Connecticut Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent at the handgrips

Sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent when you hold the handgrips. Bending your arms lets you press on the handlebars without reaching.

Correct answer: A DOT-compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing

Your gear is "right" if it protects you. A DOT-compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing give you the best chance of avoiding serious injury.

Correct answer: Apply both brakes at the same time

Maximum straight-line braking uses both brakes together without locking either wheel. Squeeze the front brake firmly and progressively while pressing the rear — both brakes stop you sooner than either one alone.

Correct answer: Operating a motorcycle on public highways

A motorcycle endorsement, shown by the letter "M" on a Connecticut driver's license, authorizes you to operate a motorcycle on public highways.

Correct answer: Prohibited

Both a car and a motorcycle need a full lane to operate safely, so lane sharing is prohibited. Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars leaves you vulnerable to a hand out a window, an opening door, or a car that turns suddenly.

Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

SEE — Search, Evaluate, Execute — is a three-step way to spot hazards early, think through how they could affect you, and act with enough time and space to stay safe.

Correct answer: Keep from accidentally using too much throttle

Holding the handgrips firmly with your right wrist flat helps keep you from accidentally applying too much throttle.

Correct answer: One out of five

One out of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries, which is why head protection matters so much.

Correct answer: Front brake

As you brake, weight shifts forward onto the front tire, giving it grip — the front brake can provide 70% or more of your total stopping power. Use it firmly, but squeeze it, never grab it.

Correct answer: Any Connecticut driver's license holder who operates a motorcycle

Any holder of a Connecticut driver's license who operates a motorcycle must have a motorcycle endorsement (or a motorcycle learner's permit).

Correct answer: Against the law

Connecticut law states a motorcycle operator shall not operate between lanes of traffic, and shall not pass another motor vehicle in the same lane. Unlike California, Connecticut does not allow lane splitting — a violation is an infraction.

Correct answer: Scan aggressively ahead, to the sides, and behind — about 12 seconds ahead

Searching means keeping your eyes moving — using your "RiderRadar" to scan ahead, to both sides, and behind. Look about 12 seconds up the road so a developing hazard never surprises you.

Correct answer: Keep them against the gas tank to help hold your balance

Keep your knees against the gas tank. This helps you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns.

Correct answer: Half

At the speeds where most crashes occur, helmets can cut both the number and the severity of head and neck injuries by half.

Correct answer: Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it smoothly with less pressure

A locked front wheel means an immediate loss of steering and balance. Release the front brake at once, then reapply it smoothly — failing to release it right away will result in a crash.

Correct answer: Complete an approved novice motorcycle-training course

Every applicant must complete a novice motorcycle-training course approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles — it includes classroom and on-cycle skills training. Proof of completion is presented to the DMV before the "M" is added.

Correct answer: The full use of a single traffic lane

The operator of a motorcycle is entitled to the full use of any single traffic lane. Ride where you are most visible and keep a space cushion — no part of your lane needs to be given up to another vehicle.

Correct answer: Think about how the hazards you spotted could interact and create risks, and plan a response

To evaluate is to anticipate: think through how road conditions, traffic, and control devices could combine to reach you, and have a plan and an escape path ready before you need it.

Correct answer: Stay firmly on the footrests with toes level, not pointing down

Keep your feet firmly on the footrests and don't drag them. Keep toes from pointing down, or they may get caught between the road and the footrests.

Correct answer: No — studies show it still lets you see as far to the sides as needed

A DOT-compliant helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary. Studies show a helmet does not keep a rider from spotting danger.