Tennessee Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What path through a curve does the diagram show?

   • AInside, then outside, then inside
   • BClose to the road edge the whole way
   • COutside, then inside, then outside
   • DThe center of the lane the whole way
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Outside, then inside, then outside

   With no traffic, enter at the outside, move toward the inside at the middle of the curve, and exit at the outside.

3. Question 3 of 25

   If your front tire goes flat, how will the steering feel?

   • ALight and easy
   • BExactly normal
   • CLoose only at high speed
   • DHeavy
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Heavy

   A flat front tire makes steering feel heavy. A flat rear tire may make the back jerk or sway.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How can you tell a helmet meets the US federal safety standard?

   • AIt weighs more than 5 pounds
   • BIt has a visor
   • CIt has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218
   • DIt is painted a bright color
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218

   Helmets that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 carry the DOT symbol from the maker.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What kind of gloves should a rider wear?

   • ANo gloves, for better grip
   • BFull-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material
   • CThin cotton gloves
   • DFingerless gloves
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Full-fingered gloves made of leather or a similar tough material

   Full-fingered gloves protect your hands and help you grip the controls.

10. Question 10 of 25

    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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

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

    • ALights and electrics
    • BLane position
    • CLoad
    • DLevers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Lights and electrics

    L is Lights and electrics: headlight, taillight, brake light, turn signals, battery and wiring.

14. Question 14 of 25

    During a swerve, what should your body do?

    • ALean the opposite way and brake
    • BStand up on the footrests
    • CLean farther than the motorcycle
    • DStay 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is T-CLOCS used for?

    • AChecking your motorcycle before you ride
    • BPlanning a group ride
    • CChoosing a lane position
    • DMeasuring following distance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Checking your motorcycle before you ride

    T-CLOCS is a checklist for inspecting your motorcycle before each ride.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does "Slow, Look, Press, Roll" describe?

    • AThe steps for making a turn
    • BHow to park on a hill
    • CHow to start the engine
    • DHow to pass a car
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The steps for making a turn

    To turn: slow before the turn, look through it, press the handgrip to lean, and roll on the throttle.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which part of the lane must a motorcycle always avoid?

    • AThe right third
    • BThe left third
    • CNone; choose the position that lets you see and be seen best
    • DThe center third
    Show answer

    Answer: C. None; choose the position that lets you see and be seen best

    No part of the lane needs to be avoided. Pick a position based on visibility, hazards and space around you.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    How do you check your brake light before riding?

    • ATurn on the high beam
    • BUse the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light
    • CRide at night and look behind you
    • DPress the horn
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Use the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light

    Each brake control should turn on the brake light by itself.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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