New Mexico 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

   Your rear wheel locks during a quick stop on a good road surface. What can you do?

   • AShift to neutral and coast
   • BRelease the front brake
   • CKeep it locked until you have stopped
   • DTurn sharply off the road
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep it locked until you have stopped

   On a good-traction surface you can keep the rear wheel locked until you stop.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How should you hold the handgrips when you start out?

   • AWith your right wrist raised high
   • BFirmly, with your right wrist flat
   • CWith one hand only
   • DLoosely, 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What path through a curve does the diagram show?

   • AInside, then outside, then inside
   • BClose to the road edge the whole way
   • COutside, then inside, then outside
   • DThe center of the lane the whole way
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Outside, then inside, then outside

   With no traffic, enter at the outside, move toward the inside at the middle of the curve, and exit at the outside.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In the diagram, marker 4 shows the passenger's feet. When should they stay on the passenger footpegs?

   • ANever; feet go on the ground
   • BAt all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
   • COnly at high speed
   • DOnly in turns
   Show answer

   Answer: B. At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped

   Tell your passenger to keep both feet on the footrests, even when stopped, and away from the muffler and chain.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What is lane splitting?

    • ARiding on the shoulder
    • BRiding two motorcycles side by side in one lane
    • CChanging lanes quickly
    • DRiding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Riding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic

    Lane splitting means riding between rows of vehicles. Most states do not allow it; check your state's law.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does it mean to cover the clutch and brakes?

    • AKeep your fingers and foot on the controls, ready to use them
    • BHold the brakes fully on
    • CPut the controls in neutral
    • DTake your hands off the controls
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep your fingers and foot on the controls, ready to use them

    Covering the controls cuts the time you need to react in risky places such as intersections.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

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

    • ATools
    • BThrottle
    • CTurn signals
    • DTires and wheels
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tires and wheels

    T-CLOCS: Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and other fluids, Chassis, Stands.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How should you ride across a metal bridge grating?

    • AZigzag to keep traction
    • BBrake hard on the grating
    • CStop and walk the motorcycle across
    • DRelax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Relax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across

    The grating may make the motorcycle feel unsteady, but riding straight at a steady speed is safe.

18. Question 18 of 25

    When is a road most slippery in the rain?

    • AAfter hours of steady rain
    • BAs soon as the rain stops
    • CJust after the rain starts, before oil washes away
    • DIt is the same the whole time
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Just after the rain starts, before oil washes away

    Oil on the road mixes with the first rain and makes the surface very slippery.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What is the most important piece of gear for surviving a motorcycle crash?

    • AA helmet that is securely fastened
    • BLeather gloves
    • CA heavy jacket
    • DTall boots
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A helmet that is securely fastened

    The manual calls a securely fastened helmet the most important factor in surviving a crash.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

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

    • AChain
    • BClothing
    • CControls
    • DCargo
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Controls

    The first C is Controls: levers, pedals, cables, hoses and the throttle.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Your motorcycle has a windshield. Do you still need eye protection?

    • ANo, a windshield is enough
    • BOnly if the windshield is short
    • CYes; a windshield does not fully protect your eyes
    • DOnly when it rains
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes; a windshield does not fully protect your eyes

    A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles. Wind, dust and insects can still reach your eyes.

25. Question 25 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.

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