South Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What should you do before changing lanes?

   • ACheck your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot
   • BOnly sound your horn
   • COnly check your mirrors
   • DSpeed up first
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot

   Mirrors do not show everything. A head check covers your blind spots.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    When should you NOT wear a tinted face shield or tinted glasses?

    • AAt night or in low light
    • BOn the highway
    • COn sunny days
    • DOn hot days
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At night or in low light

    Tinted eye protection blocks light you need to see at night and in dim conditions.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What is countersteering, as shown in the diagram?

    • ATurning the handlebars sharply toward the turn
    • BSteering with the rear brake
    • CPressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean
    • DLeaning your body only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean

    Pressing forward on the grip on the side of the turn makes the motorcycle lean and turn that way.

20. Question 20 of 25

    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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A dog starts to chase your motorcycle. What should you do?

    • AStop and wait for it to leave
    • BSlow down as you approach, then speed up and leave it behind
    • CSwerve toward it
    • DKick at the dog
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Slow down as you approach, then speed up and leave it behind

    Downshift and approach slowly. As you reach the dog, accelerate away. Never kick at it.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A tire goes flat while you are riding. What should you do?

    • AHold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
    • BTurn sharply off the road
    • CSpeed up to keep balance
    • DBrake hard with both brakes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course

    Stay straight and slow down gradually. If you must brake, gently use the brake on the good tire.

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