Massachusetts Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   When should you use the front brake?

   • AOnly above 30 mph
   • BEvery time you slow down or stop, together with the rear brake
   • CNever on wet roads
   • DOnly 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   If your front tire goes flat, how will the steering feel?

   • ALight and easy
   • BExactly normal
   • CLoose only at high speed
   • DHeavy
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Heavy

   A flat front tire makes steering feel heavy. A flat rear tire may make the back jerk or sway.

9. Question 9 of 25

   How should you sit so you can steer well?

   • ASo your elbows touch your knees
   • BSo your hands are above your shoulders
   • CSo your arms are slightly bent
   • DSo your arms are locked straight
   Show answer

   Answer: C. So your arms are slightly bent

   Sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent. This lets you press on the handlebars without strain.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How should you load saddlebags?

    • AWith the heaviest items on the left
    • BFull on one side and empty on the other
    • CWith all the weight on one side
    • DWith about the same weight on each side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. With about the same weight on each side

    Uneven saddlebags can make the motorcycle pull to one side.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What kind of gloves should a rider wear?

    • ANo gloves, for better grip
    • BFull-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material
    • CThin cotton gloves
    • DFingerless gloves
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Full-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material

    Full-fingered gloves protect your hands and help you grip the controls.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What should you do with the throttle as you go through a turn?

    • AClose it completely
    • BBrake hard instead
    • CRoll it on to keep or slightly increase your speed
    • DPull in the clutch
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Roll it on to keep or slightly increase your speed

    Rolling on the throttle steadily keeps the motorcycle stable through the turn.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    On most motorcycles, how do you use the rear brake?

    • AWith the pedal at your right foot
    • BWith the lever at your left hand
    • CWith the pedal at your left foot
    • DWith 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    How should you cross a pavement seam or tracks that run parallel to your path?

    • AEdge across slowly at a slight angle
    • BMove away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees
    • CCross them at full speed at any angle
    • DRide 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Where should you look as you go through a turn?

    • AAt the center line
    • BThrough the turn, toward where you want to go
    • CDown at your front wheel
    • DStraight ahead, not into the turn
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Through the turn, toward where you want to go

    Turn your head and look through the turn to where you want to go. The motorcycle tends to go where you look.

25. Question 25 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.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 18 of 25 (72%)