South 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 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

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

    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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How should you hold the handgrips when you start out?

    • AWith your right wrist raised high
    • BFirmly, with your right wrist flat
    • CWith one hand only
    • DLoosely, with your fingertips
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Firmly, with your right wrist flat

    Starting with your right wrist flat helps keep you from using too much throttle by accident.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How should a passenger lean in turns?

    • AWith the rider, staying directly behind
    • BAgainst the turn
    • CBack, away from the rider
    • DStraight up, no matter what
    Show answer

    Answer: A. With the rider, staying directly behind

    The passenger should stay directly behind the rider and lean as the rider leans.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    If you need to brake and swerve, when should you brake?

    • ABefore or after the swerve, never during it
    • BOnly with the front brake during the swerve
    • CYou should never brake at all
    • DDuring the swerve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before or after the swerve, never during it

    Braking while swerving can cause a skid. Separate the two actions.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How should you brake on a slippery surface?

    • AUse both brakes gently
    • BUse only the front brake, hard
    • CUse only the rear brake, hard
    • DDo not brake at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Use both brakes gently

    On slippery roads, reduce speed, avoid sudden moves and use both brakes gently.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In a slow, tight turn, such as a U-turn, how should you lean?

    • APut both feet down and walk it around
    • BLean your body farther than the motorcycle
    • CKeep the motorcycle and your body straight up
    • DKeep your body upright while the motorcycle leans
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Keep your body upright while the motorcycle leans

    For slow, tight turns, lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight to counterbalance.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    On a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle?

    • AEvery six hours
    • BNever, if you feel fine
    • CAt least every two hours
    • DOnly when you need fuel
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least every two hours

    Fatigue affects control and judgment. Take frequent breaks.

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