South Dakota Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   In T-CLOCS, what does the S stand for?

   • ASignals
   • BSpeed
   • CStands
   • DSeat
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stands

   S is Stands: the side stand and center stand should hold the motorcycle and spring back up.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Why wear bright or reflective clothing?

   • ADark colors are illegal
   • BIt replaces a helmet
   • CIt keeps you cooler
   • DIt helps other drivers see you
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It helps other drivers see you

   Bright colors and reflective material make you easier to see, in the day and at night.

4. Question 4 of 20

   On most motorcycles, how do you use the rear brake?

   • AWith the pedal at your right foot
   • BWith the lever at your left hand
   • CWith the pedal at your left foot
   • DWith the lever at your right hand
   Show answer

   Answer: A. With the pedal at your right foot

   The rear brake pedal is usually in front of the right footrest.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Why should you avoid stimulants to stay awake on a ride?

   • AThey can cause extreme tiredness when they wear off
   • BThey make you sleepy right away
   • CThey are only legal at night
   • DThey improve your balance
   Show answer

   Answer: A. They can cause extreme tiredness when they wear off

   Artificial stimulants often lead to extreme fatigue or depression when they wear off.

6. Question 6 of 20

   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.

7. Question 7 of 20

   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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   On a wet road, which part of the lane is usually best?

   • AThe shoulder
   • BOver the painted lines
   • CThe tire tracks left by cars
   • DThe oily center strip
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The tire tracks left by cars

   Car tire tracks are often the driest and cleanest part of the lane.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    When should your headlight be on?

    • AOnly at night
    • BAt all times, day and night
    • COnly in the rain
    • DOnly in tunnels
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At all times, day and night

    A headlight that is on in daylight makes a motorcycle much easier to notice.

11. Question 11 of 20

    When you follow a car, where should you ride?

    • ARight beside the rear bumper
    • BWhere the driver can see you in the rearview mirror
    • CIn the driver's blind spot
    • DClose to the road edge
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Where the driver can see you in the rearview mirror

    Riding in the center of the lane usually puts you in the middle of the driver's rearview mirror.

12. Question 12 of 20

    How should you ride when carrying a passenger?

    • ABrake later than usual
    • BA little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space
    • CFollow other vehicles more closely
    • DFaster, to keep your balance
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space

    With a passenger, the motorcycle takes longer to speed up and to stop.

13. Question 13 of 20

    You will ride a borrowed motorcycle for the first time. What should you do?

    • ALearn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it
    • BAssume it is just like yours
    • CRide fast to test it
    • DSkip the pre-ride check
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Learn where its controls are and ride carefully until you are used to it

    Controls and handling differ between motorcycles. Get familiar with them in a safe place first.

14. Question 14 of 20

    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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 20

    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.

20. Question 20 of 20

    In the diagram, marker 4 shows the passenger's feet. When should they stay on the passenger footpegs?

    • ANever; feet go on the ground
    • BAt all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
    • COnly at high speed
    • DOnly in turns
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped

    Tell your passenger to keep both feet on the footrests, even when stopped, and away from the muffler and chain.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 80% or higher