Hawaii Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Steer the motorcycle, rather than to hold yourself up

Position yourself comfortably so you can operate all the controls and use your arms to steer the motorcycle, rather than to hold yourself up. This lets you react quickly to hazards.

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

Your gear is “right” if it protects you. In any crash you have a far better chance of avoiding serious injury if you wear a DOT-compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.

Correct answer: Just after it starts to rain, before surface oil washes to the side

Wet pavement offers the poorest traction right after it starts to rain, before the surface oil washes to the side of the road. Slow down and add space in those first minutes.

Correct answer: The general driver knowledge test

In Hawaii the motorcycle written requirement is the general driver knowledge test — the same rules-of-the-road, signs, and safe-driving test car applicants take. You must pass it plus a motorcycle riding skills test.

Correct answer: Prohibited — cars and motorcycles each need a full lane

Lane sharing is prohibited in Hawaii (HRS § 291C-153(c)). Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely, and squeezing between rows of cars leaves you dangerously exposed.

Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

SEE — Search, Evaluate, Execute — is a step-by-step way to assess traffic so you can plan and carry out the safest course of action as situations change around you.

Correct answer: Against the gas tank, to help keep your balance as the motorcycle turns

Keep your knees against the gas tank to help you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns.

Correct answer: One out of every five

One out of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries. Head and neck injuries account for a majority of serious and fatal injuries to motorcyclists, and are greatly reduced by wearing a quality helmet.

Correct answer: In the tire tracks left by cars, often the left track

The center of a lane can be greasy and hazardous when wet. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars — often the left track is best, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Correct answer: A motorcycle riding skills test and a vision test

You must pass the general driver knowledge test, a motorcycle riding skills test, and a vision test. Passing the knowledge and vision exams earns you an instruction permit; the off-street skills test comes before the license is issued.

Correct answer: A hand, an opening door, or a suddenly turning car can catch you with nowhere to go

Squeezed between rows of vehicles you are vulnerable to the unexpected — a hand out a window, a door swinging open, or a car turning suddenly — with no room to escape.

Correct answer: Aggressively scan ahead, to the sides, and behind for hazards and escape routes

Use your "RiderRadar" to scan the environment ahead, to the sides, and behind. Focus on finding escape routes, especially in and around intersections, shopping areas, and school and construction zones.

Correct answer: Firmly on the footrests, without dragging and with toes not pointed downward

Keep your feet firmly on the footrests to maintain balance. Do not drag your feet, and do not let your toes point downward — they could get caught between the road and the footrests.

Correct answer: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

A quality helmet is designed to meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards. A label from the Snell Memorial Foundation gives added assurance of quality.

Correct answer: Slow before reaching it, then cross gently with little steering or braking

Loose gravel and sand offer poor traction. Get your slowing done first, then keep the motorcycle straight up and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction that could cause a skid.

Correct answer: The rules of the road, highway signs, and the special skills and safety precautions needed to ride a motorcycle

The exams check your knowledge of the rules of the road, highway signs, and the special skills and safety precautions needed to operate a motorcycle safely.

Correct answer: Keep a center-portion lane position to protect your lane

Protect your lane by keeping a center-portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze past. Giving up the middle of the lane invites them to move in beside you.

Correct answer: About 12 seconds ahead, to prepare before a hazard becomes immediate

Riders use three lead times: about 2 seconds for your following distance, 4 seconds for your immediate path, and 12 seconds further out. Looking 12 seconds ahead gives you time to prepare before a situation becomes immediate.

Correct answer: The left foot

The gearshift lever is located in front of the left footrest and is operated by the left foot. Lift to shift up, press down to downshift; it changes one gear each time.

Correct answer: No — it lets you see as far to the sides as you need to

A DOT-compliant helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary. A study of more than 900 crashes did not find even one case in which a helmet kept a rider from spotting danger.