North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   How do you check your brake light before riding?

   • ATurn on the high beam
   • BUse the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light
   • CRide at night and look behind you
   • DPress 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.

4. Question 4 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.

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

   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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Many motorcycles have convex (curved) mirrors. How do they make other vehicles look?

   • AUpside down
   • BExactly as far as they are
   • CCloser than they really are
   • DFarther 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Where should you carry cargo on a motorcycle?

    • ABehind the rear axle
    • BLow and forward, over or in front of the rear axle
    • CHigh on the passenger seat
    • DHanging 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?

    • AA seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
    • BOnly a backrest
    • CNothing extra
    • DA 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    When should a riding group switch to single file?

    • AOnly in parking lots
    • BOn long straight roads
    • CIn curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
    • DNever
    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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which drinks hold about the same amount of alcohol?

    • AA 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with one shot of liquor
    • BA beer holds much less than a shot of liquor
    • CA beer holds twice as much as a glass of wine
    • DA 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You must stop quickly while in a curve. What is the best method?

    • ASpeed up through the curve
    • BStraighten the motorcycle first, then brake
    • CBrake hard while still leaning
    • DUse only the rear brake while leaning
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Straighten the motorcycle first, then brake

    Stand the motorcycle up and square the handlebars before braking hard. If you can't, brake gently while easing off the throttle.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Why start a curve near the outside of your lane when no traffic is present?

    • AIt hides you from other drivers
    • BIt keeps you on the shoulder
    • CYou can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp
    • DIt 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.

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