Iowa Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   If you need to brake and swerve, when should you brake?

   • ABefore or after the swerve, never during it
   • BOnly with the front brake during the swerve
   • CYou should never brake at all
   • DDuring the swerve
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Before or after the swerve, never during it

   Braking while swerving can cause a skid. Separate the two actions.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   On a wet road, which part of the lane is usually best?

   • AThe shoulder
   • BOver the painted lines
   • CThe tire tracks left by cars
   • DThe oily center strip
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The tire tracks left by cars

   Car tire tracks are often the driest and cleanest part of the lane.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?

   • AA seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
   • BOnly a backrest
   • CNothing extra
   • DA 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does "Slow, Look, Press, Roll" describe?

    • AThe steps for making a turn
    • BHow to park on a hill
    • CHow to start the engine
    • DHow to pass a car
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The steps for making a turn

    To turn: slow before the turn, look through it, press the handgrip to lean, and roll on the throttle.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

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

    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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A car is passing you from behind. Where in your lane should you ride?

    • AOn the shoulder
    • BOn the lane line
    • CClose to the passing car
    • DIn the center portion of your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In the center portion of your lane

    The center keeps you away from the passing car, its mirrors, things thrown from windows and blasts of wind.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which drinks hold about the same amount of alcohol?

    • AA 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with one shot of liquor
    • BA beer holds much less than a shot of liquor
    • CA beer holds twice as much as a glass of wine
    • DA glass of wine holds no alcohol
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with one shot of liquor

    A can of beer, a glass of wine and one shot of liquor each hold about the same amount of alcohol.

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