South Dakota Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 6 for the South Dakota Motorcycle Permit Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Motorcycle
South Dakota
130 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
If you need to brake and swerve, when should you brake?
- Before or after the swerve, never during it
- Only with the front brake during the swerve
- You should never brake at all
- During 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.
Question 2 of 25
What should your riding jacket and pants do?
- Leave your arms bare in hot weather
- Be loose enough to flap in the wind
- Be made of thin cotton
- Cover 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.
Question 3 of 25
A car is riding beside you in the next lane. What should you do?
- Speed up or drop back so you are not in its blind spot
- Honk and stay where you are
- Move closer to it
- Stay 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.
Question 4 of 25
A driver is tailgating you and you can't change lanes. What should you do?
- Slow down a little to open more space in front of you
- Speed up a lot
- Stop in your lane
- Brake 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.
Question 5 of 25
What is T-CLOCS used for?
- Checking your motorcycle before you ride
- Planning a group ride
- Choosing a lane position
- Measuring following distance
Show answer
Answer: A. Checking your motorcycle before you ride
T-CLOCS is a checklist for inspecting your motorcycle before each ride.
Question 6 of 25
Just before your front wheel hits an object, what should you do?
- Brake hard
- Pull in the clutch
- Roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end
- Lean 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.
Question 7 of 25
During a swerve, what should your body do?
- Lean the opposite way and brake
- Stand up on the footrests
- Lean farther than the motorcycle
- Stay upright while the motorcycle leans under you
Show answer
Answer: D. Stay upright while the motorcycle leans under you
Keep your body upright and let the motorcycle lean quickly beneath you.
Question 8 of 25
You want to turn left at normal speed. Which handgrip do you press forward?
- The right handgrip
- The left handgrip
- Both grips equally
- Neither; you lean your body only
Show answer
Answer: B. The left handgrip
Press left, lean left, go left.
Question 9 of 25
Why might you tap your brake to flash the brake light before slowing?
- To test the bulb
- To warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
- To signal a lane change
- Because 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.
Question 10 of 25
In the diagram, which lane position is the center third of the lane?
- Position 3
- Position 2
- Position 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.
Question 11 of 25
What is the most important piece of gear for surviving a motorcycle crash?
- A helmet that is securely fastened
- Leather gloves
- A heavy jacket
- Tall 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.
Question 12 of 25
How should you cross a pavement seam or tracks that run parallel to your path?
- Edge across slowly at a slight angle
- Move away from them, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees
- Cross them at full speed at any angle
- Ride 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.
Question 13 of 25
In the staggered formation shown, where does the leader (rider 1) ride?
- In the right part of the lane
- Exactly in the center
- On the shoulder
- In 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.
Question 14 of 25
In a normal turn like the one shown, how should your body lean?
- Farther than the motorcycle
- With the motorcycle, at the same angle
- Opposite the motorcycle
- Straight 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.
Question 15 of 25
Where should you look as you go through a turn?
- At the center line
- Through the turn, toward where you want to go
- Down at your front wheel
- Straight 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.
Question 16 of 25
Where is the clutch lever?
- Under the seat
- At your right foot
- In front of the left handgrip
- In 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.
Question 17 of 25
On a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle?
- Every six hours
- Never, if you feel fine
- At least every two hours
- Only when you need fuel
Show answer
Answer: C. At least every two hours
Fatigue affects control and judgment. Take frequent breaks.
Question 18 of 25
How should you ride across a metal bridge grating?
- Zigzag to keep traction
- Brake hard on the grating
- Stop and walk the motorcycle across
- Relax, 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.
Question 19 of 25
Your front wheel locks during a quick stop. What should you do?
- Keep the front wheel locked
- Release both brakes and coast
- Turn the handlebars sharply
- Release 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.
Question 20 of 25
Which tire problems should you check for before you ride?
- Low air pressure, worn tread, cuts and bulges
- The age of the rims' paint
- The brand name
- The 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.
Question 21 of 25
About how far ahead should you scan for hazards?
- About 2 seconds ahead
- About 30 seconds ahead
- About 12 seconds ahead
- Only 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.
Question 22 of 25
What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?
- A seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
- Only a backrest
- Nothing extra
- A 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.
Question 23 of 25
Why are ordinary glasses or sunglasses poor eye protection on a motorcycle?
- They make your helmet too tight
- They don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off
- They are always too dark
- They 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.
Question 24 of 25
In a slow, tight turn, such as a U-turn, how should you lean?
- Put both feet down and walk it around
- Lean your body farther than the motorcycle
- Keep the motorcycle and your body straight up
- Keep 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.
Question 25 of 25
What is a swerve?
- A slow lane change
- A skid caused by braking
- A U-turn
- Two 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.

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