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Motorcycle Permit Test: Hazards questions and answers

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Hazards

26 questions

  1. #1

    When railroad tracks or pavement seams run parallel to your course and you need to cross them, cross at an angle of at least:

    1. 10 degrees
    2. 25 degrees
    3. 45 degrees
    4. 5 degrees

    Answer: C. Move far enough away from parallel tracks or seams to cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees, then make a deliberate turn. Tracks that cross your lane are usually safest crossed by riding straight within your lane.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Railroad Tracks

  2. #2

    When riding over rain grooves or a bridge grating, you should:

    1. Brake hard
    2. Swerve to the shoulder
    3. Speed up quickly
    4. Relax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across

    Answer: D. The motorcycle may feel unsteady; avoid sudden changes and ride straight.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Grooves and Gratings

  3. #3

    On wet pavement, the best place to ride is usually:

    1. In the tire tracks left by cars
    2. In the center strip of the lane
    3. On painted lines
    4. On metal plates and manhole covers

    Answer: A. The center strip often holds oil; tire tracks usually give better traction.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Slippery Surfaces

  4. #4

    Which surface usually gives a motorcycle poor traction?

    1. Dry clean asphalt
    2. Painted lines and steel plates
    3. Dry concrete
    4. A freshly swept road

    Answer: B. Gravel, mud, leaves, painted lines, steel plates and wet pavement just after rain starts are slippery.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Slippery Surfaces

  5. #5

    If you cannot avoid a patch of ice, you should:

    1. Brake firmly
    2. Lean into a turn
    3. Keep the motorcycle upright, go as slowly as possible and stay off the brakes
    4. Accelerate hard to get across

    Answer: C. Keep it upright, go slow and do not brake on the ice.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Slippery Surfaces

  6. #6

    A primary cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes is:

    1. Riding too slowly
    2. Using both brakes
    3. Wearing a helmet
    4. Running wide in a curve

    Answer: D. Riders who enter curves too fast run wide; slow before the curve and look through it.

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

  7. #7

    If your throttle sticks open, you should:

    1. Use the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time
    2. Jump off the motorcycle
    3. Shift to a higher gear
    4. Keep riding until the fuel runs out

    Answer: A. Cut the engine and squeeze the clutch together, then brake to a stop.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Mechanical Problems: Stuck Throttle

  8. #8

    If the front wheel starts to wobble (shake), you should:

    1. Accelerate out of the wobble
    2. Close the throttle gradually and avoid braking
    3. Brake hard with the front brake
    4. Let go of the handlebars

    Answer: B. Do not accelerate or brake; ease off the throttle and grip firmly until it stops.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Mechanical Problems: Wobble

  9. #9

    If your chain or belt breaks while riding, you should:

    1. Speed up to coast home
    2. Shift to neutral and keep riding
    3. Close the throttle and brake to a stop in a safe area
    4. Lock the rear brake

    Answer: C. You lose power to the rear wheel; close the throttle and stop safely.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Mechanical Problems: Drive Train

  10. #10

    A small animal suddenly appears in your path. You should generally:

    1. Swerve sharply into the next lane
    2. Lock both brakes
    3. Jump the curb
    4. Stay in your lane — hitting something small is less dangerous than hitting something large

    Answer: D. Do your best to stay in your lane; for large animals such as deer, brake and prepare to stop.

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

  11. #11

    A dog chases your motorcycle. A good technique is to:

    1. Downshift, approach slowly, then speed up past the dog
    2. Kick at the dog
    3. Stop and wait
    4. Swerve toward the dog

    Answer: A. Slowing first, then accelerating away, leaves the dog behind.

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

  12. #12

    If you need to leave the road to stop, you should first:

    1. Brake hard on the road
    2. Check that the shoulder is firm, signal and pull well off the road
    3. Stop in the lane with hazards on
    4. Ride onto the grass at speed

    Answer: B. Loose or sloped shoulders are hard to ride and park on.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF, 18th ed.), Getting Off the Road

  13. #13

    If you must ride over a smaller obstacle, at what angle should you approach it?

    1. As close to 45˚ as possible
    2. As close to 30˚ as possible
    3. At a shallow angle of about 10˚
    4. As close to 90˚ as possible

    Answer: D. If you must go over a smaller obstacle, approach it at as close to a 90˚ angle as possible, with the motorcycle straight.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 62If you must go over a smaller obstacle, approach it at as close to a 90˚ angle as possible.

  14. #14

    When you have to ride over an obstacle, how can you absorb the shock?

    1. Stay seated and tighten your grip on the handlebars
    2. Lean back and lift your feet off the footrests
    3. Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footrests
    4. Sit low and press your knees tightly against the tank

    Answer: C. Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footrests so your knees and elbows can absorb the shock.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 62Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footrests to absorb the shock with your knees and elbows.

  15. #15

    When you cannot avoid an obstacle, just before your front tire touches it you should:

    1. Quickly roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end, then roll off
    2. Close the throttle completely and squeeze the clutch lever
    3. Apply the front brake firmly and hold it through contact
    4. Downshift sharply to slow the front wheel

    Answer: A. Just before contact, quickly roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end and then roll off.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 62Just before contact, quickly roll on the throttle slightly to lighten the front end and then roll off.

  16. #16

    After you ride over an object on the street, you should:

    1. Pull off the road and check your tires and rims for damage
    2. Keep riding and check your tires at the next fuel stop
    3. Pull off the road and check only your headlight and mirrors
    4. Ride slowly in the right lane until you get home

    Answer: A. If you ride over an object on the street, pull off the road and check your tires and rims for damage before riding any farther.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 62If you ride over an object on the street, pull off the road and check your tires and rims for damage before riding any farther.

  17. #17

    On a slippery surface, what can cause a skid?

    1. Squeezing the brake lever gradually
    2. Keeping a steady speed in a straight line
    3. Any sudden change in speed or direction
    4. Using both brakes with gentle pressure

    Answer: C. On slippery surfaces avoid sudden moves: any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 62Any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid.

  18. #18

    Why should you watch for oil spots when you stop?

    1. Oil on the tires will lock your front wheel
    2. You may slip and fall when you put your foot down
    3. Oil spots can hide potholes in your lane
    4. Oil on the road can catch fire near a hot exhaust

    Answer: B. Watch for oil spots when you put your foot down to stop; you may slip and fall.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 63Watch for oil spots when you put your foot down to stop. You may slip and fall.

  19. #19

    Where do dirt and gravel tend to collect, especially on curves and ramps?

    1. In the center of the lane
    2. In the left tire track of the lane
    3. On bridges and overpasses only
    4. Along the sides of the road

    Answer: D. Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the road, especially on curves and on ramps leading to and from highways.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 63Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the road — especially on curves and ramps leading to and from highways.

  20. #20

    Where do patches of ice tend to develop?

    1. On wide, sunny stretches of straight highway
    2. Only on gravel roads and dirt shoulders
    3. In the center of the lane at intersections
    4. In low or shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses

    Answer: D. Patches of ice tend to develop in low or shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses, because rain dries and snow melts faster in some places than in others.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 63Patches of ice tend to develop in low or shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses.

  21. #21

    Why is it usually safer to cross tracks by riding straight within your lane than by turning to take them at 90˚?

    1. Tracks cannot be crossed at an angle at all
    2. Turning to take them at 90˚ may put you into another lane of traffic
    3. Riding straight keeps the front tire from touching the tracks
    4. A 90˚ turn always makes the throttle stick open

    Answer: B. Usually it is safer to ride straight within your lane to cross tracks, because turning to take them at a 90˚ angle may put you into another lane of traffic.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 64Usually it is safer to ride straight within your lane to cross tracks. Turning to take tracks at a 90˚ angle can be more dangerous — the direction may put you into another lane of traffic.

  22. #22

    Most front-wheel wobbles can be traced to:

    1. Improper loading, unsuitable accessories or incorrect tire pressure
    2. Riding too slowly in a high gear
    3. Using too much front brake on straight roads
    4. A rear tire that is slightly wider than the front

    Answer: A. Most wobbles can be traced to improper loading, unsuitable accessories or incorrect tire pressure.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 67Most wobbles can be traced to improper loading, unsuitable accessories or incorrect tire pressure.

  23. #23

    A wobble may be caused by a heavy load. How should you reposition the weight?

    1. Higher and farther back on the motorcycle
    2. Higher and farther forward on the motorcycle
    3. Lower and farther forward on the motorcycle
    4. Lower and farther back, behind the rear axle

    Answer: C. If a heavy load causes a wobble, lighten it or reposition it, centering the weight lower and farther forward on the motorcycle.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 67If you are carrying a heavy load, lighten it or reposition it. Center the weight lower and farther forward on the motorcycle.

  24. #24

    On a motorcycle with a drive shaft, what can cause the rear wheel to lock?

    1. Loss of air in the rear tire
    2. Water in the fuel tank
    3. Loss of oil in the rear differential
    4. Too much oil in the engine

    Answer: C. On a motorcycle with a drive shaft, loss of oil in the rear differential can cause the rear wheel to lock, and you may not be able to prevent a skid.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 67On a motorcycle with a drive shaft, loss of oil in the rear differential can cause the rear wheel to lock, and you may not be able to prevent a skid.

  25. #25

    You notice signs of engine seizure, such as a loss of power or a change in engine sound. What should you do first?

    1. Squeeze the clutch lever to disengage the engine from the rear wheel
    2. Accelerate hard to clear the engine
    3. Apply the front brake firmly and shift to neutral
    4. Turn off the ignition and coast with the clutch released

    Answer: A. When the engine begins to seize, squeeze the clutch lever to disengage the engine from the rear wheel, then pull off the road and stop.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 67Squeeze the clutch lever to disengage the engine from the rear wheel.

  26. #26

    What should you do when you see a larger animal such as a deer, elk or cattle?

    1. Swerve around it at the same speed, because it will stay where it is
    2. Speed up and pass it quickly, because it will freeze when you approach
    3. Honk and keep your speed, because it will run away from the noise
    4. Brake and prepare to stop, because they are unpredictable

    Answer: D. For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle), brake and prepare to stop because they are unpredictable.

    Source: Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF), Utah Motorcycle Handbook 2024, p. 68For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle) brake and prepare to stop — they are unpredictable.
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