New York Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   When should your headlight be on?

   • AOnly at night
   • BAt all times, day and night
   • COnly in the rain
   • DOnly 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which part of the lane must a motorcycle always avoid?

   • AThe right third
   • BThe left third
   • CNone; choose the position that lets you see and be seen best
   • DThe center third
   Show answer

   Answer: C. None; choose the position that lets you see and be seen best

   No part of the lane needs to be avoided. Pick a position based on visibility, hazards and space around you.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How does alcohol affect a rider?

   • AIt slows reactions and weakens judgment, even in small amounts
   • BIt has no effect if you eat first
   • CIt only matters after five drinks
   • DIt 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   How should a motorcycle helmet fit?

   • ATight only at the forehead
   • BSnugly, all the way around your head
   • CLoosely, so it is easy to take off
   • DLoosely, so air can flow under it
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Snugly, all the way around your head

   A helmet should fit snugly all around and have no cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    About how far ahead should you scan for hazards?

    • AAbout 2 seconds ahead
    • BAbout 30 seconds ahead
    • CAbout 12 seconds ahead
    • DOnly 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Who should carry passengers or large loads?

    • AOnly experienced riders
    • BAnyone with a permit
    • CNew riders who want practice
    • DAnyone, after one ride
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only experienced riders

    Extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances, speeds up and slows down.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Your throttle sticks and twisting it back and forth does not free it. What should you do?

    • AOperate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time
    • BShift to a higher gear
    • CUse only the rear brake
    • DJump 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Item 6 in the diagram shows boots. How high should riding boots be?

    • ABelow the ankle
    • BOnly knee-high boots are safe
    • CAny height, if they are leather
    • DHigh 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Usually, how should you cross railroad tracks that cross your lane?

    • ARide straight across within your lane
    • BStop on the tracks to look
    • CSwerve across lanes to hit them at exactly 90 degrees
    • DBrake hard while crossing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Ride straight across within your lane

    It is usually safer to ride straight across within your lane than to turn sharply to meet the tracks at 90 degrees.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is a swerve?

    • AA slow lane change
    • BA skid caused by braking
    • CA U-turn
    • DTwo 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.

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