New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

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

   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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   How do you stop as quickly as possible?

   • AUse only the rear brake
   • BPull in the clutch and coast
   • CApply both brakes fully without locking either wheel
   • DUse only the front brake
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Apply both brakes fully without locking either wheel

   In a quick stop, squeeze the front brake firmly and press the rear brake, without locking the wheels.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Just before your front wheel hits an object, what should you do?

   • ABrake hard
   • BPull in the clutch
   • CRoll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end
   • DLean back and stiffen your arms
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end

   A little throttle just before impact lightens the front wheel so it rides over the object more easily.

10. Question 10 of 25

    A car is waiting to turn left across your path at an intersection. What should you do?

    • AAssume the driver has seen you
    • BSpeed up to get through first
    • CSlow down, pick a lane position where the driver can see you, and cover your brakes
    • DRide close behind a truck
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down, pick a lane position where the driver can see you, and cover your brakes

    Reduce speed, be visible and be ready to stop. Never assume a driver sees you.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How should you brake on a slippery surface?

    • AUse both brakes gently
    • BUse only the front brake, hard
    • CUse only the rear brake, hard
    • DDo 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Why can the center of a lane be slippery near intersections?

    • AIt is cooler than the rest of the road
    • BIt is always painted
    • COil and grease drip from cars that stop there
    • DWater collects only in the center
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Oil and grease drip from cars that stop there

    Oil drips build up in the center of the lane where cars stop. The strip is usually narrow, so you can ride to one side of it.

15. Question 15 of 25

    In T-CLOCS, what does the second C stand for?

    • ACarburetor
    • BClutch
    • CChassis
    • DCargo
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Chassis

    The second C is Chassis: the frame, suspension, chain or belt, and fasteners.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which surfaces can be very slippery for a motorcycle?

    • ADry concrete in the sun
    • BPainted lines, steel plates and manhole covers, especially when wet
    • CDry, rough asphalt
    • DClean, dry pavement
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Painted lines, steel plates and manhole covers, especially when wet

    Paint and metal give much less traction than pavement, especially when wet.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

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

    • ASignals
    • BSpeed
    • CStands
    • DSeat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stands

    S is Stands: the side stand and center stand should hold the motorcycle and spring back up.

20. Question 20 of 25

    About how many hours a day do experienced riders usually ride at most?

    • AAbout ten hours
    • BAbout twelve hours
    • CAbout six hours
    • DAs many as possible
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About six hours

    Experienced riders seldom ride more than about six hours a day.

21. Question 21 of 25

    In the diagram, which lane position is the left third of the lane, next to the center line?

    • APosition 2
    • BPosition 1
    • CPosition 3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Position 1

    Lane position 1 is the left third of the lane.

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

    Where should a beginner ride in a group?

    • ANext to another rider
    • BRight behind the leader
    • CAt the very back
    • DIn the lead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Right behind the leader

    Placing less experienced riders just behind the leader lets more experienced riders watch them from behind.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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