Maryland Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Slightly bent, used to steer rather than to hold yourself up

Sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent when you hold the handgrips. Bending your arms lets you press on the handlebars for precision steering instead of using your arms to hold yourself up.

Correct answer: Protects you — a DOT-certified helmet, eye/face protection, and protective clothing

When you ride, your gear is “right” if it protects you. In a crash you have a far better chance of avoiding serious injury with a DOT-certified helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.

Correct answer: Apply both brakes at the same time

Always use both brakes at the same time to stop quickly. Squeeze the front brake lever firmly and progressively — do not "grab" it — while pressing down on the rear brake pedal.

Correct answer: A Class M license

Maryland requires a Class M license to operate a motorcycle. Riding without one can bring a fine, a license suspension, points on your record, and having the motorcycle towed away.

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

Lane sharing is prohibited in Maryland. Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely, and riding between rows of cars leaves you dangerously exposed.

Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

SEE — Search, Evaluate, Execute — is a three-step process good riders use to make sound judgments in changing traffic. Search for hazards, evaluate how they could affect you, then execute your plan.

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

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, and proper helmet use reduces them.

Correct answer: 70% or more

As you brake, weight shifts forward onto the front wheel, so the front brake can supply 70% or more of your total stopping power. That is why using it properly — with the rear brake — is essential to a short stop.

Correct answer: A fine, license suspension, points, and the motorcycle being towed

Unlicensed and improperly licensed riders are over-represented in crashes. Operating without a valid Class M license may bring a fine, a suspension of your driving privilege, points on your record, and having your motorcycle towed away.

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

Searching is scanning aggressively ahead, to the sides, and behind to spot hazards before they arise. Focus even harder on escape routes near intersections, shopping areas, schools, and construction zones.

Correct answer: Firmly on the footpegs, with toes not pointed downward

Keep your feet firmly on the footpegs to maintain balance. Do not drag your feet, and keep your toes from pointing down, or they may get caught between the road and the footpegs.

Correct answer: Three times more likely to survive head injuries

No matter the speed, helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Correct answer: Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it firmly

A locked front wheel means an imminent fall. Release the front brake instantly to let the wheel roll again, then squeeze it back on firmly and progressively while keeping pressure on the rear brake.

Correct answer: A Class C knowledge test in addition to the motorcycle examinations

If you do not have a Maryland license, hold a Maryland license of another class, or your license has been expired over one year, you must pass a Class C Maryland knowledge test in addition to the motorcycle examinations.

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

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

Correct answer: Consider the speed, distance, and direction of hazards to predict how they may affect you

To evaluate, weigh each hazard's speed, distance, and direction and predict where a conflict could occur. A car moving into your path matters far more than one moving away or sitting still.

Correct answer: First gear, so you can move out quickly if needed

Shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow or stop, and remain in first gear while stopped so you can move out quickly if you need to.

Correct answer: Lets you see as far to the sides as necessary

A DOT-certified helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary. In a study of over 900 crashes, not one case was found where a helmet kept a rider from spotting danger.