NWT Motorcycle Learner Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Your front wheel locks while you brake hard in a straight line. What should you do?

   • APull in the clutch and coast
   • BRelease the front brake at once, then reapply it smoothly
   • CLean the motorcycle to one side
   • DKeep squeezing the front brake harder
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Release the front brake at once, then reapply it smoothly

   A locked front wheel can make you fall. Release the front brake right away and reapply it firmly but smoothly.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which situation causes many crashes between motorcycles and cars?

   • AA motorcycle stopped at a red light
   • BA driver signalling a lane change
   • CA motorcycle parked at the curb
   • DA driver turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A driver turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle

   Drivers turning left often fail to see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudge its speed. Be ready for it at every intersection.

3. Question 3 of 25

   How can you tell that a motorcycle helmet meets a recognized safety standard?

   • AIt has a tinted visor
   • BIt is painted a bright colour
   • CIt has a label such as DOT, Snell or ECE
   • DIt was the most expensive in the store
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It has a label such as DOT, Snell or ECE

   Approved helmets carry a label from a safety standard, such as DOT, Snell or ECE. Colour and price do not show that a helmet is safe.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which hand do you use to work the throttle?

   • AThe right hand
   • BThe left hand
   • CEither hand
   • DNeither hand; it is a foot pedal
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The right hand

   The throttle is the twist grip on the right handlebar. Turning it toward you gives more power.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You must ride over a patch of loose gravel. What should you do?

   • ASpeed up quickly
   • BBrake hard while on the gravel
   • CLean sharply to ride around it
   • DSlow down before it and keep the motorcycle upright with no sudden moves
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down before it and keep the motorcycle upright with no sudden moves

   Gravel reduces traction. Slow before you reach it and avoid sudden braking, turning or acceleration on it.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which part of the lane is often slippery near intersections?

   • AThe right wheel track
   • BThe centre strip, where oil and grease drip from vehicles
   • CThe left wheel track
   • DThe lane line
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The centre strip, where oil and grease drip from vehicles

   Oil and grease collect in the centre of the lane where vehicles stop. It is most slippery when wet.

7. Question 7 of 25

   For a slow, tight turn, such as in a parking lot, what should you do with your body?

   • ALean your body further than the motorcycle
   • BKeep your body upright while the motorcycle leans
   • CPut both feet on the ground
   • DLean your body the opposite way to the turn and look down
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Keep your body upright while the motorcycle leans

   In slow, tight turns, keep your body upright and let the motorcycle lean. Turn your head and look where you want to go.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under normal riding conditions, how should you brake?

   • AUse the front and rear brakes at the same time
   • BUse only the rear brake
   • CUse only the front brake
   • DDownshift without braking
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Use the front and rear brakes at the same time

   Under normal conditions, use both brakes together. This gives the most control and the shortest stop.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Look at the staggered formation in the diagram. In which part of the lane does the leader (rider 1) ride?

   • AIn the right part of the lane
   • BIn the left part of the lane
   • COn the shoulder
   • DIn the centre of the lane
   Show answer

   Answer: B. In the left part of the lane

   The leader rides in the left part of the lane. The next rider takes the right part, and the pattern repeats.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You are riding at speed and want to turn left. Using countersteering, which grip do you press forward?

    • AThe right grip
    • BThe left grip
    • CBoth grips at once
    • DNeither grip; you shift your weight only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The left grip

    At speed, press the grip on the side you want to go. Press left to lean and go left.

11. Question 11 of 25

    You are stopped at a red light with traffic coming up behind you. Why stay in first gear and watch your mirrors?

    • ASo your headlight stays on
    • BSo you can move out of the way if a vehicle behind does not stop
    • CSo you can leave before the light turns green
    • DSo the engine does not overheat
    Show answer

    Answer: B. So you can move out of the way if a vehicle behind does not stop

    Riders are at risk of being hit from behind while stopped. Being in gear lets you move quickly to safety.

12. Question 12 of 25

    During your pre-ride check, how should you test the brake light?

    • AThere is no need to test it if the headlight works
    • BCheck it only with the rear pedal
    • CCheck that it flashes with the turn signals
    • DCheck that it comes on with the front lever and with the rear pedal
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Check that it comes on with the front lever and with the rear pedal

    Each brake control should turn on the brake light. Drivers behind need to see that you are slowing.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You are following a car. Why is it usually better not to ride directly behind it in the centre of the lane?

    • AThe driver may not see you in the mirror, and the car blocks your view
    • BYou will get there faster
    • CIt is too far from the car
    • DIt uses more fuel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The driver may not see you in the mirror, and the car blocks your view

    Riding in the left or right portion of the lane lets the driver ahead see you in a mirror and lets you see past the vehicle.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A driver ahead looks like they may pull out of a driveway. What can you do to warn them?

    • AGive a quick tap on the horn and be ready to stop
    • BWave your arm
    • CRev the engine loudly
    • DFlash your brake light
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Give a quick tap on the horn and be ready to stop

    A short beep can alert a driver who has not seen you. Slow down and be ready in case they still pull out.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which surfaces are especially slippery for a motorcycle when wet?

    • AClean, dry asphalt
    • BPainted lines, metal covers and steel plates
    • CGrass beside the road
    • DRough concrete
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Painted lines, metal covers and steel plates

    Paint and metal give much less grip when wet. Try to cross them upright, with no hard braking.

16. Question 16 of 25

    The front wheel starts to wobble at speed. What should you do?

    • ALet go of the handlebars
    • BBrake hard with the front brake
    • CSpeed up to stop the wobble
    • DGrip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Grip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually

    Do not fight the wobble or brake hard. Hold on firmly and slow down gradually.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How does cannabis affect your riding?

    • AIt slows your reactions and harms your judgement
    • BIt improves your focus
    • CIt only affects you at night
    • DIt has no effect if you feel fine
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It slows your reactions and harms your judgement

    Cannabis impairs reaction time, coordination and judgement. Riding while impaired by a drug is a crime.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Item 1 in the diagram is a full-face helmet. Why does it protect more than an open-face helmet?

    • AIt weighs less
    • BIt also covers your chin and face
    • CIt does not need a chin strap
    • DIt lets more air reach your face
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It also covers your chin and face

    A full-face helmet protects your face and chin as well as your head. Many crashes involve an impact to the chin area.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In the diagram, which lane position is the left third of the lane, next to the centre line?

    • APosition 1
    • BPosition 3
    • CNone of the positions shown
    • DPosition 2
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Position 1

    Position 1 is the left third of the lane, closest to the centre line.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When should you leave more than the minimum following distance?

    • AOnly on dry, sunny days
    • BNever; two seconds is always enough
    • COnly when you carry a passenger in town
    • DOn wet or slippery roads, at night and behind large vehicles
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On wet or slippery roads, at night and behind large vehicles

    You need more time and space when traction is poor, when it is hard to see, and when a large vehicle blocks your view.

21. Question 21 of 25

    When you swerve to avoid an obstacle, what should you avoid?

    • APressing the handgrip
    • BKeeping your knees against the tank
    • CLooking where you want to go
    • DBraking during the swerve
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Braking during the swerve

    Brake before or after a swerve, never during it. Braking while swerving can make the tires lose grip.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How should your arms be positioned when you ride?

    • AHeld high above the grips
    • BResting on the fuel tank
    • CRelaxed, with the elbows slightly bent
    • DLocked straight
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Relaxed, with the elbows slightly bent

    Relaxed arms let you steer smoothly. Stiff, locked arms make it harder to control the motorcycle, especially over bumps.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which path through the curve is shown in the diagram?

    • AOutside of the lane, then inside, then outside again
    • BOutside of the lane all the way
    • CInside of the lane all the way
    • DAcross the centre line and back
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Outside of the lane, then inside, then outside again

    An outside-inside-outside path gives you a better view and a gentler line through the curve, if traffic and the road allow.

24. Question 24 of 25

    During your pre-ride check, you twist the throttle and let go. What should happen?

    • AIt should snap back to the closed position by itself
    • BThe brake light should come on
    • CIt should stay where you left it
    • DThe engine should stall
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It should snap back to the closed position by itself

    A throttle that does not close by itself is dangerous. Have it fixed before you ride.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is a linked braking system?

    • AA brake connected to the horn
    • BA system where one brake control applies both front and rear brakes
    • CA brake that works only in the rain
    • DA system that locks both wheels when parked
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A system where one brake control applies both front and rear brakes

    On a motorcycle with linked brakes, the front lever or the rear pedal can apply both brakes. Check your owner’s manual to learn how yours works.

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