Washington Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

Practice test 6 of 6 for the Washington Motorcycle Permit Practice Test: 20 more questions with answers and explanations.

Motorcycle
Washington
128 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 20
Why should you avoid stimulants to stay awake on a ride?
- They can cause extreme tiredness when they wear off
- They make you sleepy right away
- They are only legal at night
- They 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.
Question 2 of 20
What should your riding jacket and pants do?
- Leave your arms bare in hot weather
- Be loose enough to flap in the wind
- Be made of thin cotton
- Cover your arms and legs completely
Show answer
Answer: D. Cover your arms and legs completely
A jacket and pants should cover arms and legs completely. Leather or sturdy synthetic material protects best.
Question 3 of 20
Why wear bright or reflective clothing?
- Dark colors are illegal
- It replaces a helmet
- It keeps you cooler
- It 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.
Question 4 of 20
What is a good sign that a motorcycle fits you?
- Your knees are above the handlebars
- You cannot reach the controls without leaning
- You must stand on tiptoe on one foot
- You 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.
Question 5 of 20
When should you leave three seconds or more behind the vehicle ahead?
- Only in parking lots
- Never; two seconds is always enough
- On slippery roads, at night, in heavy traffic, or when you can't see past the vehicle ahead
- Only on sunny days
Show answer
Answer: C. On slippery roads, at night, in heavy traffic, or when you can't see past the vehicle ahead
Increase your following distance when you need more time to see hazards or to stop.
Question 6 of 20
You need to pull off onto the shoulder. What should you do first?
- Stop in your lane first
- Check the surface, signal, and slow down
- Brake hard while still on the road
- Swerve off quickly
Show answer
Answer: B. Check the surface, signal, and slow down
Shoulders can be soft or loose. Check it, signal, and slow down before you leave the road.
Question 7 of 20
What is countersteering, as shown in the diagram?
- Turning the handlebars sharply toward the turn
- Steering with the rear brake
- Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward to start a lean
- Leaning 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.
Question 8 of 20
How do you stop as quickly as possible?
- Use only the rear brake
- Pull in the clutch and coast
- Apply both brakes fully without locking either wheel
- Use only the front brake
Show answer
Answer: C. Apply both brakes fully without locking either wheel
In a quick stop, squeeze the front brake firmly and press the rear brake, without locking the wheels.
Question 9 of 20
Which hand controls the throttle?
- The right hand
- Neither; it is a foot pedal
- Either hand
- The left hand
Show answer
Answer: A. The right hand
The throttle is the right handgrip. Twist it toward you to speed up.
Question 10 of 20
How do you check your brake light before riding?
- Turn on the high beam
- Use the front lever and the rear pedal one at a time and see that each turns on the light
- Ride at night and look behind you
- Press 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.
Question 11 of 20
In the diagram, which lane position is the center third of the lane?
- Position 3
- Position 2
- Position 1
Show answer
Answer: B. Position 2
Lane position 2 is the center of the lane. Position 1 is the left third and position 3 is the right third.
Question 12 of 20
Why are ordinary glasses or sunglasses poor eye protection on a motorcycle?
- They make your helmet too tight
- They don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off
- They are always too dark
- They fog up only at night
Show answer
Answer: B. They don't stop wind from reaching your eyes and may blow off
Glasses won't keep your eyes from watering in the wind, and they can blow off when you turn your head.
Question 13 of 20
In the diagram, the rider presses the right handgrip forward. Which way does the motorcycle lean and turn?
- It only slows down
- To the left
- It goes straight
- To the right
Show answer
Answer: D. To the right
This is countersteering: press right, lean right, go right.
Question 14 of 20
How should you ride when carrying a passenger?
- Brake later than usual
- A little slower, start slowing earlier, and leave more space
- Follow other vehicles more closely
- Faster, 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.
Question 15 of 20
What is the most important piece of gear for surviving a motorcycle crash?
- A helmet that is securely fastened
- Leather gloves
- A heavy jacket
- Tall 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.
Question 16 of 20
How do you measure your following distance, as shown in the diagram?
- Watch the driver's brake lights
- When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count seconds until you reach it
- Look at your speedometer
- Count car lengths
Show answer
Answer: B. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count seconds until you reach it
Pick a fixed point. When the vehicle ahead passes it, count. If you reach it before two seconds, you are too close.
Question 17 of 20
How should you brake on a slippery surface?
- Use both brakes gently
- Use only the front brake, hard
- Use only the rear brake, hard
- Do 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.
Question 18 of 20
Who should carry passengers or large loads?
- Only experienced riders
- Anyone with a permit
- New riders who want practice
- Anyone, after one ride
Show answer
Answer: A. Only experienced riders
Extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances, speeds up and slows down.
Question 19 of 20
In the diagram, marker 4 shows the passenger's feet. When should they stay on the passenger footpegs?
- Never; feet go on the ground
- At all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped
- Only at high speed
- Only 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.
Question 20 of 20
On a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle?
- Every six hours
- Never, if you feel fine
- At least every two hours
- Only when you need fuel
Show answer
Answer: C. At least every two hours
Fatigue affects control and judgment. Take frequent breaks.

Related tests