Washington Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Why must you remember to turn off your turn signal?

   • ASignals are only for night
   • BOther drivers ignore signals
   • CIt saves fuel
   • DMany motorcycle signals do not turn off by themselves
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Many motorcycle signals do not turn off by themselves

   A signal left on can make drivers think you are about to turn.

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

   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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What equipment does a motorcycle need to carry a passenger?

   • AA seat big enough for two and footrests for the passenger
   • BOnly a backrest
   • CNothing extra
   • DA 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Why might you tap your brake to flash the brake light before slowing?

    • ATo test the bulb
    • BTo warn drivers behind you who may not expect you to slow
    • CTo signal a lane change
    • DBecause 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Your rear wheel locks during a quick stop on a good road surface. What can you do?

    • AShift to neutral and coast
    • BRelease the front brake
    • CKeep it locked until you have stopped
    • DTurn sharply off the road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep it locked until you have stopped

    On a good-traction surface you can keep the rear wheel locked until you stop.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    When should a riding group switch to single file?

    • AOnly in parking lots
    • BOn long straight roads
    • CIn curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway
    • DNever
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In curves, in turns, and when entering or leaving a highway

    Single file gives each rider room to choose a line in curves and turns.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does SEE stand for?

    • ASearch, Evaluate, Execute
    • BScan, Examine, Exit
    • CSignal, Enter, Exit
    • DSee, Estimate, Escape
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Search, Evaluate, Execute

    SEE is a three-step way to handle traffic: Search, Evaluate, Execute.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In the diagram, marker 3 shows the passenger's hands. What should a passenger hold on to?

    • AThe rear fender
    • BThe rider's shoulders
    • CNothing; hands in the lap
    • DThe rider's waist or hips, or the passenger handholds
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The rider's waist or hips, or the passenger handholds

    Passengers should hold firmly to the rider's waist, hips or belt, or to the passenger handholds.

23. Question 23 of 25

    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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    In the staggered formation shown, where does the leader (rider 1) ride?

    • AIn the right part of the lane
    • BExactly in the center
    • COn the shoulder
    • DIn 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A tire goes flat while you are riding. What should you do?

    • AHold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course
    • BTurn sharply off the road
    • CSpeed up to keep balance
    • DBrake hard with both brakes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course

    Stay straight and slow down gradually. If you must brake, gently use the brake on the good tire.

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