District of Columbia Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is T-CLOCS used for?

   • AChecking your motorcycle before you ride
   • BPlanning a group ride
   • CChoosing a lane position
   • DMeasuring following distance
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Checking your motorcycle before you ride

   T-CLOCS is a checklist for inspecting your motorcycle before each ride.

2. Question 2 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
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   Answer: D. To the right

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

3. Question 3 of 25

   In the diagram, marker 4 shows the passenger's feet. When should they stay on the passenger footpegs?

   • ANever; feet go on the ground
   • BAt all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
   • COnly at high speed
   • DOnly in turns
   Show answer

   Answer: B. At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped

   Tell your passenger to keep both feet on the footrests, even when stopped, and away from the muffler and chain.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

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

   • APosition 2
   • BPosition 1
   • CPosition 3
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Position 1

   Lane position 1 is the left third of the lane.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    You must stop quickly while in a curve. What is the best method?

    • ASpeed up through the curve
    • BStraighten the motorcycle first, then brake
    • CBrake hard while still leaning
    • DUse only the rear brake while leaning
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Straighten the motorcycle first, then brake

    Stand the motorcycle up and square the handlebars before braking hard. If you can't, brake gently while easing off the throttle.

12. Question 12 of 25

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

    • AChain
    • BClothing
    • CControls
    • DCargo
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Controls

    The first C is Controls: levers, pedals, cables, hoses and the throttle.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which brake gives most of your stopping power?

    • ABoth give exactly the same
    • BThe engine
    • CThe rear brake
    • DThe front brake
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The front brake

    The front brake provides about 70 percent or more of your stopping power.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How can you tell a helmet meets the US federal safety standard?

    • AIt weighs more than 5 pounds
    • BIt has a visor
    • CIt has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218
    • DIt is painted a bright color
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218

    Helmets that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 carry the DOT symbol from the maker.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    When is a road most slippery in the rain?

    • AAfter hours of steady rain
    • BAs soon as the rain stops
    • CJust after the rain starts, before oil washes away
    • DIt is the same the whole time
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Just after the rain starts, before oil washes away

    Oil on the road mixes with the first rain and makes the surface very slippery.

25. Question 25 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.

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