Minnesota Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Slightly bent, not locked straight

Keep your arms slightly bent, with your elbows relaxed. This lets you use the proper muscles for steering rather than holding yourself up with your arms.

Correct answer: Wear a securely fastened, quality helmet

Wearing a securely fastened, quality helmet is the single most important thing you can do to improve your chances of surviving a crash. Helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries.

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

Oil and dust build up on the road, and the first rain lifts them into a slick film before washing them away. Those opening minutes are the most treacherous, so slow down and add space.

Correct answer: A valid driver’s license with a motorcycle permit or endorsement

Every person who operates a motorcycle on public roads in Minnesota must have a valid driver’s license with the appropriate instruction permit or endorsement, and must carry those documents while riding.

Correct answer: At intersections

Intersections are the highest-risk spot for riders — anywhere traffic can cross your path, from a busy urban crossing to a residential driveway. Over half of motorcycle/car crashes come from drivers violating a rider’s right-of-way.

Correct answer: Never saw the motorcycle

A motorcycle's outline is far smaller than a car's, and most drivers are not even looking for one. Because riders are so easily missed, your biggest safety job is making yourself seen — ride as if you are invisible until you know otherwise.

Correct answer: Keep your balance as the motorcycle turns

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

Correct answer: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards

Choose a helmet designed to meet DOT and state standards. A label from the Snell Memorial Foundation is an added assurance of quality.

Correct answer: Provide poor traction, especially when wet

Smooth painted lines, steel plates, and surface covers give far less grip than pavement and turn slick in the rain. Cross them upright, and avoid braking or turning while you are on them.

Correct answer: A written knowledge test at a driver examination station

To obtain a motorcycle instruction permit you must first pass a knowledge (written) test at a driver examination station. The skills test comes later, to earn the endorsement.

Correct answer: Turns left across the rider's path

Cars turning left in front of you — including from the lane on your right — and cars pulling out of side streets are the biggest intersection dangers. Drivers often look right at a rider and still fail to see them.

Correct answer: At all times, day and night

Minnesota riders keep the headlight on at all times. Studies show that during the day a motorcycle with its light on is about twice as likely to be noticed. Use low beam at night and in fog.

Correct answer: The range where the clutch begins to transmit power to the rear wheel

The friction zone is the range of clutch-lever travel where the clutch starts to transmit power to the rear wheel. Easing the lever out through the friction zone gives smooth, controlled power.

Correct answer: A full-face helmet

The two recommended styles are three-quarter and full face. A full-face helmet gives the greater level of coverage, protecting the face and chin as well as the head.

Correct answer: In the tire tracks left by other vehicles

The center of the lane collects oil and is most hazardous when wet. When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars — often the left track is best, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Correct answer: A valid Minnesota driver’s license

A valid Minnesota driver’s license is required to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit.

Correct answer: Reduce speed, stay visible, and be ready to react

Never count on eye contact — assume the car will pull out if it can. Slow down, pick a lane position that makes you visible, cover the brakes, and keep an escape route so you can react if the driver moves.

Correct answer: Bright, reflective jacket or vest and helmet

Your body is about half the visible surface of the rider/motorcycle unit, so bright orange, red, yellow, or green gear helps a lot. Reflective material on your vest and helmet lets drivers spot you from the sides as well as ahead and behind.

Correct answer: In first gear, so you can move out quickly if you need to

Remain in first gear while you are stopped so that you can move out quickly if you need to — for example, to avoid a vehicle coming up behind you.

Correct answer: Fits snugly all the way around your head

A good helmet fits snugly all the way around and has no obvious defects such as cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps.