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Motorcycle Permit Knowledge Test (U.S., Class M)

Lane position and space cushion: practice questions

Our Motorcycle Permit bank has 29 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1

Which hazard is listed for being passed by a car?

  1. Extended mirrors that stick out farther than the fenders
  2. The car's exhaust fumes, which can make you light-headed
  3. The car's headlights
  4. The car's radio antenna
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A. Extended mirrors that stick out farther than the fenders — Avoid being hit by the vehicle, extended mirrors, objects thrown from windows and wind blasts.

Question 2

When following a car, where should you ride so the driver is most likely to see you?

  1. In the far right portion, so that the driver sees you in the right-hand side mirror instead
  2. Where your image is in the middle of the driver's rearview mirror, usually the centre portion
  3. Directly behind the car's rear bumper in the right portion, where the driver can hear your engine best
  4. Directly behind the car's blind spot
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B. Where your image is in the middle of the driver's rearview mirror, usually the centre portion — The centre portion should put you in the middle of the rearview mirror, which drivers check far more often than side mirrors.

Question 3

Before passing, where in your lane should you ride?

  1. The right portion, close behind the vehicle ahead
  2. The centre, right behind the bumper
  3. The left portion, at a safe following distance
  4. On the shoulder
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C. The left portion, at a safe following distance — Ride in the left portion of the lane at a safe distance to increase your line of sight and be more visible.

Question 4

Why is speeding up a poor way to deal with a tailgater?

  1. It uses too much fuel and is always illegal, even when you stay under the limit
  2. You just end up with someone tailgating you at a higher speed
  3. It is always illegal
  4. It turns off your brake light
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B. You just end up with someone tailgating you at a higher speed — Speeding up to lose a tailgater only ends with someone tailgating you at a higher speed.

Question 5

Why keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when stopped?

  1. So that the driver of the car ahead can see your headlight in the rearview mirror at the light
  2. It keeps your engine cooler in hot weather and stops exhaust fumes from the car ahead from reaching you
  3. It saves fuel when pulling away
  4. It gives you room to escape if someone bears down from behind, or if the vehicle ahead backs up
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D. It gives you room to escape if someone bears down from behind, or if the vehicle ahead backs up — Keeping well back when stopped makes it easier to get out of the way and gives a cushion if the vehicle ahead backs up.

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