California Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   Many motorcycles have convex (curved) mirrors. How do they make other vehicles look?

   • AUpside down
   • BExactly as far as they are
   • CCloser than they really are
   • DFarther away than they really are
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Farther away than they really are

   Convex mirrors show a wider view, but cars look farther away than they are. Judge distances with care.

2. Question 2 of 25

   On a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle?

   • AEvery six hours
   • BNever, if you feel fine
   • CAt least every two hours
   • DOnly when you need fuel
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At least every two hours

   Fatigue affects control and judgment. Take frequent breaks.

3. Question 3 of 25

   How should a motorcycle helmet fit?

   • ATight only at the forehead
   • BSnugly, all the way around your head
   • CLoosely, so it is easy to take off
   • DLoosely, so air can flow under it
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Snugly, all the way around your head

   A helmet should fit snugly all around and have no cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.

4. Question 4 of 25

   When do most motorcycle crashes happen?

   • AOn short trips, a few minutes after starting out
   • BOnly in rain
   • COnly on long highway trips
   • DOnly after midnight
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On short trips, a few minutes after starting out

   Most crashes happen on short trips, so wear all your gear every time you ride, even for a quick errand.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What should you do before changing lanes?

   • ACheck your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot
   • BOnly sound your horn
   • COnly check your mirrors
   • DSpeed up first
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot

   Mirrors do not show everything. A head check covers your blind spots.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Under implied consent laws, what do you agree to by riding on public roads?

   • ATo take a skills test every year
   • BTo ride only in daylight
   • CTo be tested for alcohol or drugs if a police officer asks
   • DTo carry a passenger when asked
   Show answer

   Answer: C. To be tested for alcohol or drugs if a police officer asks

   Refusing a test can lead to losing your license.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Why might you tap your brake to flash the brake light before slowing?

   • ATo test the bulb
   • BTo warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
   • CTo signal a lane change
   • DBecause it is required at every stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. To warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow

   Flashing your brake light helps before a sharp turn off a fast road or before pulling off the road.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Your front wheel starts to wobble. What should you do?

   • AGrip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually, without braking
   • BBrake hard
   • CFight the wobble with sharp steering
   • DSpeed up to stop the wobble
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Grip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually, without braking

   Do not fight the wobble or brake. Ease off the throttle, move your weight forward and down, and pull off when you can.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In the diagram, the rider presses the right handgrip forward. Which way does the motorcycle lean and turn?

   • AIt only slows down
   • BTo the left
   • CIt goes straight
   • DTo the right
   Show answer

   Answer: D. To the right

   This is countersteering: press right, lean right, go right.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Where should you carry cargo on a motorcycle?

    • ABehind the rear axle
    • BLow and forward, over or in front of the rear axle
    • CHigh on the passenger seat
    • DHanging from the handlebars
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Low and forward, over or in front of the rear axle

    Keeping weight low and forward helps handling. Weight high or far back can make the motorcycle unstable.

11. Question 11 of 25

    In T-CLOCS, what does the L stand for?

    • ALights and electrics
    • BLane position
    • CLoad
    • DLevers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Lights and electrics

    L is Lights and electrics: headlight, taillight, brake light, turn signals, battery and wiring.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Your front wheel locks during a quick stop. What should you do?

    • AKeep the front wheel locked
    • BRelease both brakes and coast
    • CTurn the handlebars sharply
    • DRelease the front brake, then reapply it firmly right away
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Release the front brake, then reapply it firmly right away

    A locked front wheel can make you fall. Release and reapply the front brake at once.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?

    • AA seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
    • BOnly a backrest
    • CNothing extra
    • DA second set of handlebars
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger

    The passenger needs a proper seat and their own footrests, plus the same protective gear as the rider.

14. Question 14 of 25

    In the diagram, marker 3 shows the passenger's hands. What should a passenger hold on to?

    • AThe rear fender
    • BThe rider's shoulders
    • CNothing; hands in the lap
    • DThe rider's waist or hips, or the passenger handholds
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The rider's waist or hips, or the passenger handholds

    Passengers should hold firmly to the rider's waist, hips or belt, or to the passenger handholds.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Besides a knowledge test, what test do most riders pass to earn a motorcycle license?

    • AA written essay
    • BA yearly medical exam
    • CAn on-cycle skills test
    • DA parking test in a car
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An on-cycle skills test

    Most states require a knowledge test and an on-cycle skills test. An approved rider course can often replace the skills test.

16. Question 16 of 25

    If your front tire goes flat, how will the steering feel?

    • ALight and easy
    • BExactly normal
    • CLoose only at high speed
    • DHeavy
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Heavy

    A flat front tire makes steering feel heavy. A flat rear tire may make the back jerk or sway.

17. Question 17 of 25

    In traffic, you can't avoid a small animal without swerving into danger. What should you do?

    • AStay in your lane
    • BBrake so hard you fall
    • CRide onto the sidewalk
    • DSwerve into oncoming traffic
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay in your lane

    Hitting something small is less dangerous than hitting a car or truck.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How should you load saddlebags?

    • AWith the heaviest items on the left
    • BFull on one side and empty on the other
    • CWith all the weight on one side
    • DWith about the same weight on each side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. With about the same weight on each side

    Uneven saddlebags can make the motorcycle pull to one side.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Your rear wheel locks during a quick stop on a good road surface. What can you do?

    • AShift to neutral and coast
    • BRelease the front brake
    • CKeep it locked until you have stopped
    • DTurn sharply off the road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep it locked until you have stopped

    On a good-traction surface you can keep the rear wheel locked until you stop.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When should you shift to a lower gear for a turn?

    • ABefore you enter the turn
    • BAfter you leave the turn
    • CNever; stay in top gear
    • DIn the middle of the turn
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before you enter the turn

    Shift before the turn when you can. A sudden change in power during a turn can make the rear wheel skid.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Where should a beginner ride in a group?

    • ANext to another rider
    • BRight behind the leader
    • CAt the very back
    • DIn the lead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Right behind the leader

    Placing less experienced riders just behind the leader lets more experienced riders watch them from behind.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which hand controls the throttle?

    • AThe right hand
    • BNeither; it is a foot pedal
    • CEither hand
    • DThe left hand
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The right hand

    The throttle is the right handgrip. Twist it toward you to speed up.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In the diagram, the car ahead has just passed line A. How long should it take you to reach line A?

    • AHalf a second
    • BExactly five seconds
    • CAt least two seconds
    • DOne second
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least two seconds

    Keep at least a two-second following distance in normal conditions.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Item 1 in the diagram is a full-face helmet. Which type of helmet gives the most protection?

    • AA half helmet
    • BA full-face helmet
    • CA three-quarter (open-face) helmet
    • DA cap with a sun visor
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A full-face helmet

    A full-face helmet covers your face and chin as well as your head, so it protects the most.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Why can the center of a lane be slippery near intersections?

    • AIt is cooler than the rest of the road
    • BIt is always painted
    • COil and grease drip from cars that stop there
    • DWater collects only in the center
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Oil and grease drip from cars that stop there

    Oil drips build up in the center of the lane where cars stop. The strip is usually narrow, so you can ride to one side of it.

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