New York Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   You will ride a borrowed motorcycle for the first time. What should you do?

   • ALearn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it
   • BAssume it is just like yours
   • CRide fast to test it
   • DSkip 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   On most motorcycles, how do you use the rear brake?

   • AWith the pedal at your right foot
   • BWith the lever at your left hand
   • CWith the pedal at your left foot
   • DWith the lever at your right hand
   Show answer

   Answer: A. With the pedal at your right foot

   The rear brake pedal is usually in front of the right footrest.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which is one of the most common motorcycle crashes at intersections?

   • AA car stopping on a railroad crossing
   • BA rear-end crash at a toll booth
   • CA car turning left in front of the motorcycle
   • DA 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Where is the front brake lever?

   • AIn front of the left handgrip
   • BAt your left foot
   • CIn front of the right handgrip
   • DAt 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   If your front tire goes flat, how will the steering feel?

   • ALight and easy
   • BExactly normal
   • CLoose only at high speed
   • DHeavy
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Heavy

   A flat front tire makes steering feel heavy. A flat rear tire may make the back jerk or sway.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Your front wheel locks during a quick stop. What should you do?

   • AKeep the front wheel locked
   • BRelease both brakes and coast
   • CTurn the handlebars sharply
   • DRelease 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Why should you avoid stimulants to stay awake on a ride?

    • AThey can cause extreme tiredness when they wear off
    • BThey make you sleepy right away
    • CThey are only legal at night
    • DThey 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Why might you tap your brake to flash the brake light before slowing?

    • ATo test the bulb
    • BTo warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
    • CTo signal a lane change
    • DBecause 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    In a slow, tight turn, such as a U-turn, how should you lean?

    • APut both feet down and walk it around
    • BLean your body farther than the motorcycle
    • CKeep the motorcycle and your body straight up
    • DKeep 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What should you do when riding at night?

    • AFollow the car ahead more closely
    • BSlow down and increase your following distance
    • CTurn your headlight off near other cars
    • DWear a tinted face shield
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Slow down and increase your following distance

    At night you see less, so slow down, leave more space and use the lights of the car ahead to see the road.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    In heavy traffic, drivers sometimes try to squeeze into your lane. How can you discourage this?

    • ARide on the shoulder
    • BRide in the center portion of the lane
    • CRide very close to the car ahead
    • DRide 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What do you do in the Execute step of SEE?

    • ADecide not to ride
    • BAct: communicate, change speed or change position
    • CCount seconds
    • DOnly 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.

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