
A strong crosswind is pushing you toward the edge of the road. What helps?
- Stand up on the footrests
- Ride on the shoulder
- Speed up
- Slow down and lean slightly into the wind
Show answer
Answer: D. Slow down and lean slightly into the wind
Strong wind can push a motorcycle off its line. Slow down and be ready for gusts on open roads, bridges and when passing large vehicles.
Question 21 of 25
Before you carry a passenger, what adjustments might you need to make?
- Remove the mirrors
- Lower the handlebars
- Tire pressure and suspension, as the owner’s manual says
- Remove the passenger footpegs
Show answer
Answer: C. Tire pressure and suspension, as the owner’s manual says
Check the owner’s manual. Many motorcycles need higher tire pressure or a suspension change for the extra load.
Question 22 of 25
The rider in the diagram presses the right handgrip forward. Which way does the motorcycle go?
- The motorcycle leans left and turns left
- The motorcycle goes straight and slows down
- The motorcycle leans right and turns right
- The front brake comes on
Show answer
Answer: C. The motorcycle leans right and turns right
This is countersteering. Pressing the right grip forward makes the motorcycle lean and turn right.
Question 23 of 25
To swerve quickly to the right, what do you do?
- Pull both grips toward you
- Shift your weight back
- Press the left handgrip forward
- Press the right handgrip forward
Show answer
Answer: D. Press the right handgrip forward
A swerve is two quick countersteers. Press the grip on the side you want to go, then press the other to straighten.
Question 24 of 25
Item 4 in the diagram shows gloves. What kind of gloves should a rider wear?
- Thin cotton gloves
- Full-fingered gloves made for riding
- Fingerless gloves
- No gloves, for a better feel of the controls
Show answer
Answer: B. Full-fingered gloves made for riding
Full-fingered riding gloves protect your hands in a fall and give a better grip. Saskatchewan, for example, requires finger-covering gloves for riders in its graduated program.
Question 25 of 25
In the staggered group in the diagram, what gap should rider 2 keep behind the leader?
- About one second
- About ten seconds
- Half a second
- Directly beside the leader
Show answer
Answer: A. About one second
In a staggered formation, the second rider stays about one second behind the leader in the other part of the lane, and two seconds behind the rider in the same track.

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