Illinois Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which tire problems should you check for before you ride?

   • ALow air pressure, worn tread, cuts and bulges
   • BThe age of the rims' paint
   • CThe brand name
   • DThe color of the valve caps
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Low air pressure, worn tread, cuts and bulges

   Tires are your only contact with the road. Check pressure and look for wear and damage.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How should you ride across a metal bridge grating?

   • AZigzag to keep traction
   • BBrake hard on the grating
   • CStop and walk the motorcycle across
   • DRelax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Relax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across

   The grating may make the motorcycle feel unsteady, but riding straight at a steady speed is safe.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In heavy traffic, drivers sometimes try to squeeze into your lane. How can you discourage this?

   • ARide on the shoulder
   • BRide in the center portion of the lane
   • CRide very close to the car ahead
   • DRide on the lane line
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Ride in the center portion of the lane

   Keeping a center position makes it harder for drivers to share your lane.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How do you measure your following distance, as shown in the diagram?

    • AWatch the driver's brake lights
    • BWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count seconds until you reach it
    • CLook at your speedometer
    • DCount car lengths
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count seconds until you reach it

    Pick a fixed point. When the vehicle ahead passes it, count. If you reach it before two seconds, you are too close.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You are riding past a row of parked cars. Where in your lane should you ride?

    • AOn the shoulder
    • BToward the left side of your lane
    • COn the center line
    • DClose to the parked cars
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Toward the left side of your lane

    Staying left keeps you away from doors opening and people stepping out between cars.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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