West Virginia Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Marker 1 in the diagram shows the rider's head. What should you do with your head in a turn?

   • AKeep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon
   • BKeep it turned to the side
   • CTilt it with the motorcycle
   • DLook down at the road just ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Keep it level, with your eyes in line with the horizon

   Turn just your head to look through the turn, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which brake gives most of your stopping power?

   • ABoth give exactly the same
   • BThe engine
   • CThe rear brake
   • DThe front brake
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The front brake

   The front brake provides about 70 percent or more of your stopping power.

8. Question 8 of 25

   How do you measure your following distance, as shown in the diagram?

   • AWatch the driver's brake lights
   • BWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count seconds until you reach it
   • CLook at your speedometer
   • DCount 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    In the diagram, which lane position is the center third of the lane?

    • APosition 3
    • BPosition 2
    • CPosition 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Where is the clutch lever?

    • AUnder the seat
    • BAt your right foot
    • CIn front of the left handgrip
    • DIn front of the right handgrip
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In front of the left handgrip

    The clutch lever is on the left side of the handlebars.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How should you park a motorcycle at a curb?

    • AParallel to the curb
    • BOn the sidewalk
    • CAt a 90-degree angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb
    • DIn the middle of the lane
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At a 90-degree angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb

    Parking at an angle with the rear wheel at the curb takes little space and lets you ride out forward.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which hand controls the throttle?

    • AThe right hand
    • BNeither; it is a foot pedal
    • CEither hand
    • DThe left hand
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The right hand

    The throttle is the right handgrip. Twist it toward you to speed up.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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