New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Two — one for the front wheel and one for the rear

A motorcycle has two separate brakes: one for the front wheel and one for the rear. Good riders use both together.

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

The manual advises choosing a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. That is the baseline for real crash protection.

Correct answer: The front wheel and handlebars suddenly shake from side to side

A wobble is a sudden side-to-side shake of the front wheel and handlebars, and it can happen at any speed. Knowing how to settle it calmly keeps a scary moment from becoming a crash.

Correct answer: A Class M license or a motorcycle endorsement on your license

In New Mexico you need either a motorcycle-only Class M license or a motorcycle endorsement added to your regular (Class D/E) license before you may ride.

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

The manual is clear: cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely, and lane sharing is usually prohibited. Ride in your own full lane rather than squeezing alongside other vehicles.

Correct answer: Any time you plan to change lanes or turn

Signal every time you plan to change lanes or turn. Signals tell others what you intend to do and also make you easier to spot, so use them even when you think no one is watching.

Correct answer: Both brakes

Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. Relying only on the rear brake keeps you from developing the skill to use the front brake well in an emergency.

Correct answer: Added assurance of the helmet’s quality

Labels from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation give you added assurance of a helmet’s quality, on top of the DOT standard.

Correct answer: Improper loading, unsuitable accessories, or incorrect tire pressure

Wobbles usually come from how the motorcycle is set up — an unbalanced load, an ill-fitting accessory, or the wrong tire pressure. Checking these before you ride helps prevent one.

Correct answer: Drives only a motorcycle

The Class M license is the motorcycle-only license. A rider who also drives a car instead adds a motorcycle endorsement to a Class D license.

Correct answer: So each vehicle has room to operate safely

A full lane gives each vehicle the space it needs to react and maneuver. Crowding two vehicles into one lane removes that room, which is why lane sharing is prohibited.

Correct answer: Turned off

A signal left blinking makes a driver think you plan to turn again, and they may pull directly into your path. Once your turn is complete, confirm the signal has cancelled.

Correct answer: About three-quarters

The front brake is the more powerful of the two and can provide as much as three-quarters of your total stopping power when used properly.

Correct answer: Fit snugly all the way around

A good helmet fits snugly all the way around your head. A loose helmet can shift or come off in a crash, when you need it most.

Correct answer: Close it gradually to let the motorcycle slow

Easing off the throttle gradually lets the wobble settle as speed drops. Rolling off slowly — not chopping it shut — keeps the motorcycle stable while it calms down.

Correct answer: The "W" endorsement

New Mexico keys motorcycle endorsements to engine size: "W" covers any two- or three-wheeled motorcycle with an engine of 100 cubic centimeters or more.

Correct answer: A hand out a window, a door opening, or a car turning suddenly

Squeezed between rows of cars you have almost no room to escape the unexpected — a hand reaching out, a door swinging open, or a car turning without warning can catch you instantly.

Correct answer: It's the car you don't see that gives you the most trouble

You cannot always spot every vehicle near you, and it is the one you miss that is most dangerous. Signalling anyway warns any driver you overlooked and makes your motorcycle easier to notice.

Correct answer: Cause a brake to lock and create control problems

Grabbing the front or stomping the rear can lock a wheel, which causes control problems and can lead to a skid. Apply the brakes smoothly instead.

Correct answer: Cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps

Inspect a helmet for obvious defects such as cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps. Any of these means the helmet can no longer be trusted to protect you.