District of Columbia Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   When should your headlight be on?

   • AOnly at night
   • BAt all times, day and night
   • COnly in the rain
   • DOnly in tunnels
   Show answer

   Answer: B. At all times, day and night

   A headlight that is on in daylight makes a motorcycle much easier to notice.

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

   About how many hours a day do experienced riders usually ride at most?

   • AAbout ten hours
   • BAbout twelve hours
   • CAbout six hours
   • DAs many as possible
   Show answer

   Answer: C. About six hours

   Experienced riders seldom ride more than about six hours a day.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What path through a curve does the diagram show?

   • AInside, then outside, then inside
   • BClose to the road edge the whole way
   • COutside, then inside, then outside
   • DThe center of the lane the whole way
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Outside, then inside, then outside

   With no traffic, enter at the outside, move toward the inside at the middle of the curve, and exit at the outside.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What kind of gloves should a rider wear?

   • ANo gloves, for better grip
   • BFull-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material
   • CThin cotton gloves
   • DFingerless gloves
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Full-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material

   Full-fingered gloves protect your hands and help you grip the controls.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which part of the lane must a motorcycle always avoid?

    • AThe right third
    • BThe left third
    • CNone; choose the position that lets you see and be seen best
    • DThe center third
    Show answer

    Answer: C. None; choose the position that lets you see and be seen best

    No part of the lane needs to be avoided. Pick a position based on visibility, hazards and space around you.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You want to turn left at normal speed. Which handgrip do you press forward?

    • AThe right handgrip
    • BThe left handgrip
    • CBoth grips equally
    • DNeither; you lean your body only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The left handgrip

    Press left, lean left, go left.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Marker 1 in the diagram shows the rider's head. What should you do with your head in a turn?

    • AKeep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon
    • BKeep it turned to the side
    • CTilt it with the motorcycle
    • DLook down at the road just ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon

    Turn just your head to look through the turn, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Where should a passenger sit?

    • AOn the gas tank
    • BAs far back as possible
    • CAs far forward as possible without crowding the rider
    • DSideways on the seat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. As far forward as possible without crowding the rider

    Sitting close to the rider keeps the weight forward and helps balance.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What do you do in the Execute step of SEE?

    • ADecide not to ride
    • BAct: communicate, change speed or change position
    • CCount seconds
    • DOnly check your mirrors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Act: communicate, change speed or change position

    Execute means carrying out your decision, such as slowing, moving within your lane or using your horn.

22. Question 22 of 25

    During a swerve, what should your body do?

    • ALean the opposite way and brake
    • BStand up on the footrests
    • CLean farther than the motorcycle
    • DStay upright while the motorcycle leans under you
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stay upright while the motorcycle leans under you

    Keep your body upright and let the motorcycle lean quickly beneath you.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.