South Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   Why might you tap your brake to flash the brake light before slowing?

   • ATo test the bulb
   • BTo warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
   • CTo signal a lane change
   • DBecause it is required at every stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. To warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow

   Flashing your brake light helps before a sharp turn off a fast road or before pulling off the road.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 20

   A car is passing you from behind. Where in your lane should you ride?

   • AOn the shoulder
   • BOn the lane line
   • CClose to the passing car
   • DIn the center portion of your lane
   Show answer

   Answer: D. In the center portion of your lane

   The center keeps you away from the passing car, its mirrors, things thrown from windows and blasts of wind.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 20

   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.

7. Question 7 of 20

   When should a riding group switch to single file?

   • AOnly in parking lots
   • BOn long straight roads
   • CIn curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
   • DNever
   Show answer

   Answer: C. In curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway

   Single file gives each rider room to choose a line in curves and turns.

8. Question 8 of 20

   What is the most important piece of gear for surviving a motorcycle crash?

   • AA helmet that is securely fastened
   • BLeather gloves
   • CA heavy jacket
   • DTall boots
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A helmet that is securely fastened

   The manual calls a securely fastened helmet the most important factor in surviving a crash.

9. Question 9 of 20

   What should you do with the throttle as you go through a turn?

   • AClose it completely
   • BBrake hard instead
   • CRoll it on to keep or slightly increase your speed
   • DPull in the clutch
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Roll it on to keep or slightly increase your speed

   Rolling on the throttle steadily keeps the motorcycle stable through the turn.

10. Question 10 of 20

    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.

11. Question 11 of 20

    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.

12. Question 12 of 20

    Your rear wheel locks during a quick stop on a good road surface. What can you do?

    • AShift to neutral and coast
    • BRelease the front brake
    • CKeep it locked until you have stopped
    • DTurn sharply off the road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep it locked until you have stopped

    On a good-traction surface you can keep the rear wheel locked until you stop.

13. Question 13 of 20

    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.

14. Question 14 of 20

    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.

15. Question 15 of 20

    What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?

    • AA seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
    • BOnly a backrest
    • CNothing extra
    • DA second set of handlebars
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger

    The passenger needs a proper seat and their own footrests, plus the same protective gear as the rider.

16. Question 16 of 20

    What is lane splitting?

    • ARiding on the shoulder
    • BRiding two motorcycles side by side in one lane
    • CChanging lanes quickly
    • DRiding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Riding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving traffic

    Lane splitting means riding between rows of vehicles. Most states do not allow it; check your state's law.

17. Question 17 of 20

    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.

18. Question 18 of 20

    In the diagram, the rider presses the right handgrip forward. Which way does the motorcycle lean and turn?

    • AIt only slows down
    • BTo the left
    • CIt goes straight
    • DTo the right
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To the right

    This is countersteering: press right, lean right, go right.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

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