Washington Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

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

   Item 1 in the diagram is a full-face helmet. Which type of helmet gives the most protection?

   • AA half helmet
   • BA full-face helmet
   • CA three-quarter (open-face) helmet
   • DA cap with a sun visor
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A full-face helmet

   A full-face helmet covers your face and chin as well as your head, so it protects the most.

3. Question 3 of 25

   About how many hours a day do experienced riders usually ride at most?

   • AAbout ten hours
   • BAbout twelve hours
   • CAbout six hours
   • DAs many as possible
   Show answer

   Answer: C. About six hours

   Experienced riders seldom ride more than about six hours a day.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How should you ride over an object in the road that you cannot avoid?

   • ABrake hard as you hit it
   • BCross it as close to 90 degrees as you can, rising slightly off the seat
   • CSwerve over it at speed
   • DCross it at a shallow angle, staying seated
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Cross it as close to 90 degrees as you can, rising slightly off the seat

   Hit it straight on, keep a firm grip and rise slightly off the seat so your knees and elbows absorb the shock.

7. Question 7 of 25

   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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   In a normal turn like the one shown, how should your body lean?

   • AFarther than the motorcycle
   • BWith the motorcycle, at the same angle
   • COpposite the motorcycle
   • DStraight up while the motorcycle leans
   Show answer

   Answer: B. With the motorcycle, at the same angle

   In normal turns, the rider and the motorcycle lean together at the same angle.

9. Question 9 of 25

   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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    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.

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

    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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In T-CLOCS, what does the second C stand for?

    • ACarburetor
    • BClutch
    • CChassis
    • DCargo
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Chassis

    The second C is Chassis: the frame, suspension, chain or belt, and fasteners.

24. Question 24 of 25

    About how far ahead should you scan for hazards?

    • AAbout 2 seconds ahead
    • BAbout 30 seconds ahead
    • CAbout 12 seconds ahead
    • DOnly to the vehicle in front
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 12 seconds ahead

    Look about 12 seconds ahead so you have time to spot and avoid hazards.

25. Question 25 of 25

    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.

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