Virginia Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   You want to turn left at normal speed. Which handgrip do you press forward?

   • AThe right handgrip
   • BThe left handgrip
   • CBoth grips equally
   • DNeither; you lean your body only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The left handgrip

   Press left, lean left, go left.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A driver is tailgating you and you can't change lanes. What should you do?

    • ASlow down a little to open more space in front of you
    • BSpeed up a lot
    • CStop in your lane
    • DBrake 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Why start a curve near the outside of your lane when no traffic is present?

    • AIt hides you from other drivers
    • BIt keeps you on the shoulder
    • CYou can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp
    • DIt lets you brake in the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: C. You can see farther around the curve and make the turn less sharp

    Starting at the outside improves your line of sight and makes the curve's path wider and gentler.

13. Question 13 of 25

    In a slow, tight turn, such as a U-turn, how should you lean?

    • APut both feet down and walk it around
    • BLean your body farther than the motorcycle
    • CKeep the motorcycle and your body straight up
    • DKeep 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Item 6 in the diagram shows boots. How high should riding boots be?

    • ABelow the ankle
    • BOnly knee-high boots are safe
    • CAny height, if they are leather
    • DHigh enough to cover your ankles
    Show answer

    Answer: D. High enough to cover your ankles

    Sturdy boots that cover the ankles protect them and give support. Soles should be hard and slip-resistant.

19. Question 19 of 25

    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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Your front wheel locks during a quick stop. What should you do?

    • AKeep the front wheel locked
    • BRelease both brakes and coast
    • CTurn the handlebars sharply
    • DRelease 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Where should you look as you go through a turn?

    • AAt the center line
    • BThrough the turn, toward where you want to go
    • CDown at your front wheel
    • DStraight 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Where is the front brake lever?

    • AIn front of the left handgrip
    • BAt your left foot
    • CIn front of the right handgrip
    • DAt your right foot
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In front of the right handgrip

    The front brake lever is on the right side of the handlebars.

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