CALIFORNIA DMV MOTORCYCLE STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔What can a beginner rider do to help with stability when taking off from a stop? -
✔✔take a few "power-walking" steps while building up speed
keep head and eyes up and looking ahead
easing the clutch out (not popping it)
all of the above
A: All of the above
✔✔The "middle" part of the curve is called the - ✔✔Entry
✔✔What do you do about a tailgating driver? - ✔✔Increase distance between from
vehicles ahead
✔✔Why is riding a motorcycle more dangerous than driving a car? - ✔✔less visibility
less protection
less stability
all of the above
A: All of the above
✔✔Why is hearing loss a concern when riding a motorcycle? - ✔✔wind noise
✔✔When is riding in the rain the most hazardous? - ✔✔When it first starts to rain
✔✔In seconds, what is a following distance that generally provides enough time to stop
or swerve in an urgent situation? - ✔✔4 seconds
✔✔The best way to become a more skilled motorcyclist is to; - ✔✔Attend more training
classes
✔✔What does ABS stand for? - ✔✔Anti-lock Braking System
✔✔When does alcohol begin to affect the rider's ability to ride a motorcycle? -
✔✔Immediately
✔✔Tire pressure affects tire - ✔✔traction
longevity
tread depth
both a and b
A: both A and B (traction and longevity)
, ✔✔Cargo on a motorcycle should be: - ✔✔Fastened and secured as low as possible in
the motorcycle
✔✔If you are riding during the daytime, how should your headlight be set? - ✔✔On high
beam if it doesn't interfere with other drivers
✔✔How should the passenger sit on the motorcycle? - ✔✔close to the rider and holding
his or her side (not too tight)
✔✔ Proper posture includes having the right wrist: - ✔✔flat or even with the knuckles
✔✔The front brake supplies about _--_of total stopping power on a cruiser-type
motorcycle. - ✔✔70 percent
✔✔On a sport bike, approximately ______ of total stopping
power is provided by the rear brake. - ✔✔10 percent
✔✔The average time for adults to process one alcoholic drink is - ✔✔1 hour
✔✔The tachometer on a motorcycle shows - ✔✔engine speed in rotations per minute
✔✔When riding within a group, the inexperienced rider is
usually - ✔✔Behind the leader of the group
✔✔If you are riding your motorcycle and encounter a threatening dog, you should -
✔✔slow down when approaching the dog and then speed up
✔✔The most effective way to stop quickly is to - ✔✔use both brakes simultaneously in a
straight line.
✔✔Bright, reflective colors should be worn - ✔✔All the time when riding
✔✔It is a good idea to flash your brake light when - ✔✔when you need to slow suddenly
✔✔A good entry-speed for a curve is - ✔✔a speed that allows you to roll on the throttle
or maintain throttle at the beginning of the curve
✔✔The best place to find the correct pressure for your tires is - ✔✔the motorcycle's
owner's manual
✔✔When riding your motorcycle, where is the most likely place for colliding with another
vehicle? - ✔✔an intersection
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔What can a beginner rider do to help with stability when taking off from a stop? -
✔✔take a few "power-walking" steps while building up speed
keep head and eyes up and looking ahead
easing the clutch out (not popping it)
all of the above
A: All of the above
✔✔The "middle" part of the curve is called the - ✔✔Entry
✔✔What do you do about a tailgating driver? - ✔✔Increase distance between from
vehicles ahead
✔✔Why is riding a motorcycle more dangerous than driving a car? - ✔✔less visibility
less protection
less stability
all of the above
A: All of the above
✔✔Why is hearing loss a concern when riding a motorcycle? - ✔✔wind noise
✔✔When is riding in the rain the most hazardous? - ✔✔When it first starts to rain
✔✔In seconds, what is a following distance that generally provides enough time to stop
or swerve in an urgent situation? - ✔✔4 seconds
✔✔The best way to become a more skilled motorcyclist is to; - ✔✔Attend more training
classes
✔✔What does ABS stand for? - ✔✔Anti-lock Braking System
✔✔When does alcohol begin to affect the rider's ability to ride a motorcycle? -
✔✔Immediately
✔✔Tire pressure affects tire - ✔✔traction
longevity
tread depth
both a and b
A: both A and B (traction and longevity)
, ✔✔Cargo on a motorcycle should be: - ✔✔Fastened and secured as low as possible in
the motorcycle
✔✔If you are riding during the daytime, how should your headlight be set? - ✔✔On high
beam if it doesn't interfere with other drivers
✔✔How should the passenger sit on the motorcycle? - ✔✔close to the rider and holding
his or her side (not too tight)
✔✔ Proper posture includes having the right wrist: - ✔✔flat or even with the knuckles
✔✔The front brake supplies about _--_of total stopping power on a cruiser-type
motorcycle. - ✔✔70 percent
✔✔On a sport bike, approximately ______ of total stopping
power is provided by the rear brake. - ✔✔10 percent
✔✔The average time for adults to process one alcoholic drink is - ✔✔1 hour
✔✔The tachometer on a motorcycle shows - ✔✔engine speed in rotations per minute
✔✔When riding within a group, the inexperienced rider is
usually - ✔✔Behind the leader of the group
✔✔If you are riding your motorcycle and encounter a threatening dog, you should -
✔✔slow down when approaching the dog and then speed up
✔✔The most effective way to stop quickly is to - ✔✔use both brakes simultaneously in a
straight line.
✔✔Bright, reflective colors should be worn - ✔✔All the time when riding
✔✔It is a good idea to flash your brake light when - ✔✔when you need to slow suddenly
✔✔A good entry-speed for a curve is - ✔✔a speed that allows you to roll on the throttle
or maintain throttle at the beginning of the curve
✔✔The best place to find the correct pressure for your tires is - ✔✔the motorcycle's
owner's manual
✔✔When riding your motorcycle, where is the most likely place for colliding with another
vehicle? - ✔✔an intersection
