Maryland Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 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
   Show answer

   Answer: D. To the right

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

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A friend has been drinking and wants to ride home. What can you do?

   • AGive them coffee and let them go
   • BRide behind them to watch
   • CArrange a safe ride, or keep them there until they are sober
   • DLet them ride slowly
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Arrange a safe ride, or keep them there until they are sober

   Step in: arrange a ride, slow their drinking, or keep them from riding. Get other friends to help.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Who should carry passengers or large loads?

   • AOnly experienced riders
   • BAnyone with a permit
   • CNew riders who want practice
   • DAnyone, after one ride
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only experienced riders

   Extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances, speeds up and slows down.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which hand controls the throttle?

   • AThe right hand
   • BNeither; it is a foot pedal
   • CEither hand
   • DThe left hand
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The right hand

   The throttle is the right handgrip. Twist it toward you to speed up.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    In T-CLOCS, what does the L stand for?

    • ALights and electrics
    • BLane position
    • CLoad
    • DLevers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Lights and electrics

    L is Lights and electrics: headlight, taillight, brake light, turn signals, battery and wiring.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Why must you remember to turn off your turn signal?

    • ASignals are only for night
    • BOther drivers ignore signals
    • CIt saves fuel
    • DMany 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Your front wheel locks during a quick stop. What should you do?

    • AKeep the front wheel locked
    • BRelease both brakes and coast
    • CTurn the handlebars sharply
    • DRelease the front brake, then reapply it firmly right away
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Release the front brake, then reapply it firmly right away

    A locked front wheel can make you fall. Release and reapply the front brake at once.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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