Indiana Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

Practice test 5 of 6 for the Indiana Motorcycle Permit Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Motorcycle
Indiana
131 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
When should you shift to a lower gear for a turn?
- Before you enter the turn
- After you leave the turn
- Never; stay in top gear
- In 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.
Question 2 of 25
On most motorcycles, how do you shift gears?
- With a lever on the right handlebar
- With the pedal at your right foot
- With the lever at your left foot
- With 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.
Question 3 of 25
When should a riding group switch to single file?
- Only in parking lots
- On long straight roads
- In curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
- Never
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.
Question 4 of 25
How should you brake on a slippery surface?
- Use both brakes gently
- Use only the front brake, hard
- Use only the rear brake, hard
- Do not brake at all
Show answer
Answer: A. Use both brakes gently
On slippery roads, reduce speed, avoid sudden moves and use both brakes gently.
Question 5 of 25
When should your headlight be on?
- Only at night
- At all times, day and night
- Only in the rain
- Only 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.
Question 6 of 25
A driver is tailgating you and you can't change lanes. What should you do?
- Slow down a little to open more space in front of you
- Speed up a lot
- Stop in your lane
- Brake 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.
Question 7 of 25
How should a passenger lean in turns?
- With the rider, staying directly behind
- Against the turn
- Back, away from the rider
- Straight 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.
Question 8 of 25
What should you do before changing lanes?
- Check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot
- Only sound your horn
- Only check your mirrors
- Speed 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.
Question 9 of 25
Besides a knowledge test, what test do most riders pass to earn a motorcycle license?
- A written essay
- A yearly medical exam
- An on-cycle skills test
- A parking test in a car
Show answer
Answer: C. An on-cycle skills test
Most states require a knowledge test and an on-cycle skills test. An approved rider course can often replace the skills test.
Question 10 of 25
In a slow, tight turn, such as a U-turn, how should you lean?
- Put both feet down and walk it around
- Lean your body farther than the motorcycle
- Keep the motorcycle and your body straight up
- Keep your body upright while the motorcycle leans
Show answer
Answer: D. Keep your body upright while the motorcycle leans
For slow, tight turns, lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight to counterbalance.
Question 11 of 25
When should you use the front brake?
- Only above 30 mph
- Every time you slow down or stop, together with the rear brake
- Never on wet roads
- Only in an emergency
Show answer
Answer: B. Every time you slow down or stop, together with the rear brake
Use both brakes every time you slow or stop, so using the front brake becomes a habit.
Question 12 of 25
About how far ahead should you scan for hazards?
- About 2 seconds ahead
- About 30 seconds ahead
- About 12 seconds ahead
- Only 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.
Question 13 of 25
A car is riding beside you in the next lane. What should you do?
- Speed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot
- Honk and stay where you are
- Move closer to it
- Stay beside it
Show answer
Answer: A. Speed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot
Riding next to a car can put you in its blind spot, and it may move into your lane.
Question 14 of 25
How should you cross a pavement seam or tracks that run parallel to your path?
- Edge across slowly at a slight angle
- Move away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees
- Cross them at full speed at any angle
- Ride 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.
Question 15 of 25
How should you hold the handgrips when you start out?
- With your right wrist raised high
- Firmly, with your right wrist flat
- With one hand only
- Loosely, 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.
Question 16 of 25
Why must you remember to turn off your turn signal?
- Signals are only for night
- Other drivers ignore signals
- It saves fuel
- Many motorcycle signals do not turn off by themselves
Show answer
Answer: D. Many motorcycle signals do not turn off by themselves
A signal left on can make drivers think you are about to turn.
Question 17 of 25
In the diagram, the rider presses the right handgrip forward. Which way does the motorcycle lean and turn?
- It only slows down
- To the left
- It goes straight
- To the right
Show answer
Answer: D. To the right
This is countersteering: press right, lean right, go right.
Question 18 of 25
Marker 1 in the diagram shows the rider's head. What should you do with your head in a turn?
- Keep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon
- Keep it turned to the side
- Tilt it with the motorcycle
- Look 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.
Question 19 of 25
What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?
- A seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
- Only a backrest
- Nothing extra
- A second set of handlebars
Show answer
Answer: A. A seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
The passenger needs a proper seat and their own footrests, plus the same protective gear as the rider.
Question 20 of 25
On most motorcycles, how do you use the rear brake?
- With the pedal at your right foot
- With the lever at your left hand
- With the pedal at your left foot
- With 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.
Question 21 of 25
What is countersteering, as shown in the diagram?
- Turning the handlebars sharply toward the turn
- Steering with the rear brake
- Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean
- Leaning 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.
Question 22 of 25
Which hand controls the throttle?
- The right hand
- Neither; it is a foot pedal
- Either hand
- The left hand
Show answer
Answer: A. The right hand
The throttle is the right handgrip. Twist it toward you to speed up.
Question 23 of 25
Usually, how should you cross railroad tracks that cross your lane?
- Ride straight across within your lane
- Stop on the tracks to look
- Swerve across lanes to hit them at exactly 90 degrees
- Brake 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.
Question 24 of 25
In a normal turn like the one shown, how should your body lean?
- Farther than the motorcycle
- With the motorcycle, at the same angle
- Opposite the motorcycle
- Straight up while the motorcycle leans
Show answer
Answer: B. With the motorcycle, at the same angle
In normal turns, the rider and the motorcycle lean together at the same angle.
Question 25 of 25
Item 6 in the diagram shows boots. How high should riding boots be?
- Below the ankle
- Only knee-high boots are safe
- Any height, if they are leather
- High 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.

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