North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How should you ride when carrying a passenger?

   • ABrake later than usual
   • BA little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space
   • CFollow other vehicles more closely
   • DFaster, to keep your balance
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space

   With a passenger, the motorcycle takes longer to speed up and to stop.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Besides a knowledge test, what test do most riders pass to earn a motorcycle license?

   • AA written essay
   • BA yearly medical exam
   • CAn on-cycle skills test
   • DA 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   About how fast does the body get rid of alcohol?

   • AAbout one drink per hour
   • BAbout three drinks per hour
   • CAs fast as you drink coffee
   • DAbout 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Why are ordinary glasses or sunglasses poor eye protection on a motorcycle?

   • AThey make your helmet too tight
   • BThey don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off
   • CThey are always too dark
   • DThey fog up only at night
   Show answer

   Answer: B. They don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off

   Glasses won't keep your eyes from watering in the wind, and they can blow off when you turn your head.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In the diagram, which lane position is the center third of the lane?

   • APosition 3
   • BPosition 2
   • CPosition 1
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Position 2

   Lane position 2 is the center of the lane. Position 1 is the left third and position 3 is the right third.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    About how many hours a day do experienced riders usually ride at most?

    • AAbout ten hours
    • BAbout twelve hours
    • CAbout six hours
    • DAs many as possible
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About six hours

    Experienced riders seldom ride more than about six hours a day.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A riding group has more than four or five riders. What should it do?

    • ARide closer together
    • BSplit into two or more smaller groups
    • CUse the shoulder
    • DRide two abreast
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Split into two or more smaller groups

    Small groups are easier for drivers to pass and are less likely to be split by traffic lights.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A car is waiting to turn left across your path at an intersection. What should you do?

    • AAssume the driver has seen you
    • BSpeed up to get through first
    • CSlow down, pick a lane position where the driver can see you, and cover your brakes
    • DRide close behind a truck
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down, pick a lane position where the driver can see you, and cover your brakes

    Reduce speed, be visible and be ready to stop. Never assume a driver sees you.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How can you tell a helmet meets the US federal safety standard?

    • AIt weighs more than 5 pounds
    • BIt has a visor
    • CIt has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218
    • DIt is painted a bright color
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218

    Helmets that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 carry the DOT symbol from the maker.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Marker 1 in the diagram shows the rider's head. What should you do with your head in a turn?

    • AKeep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon
    • BKeep it turned to the side
    • CTilt it with the motorcycle
    • DLook 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does it mean to cover the clutch and brakes?

    • AKeep your fingers and foot on the controls, ready to use them
    • BHold the brakes fully on
    • CPut the controls in neutral
    • DTake your hands off the controls
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep your fingers and foot on the controls, ready to use them

    Covering the controls cuts the time you need to react in risky places such as intersections.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Your engine seizes (locks up) while riding. What should you do?

    • ABrake hard and keep the clutch out
    • BTry to restart it while moving
    • CSqueeze the clutch lever and pull off the road
    • DShift down quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Squeeze the clutch lever and pull off the road

    Squeezing the clutch disconnects the locked engine from the rear wheel.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How should you park a motorcycle at a curb?

    • AParallel to the curb
    • BOn the sidewalk
    • CAt a 90-degree angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb
    • DIn the middle of the lane
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At a 90-degree angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb

    Parking at an angle with the rear wheel at the curb takes little space and lets you ride out forward.

21. Question 21 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.

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

    How should you load saddlebags?

    • AWith the heaviest items on the left
    • BFull on one side and empty on the other
    • CWith all the weight on one side
    • DWith about the same weight on each side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. With about the same weight on each side

    Uneven saddlebags can make the motorcycle pull to one side.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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