Pennsylvania Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   In the diagram, which lane position is the left third of the lane, next to the center line?

   • APosition 2
   • BPosition 1
   • CPosition 3
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Position 1

   Lane position 1 is the left third of the lane.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How should you ride over an object in the road that you cannot avoid?

   • ABrake hard as you hit it
   • BCross it as close to 90 degrees as you can, rising slightly off the seat
   • CSwerve over it at speed
   • DCross it at a shallow angle, staying seated
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Cross it as close to 90 degrees as you can, rising slightly off the seat

   Hit it straight on, keep a firm grip and rise slightly off the seat so your knees and elbows absorb the shock.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How should you sit so you can steer well?

    • ASo your elbows touch your knees
    • BSo your hands are above your shoulders
    • CSo your arms are slightly bent
    • DSo your arms are locked straight
    Show answer

    Answer: C. So your arms are slightly bent

    Sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent. This lets you press on the handlebars without strain.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Where should a beginner ride in a group?

    • ANext to another rider
    • BRight behind the leader
    • CAt the very back
    • DIn the lead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Right behind the leader

    Placing less experienced riders just behind the leader lets more experienced riders watch them from behind.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How should you cross a pavement seam or tracks that run parallel to your path?

    • AEdge across slowly at a slight angle
    • BMove away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees
    • CCross them at full speed at any angle
    • DRide along on top of them
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Move away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees

    Edging across a parallel seam can catch your tires. Cross at 45 degrees or more with a quick, sharp turn.

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

    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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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