New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

Practice test 5 of 6 for the New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Motorcycle
New Mexico
125 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
What is a good sign that a motorcycle fits you?
- Your knees are above the handlebars
- You cannot reach the controls without leaning
- You must stand on tiptoe on one foot
- You can reach the ground with both feet while seated
Show answer
Answer: D. You can reach the ground with both feet while seated
You should be able to put both feet on the ground while seated, and reach all the controls easily.
Question 2 of 25
When should your headlight be on?
- Only at night
- At all times, day and night
- Only in the rain
- Only in tunnels
Show answer
Answer: B. At all times, day and night
A headlight that is on in daylight makes a motorcycle much easier to notice.
Question 3 of 25
Which is one of the most common motorcycle crashes at intersections?
- A car stopping on a railroad crossing
- A rear-end crash at a toll booth
- A car turning left in front of the motorcycle
- A car backing into a parked motorcycle
Show answer
Answer: C. A car turning left in front of the motorcycle
Drivers turning left often fail to see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudge its speed.
Question 4 of 25
What is countersteering, as shown in the diagram?
- Turning the handlebars sharply toward the turn
- Steering with the rear brake
- Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean
- Leaning your body only
Show answer
Answer: C. Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean
Pressing forward on the grip on the side of the turn makes the motorcycle lean and turn that way.
Question 5 of 25
Where should you carry cargo on a motorcycle?
- Behind the rear axle
- Low and forward, over or in front of the rear axle
- High on the passenger seat
- Hanging 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.
Question 6 of 25
Which brake gives most of your stopping power?
- Both give exactly the same
- The engine
- The rear brake
- The front brake
Show answer
Answer: D. The front brake
The front brake provides about 70 percent or more of your stopping power.
Question 7 of 25
In a slow, tight turn, such as a U-turn, how should you lean?
- Put both feet down and walk it around
- Lean your body farther than the motorcycle
- Keep the motorcycle and your body straight up
- Keep your body upright while the motorcycle leans
Show answer
Answer: D. Keep your body upright while the motorcycle leans
For slow, tight turns, lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight to counterbalance.
Question 8 of 25
Why should you avoid stimulants to stay awake on a ride?
- They can cause extreme tiredness when they wear off
- They make you sleepy right away
- They are only legal at night
- They improve your balance
Show answer
Answer: A. They can cause extreme tiredness when they wear off
Artificial stimulants often lead to extreme fatigue or depression when they wear off.
Question 9 of 25
Item 6 in the diagram shows boots. How high should riding boots be?
- Below the ankle
- Only knee-high boots are safe
- Any height, if they are leather
- High 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.
Question 10 of 25
Your front wheel locks during a quick stop. What should you do?
- Keep the front wheel locked
- Release both brakes and coast
- Turn the handlebars sharply
- Release 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.
Question 11 of 25
Marker 1 in the diagram shows the rider's head. What should you do with your head in a turn?
- Keep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon
- Keep it turned to the side
- Tilt it with the motorcycle
- Look 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.
Question 12 of 25
Many motorcycles have convex (curved) mirrors. How do they make other vehicles look?
- Upside down
- Exactly as far as they are
- Closer than they really are
- Farther away than they really are
Show answer
Answer: D. Farther away than they really are
Convex mirrors show a wider view, but cars look farther away than they are. Judge distances with care.
Question 13 of 25
A friend has been drinking and wants to ride home. What can you do?
- Give them coffee and let them go
- Ride behind them to watch
- Arrange a safe ride, or keep them there until they are sober
- Let 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.
Question 14 of 25
About how far ahead should you scan for hazards?
- About 2 seconds ahead
- About 30 seconds ahead
- About 12 seconds ahead
- Only to the vehicle in front
Show answer
Answer: C. About 12 seconds ahead
Look about 12 seconds ahead so you have time to spot and avoid hazards.
Question 15 of 25
A driver is tailgating you and you can't change lanes. What should you do?
- Slow down a little to open more space in front of you
- Speed up a lot
- Stop in your lane
- Brake 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.
Question 16 of 25
When should you use the front brake?
- Only above 30 mph
- Every time you slow down or stop, together with the rear brake
- Never on wet roads
- Only 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.
Question 17 of 25
A tire goes flat while you are riding. What should you do?
- Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
- Turn sharply off the road
- Speed up to keep balance
- Brake hard with both brakes
Show answer
Answer: A. Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
Stay straight and slow down gradually. If you must brake, gently use the brake on the good tire.
Question 18 of 25
What should you do before changing lanes?
- Check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot
- Only sound your horn
- Only check your mirrors
- Speed up first
Show answer
Answer: A. Check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot
Mirrors do not show everything. A head check covers your blind spots.
Question 19 of 25
Why start a curve near the outside of your lane when no traffic is present?
- It hides you from other drivers
- It keeps you on the shoulder
- You can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp
- It lets you brake in the curve
Show answer
Answer: C. You can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp
Starting at the outside improves your line of sight and makes the curve's path wider and gentler.
Question 20 of 25
What is a swerve?
- A slow lane change
- A skid caused by braking
- A U-turn
- Two quick countersteers: one to go around, one to recover
Show answer
Answer: D. Two quick countersteers: one to go around, one to recover
Press the grip on the side you want to go, then press the other grip to straighten out.
Question 21 of 25
What should your riding jacket and pants do?
- Leave your arms bare in hot weather
- Be loose enough to flap in the wind
- Be made of thin cotton
- Cover your arms and legs completely
Show answer
Answer: D. Cover your arms and legs completely
A jacket and pants should cover arms and legs completely. Leather or sturdy synthetic material protects best.
Question 22 of 25
Where should you look as you go through a turn?
- At the center line
- Through the turn, toward where you want to go
- Down at your front wheel
- Straight 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.
Question 23 of 25
Where is the front brake lever?
- In front of the left handgrip
- At your left foot
- In front of the right handgrip
- At 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.
Question 24 of 25
You will ride a borrowed motorcycle for the first time. What should you do?
- Learn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it
- Assume it is just like yours
- Ride fast to test it
- Skip the pre-ride check
Show answer
Answer: A. Learn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it
Controls and handling differ between motorcycles. Get familiar with them in a safe place first.
Question 25 of 25
A car is riding beside you in the next lane. What should you do?
- Speed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot
- Honk and stay where you are
- Move closer to it
- Stay beside it
Show answer
Answer: A. Speed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot
Riding next to a car can put you in its blind spot, and it may move into your lane.

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