New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

Practice test 6 of 6 for the New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Practice Test: 20 more questions with answers and explanations.

Motorcycle
New Mexico
125 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 20
During a swerve, what should your body do?
- Lean the opposite way and brake
- Stand up on the footrests
- Lean farther than the motorcycle
- Stay upright while the motorcycle leans under you
Show answer
Answer: D. Stay upright while the motorcycle leans under you
Keep your body upright and let the motorcycle lean quickly beneath you.
Question 2 of 20
When do most motorcycle crashes happen?
- On short trips, a few minutes after starting out
- Only in rain
- Only on long highway trips
- Only 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.
Question 3 of 20
How do you measure your following distance, as shown in the diagram?
- Watch the driver's brake lights
- When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count seconds until you reach it
- Look at your speedometer
- Count 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.
Question 4 of 20
Your throttle sticks and twisting it back and forth does not free it. What should you do?
- Operate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time
- Shift to a higher gear
- Use only the rear brake
- Jump off the motorcycle
Show answer
Answer: A. Operate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time
This removes power from the rear wheel. Then pull off and stop.
Question 5 of 20
Which drinks hold about the same amount of alcohol?
- A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with one shot of liquor
- A beer holds much less than a shot of liquor
- A beer holds twice as much as a glass of wine
- A glass of wine holds no alcohol
Show answer
Answer: A. A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with one shot of liquor
A can of beer, a glass of wine and one shot of liquor each hold about the same amount of alcohol.
Question 6 of 20
If your front tire goes flat, how will the steering feel?
- Light and easy
- Exactly normal
- Loose only at high speed
- Heavy
Show answer
Answer: D. Heavy
A flat front tire makes steering feel heavy. A flat rear tire may make the back jerk or sway.
Question 7 of 20
About how fast does the body get rid of alcohol?
- About one drink per hour
- About three drinks per hour
- As fast as you drink coffee
- About one drink per day
Show answer
Answer: A. About one drink per hour
The body removes alcohol at about one drink per hour. Nothing speeds this up.
Question 8 of 20
When should you leave three seconds or more behind the vehicle ahead?
- Only in parking lots
- Never; two seconds is always enough
- On slippery roads, at night, in heavy traffic, or when you can't see past the vehicle ahead
- Only on sunny days
Show answer
Answer: C. On slippery roads, at night, in heavy traffic, or when you can't see past the vehicle ahead
Increase your following distance when you need more time to see hazards or to stop.
Question 9 of 20
When should you NOT wear a tinted face shield or tinted glasses?
- At night or in low light
- On the highway
- On sunny days
- On hot days
Show answer
Answer: A. At night or in low light
Tinted eye protection blocks light you need to see at night and in dim conditions.
Question 10 of 20
How does alcohol affect a rider?
- It slows reactions and weakens judgment, even in small amounts
- It has no effect if you eat first
- It only matters after five drinks
- It improves focus
Show answer
Answer: A. It slows reactions and weakens judgment, even in small amounts
Riding takes balance and quick decisions. Alcohol harms both, so the safest choice is not to drink and ride.
Question 11 of 20
What do you do in the Execute step of SEE?
- Decide not to ride
- Act: communicate, change speed or change position
- Count seconds
- Only check your mirrors
Show answer
Answer: B. Act: communicate, change speed or change position
Execute means carrying out your decision, such as slowing, moving within your lane or using your horn.
Question 12 of 20
What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?
- A seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
- Only a backrest
- Nothing extra
- A 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.
Question 13 of 20
Where should a passenger sit?
- On the gas tank
- As far back as possible
- As far forward as possible without crowding the rider
- Sideways on the seat
Show answer
Answer: C. As far forward as possible without crowding the rider
Sitting close to the rider keeps the weight forward and helps balance.
Question 14 of 20
How should you sit so you can steer well?
- So your elbows touch your knees
- So your hands are above your shoulders
- So your arms are slightly bent
- So 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.
Question 15 of 20
In heavy traffic, drivers sometimes try to squeeze into your lane. How can you discourage this?
- Ride on the shoulder
- Ride in the center portion of the lane
- Ride very close to the car ahead
- Ride on the lane line
Show answer
Answer: B. Ride in the center portion of the lane
Keeping a center position makes it harder for drivers to share your lane.
Question 16 of 20
Besides a knowledge test, what test do most riders pass to earn a motorcycle license?
- A written essay
- A yearly medical exam
- An on-cycle skills test
- A parking test in a car
Show answer
Answer: C. An on-cycle skills test
Most states require a knowledge test and an on-cycle skills test. An approved rider course can often replace the skills test.
Question 17 of 20
How do you check your brake light before riding?
- Turn on the high beam
- Use the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light
- Ride at night and look behind you
- Press the horn
Show answer
Answer: B. Use the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light
Each brake control should turn on the brake light by itself.
Question 18 of 20
When should a riding group switch to single file?
- Only in parking lots
- On long straight roads
- In curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
- Never
Show answer
Answer: C. In curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
Single file gives each rider room to choose a line in curves and turns.
Question 19 of 20
Why might you tap your brake to flash the brake light before slowing?
- To test the bulb
- To warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
- To signal a lane change
- Because it is required at every stop
Show answer
Answer: B. To warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
Flashing your brake light helps before a sharp turn off a fast road or before pulling off the road.
Question 20 of 20
On a wet road, which part of the lane is usually best?
- The shoulder
- Over the painted lines
- The tire tracks left by cars
- The 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.

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