Kansas Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Use your arms to steer rather than to hold yourself up

Sit so you can use your arms to steer the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up. That is the purpose of good posture.

Correct answer: One out of every five

The manual reports that one out of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries, and head and neck injuries account for a majority of serious and fatal injuries.

Correct answer: Apply both brakes at the same time

Always use both brakes together for the shortest stop. Squeeze the front lever firmly and progressively — don’t grab it — and press down on the rear at the same time.

Correct answer: Both a knowledge test and an on-cycle skill test

The Kansas Motorcycle Handbook states that to earn your license you must pass a knowledge test AND an on-cycle skill test. Passing just one is not enough.

Correct answer: Prohibited by law

Kansas law is explicit: "No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles." Lane splitting is illegal in Kansas — never ride between lanes.

Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

SEE — Search, Evaluate, Execute — is a three-step process for spotting hazards early, judging how they could affect you, and acting with enough time and space to stay safe.

Correct answer: Slightly bent when you hold the handle grips

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

Correct answer: It still lets you see as far to the sides as necessary

A study of more than 900 crashes found no case in which a helmet kept a rider from spotting danger. An approved helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary.

Correct answer: Front brake

As you brake, weight shifts onto the front tire and presses it into the road. The front brake can provide 70% or more of your total stopping power, so use it firmly but never grab it.

Correct answer: Information, practices, and ideas from the motorcycle manual

Knowledge test questions come from the information, practices, and ideas in the Kansas Motorcycle Handbook. They test your understanding of road rules and safe riding practices.

Correct answer: Full use of a traffic lane

K.S.A. 8-1595(a) gives every motorcycle full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle may be driven so as to deprive a motorcycle of that full lane. Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely.

Correct answer: Scan aggressively ahead, to the sides, and behind for hazards

Searching means keeping your eyes moving — ahead, to both sides, and behind — so a hazard never surprises you. Be especially alert in busy areas that can hide you from other drivers.

Correct answer: Keep from accidentally using too much throttle

Keeping your right wrist flat helps you avoid accidentally using too much throttle.

Correct answer: On short trips, just a few minutes after starting

Most crashes happen on short trips (less than five miles), just a few minutes after starting — a reason to wear your gear on every ride, not only long ones.

Correct answer: Straighten the motorcycle upright first, then brake hard

A leaned tire uses much of its grip to corner, so hard braking can break it loose. Bring the bike upright first if you can, then brake. If you must brake while leaned, apply lightly and reduce lean as you slow.

Correct answer: In an actual traffic environment or a controlled, off-street area

The manual states the on-cycle skill test is conducted either in an actual traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area.

Correct answer: No more than two abreast in a single lane

K.S.A. 8-1595(d) permits motorcycles to ride up to two abreast in one lane, but no more. This is different from splitting between lanes, which the same statute prohibits.

Correct answer: Think about how the hazards you spotted could affect you and plan a response

Once you spot hazards, evaluate how they could interact and reach you. Anticipating problems and leaving time and space to react gives you a plan before you need it.

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

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

Correct answer: Cut both the number and severity of head injuries by half

Most riders are going slower than 30 mph when a crash occurs, and at those speeds helmets can cut both the number and severity of head injuries by half.