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Motorcycle Permit Test: Group riding questions and answers

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Group riding

20 questions

  1. #1

    In a staggered group formation, the second rider stays at least how many seconds behind the leader?

    1. Half a second
    2. One second
    3. Three seconds
    4. Four seconds

    Answer: B. Second rider: at least one second back; third rider: at least two seconds behind the leader.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Group Riding

  2. #2

    A riding group should switch to single-file formation:

    1. On long straight highways
    2. In curves and turns and when entering or leaving freeways
    3. Only at night
    4. Never

    Answer: B. Ride single file in curves, turns and on freeway entries and exits.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Group Riding

  3. #3

    In a group ride, inexperienced riders should be placed:

    1. At the very back
    2. Out in front as leader
    3. Just behind the leader
    4. Anywhere they like

    Answer: C. Put them behind the leader so the experienced lead and sweep riders can watch them.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Group Riding

  4. #4

    Two riders should never:

    1. Ride in a staggered formation
    2. Use hand signals
    3. Take breaks together
    4. Ride side by side in the same lane

    Answer: D. Side-by-side riding leaves no room to swerve; never ride directly alongside another rider.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Group Riding

  5. #5

    Before a group ride starts, the group should hold:

    1. A short practice ride to rank the riders by their speed and decide the riding order
    2. A rider's meeting to discuss the route, rest stops and locations for fuel, meals and lodging
    3. A meeting only if some riders are new to the group or have not ridden together
    4. A meeting after the first rest stop, once everyone has seen the route

    Answer: B. Before starting out, hold a rider's meeting to discuss the route, length of riding segments, rest stops and locations for fuel, meals and lodging.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 72Before starting out, hold a rider’s meeting to discuss the route, length of riding segments, rest stops and locations for fuel, meals and lodging.

  6. #6

    Why should everyone in a riding group know the route?

    1. So the lead rider can ride faster
    2. So hand signals are not needed
    3. So the sweep rider can skip the rider's meeting
    4. A separated rider won't have to hurry to keep from getting lost

    Answer: D. Make sure everyone knows the route so that, if someone becomes separated, he or she won't have to hurry to keep from getting lost or making a wrong turn.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 72Make sure everyone knows the route. That way, if someone becomes separated, he or she won’t have to hurry to keep from getting lost or making the wrong turn.

  7. #7

    In a group ride, the sweep rider is:

    1. The first rider, who watches the road ahead
    2. The fastest rider, who rides beside the leader
    3. The last rider in the group, who sets the pace
    4. The least experienced rider, who rides in the middle

    Answer: C. The sweep rider is the last rider in the group, and sets the pace for the group; the lead and sweep riders should be the most experienced.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 72The sweep rider is the last rider in the group, and sets the pace for the group.

  8. #8

    Which are the most important rules for group riding?

    1. No competition, no passing of other riders and no tailgating
    2. Keep up with the fastest rider, pass freely and ride close
    3. Ride side by side, pass freely and keep close
    4. No hand signals, no rest stops and no meetings

    Answer: A. The most important rules for group riding are: no competition, no passing of other riders and no tailgating.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 72The most important rules for group riding are: no competition, no passing of other riders and no tailgating.

  9. #9

    A rider insists on riding faster than the group. What should the group do?

    1. Let the rider go ahead to an agreed meeting point
    2. Speed up to keep the rider in sight
    3. Have the sweep rider chase the rider
    4. Ask the rider to ride beside the leader

    Answer: A. If a rider insists on riding faster than the group, allow him or her to go ahead to an agreed meeting point.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 72If a rider insists on riding faster than the group, allow him or her to go ahead to an agreed meeting point.

  10. #10

    In a staggered formation, where does the third rider ride?

    1. In the right position of the lane, at least two seconds behind the first rider
    2. In the left position, directly beside the first rider
    3. In the left position of the lane, at least two seconds behind the first rider
    4. In the right position, one second behind the second rider

    Answer: C. In a staggered formation the third rider maintains the left position of the lane, at least two seconds behind the first rider.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 73The third maintains the left position of the lane, at least two seconds behind the first rider.

  11. #11

    Which group formation is the best way to keep the ranks close yet maintain an adequate space cushion?

    1. Pairs riding side by side
    2. A staggered formation
    3. A tight bunch with no gaps
    4. Widely spaced individual riders

    Answer: B. The staggered formation is the best way to keep the ranks close yet maintain an adequate space cushion.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 72This is the best way to keep the ranks close yet maintain an adequate space cushion.

  12. #12

    For motorcyclists riding in a group, which place presents the highest risk?

    1. Long straight stretches of freeway
    2. Parking lots
    3. Rest stops
    4. Intersections

    Answer: D. Intersections present the highest risk for motorcyclists in a group.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 73Intersections present the highest risk for motorcyclists in a group.

  13. #13

    If not all riders in a group get through a traffic light, what should the riders who got through do?

    1. Speed up so the group stays together
    2. Slow down in the intersection and wait
    3. Run the red light together
    4. Stop at a safe point ahead and wait

    Answer: D. If not all riders get through the light, stop at a safe point ahead and wait; this prevents riders from feeling pressured to speed up or run a red light.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 73If not all riders get through the light, stop at a safe point ahead and wait. This will prevent riders from feeling pressured to speed up or run a red light.

  14. #14

    When a riding group enters a freeway, the riders should:

    1. Enter in staggered formation to stay close together
    2. Enter in single file and form up only after all have safely merged
    3. Enter side by side so the group arrives together
    4. Enter at different times and form up at the next exit

    Answer: B. A staggered formation is essential on freeways, but enter in single file and form up only after all riders have safely merged in traffic.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 73However, enter in single file and form up only after all riders have safely merged in traffic.

  15. #15

    On a freeway, why should the lead rider move the group over at least one lane?

    1. To prevent entering and exiting vehicles from disrupting the formation
    2. To pass slower traffic more easily and keep the group moving faster
    3. To leave room for the sweep rider to pass the group and take the lead
    4. To avoid having to slow the whole group down for each exit ramp

    Answer: A. The lead rider should move the group over at least one lane to prevent vehicles that are entering and exiting from disrupting the formation.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 73The lead rider should move the group over at least one lane to prevent vehicles that are entering and exiting from disrupting your formation.

  16. #16

    On a two-lane highway, riders in a staggered formation should pass:

    1. All together as a unit
    2. Two at a time, side by side
    3. One at a time
    4. In pairs, with the sweep rider first

    Answer: C. On a two-lane highway, riders in a staggered formation should pass one at a time; on a freeway the group may pass as a unit.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 73On a two-lane highway, riders in a staggered formation should pass one at a time.

  17. #17

    The lead rider has just passed safely. What should the second rider do before passing?

    1. Pass at once, because the way is known to be clear
    2. Follow the leader's path exactly without looking
    3. Check for oncoming traffic, because conditions may have changed
    4. Wait for the sweep rider's hand signal

    Answer: C. Just because the lead rider passed does not mean conditions haven't changed; make sure you have a clear view of oncoming traffic before passing.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 74Just because the lead rider passed, that does not mean that conditions haven’t changed and that it is still safe for other riders to pass.

  18. #18

    After passing a vehicle, why should the lead rider NOT move to the right side of the lane?

    1. It might encourage the second rider to pass and cut back in with too little space
    2. It would hide the lead rider from the sweep rider
    3. It would put the leader in the passed vehicle's blind spot
    4. It would force the riders behind to brake hard

    Answer: A. Moving right might encourage the second rider to pass and cut back in before there is enough space in front of the passed vehicle.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 74Some people suggest that the lead rider should move to the right side of the lane after passing the vehicle. This is not a good idea, since it might encourage the second rider to pass and cut back in before there is enough space cushion in front of the passed vehicle.

  19. #19

    The length of the route and its segments should be based on the ability of:

    1. The most experienced rider
    2. The average rider in the group
    3. The rider with the most powerful motorcycle
    4. The least experienced rider

    Answer: D. Base the length of the route and segments on the ability of the least experienced rider.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 75Base the length of the route and segments on ability of the least experienced rider.

  20. #20

    If riders in a group have very different abilities, what may be necessary?

    1. Letting the faster riders pass within the group
    2. Forming two groups with different speeds
    3. Putting the slowest riders at the front
    4. Having every rider ride in pairs

    Answer: B. Adjust the pace through curves to the ability of the least experienced rider; if necessary, form two groups with different speeds.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 75Adjust the pace through curves to the ability of the least experienced rider. If necessary, form two groups with different speeds.
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