California Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   How should you park a motorcycle at a curb?

   • AParallel to the curb
   • BOn the sidewalk
   • CAt a 90-degree angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb
   • DIn the middle of the lane
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At a 90-degree angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb

   Parking at an angle with the rear wheel at the curb takes little space and lets you ride out forward.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Your throttle sticks and twisting it back and forth does not free it. What should you do?

   • AOperate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time
   • BShift to a higher gear
   • CUse only the rear brake
   • DJump off the motorcycle
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Operate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time

   This removes power from the rear wheel. Then pull off and stop.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Your engine seizes (locks up) while riding. What should you do?

   • ABrake hard and keep the clutch out
   • BTry to restart it while moving
   • CSqueeze the clutch lever and pull off the road
   • DShift down quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Squeeze the clutch lever and pull off the road

   Squeezing the clutch disconnects the locked engine from the rear wheel.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What is a good sign that a motorcycle fits you?

   • AYour knees are above the handlebars
   • BYou cannot reach the controls without leaning
   • CYou must stand on tiptoe on one foot
   • DYou can reach the ground with both feet while seated
   Show answer

   Answer: D. You can reach the ground with both feet while seated

   You should be able to put both feet on the ground while seated, and reach all the controls easily.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What is a swerve?

   • AA slow lane change
   • BA skid caused by braking
   • CA U-turn
   • DTwo quick countersteers: one to go around, one to recover
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Two quick countersteers: one to go around, one to recover

   Press the grip on the side you want to go, then press the other grip to straighten out.

6. Question 6 of 25

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

   • ATools
   • BThrottle
   • CTurn signals
   • DTires and wheels
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Tires and wheels

   T-CLOCS: Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and other fluids, Chassis, Stands.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Why wear bright or reflective clothing?

   • ADark colors are illegal
   • BIt replaces a helmet
   • CIt keeps you cooler
   • DIt helps other drivers see you
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It helps other drivers see you

   Bright colors and reflective material make you easier to see, in the day and at night.

8. Question 8 of 25

   A tire goes flat while you are riding. What should you do?

   • AHold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
   • BTurn sharply off the road
   • CSpeed up to keep balance
   • DBrake hard with both brakes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course

   Stay straight and slow down gradually. If you must brake, gently use the brake on the good tire.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Just before your front wheel hits an object, what should you do?

   • ABrake hard
   • BPull in the clutch
   • CRoll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end
   • DLean back and stiffen your arms
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end

   A little throttle just before impact lightens the front wheel so it rides over the object more easily.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How should you ride over an object in the road that you cannot avoid?

    • ABrake hard as you hit it
    • BCross it as close to 90 degrees as you can, rising slightly off the seat
    • CSwerve over it at speed
    • DCross it at a shallow angle, staying seated
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Cross it as close to 90 degrees as you can, rising slightly off the seat

    Hit it straight on, keep a firm grip and rise slightly off the seat so your knees and elbows absorb the shock.

11. Question 11 of 25

    In a staggered formation, how far is the third rider behind the leader?

    • AOne second
    • BHalf a second
    • CFour seconds
    • DTwo seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Two seconds

    The third rider rides in the left position, two seconds behind the first rider.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Who should carry passengers or large loads?

    • AOnly experienced riders
    • BAnyone with a permit
    • CNew riders who want practice
    • DAnyone, after one ride
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only experienced riders

    Extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances, speeds up and slows down.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Where is the clutch lever?

    • AUnder the seat
    • BAt your right foot
    • CIn front of the left handgrip
    • DIn front of the right handgrip
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In front of the left handgrip

    The clutch lever is on the left side of the handlebars.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Why are ordinary glasses or sunglasses poor eye protection on a motorcycle?

    • AThey make your helmet too tight
    • BThey don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off
    • CThey are always too dark
    • DThey fog up only at night
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off

    Glasses won't keep your eyes from watering in the wind, and they can blow off when you turn your head.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Item 6 in the diagram shows boots. How high should riding boots be?

    • ABelow the ankle
    • BOnly knee-high boots are safe
    • CAny height, if they are leather
    • DHigh enough to cover your ankles
    Show answer

    Answer: D. High enough to cover your ankles

    Sturdy boots that cover the ankles protect them and give support. Soles should be hard and slip-resistant.

16. Question 16 of 25

    When should you NOT wear a tinted face shield or tinted glasses?

    • AAt night or in low light
    • BOn the highway
    • COn sunny days
    • DOn hot days
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At night or in low light

    Tinted eye protection blocks light you need to see at night and in dim conditions.

17. Question 17 of 25

    On most motorcycles, how do you shift gears?

    • AWith a lever on the right handlebar
    • BWith the pedal at your right foot
    • CWith the lever at your left foot
    • DWith a lever on the left handlebar
    Show answer

    Answer: C. With the lever at your left foot

    The gear shift lever is in front of the left footrest.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How should you sit so you can steer well?

    • ASo your elbows touch your knees
    • BSo your hands are above your shoulders
    • CSo your arms are slightly bent
    • DSo your arms are locked straight
    Show answer

    Answer: C. So your arms are slightly bent

    Sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent. This lets you press on the handlebars without strain.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Your motorcycle has a windshield. Do you still need eye protection?

    • ANo, a windshield is enough
    • BOnly if the windshield is short
    • CYes; a windshield does not fully protect your eyes
    • DOnly when it rains
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes; a windshield does not fully protect your eyes

    A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles. Wind, dust and insects can still reach your eyes.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Where should your knees be while you ride?

    • AResting on the handlebars
    • BPointing out to the sides
    • CSpread wide apart
    • DAgainst the gas tank
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Against the gas tank

    Keeping your knees against the tank helps you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How should you hold the handgrips when you start out?

    • AWith your right wrist raised high
    • BFirmly, with your right wrist flat
    • CWith one hand only
    • DLoosely, with your fingertips
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Firmly, with your right wrist flat

    Starting with your right wrist flat helps keep you from using too much throttle by accident.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How do you stop as quickly as possible?

    • AUse only the rear brake
    • BPull in the clutch and coast
    • CApply both brakes fully without locking either wheel
    • DUse only the front brake
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Apply both brakes fully without locking either wheel

    In a quick stop, squeeze the front brake firmly and press the rear brake, without locking the wheels.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Usually, how should you cross railroad tracks that cross your lane?

    • ARide straight across within your lane
    • BStop on the tracks to look
    • CSwerve across lanes to hit them at exactly 90 degrees
    • DBrake hard while crossing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Ride straight across within your lane

    It is usually safer to ride straight across within your lane than to turn sharply to meet the tracks at 90 degrees.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How does alcohol affect a rider?

    • AIt slows reactions and weakens judgment, even in small amounts
    • BIt has no effect if you eat first
    • CIt only matters after five drinks
    • DIt improves focus
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It slows reactions and weakens judgment, even in small amounts

    Riding takes balance and quick decisions. Alcohol harms both, so the safest choice is not to drink and ride.

25. Question 25 of 25

    When you follow a car, where should you ride?

    • ARight beside the rear bumper
    • BWhere the driver can see you in the rearview mirror
    • CIn the driver's blind spot
    • DClose to the road edge
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Where the driver can see you in the rearview mirror

    Riding in the center of the lane usually puts you in the middle of the driver's rearview mirror.

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