North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What is a good sign that a motorcycle fits you?

   • AYour knees are above the handlebars
   • BYou cannot reach the controls without leaning
   • CYou must stand on tiptoe on one foot
   • DYou can reach the ground with both feet while seated
   Show answer

   Answer: D. You can reach the ground with both feet while seated

   You should be able to put both feet on the ground while seated, and reach all the controls easily.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Why must you remember to turn off your turn signal?

   • ASignals are only for night
   • BOther drivers ignore signals
   • CIt saves fuel
   • DMany motorcycle signals do not turn off by themselves
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Many motorcycle signals do not turn off by themselves

   A signal left on can make drivers think you are about to turn.

5. Question 5 of 25

   During a swerve, what should your body do?

   • ALean the opposite way and brake
   • BStand up on the footrests
   • CLean farther than the motorcycle
   • DStay 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   In a normal turn like the one shown, how should your body lean?

   • AFarther than the motorcycle
   • BWith the motorcycle, at the same angle
   • COpposite the motorcycle
   • DStraight up while the motorcycle leans
   Show answer

   Answer: B. With the motorcycle, at the same angle

   In normal turns, the rider and the motorcycle lean together at the same angle.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Where should you look as you go through a turn?

   • AAt the center line
   • BThrough the turn, toward where you want to go
   • CDown at your front wheel
   • DStraight ahead, not into the turn
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Through the turn, toward where you want to go

   Turn your head and look through the turn to where you want to go. The motorcycle tends to go where you look.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Your front wheel starts to wobble. What should you do?

   • AGrip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually, without braking
   • BBrake hard
   • CFight the wobble with sharp steering
   • DSpeed up to stop the wobble
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Grip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually, without braking

   Do not fight the wobble or brake. Ease off the throttle, move your weight forward and down, and pull off when you can.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does "Slow, Look, Press, Roll" describe?

    • AThe steps for making a turn
    • BHow to park on a hill
    • CHow to start the engine
    • DHow to pass a car
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The steps for making a turn

    To turn: slow before the turn, look through it, press the handgrip to lean, and roll on the throttle.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You want to turn left at normal speed. Which handgrip do you press forward?

    • AThe right handgrip
    • BThe left handgrip
    • CBoth grips equally
    • DNeither; you lean your body only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The left handgrip

    Press left, lean left, go left.

13. Question 13 of 25

    When is a road most slippery in the rain?

    • AAfter hours of steady rain
    • BAs soon as the rain stops
    • CJust after the rain starts, before oil washes away
    • DIt is the same the whole time
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Just after the rain starts, before oil washes away

    Oil on the road mixes with the first rain and makes the surface very slippery.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You are riding past a row of parked cars. Where in your lane should you ride?

    • AOn the shoulder
    • BToward the left side of your lane
    • COn the center line
    • DClose to the parked cars
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Toward the left side of your lane

    Staying left keeps you away from doors opening and people stepping out between cars.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What is T-CLOCS used for?

    • AChecking your motorcycle before you ride
    • BPlanning a group ride
    • CChoosing a lane position
    • DMeasuring following distance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Checking your motorcycle before you ride

    T-CLOCS is a checklist for inspecting your motorcycle before each ride.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What path through a curve does the diagram show?

    • AInside, then outside, then inside
    • BClose to the road edge the whole way
    • COutside, then inside, then outside
    • DThe center of the lane the whole way
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Outside, then inside, then outside

    With no traffic, enter at the outside, move toward the inside at the middle of the curve, and exit at the outside.

17. Question 17 of 25

    When should you use the front brake?

    • AOnly above 30 mph
    • BEvery time you slow down or stop, together with the rear brake
    • CNever on wet roads
    • DOnly in an emergency
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Every time you slow down or stop, together with the rear brake

    Use both brakes every time you slow or stop, so using the front brake becomes a habit.

18. Question 18 of 25

    On a wet road, which part of the lane is usually best?

    • AThe shoulder
    • BOver the painted lines
    • CThe tire tracks left by cars
    • DThe 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What should your riding jacket and pants do?

    • ALeave your arms bare in hot weather
    • BBe loose enough to flap in the wind
    • CBe made of thin cotton
    • DCover your arms and legs completely
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Cover your arms and legs completely

    A jacket and pants should cover arms and legs completely. Leather or sturdy synthetic material protects best.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does SEE stand for?

    • ASearch, Evaluate, Execute
    • BScan, Examine, Exit
    • CSignal, Enter, Exit
    • DSee, Estimate, Escape
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Search, Evaluate, Execute

    SEE is a three-step way to handle traffic: Search, Evaluate, Execute.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A friend has been drinking and wants to ride home. What can you do?

    • AGive them coffee and let them go
    • BRide behind them to watch
    • CArrange a safe ride, or keep them there until they are sober
    • DLet them ride slowly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Arrange a safe ride, or keep them there until they are sober

    Step in: arrange a ride, slow their drinking, or keep them from riding. Get other friends to help.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What kind of gloves should a rider wear?

    • ANo gloves, for better grip
    • BFull-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material
    • CThin cotton gloves
    • DFingerless gloves
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Full-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material

    Full-fingered gloves protect your hands and help you grip the controls.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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