California Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   How should you ride when carrying a passenger?

   • ABrake later than usual
   • BA little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space
   • CFollow other vehicles more closely
   • DFaster, to keep your balance
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space

   With a passenger, the motorcycle takes longer to speed up and to stop.

2. Question 2 of 25

   In the staggered formation shown, where does the leader (rider 1) ride?

   • AIn the right part of the lane
   • BExactly in the center
   • COn the shoulder
   • DIn the left part of the lane
   Show answer

   Answer: D. In the left part of the lane

   The leader rides in the left part of the lane. The second rider stays in the right part.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Why start a curve near the outside of your lane when no traffic is present?

   • AIt hides you from other drivers
   • BIt keeps you on the shoulder
   • CYou can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp
   • DIt lets you brake in the curve
   Show answer

   Answer: C. You can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp

   Starting at the outside improves your line of sight and makes the curve's path wider and gentler.

4. Question 4 of 25

   When should a riding group switch to single file?

   • AOnly in parking lots
   • BOn long straight roads
   • CIn curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
   • DNever
   Show answer

   Answer: C. In curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway

   Single file gives each rider room to choose a line in curves and turns.

5. Question 5 of 25

   About how fast does the body get rid of alcohol?

   • AAbout one drink per hour
   • BAbout three drinks per hour
   • CAs fast as you drink coffee
   • DAbout one drink per day
   Show answer

   Answer: A. About one drink per hour

   The body removes alcohol at about one drink per hour. Nothing speeds this up.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is lane splitting?

   • ARiding on the shoulder
   • BRiding two motorcycles side by side in one lane
   • CChanging lanes quickly
   • DRiding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Riding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic

   Lane splitting means riding between rows of vehicles. Most states do not allow it; check your state's law.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You will ride a borrowed motorcycle for the first time. What should you do?

   • ALearn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it
   • BAssume it is just like yours
   • CRide fast to test it
   • DSkip the pre-ride check
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Learn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it

   Controls and handling differ between motorcycles. Get familiar with them in a safe place first.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What is countersteering, as shown in the diagram?

   • ATurning the handlebars sharply toward the turn
   • BSteering with the rear brake
   • CPressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean
   • DLeaning your body only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean

   Pressing forward on the grip on the side of the turn makes the motorcycle lean and turn that way.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A driver is tailgating you and you can't change lanes. What should you do?

   • ASlow down a little to open more space in front of you
   • BSpeed up a lot
   • CStop in your lane
   • DBrake hard to warn them
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Slow down a little to open more space in front of you

   Extra space ahead gives you and the tailgater more time to stop. If you can, change lanes and let them pass.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Where is the front brake lever?

    • AIn front of the left handgrip
    • BAt your left foot
    • CIn front of the right handgrip
    • DAt your right foot
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In front of the right handgrip

    The front brake lever is on the right side of the handlebars.

11. Question 11 of 25

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

    • ASignals
    • BSpeed
    • CStands
    • DSeat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stands

    S is Stands: the side stand and center stand should hold the motorcycle and spring back up.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How do you check your brake light before riding?

    • ATurn on the high beam
    • BUse the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light
    • CRide at night and look behind you
    • DPress the horn
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Use the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light

    Each brake control should turn on the brake light by itself.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You need to pull off onto the shoulder. What should you do first?

    • AStop in your lane first
    • BCheck the surface, signal, and slow down
    • CBrake hard while still on the road
    • DSwerve off quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Check the surface, signal, and slow down

    Shoulders can be soft or loose. Check it, signal, and slow down before you leave the road.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Where is the greatest risk of conflict between motorcycles and other vehicles?

    • AOn bridges
    • BAt intersections
    • CIn parking garages
    • DOn straight rural roads
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At intersections

    Intersections are where other vehicles are most likely to cross your path.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A dog starts to chase your motorcycle. What should you do?

    • AStop and wait for it to leave
    • BSlow down as you approach, then speed up and leave it behind
    • CSwerve toward it
    • DKick at the dog
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Slow down as you approach, then speed up and leave it behind

    Downshift and approach slowly. As you reach the dog, accelerate away. Never kick at it.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How should a passenger lean in turns?

    • AWith the rider, staying directly behind
    • BAgainst the turn
    • CBack, away from the rider
    • DStraight up, no matter what
    Show answer

    Answer: A. With the rider, staying directly behind

    The passenger should stay directly behind the rider and lean as the rider leans.

17. Question 17 of 25

    On a wet road, which part of the lane is usually best?

    • AThe shoulder
    • BOver the painted lines
    • CThe tire tracks left by cars
    • DThe oily center strip
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The tire tracks left by cars

    Car tire tracks are often the driest and cleanest part of the lane.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What should you do with the throttle as you go through a turn?

    • AClose it completely
    • BBrake hard instead
    • CRoll it on to keep or slightly increase your speed
    • DPull in the clutch
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Roll it on to keep or slightly increase your speed

    Rolling on the throttle steadily keeps the motorcycle stable through the turn.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In the staggered formation shown, how far behind the leader should rider 2 ride?

    • ARight beside the leader
    • BTwo seconds directly behind
    • CAbout one second behind, in the right part of the lane
    • DHalf a second, in the left part
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About one second behind, in the right part of the lane

    The second rider stays one second behind the leader, in the right side of the lane.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What should you do when riding at night?

    • AFollow the car ahead more closely
    • BSlow down and increase your following distance
    • CTurn your headlight off near other cars
    • DWear a tinted face shield
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Slow down and increase your following distance

    At night you see less, so slow down, leave more space and use the lights of the car ahead to see the road.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How should you cross a pavement seam or tracks that run parallel to your path?

    • AEdge across slowly at a slight angle
    • BMove away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees
    • CCross them at full speed at any angle
    • DRide along on top of them
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Move away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees

    Edging across a parallel seam can catch your tires. Cross at 45 degrees or more with a quick, sharp turn.

22. Question 22 of 25

    About how far ahead should you scan for hazards?

    • AAbout 2 seconds ahead
    • BAbout 30 seconds ahead
    • CAbout 12 seconds ahead
    • DOnly to the vehicle in front
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 12 seconds ahead

    Look about 12 seconds ahead so you have time to spot and avoid hazards.

23. Question 23 of 25

    On most motorcycles, how do you use the rear brake?

    • AWith the pedal at your right foot
    • BWith the lever at your left hand
    • CWith the pedal at your left foot
    • DWith the lever at your right hand
    Show answer

    Answer: A. With the pedal at your right foot

    The rear brake pedal is usually in front of the right footrest.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A riding group has more than four or five riders. What should it do?

    • ARide closer together
    • BSplit into two or more smaller groups
    • CUse the shoulder
    • DRide two abreast
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Split into two or more smaller groups

    Small groups are easier for drivers to pass and are less likely to be split by traffic lights.

25. Question 25 of 25

    If you need to brake and swerve, when should you brake?

    • ABefore or after the swerve, never during it
    • BOnly with the front brake during the swerve
    • CYou should never brake at all
    • DDuring the swerve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before or after the swerve, never during it

    Braking while swerving can cause a skid. Separate the two actions.

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