DMV California Motorcycle Knowledge Test Correct Answers Best Guide 2026

Motorcycle Motorcycle DMV California Motorcycle Knowledge Test Correct Answers Best Guide 2026 Is it legal to ride a motor-driven cycle, moped, motorized bicycle, or electric bicycle on a freeway or expressway? - -No, if signs are posted to prohibit operation Is it legal for a moped, motorized bicycle, or a Class 3 electric bicycle to ride on a bike path, or trail? - -No, unless the path is on or next to a road. Or if a local authority allows it What is a motorcycle? - -A vehicle with a seat or saddle, designed to ride with two or three wheels. What is a motor-driven cycle? - -A motorcycle with less than 150 cc motor. It is not allowed to operate on a freeway (Signs prohibit operations What is a motorized bicycle or moped? - -A two or three wheeled vehicle not capable of more than 30 mph on ground level. - Has pedals (None if fully electric) - Motor producing less than 4 gross brake power - Cannot ride in the bicycle lane unless authorized by local authority What must a rider of a class 3 bicycle be? - -- 16 years or older - Must not have passengers - Wear a safety helmet - May ride in a bicycle lane only if allowed by local authorities What is a motorized scooter? - -A two wheeled device that has a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard for standing on when riding. (Any license can drive it) M1 - -Can drive a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized scooter and M2 M2 - -Can drive an motorized bicycle, moped, or motorized scooter Under 21 Applicants - -Must take a CMSP Course What must you wear on a motorcycle? - -By Law: All passengers and riders must wear a DOT compliant helmet Highly Suggested: - Long Jacket (Leather) - Heavy Pants Motorcycle Motorcycle - Over the ankle boots - Full finger leather gloves DOT Helmets: - -- Increase your chances of surviving a head injury by 3X - Can be decorated as long as they do not interfere with the safety of it Most collisions - -- Happen within 5 miles - 30 mph Types of helmets - -Full Face (Comes with visor and has most protection) Modular 3/4s Half-Shell How do you ensure you pick the best helmet? - -- DOT Compliant - Fits snugly and will not fall off in a collision - No defects, cracks, frays, loose padding Types of eye protection - -Face Shield (Protects the whole face) Goggles (Only protects eyes) Wind Shield is not a substitute Glasses are not enough What is needed to be an effective eye or face shield? - -- Free of scratches - Resistant to punctures - Clear view to the sides - Permits air to pass through - Permits room for eye glasses Face shield or goggles at night - -NO TINT Ear Protection - -Only when it protects from harmful noise - May not wear headset covering, ear plugs, or earphones What can a plastic face shield protect you from? - -Wind Pebbles Dust Insects Rain Dirt Debris Jacket - -Sturdy, should not flap in the wind (Leather or Synthetic Material with body armor) Pants - -Long Motorcycle Motorcycle (Jeans or heavy pants) Gloves - -Protects your hands (Leather) Boots - -Over-the-ankle Full Protection - -Protects you without overheating, dehydration, sun/wind burn Know your motorcycle - -Start with right motorcycle Read owner's manual Be familiar with controls Check before every ride Keep safe conditions Avoid add ons The right motorcycle - -- Should have sufficient tread - Feet should be able to reach the ground while seated - All lights working - Front and rear breaks - Horn and mirrors How often do you need to check wheels, cables, fasteners, and fluid level? - -Once a week How do you minimize your chances of collision? - -- Wear bright clothing - Communicate your intentions with signals and lights - Maintain an adequate space cushion with an escape route, for splitting, passed and being passed - Be aware of vehicles in the front, back, and sides - Scan your path of travel 10-15 seconds ahead - Identify and separate multiple hazards - Be prepared to act What are the basic body positions in a motorcycle? - -Posture - Sit straight up and use your arms to control the vehicle Seat - Sit far enough forward so your arms are slightly bent. Bending arms allows you to press on the handlebars without having to stretch and reduces arm fatigue Hand - Hold firmly, start with right wrist flat so you do not use too much throttle Knees - Against the gas tank Feet - On foot pedals When do you downshift? - -When slowing or stopping Stopped: Stay in first gear Ride slower to downshift, especially downhill with a smooth clutch release Motorcycle Motorcycle When do you change gears in a turn? - -The best time is before a turn If you shift while in a turn, shift smoothly to prevent rear wheel skid How much power does the front brake have? - -3/4s stopping power How should you stop in a normal stop? - -Using both breaks smoothly and downshift What happens if you grab at the front break or jam down the rear brake? - -It causes the brakes to lock, losing control When braking in a turn, what happens if you apply too much brake? - -It can cause a skid. Front wheel in slippery surface is hazardous Slow and gentle Integrated brake system - -Some motorcycles have it What are some mistakes of turning and curving? - -The rider goes too fast and can end up on the other lane (Most common cause of single crashes) Panics and brakes hard, which causes skidding What are the four steps of controlling through the turn? - -Slow - Reduce speed entering turn, by easing off throttle or braking Look - Look through the turn, turning only head and eyes up Press - Countersteering Roll - Roll on throttle to maintain or gain speed through the turn for stability Normal turns - Rider leans with bike Slow Turns - Rider leans bike U - Turns - -Look - Keep eyes up and turn only head, look to wear your want to go Friction Zone - Use it to maintain control Drag Rear Brake - Do not use front brake, rear brake helps control speed Centralize Weight - Foot on footrests, place pressure on outside to balance Practice - Figure 8s Why? is it important to have a space cushion? - -Gives rider time to react and space to maneuver What should your lane position do? - -Increase see or be seen Avoid blind spots Protects your lane from sharing Communicate your intentions Provide escape route Help avoid wind blast What is the best lane position? - -It depends on traffic conditions Motorcycle Motorcycle What lane should you be if your threats are on your left side? - -Center (2) or Right (3) What lane position should you be in when two cars are next to you? - -Center Lane (Prevents cars from lane sharing) Where does oil buildup and where should you ride? - -Center (No more than two feet wide) Ride just to the left or right of it HOV for motorcycles - -Do not cross double parallel lines to enter or exit Only exit/enter in designated sections Motorcycle can use it unless otherwise posted Marked with Diamond and "Carpool Lane" Where can you place a transponder?q - -Pocket In a net, draped over gas tank License Plate Device Windshield Storage Compartment What is the minimum following distance? - -2 seconds Increase to 3 or more when the road is slippery Gives an escape route and a better view of potholes A larger space cushion is needed if the motorcycle takes longer to stop and is towing a trailer "1 - 1000 - 1, 1 - 1000 - 2 Keep well behind when stopped for being car escape route or when front backs up What is usually the best lane position when following - -The left or right (may) give driver vision, but center is usually the best to be seen and prevent vehicles from sharing your lane When being followed, what happens when you speed up with a tailgater? - -You just get a tailgater following you at a faster speed. What is the best way to handle a tailgater? - -Slow down and Allow them to pass. If they don't pass, you now have more space to maneuver and time to react What are the steps of passing? - -1. Go into the left portion of the lane and use your signals. Use your mirrors and turn your head. 2. Move into lane when safe, choose a good lane position and accelerate. 3. Accelerate past blind spot as fast as possible 4. Signal again, use mirrors and head checks to pass the vehicle. Then cancel signal Only pass within posted speed limit and when permitted Motorcycle Motorcycle Being Passed by Another Vehicle - -Choose the center portion of the lane over the left or right and stay there. Avoid being hit by: The other vehicle - Causes sideswipe Extended Mirrors Objects from window Wind Blast - Be in the middle portion for space DO NOT leave center portion because it encourages other vehicles to come into your lane What are the threats of lane splitting? - -A vehicle can turn or change lanes A door can open A hand can come out Cars and Motorcycles NEED a full lane to function safely Merging Vehicles - -Drivers may not see you so Give plenty of room Adjust speed to open up more space for driver Stay in the center portion of lane If possible, change to a different lane What to do if vehicles are along side you. - -Do Not drive alongside vehicles because you can be in their blind spots and they can block escape paths. Speed up or slow down to open that space What is SEE? - -Search, Evaluate, Execute Explain Search? - -Look over some potential hazards on the road. Find escape routes in or around intersections, schools, construction, shopping areas Factors: - Oncoming traffic that may turn left - Traffic coming from behind or the sides - Pedestrians between parked cars - Road conditions Explain Evaluate - -Road conditions stay still but affect escape routes Oncoming traffic may move into your path Traffic control signals and lights You must create a margin of safety Explain Execute - -You must create space and time to react - Make yourself seen with a horn, lights and signals - Adjust speed - Adjust lane position or direction of travel Attack hazards one at a time Cover clutch and breaks to reduce reaction time Motorcycle Motorcycle 3 or more hazards create complex situations What do you do when you are in high risk areas? - -Cover clutch and brakes to reduce reaction time What is the greatest potential of motorcycle collision? - -At intersections where oncoming traffic can turn left, even in the wrong lane. Even vehicles pulling from the side streets into the lane 1/2 of motorcycle accidents happen when a driver enters the rider's right of way How do you avoid intersection accidents? - -DO NOT rely on eye contact, Use SEE Look for trouble to avoid it and assume a vehicle will enter your path Drive with a headlight and stay in a good lane position. Maintain Space Cover clutch and both brakes Reduce speed coming into an intersection. Enter the intersection and move AWAY from vehicles preparing to turn How do you approach a blind intersection? - -Pick the best lane position to be seen ASAP In the pic, the rider is on the left Stop at a stop line, edge forward and stop Look around for things coming When passing parked vehicles, what is the best lane position? - -To the left to avoid doors and people and cars If there is oncoming traffic, stay center, but slow down What happens when a parked vehicle enters the lane? - -SLOW DOWN or change lanes, give them room If they U-Turn, get the driver's attention by honking They may not look or they may and still not see you Why are U turns dangerous? - -They cover the entire lane and block escape routes SLOW DOWN AND USE YOUR HORN! How do you park your motorcycle on the road side? - -45-90 degrees with the wheel or fender touching the curb why dont drivers see motor cyclists - -Tend to look for cars Looks through you to see bigger threat Just smaller in general In collisions, they often claim that they do not see the motorcycle Also, small vehicles seem farther and travel slower, causing driver's to think they have plenty of time What is the best clothing for a motorcycle? - -Bright colored and reflective clothes Motorcycle Motorcycle Most collisions occur in broad daylight Red, orange, yellow or green with reflective material Even on helmets Headlights - -Increases your chances of being seen by 2x Use your high beam and headlights to help oncoming vehicles If possible, use running lights Use high beam, but do not block vision Headlights all of the time In fog, use lowbeam Turn Signals - -Use signals at last 100 feet Give five seconds before changing into a lane If the sunlight makes your turn signal hard to see, also use hand signals, even if you think no one is around What happens if you forget to turn off your turn signals? - -It increases chances and encourages other driver's to enter your lane or path Brake Light Basics - -Flash your brake light before slowing down to increase your chances of being seen Make sure you flash before you slow when you: Make a tight turn, fast turn when going off highway speed Or when they do not expect it (In the middle of a block or at an alley) Or when being tailgated When should you check your mirrors and headchecks? - --Stopped at an intersection -Changing lanes -Before making a turn -Before slowing down Convex mirrors - -Show wider area but make vehicles seem farther Head check basics - -Check the lane farthest from you and next to you because a far driver may want to also take that lane Make it a normal part of your checking routine because you also have blind spots Horn - -Be ready to use the horn to get attention In an emergency, use it long and loud and prepare to swerve or stop Riding at night - -- Reduce speed - Increase distance: Three Second or more following distance - Use car ahead as marker: Helps see lane position - Use high beam when you are not following or approaching vehicle - Be flexible with lane position Motorcycle Motorcycle - Wear reflective material What are two critical skills when avoiding collisions - -Knowing how to stop and swerve What is a common cause in collisions? - -Underbraking front tire and overusing rear Did not separate swerving and stopping or not swerving when appropriate How to quick stop? - -Use both brakes What happens if you press the front brake too hard? - -It causes the front wheel to lock Release it and reapply pressure How to stop quickly in a turn or curve - -Straighten, then brake If not, reduce throttle and light on the brake, until straight. Reduce your lean angle and brake more How to swerve? - -Push on the handlebar in a direction a, and then push the other to recover SEPARATE breaking and swerving, before or after only Keep knees on gas tank and feet on footrest Look in the place you are swerving too What is the primary cause of single vehicle crash? - -Running wide on a curve or turn causing a crash What is the best lane position for cornering? - -Outside-inside-outside (if no traffic) Center ALWAYS ride within your skills and posted speed limit Other things to watch for with cornering - -Shaded areas Leaves What are some dangerous surfaces? - -Uneven roads Slippery Surfaces Rail Road Tracks Grooves or gratings What do you do when riding on an uneven surface? - -Go around if possible or slow down If not: - Reduce your speed - Make sure motorcycle is straight - Ride close to 90 degrees as possible - Rise off the seat slightly and place weight on footrests - Use throttle a little more - Check for damage after Motorcycle Motorcycle What are some slippery surfaces? - -- Wet pavement (especially after rain) - Gravel roads - Mud, leaves, snow, ice - Lane markings How do you ride on slippery surfaces? - -You don't If not: Reduce speed - Reduces chance of skidding, ESPECIALLY on turns and curves. You need more distance to stop Avoid sudden moves - Brake and shift as smoothly as possible Avoid the center when wet - Most oil piles up, ride on vehicles tire track (Left lane position) Watch for oil spots - Position, just on the outside of the center Be cautious of the sides - Gravel and dirt mostly pile there What happens if you cannot avoid the road covered with ice or snow? - -Keep motorcycle straight up and proceed slowly Let your feet skim along surface Keep off the brakes and squeeze clutch to coast How do you cross railroad tracks? - -Straight across DO NOT change to go 90 How do you cross track and road seems? - -At least a 45 degree angle, then make a sharp turn DON'T EDGE How do you cross grooves and gratings? - -Stay calm, and ride it straight out at a steady speed What happens if you have a tire failure? - -- Ease off the throttle and hold handlebars - Apply brake of tire not flat - When the motorcycle slows, ride to the side, squeeze clutch and stop What happens if front tire is flat? - -Steering will feel heavy Bad because it affects control and steering What happens if the back tire is flat? - -Motorcycle will feel wobbly and jerk side to side What happens if the throttle is stuck? - -Move it back and forth If can't: Use the engine cut off switch and squeeze the clutch Once it is under control move to the side and stop Check for trouble and ensure it works before riding again Motorcycle Motorcycle What causes a wobble? - -When the front wheel and handlebars start to shake Improper loading How do you load a motorcycle? - -Lighten the load Center the load by moving the weight lower and farther forward on the motorcycle Should you try to accelerate in a wobble? - -No, you should not accelerate or press the brakes Instead: Roll off throttle Move weight as far forward and down as possible Grip handlebars Leave road What should you check for in a wobble? - -Tire pressure Spring load Air shocks Dampers What happens when the chain slips or breaks? - -Locks the rear wheel and skidding How do you address slipping? - -Pull off Check chain or sprockets Tighten chain or sprockets or both before riding again How do you address chain breakage? - -Notice instant loss of power to rear wheel Ease off throttle and stop What causes an engine seizure? - -Low oil which causes the engine to overheat What do you do during the engine seizure? - -First sign is loss of engine power or sound Squeeze clutch lever, pull off and stop Check oil Feels the same as a locked rear wheel Animals - -Avoid if possible If in traffic, stay in the lane How do you avoid flying objects? - -Wear face protection Do not follow closely behind sumo trucks or waste management or other vehicles If you get hit, pull off and repair damage Getting off the Road - -- Check the roadside: make sure it is firm - Signal: Give a clear signal that you are slowing and changing direction with head checks - Pull off: Get as far off as possible Motorcycle Motorcycle - Park carefully: Loose or sloped shoulders, as well as soft ground, can make it hard to use the kickstand Carry Passengers and Cargo - -Only experienced riders should carry passengers and heavy loads Practice away from traffic Equipment - -You should not have to sit any further than you usually do Ensure your passenger has firm footing Adjust your motorcycle for passengers Wear the same protective gear as the, Adjust mirrors with the passenger on the seat Motorcycles towing trailers - --Must not exceed 55 mph -Must stay in right lane, unless 4 highway, then 2 right lanes, except when passing -NO Carpool Instructing passengers - -Even if an experienced rider -Only get on after the engine works -Place feet on footrests -Lean as you lean and look in the direction -Avoid unnecessary talk or motion -Sit far forward without crowding -Hold firmly to waist, hips, or belt -Keep legs away from mufflers, belts, chains, and moving parts Tell them to tighten up -When riding over an obstacle -Any sudden moves -About to start from a stop Riding with passenger - -Motorcycle will take longer to speed up, stop, or slow Increased braking distance Increase space cushion Begin slowing sooner as you approach a stop Ride a little slower Child Passengers - -Must be able to touch footrests Wears DOT compliant helmet Wear appropriate clothing Can use restraint systems to stay on with the rider Riding with loads - -Keep the load low and light Keep it forward: Over, or in front of the rear axle Distribute it evenly Secure load with elastic cords Motorcycle Motorcycle Check loads often Group riding - --Assign a lead and drag rider -Keep group small: Know bigger than 4 or 5 - Stay together - Signal early - Put beginners up front: Behind the leader - Follow those behind: Let them set the pace - Know the route Keeping distance in a group ride - -- Staggered formation DO NOT PAIR UP Leader should be left side, second rider is one second on right, 3rd is two seconds behind leader, 4th is two seconds behind 2nd How do you pass in formation? - -Leader should do everything and return to the upper left portion, second do the same and go to the right, third does the same and behind the leader and last one should go behind 2nd -Stay at passing speed until everyone has passed Why? should the leader not go to the right portion? - -It encourages the second rider to pass and return to lane before there is enough space cushion in front of the vehicle When should you use the single line formation? - -Curves Turns Entering or exiting highway How much alcohol can affect your motorcycle ride? - -As little as one drink, Be fit and alert How fast can body metabolize alcohol? - -One drink per hour Factors that determine BAC - -- Amount of alcohol - How fast - Bodyweight What is one drink - -1.5 oz of 80 proof 5 oz of 12% Wine 12 oz of 5% Beer BAC under 21 - -.01% or higher BAC over 21 - -.08% or higher How to minimize risk - -Do not Drink Or do not ride if drinking Motorcycle How to fight fatigue - -Limit distance: 6 hours a day Take breaks: Every 2 hours Do not use alcohol or drugs Property damage - -If you crash and cause $750 of damage, you must report it to the DMV within 10 days or your license will be suspended Punishment for avoiding a peace officer - -Avoiding: Misdemeanor Causes bodily injury: Fine $2000-$10000 Imprisonment is state for 3,5 or 7, or county for not more than a year Causes death: State prison for 4, 6, or 10 US Forest Service and BLM - -Avoid running over trees Avoid soft roads or wet roads Go around meadows No pioneering No wild animals Gates No entering designated wilderness areas Get permission for private Motorcycle