Washington DOL Motorcycle Practice Test 15
- Questions50
- Correct to pass40
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age16 years
-
1. How should space management change with a passenger aboard?
Show answer
Answer B: Allow a greater following distance and wait for larger gaps in traffic
A loaded motorcycle accelerates and stops more slowly, so it needs more room ahead and bigger gaps to merge, to pass or to cross traffic.
-
2. How should a rider use a motorcycle fitted with antilock brakes in an emergency stop?
Show answer
Answer D: Apply firm, steady pressure to both brakes and keep it there
An antilock system releases and reapplies pressure far faster than a rider can, but only while the rider keeps holding the brakes on.
-
3. The divided highway ends warning sign means that
Show answer
Answer D: the median separating the directions ends and the road returns to two-way operation
Beyond this sign opposing traffic is no longer separated by a median, so the driver must keep right and expect vehicles approaching in the adjacent lane.
-
4. The word SCHOOL is painted in large letters across the roadway. What is it doing?
Show answer
Answer D: Backing up the signs marking a school zone
Word markings on the pavement reinforce a message that is already signed, and a driver looking at the road ahead cannot miss them.
-
5. A sign reads MINIMUM SPEED 40. What does it require of a driver?
Show answer
Answer C: Not to drive below that speed when conditions allow
A minimum speed limit keeps unnecessarily slow vehicles from obstructing traffic, but it never overrides the duty to slow down for weather or congestion.
-
6. What is a driver being warned about here?
Show answer
Answer B: The pavement ahead carries vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
Beyond this point vehicles come the other way on the same pavement, which commonly happens where a one-way section or a separated stretch comes to an end.
-
7. A yield sign is posted where an entrance ramp meets the highway. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Give way to the traffic already on the highway and merge into a gap
The yield sign confirms that the merging driver is the one who must fit into the traffic stream rather than the other way round.
-
8. Which combination best reduces the chance of hydroplaning?
Show answer
Answer D: Good tread depth, correct tire pressure and lower speed in the rain
Tread channels water away, correct pressure keeps the tire's shape, and lower speed gives the tire time to push water aside. Hydroplaning can begin at surprisingly modest speeds.
-
9. A high truck ahead of you hides the traffic signal as you approach the intersection. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Drop back so you can see the signal and the truck's brake lights
Extra following distance restores your view of the signal, so you are reacting to the light yourself rather than copying the truck driver.
-
10. You are passing a crash on the other side of a divided highway. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Keep your eyes on your own lane and the traffic around you
Staring at a crash scene, often called rubbernecking, causes sudden slowing and secondary collisions. Your attention belongs on the traffic in front of you.
-
11. What should a passenger be told about moving around on the motorcycle?
Show answer
Answer A: To stay directly behind the operator and avoid sudden or unnecessary movement
Unexpected movement by a passenger upsets the balance of the machine, most of all at low speed and while the motorcycle is leaned over in a turn.
-
12. The throttle sticks open and will not close when you roll it back. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Squeeze in the clutch and shut the engine down with the cut-off switch
Pulling in the clutch cuts power to the rear wheel immediately, and the cut-off switch stops the engine without the rider letting go of the handlebars.
-
13. A driver who is passing you cannot complete the pass because a vehicle is coming. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and make room for them to drop back in
The only place for the passing vehicle to go is the gap behind you, and easing off opens that gap immediately.
-
14. Why is the road often most slippery during the first few minutes of rain after a long dry spell?
Show answer
Answer C: Oil and dust on the surface mix with the water into a slick film
Oil drippings and road dust build up on dry pavement, and the first light rain lifts them into a slippery film before heavier rain washes it away.
-
15. What is the purpose of a wide solid white line painted straight across your lane on the approach to an intersection?
Show answer
Answer C: It shows the point where a required stop must be made
A stop line indicates the point at which the stop required by a signal or a stop sign is to be made, ahead of the crosswalk and the intersection.
-
16. The road ahead is broken up with potholes and rough patches. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Slow down, since a hole hit at speed can wreck a tire or wheel
A lower speed cuts the impact on tires, wheels and suspension and gives you time to choose a line through the rough surface.
-
17. An orange sign showing the symbol of a person holding a flag or a sign paddle means that
Show answer
Answer D: a person is controlling traffic ahead and the driver must obey that person
The flagger sign warns that a trained flagger is directing traffic further on, and the flagger's instructions govern movement through the work zone.
-
18. You are stopped facing uphill on a steep grade and need to pull away. What is the recommended technique?
Show answer
Answer D: Hold with the rear brake, ease the clutch into the friction zone, then release
The rear brake keeps the motorcycle from rolling backward while the clutch takes up the drive, and it is released as the throttle is opened.
-
19. What should the operator do while a passenger climbs on board?
Show answer
Answer D: Sit on the machine with both feet planted and the front brake held on
The added weight arrives suddenly and off center, so the operator braces the motorcycle with both feet down and the front brake applied to keep it still.
-
20. You are entering a marked school zone during the posted hours. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Slow to the school zone limit and watch for children
The school zone limit applies throughout the posted hours, whether or not you can see any children at that moment.
-
21. Why is parking against the flow of traffic dangerous even when nobody complains?
Show answer
Answer D: Because you had to cross traffic to get there and must cross again to leave
Parking on the wrong side means driving against traffic at both ends of the stop, and your reflectors and lights face the wrong way while you are there.
-
22. You have just returned to your own lane after passing. Why should you not slow down straight away?
Show answer
Answer A: The vehicle you passed is close behind and needs room to stop
Returning and then braking leaves the driver you just overtook with almost no following distance, which is how a pass turns into a rear-end collision.
-
23. A highway lane is marked with a large white diamond and signed as a high-occupancy vehicle lane. Who may use it?
Show answer
Answer B: Only vehicles carrying at least the number of occupants shown on the sign, during the posted hours
The diamond marking identifies a preferential lane whose occupancy requirement and hours of operation are stated on the accompanying signs.
-
24. A sign shows a lane joining from the right with no merge required. What does that mean?
Show answer
Answer B: The joining traffic gets its own new lane, so nobody has to merge
An added lane means the roadway gains a lane at that point, so entering vehicles have somewhere to go without anyone changing lanes.
-
25. What should a rider confirm about the transmission before starting the engine?
Show answer
Answer B: That it is in neutral, or that the clutch lever is squeezed all the way in
Starting in gear with the clutch engaged can make the motorcycle lurch forward, so the machine must be in neutral or the clutch held in.
-
26. The street you are turning right onto has a bike lane along its right edge. Where should your vehicle end up?
Show answer
Answer B: In the first traffic lane to the left of the bike lane
A bike lane is not a travel lane for motor vehicles, so the nearest lane you may finish a right turn in is the first general traffic lane beside it.
-
27. Why is being predictable an important part of driving safely?
Show answer
Answer A: Because other road users are able to plan around what you are doing
Other drivers make their decisions from what they expect you to do, so surprises are what produce collisions.
-
28. What are the requirements for a Washington motorcycle instruction permit?
Show answer
Answer D: At least 16 years of age and holding a current Washington driver license
A Washington motorcycle instruction permit requires the rider to be at least 16 years of age and to hold a current Washington driver license.
-
29. When should speed be adjusted for a curve?
Show answer
Answer B: Before entering the curve
Slowing before the curve lets the rider hold a steady or slightly increasing throttle through it, which settles the suspension and keeps traction predictable.
-
30. You are parked legally, but a police officer tells you to move the vehicle. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Move it as directed, because an officer overrides the signs
Directions from a police officer or a firefighter take precedence over signs and markings, whether they are directing traffic or clearing a street.
-
31. A school crossing guard steps into the roadway and holds up a stop paddle. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Stop and stay stopped until the guard and the children have left the road
A crossing guard directs traffic with legal authority; you must remain stopped until both the guard and the children are clear of the roadway.
-
32. A high-occupancy vehicle lane is separated from the general lanes by a pair of solid white lines with a gap every so often. Where may you enter or leave it?
Show answer
Answer D: Only at the openings where the solid lines are broken
The solid lines forbid crossing, so entry and exit are limited to the designated openings where the marking is broken.
-
33. You must stop for a train at a highway-rail crossing. Where should you stop?
Show answer
Answer B: Behind the stop line, gate or signal and well clear of the nearest rail
Stop behind the stop line, gate or flashing-light signal and well clear of the nearest rail, because a train overhangs its track by several feet on each side.
-
34. The rider behind you is closing right up on your machine and crowding you. What is the best response?
Show answer
Answer D: Let them go past and take a position behind them instead
Speeding up to escape a rider who is following too closely usually brings them with you, while letting them past removes the pressure entirely.
-
35. What does a NARROW BRIDGE warning sign tell a driver?
Show answer
Answer A: The bridge is tighter than the road leading up to it
A narrow bridge still carries both directions, but with much less clearance than the approaches, so drivers should slow and hold their lane position carefully.
-
36. Where is the no passing zone pennant sign installed?
Show answer
Answer A: On the left side of the roadway
The pennant is placed on the left side of the roadway at the beginning of the no-passing zone, in the field of view of a driver who is thinking about overtaking.
-
37. A fire truck with lights and siren has just passed you and is heading down the same road. How closely may you follow it?
Show answer
Answer B: Well back, because following a responding emergency vehicle closely is illegal
Following a responding emergency vehicle closely is prohibited; the exact minimum distance is set by each state, so stay far enough back to keep the scene and other responders clear.
-
38. No plaque stating days or hours accompanies this sign at the intersection. When does the restriction apply?
Show answer
Answer D: At all times, since nothing limits it to particular periods
A regulatory restriction runs continuously unless a supplemental plaque states the days or hours during which it applies.
-
39. You pass into a work zone with a reduced speed limit but you see no workers. What speed applies?
Show answer
Answer D: The posted work zone limit, whether or not workers are present
A posted work zone speed limit is a regulatory limit in force at all times, and narrow lanes and uneven surfaces remain dangerous when nobody is working.
-
40. A white regulatory sign shows the silhouette of a truck inside a red circle with a diagonal slash. What does it mean?
Show answer
Answer A: Trucks are not allowed to use that road
The circle and slash over a symbol always means the movement or vehicle shown is prohibited, so trucks must keep off that roadway.
-
41. What is a designated driver?
Show answer
Answer A: Someone who agrees to drink nothing at all
A designated driver drinks no alcohol whatsoever, because any amount begins to affect judgment and the whole point is a sober driver.
-
42. Which item does most to keep a rider comfortable in cold weather beyond a jacket and gloves?
Show answer
Answer B: A close fitting neck cover that stops air entering at the collar
Cold air funnelled in at the neck chills the whole body, so a snug neck tube or balaclava makes a large difference, while a loose scarf is a hazard because it can catch.
-
43. Without a depth gauge, how can a rider tell that a tire has worn out?
Show answer
Answer A: The tread has worn down level with the wear bars set into the grooves
Wear bars are molded across the bottom of the tread grooves, and once the tread surface reaches them the tire has no usable depth left.
-
44. How much space should the leader of a group keep behind the vehicle ahead of the group?
Show answer
Answer D: At least the normal following distance a rider would keep when riding alone
Riding in a group does not shorten the space a motorcycle needs to stop, so the leader keeps the same cushion any rider would keep alone.
-
45. A lane along the right edge is set off by a solid white line and marked with a bicycle symbol. How should a driver treat it?
Show answer
Answer B: Stay out of it except for the short distance needed to turn or cross where that is allowed
A marked bicycle lane is set aside for bicycle traffic, and motor vehicles may enter it only briefly where turning or crossing is permitted.
-
46. How much following distance should you keep behind a motorcycle?
Show answer
Answer C: At least three to four seconds
A motorcycle can slow or stop very quickly and is easily upset by a surprise, so allow three to four seconds instead of the usual car gap.
-
47. A sign with a green background and a white legend normally provides
Show answer
Answer A: directions, distances and destinations
Green is the background color of the guide sign series, which names routes and destinations and gives the distance to them.
-
48. You are turning left into a street that is divided by a raised median. Which side should you enter?
Show answer
Answer C: The right-hand roadway, so that you travel on the proper side
A raised median separates two directions of travel, so the turn must be completed into the roadway carrying traffic your way.
-
49. What is the correct order of actions when passing a vehicle on a two lane road?
Show answer
Answer D: Signal, check the mirrors and blind spot, pass in the left lane, signal and return
The rider signals and checks behind before moving out, completes the pass in the passing lane, then signals and checks again before returning.
-
50. You are riding through a curve behind another rider in your group. Which line should you take?
Show answer
Answer A: The line your own machine and your own speed require
Riders enter a curve at different speeds and on different machines, and copying somebody else's line can put you wide or into the wrong part of the lane.