North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   Where should your knees be while you ride?

   • AResting on the handlebars
   • BPointing out to the sides
   • CSpread wide apart
   • DAgainst the gas tank
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Against the gas tank

   Keeping your knees against the tank helps you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns.

2. Question 2 of 20

   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.

3. Question 3 of 20

   You need to pull off onto the shoulder. What should you do first?

   • AStop in your lane first
   • BCheck the surface, signal, and slow down
   • CBrake hard while still on the road
   • DSwerve off quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Check the surface, signal, and slow down

   Shoulders can be soft or loose. Check it, signal, and slow down before you leave the road.

4. Question 4 of 20

   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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   A car is riding beside you in the next lane. What should you do?

   • ASpeed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot
   • BHonk and stay where you are
   • CMove closer to it
   • DStay beside it
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Speed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot

   Riding next to a car can put you in its blind spot, and it may move into your lane.

6. Question 6 of 20

   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 20

   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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   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.

9. Question 9 of 20

   In traffic, you can't avoid a small animal without swerving into danger. What should you do?

   • AStay in your lane
   • BBrake so hard you fall
   • CRide onto the sidewalk
   • DSwerve into oncoming traffic
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stay in your lane

   Hitting something small is less dangerous than hitting a car or truck.

10. Question 10 of 20

    How should you ride across a metal bridge grating?

    • AZigzag to keep traction
    • BBrake hard on the grating
    • CStop and walk the motorcycle across
    • DRelax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Relax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across

    The grating may make the motorcycle feel unsteady, but riding straight at a steady speed is safe.

11. Question 11 of 20

    Where is the clutch lever?

    • AUnder the seat
    • BAt your right foot
    • CIn front of the left handgrip
    • DIn front of the right handgrip
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In front of the left handgrip

    The clutch lever is on the left side of the handlebars.

12. Question 12 of 20

    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.

13. Question 13 of 20

    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.

14. Question 14 of 20

    In the diagram, marker 4 shows the passenger's feet. When should they stay on the passenger footpegs?

    • ANever; feet go on the ground
    • BAt all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
    • COnly at high speed
    • DOnly in turns
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped

    Tell your passenger to keep both feet on the footrests, even when stopped, and away from the muffler and chain.

15. Question 15 of 20

    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.

16. Question 16 of 20

    In T-CLOCS, what does the T stand for?

    • ATools
    • BThrottle
    • CTurn signals
    • DTires and wheels
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tires and wheels

    T-CLOCS: Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and other fluids, Chassis, Stands.

17. Question 17 of 20

    A driver is tailgating you and you can't change lanes. What should you do?

    • ASlow down a little to open more space in front of you
    • BSpeed up a lot
    • CStop in your lane
    • DBrake hard to warn them
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down a little to open more space in front of you

    Extra space ahead gives you and the tailgater more time to stop. If you can, change lanes and let them pass.

18. Question 18 of 20

    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.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Where is the greatest risk of conflict between motorcycles and other vehicles?

    • AOn bridges
    • BAt intersections
    • CIn parking garages
    • DOn straight rural roads
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At intersections

    Intersections are where other vehicles are most likely to cross your path.

20. Question 20 of 20

    In the diagram, marker 3 shows the passenger's hands. What should a passenger hold on to?

    • AThe rear fender
    • BThe rider's shoulders
    • CNothing; hands in the lap
    • DThe rider's waist or hips, or the passenger handholds
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The rider's waist or hips, or the passenger handholds

    Passengers should hold firmly to the rider's waist, hips or belt, or to the passenger handholds.

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