South Dakota Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   On most motorcycles, how do you shift gears?

   • AWith a lever on the right handlebar
   • BWith the pedal at your right foot
   • CWith the lever at your left foot
   • DWith a lever on the left handlebar
   Show answer

   Answer: C. With the lever at your left foot

   The gear shift lever is in front of the left footrest.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Where should a passenger sit?

   • AOn the gas tank
   • BAs far back as possible
   • CAs far forward as possible without crowding the rider
   • DSideways on the seat
   Show answer

   Answer: C. As far forward as possible without crowding the rider

   Sitting close to the rider keeps the weight forward and helps balance.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When do most motorcycle crashes happen?

   • AOn short trips, a few minutes after starting out
   • BOnly in rain
   • COnly on long highway trips
   • DOnly after midnight
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On short trips, a few minutes after starting out

   Most crashes happen on short trips, so wear all your gear every time you ride, even for a quick errand.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Your throttle sticks and twisting it back and forth does not free it. What should you do?

    • AOperate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time
    • BShift to a higher gear
    • CUse only the rear brake
    • DJump off the motorcycle
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Operate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time

    This removes power from the rear wheel. Then pull off and stop.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

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

    When is a road most slippery in the rain?

    • AAfter hours of steady rain
    • BAs soon as the rain stops
    • CJust after the rain starts, before oil washes away
    • DIt is the same the whole time
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Just after the rain starts, before oil washes away

    Oil on the road mixes with the first rain and makes the surface very slippery.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In heavy traffic, drivers sometimes try to squeeze into your lane. How can you discourage this?

    • ARide on the shoulder
    • BRide in the center portion of the lane
    • CRide very close to the car ahead
    • DRide on the lane line
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Ride in the center portion of the lane

    Keeping a center position makes it harder for drivers to share your lane.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Where is the greatest risk of conflict between motorcycles and other vehicles?

    • AOn bridges
    • BAt intersections
    • CIn parking garages
    • DOn straight rural roads
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At intersections

    Intersections are where other vehicles are most likely to cross your path.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Who should carry passengers or large loads?

    • AOnly experienced riders
    • BAnyone with a permit
    • CNew riders who want practice
    • DAnyone, after one ride
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only experienced riders

    Extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances, speeds up and slows down.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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The real test: 80% or higher