New Jersey Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Back straight, head and eyes up, arms relaxed and slightly bent

Keep your back straight, and your head and eyes up. Your arms should be relaxed and slightly bent. Proper position lets you control direction, speed, and balance.

Correct answer: The helmet

The helmet is the single most important piece of equipment a rider must wear. One of every five reported motorcycle crashes involves head or neck injuries.

Correct answer: Good traction with the road surface

A motorcycle is delicately balanced on two wheels, and both must have good traction to stay upright. Any surface that reduces traction affects the bike’s balance, and any slippery surface increases the chance of a fall.

Correct answer: A New Jersey motorcycle license or an M endorsement on an existing NJ license

Every New Jersey resident who operates a motorcycle or trike must have a New Jersey motorcycle driver license or a motorcycle (M) endorsement added to an existing NJ basic or commercial license.

Correct answer: Respond more slowly — it takes longer to speed up, slow down, and turn

Extra weight changes how the motorcycle balances, turns, speeds up, and slows down. With a passenger it responds more slowly, so ride a bit slower and give yourself more time and room for every maneuver.

Correct answer: Keep your headlight on at all times

The manual says the best way to help others see you is to keep your headlight on at all times. Many later-model motorcycles turn the headlight on automatically with the engine.

Correct answer: It helps you keep a solid grip if the motorcycle bounces

Hold the handgrips firmly. This helps you keep a solid grip if the motorcycle bounces over a bump.

Correct answer: One of every five

One of every five reported motorcycle crashes involves head or neck injuries. A helmet improves survival in a crash.

Correct answer: Reduce your speed

It takes longer to stop on a slippery surface, so make up for it by slowing down. Reducing speed matters most on curves, where posted limits assume good, dry conditions.

Correct answer: An M endorsement on a basic/commercial license, or a standalone Class E motorcycle-only license

A rider who already holds a basic or commercial license can add an M endorsement to it. A rider with no driver license instead earns a standalone Class E motorcycle-only license. New Jersey does not use the M1/M2 classes some other states do.

Correct answer: Allow a greater following distance and keep more room from vehicles on either side

The manual says to allow greater following distance, keep more distance from vehicles on either side, start slowing earlier when approaching a stop, and look for larger gaps when crossing, entering, or merging.

Correct answer: About twice as likely to go unnoticed by other motorists

The manual notes that during the day a motorcycle with its lights off is about twice as likely to go unnoticed. A motorcycle already has a small outline, so use every advantage to be seen.

Correct answer: Using too much throttle

A rider’s wrist should be down. This helps keep you from accidentally using too much throttle.

Correct answer: No — a study of 900+ crashes found no case where a helmet impaired vision or masked danger

A study of more than 900 crashes, in which 40 percent of riders wore helmets, found no case where a helmet impaired a rider’s vision or masked danger. An approved helmet provides adequate peripheral vision.

Correct answer: The front brake

Even on a very slippery surface the front brake remains more effective than the rear. On ice, though, you should not brake at all — reduce speed gradually and avoid any sudden change in speed or direction.

Correct answer: 17 years old

You must be at least 17 years old to get a motorcycle examination permit. Parent or guardian consent is required if you are under 18.

Correct answer: A proper seat and a set of foot pegs for the passenger

The manual requires a seat large enough for both riders without crowding and a separate set of foot pegs for the passenger. Without firm footing on the pegs, both operator and passenger can fall off.

Correct answer: Tap the brake lightly first to flash your brake light

A motorcycle's brake light is easy to miss. Tapping the brake to flash it warns drivers behind you before you actually slow — especially when you slow where others would not expect it, or more quickly than expected.

Correct answer: Against the gas tank, to help 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: Slower than 30 mph — even low-speed crashes can be fatal

Even low-speed crashes can be fatal; most occur at speeds slower than 30 mph. At these speeds, helmets can cut the number and severity of head injuries by half.