Texas Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

Correct answer: Comfortably, so you use your arms to steer rather than to hold yourself up

Position yourself comfortably so you can operate all the controls and use your arms to steer the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up. This lets you react quickly to hazards.

Correct answer: Wear a securely-fastened, quality helmet

The single most important thing you can do to improve your chances of surviving a crash is to wear a securely-fastened, quality helmet. Head injuries account for the majority of motorcycle fatalities.

Correct answer: Slow down before you reach it and avoid sudden moves

Reduce speed before a slippery surface, since your bike needs more distance to stop, and be smooth — any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid. Both brakes still work; squeeze them gently.

Correct answer: A Class M driver license

Operating a motorcycle on a public highway requires a valid Class M driver license. This also applies to three-wheel motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds.

Correct answer: At intersections

Intersections carry the highest risk for riders — over half of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider’s right of way. An intersection can be a busy junction or just a driveway where traffic can cross your path.

Correct answer: Never saw the motorcycle

A motorcycle's outline is much smaller than a car's, and most drivers are not even looking for riders. Your biggest safety job is to make yourself easy to see — ride as though you have not been seen.

Correct answer: Far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent when you hold the handgrips

Sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent when you hold the handgrips. Bending your arms lets you press on the handlebars without having to stretch.

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

Choose a helmet designed to meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards. A label from the Snell Memorial Foundation gives added assurance of quality.

Correct answer: In the tire tracks left by cars

Roads are most slippery when rain first begins, and the center of the lane collects oil and grease. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars — often the left track is best, depending on traffic.

Correct answer: Three-wheel motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds

The Class M requirement covers operators of three-wheel motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds — not just full two-wheel motorcycles.

Correct answer: Turns left across your path or pulls out from a side street

Cars turning left in front of you — including from the lane on your right — and cars pulling out from side streets are the biggest intersection dangers. If a car can enter your path, assume it will.

Correct answer: Keep your headlight on

A motorcycle with its headlight on during the day is about twice as likely to be noticed. Texas motorcycles built after 1975 must be ridden with the headlight on, and most modern bikes turn it on automatically with the engine.

Correct answer: Keep from accidentally using too much throttle

Hold the handgrips firmly and start with your right wrist flat. This helps keep you from accidentally using too much throttle.

Correct answer: Three-quarter and full face

There are two primary helmet types providing two levels of coverage: three-quarter and full face. Either can protect you well if it meets DOT standards, fits snugly, and has no defects.

Correct answer: Ride straight within your lane across the tracks

It is usually safest to ride straight within your lane to cross tracks. Turning to hit them at a full 90 degrees can carry you into another lane of traffic, which is more dangerous than the slight angle.

Correct answer: Only applicants for a Class M license restricted to operating a moped

Only applicants for a Class M license restricted to operating a moped are required by statute to take the Class M knowledge test. Everyone else has it waived by completing the required training course.

Correct answer: Ride with your headlight on and in a lane position with the best view of oncoming traffic

Keep your headlight on and choose a lane position that gives the best view of oncoming traffic, plus a space cushion that lets you take evasive action. Never count on eye contact as proof a driver will yield.

Correct answer: Bright, reflective jacket or vest and helmet

Your body is about half of the visible surface of the rider-and-motorcycle unit. Bright orange, red, yellow, or green gear stands out in daylight, and reflective material helps drivers spot you from the side and at night.

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

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

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

A DOT-compliant helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary. A study of more than 900 crashes did not find even one case where a helmet kept a rider from spotting danger.