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CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
PROGRAM (CMSP) TEST 2026\2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS.
What are 5 ways you can command and communicate your presence on
the road as a motorcyclist? CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Bright and Reflective
Clothing
2. Headlights
3. Signals
4. Brake light (flash before stopping if appropriate)
5. Horn
What two adjectives would describe HOW WE SCAN/SEARCH?
CORRECT ANSWER - Aggressive and Purposeful
What is target fixation and how do we avoid it? CORRECT ANSWER -
Intense focus on an object causes awareness of other objects to diminish.
We tend to move towards what we are trying to avoid.
Avoid by:
Keep your head on a swivel and keep your focus on your objective, not
what you're trying to avoid
Situations with a 10 second path of travel require what? CORRECT
ANSWER - Immediate response. AGGRESSIVELY scan for situations 10
seconds ahead of you.
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What are the 5 factors that determine a good lane position? CORRECT
ANSWER - Pick a lane that allows you to:
1. See and be seen
2. Maintain a space cushion
3. Maintain an escape route
4. Protect your lane (don't let cars come into your lane
5. Avoid surface hazards (debris, potholes etc.)
What is an expert motorcyclist? CORRECT ANSWER - A rider who uses
expert judgement to avoid using expert skills
What is SMOG-C used for? What is it? CORRECT ANSWER - Used for
changing lanes:
Signal
Mirror
Over the shoulder
Go
Cancel Signal
If someone is tailgating you, what should you do? CORRECT ANSWER -
Increase your space cushion by applying your brakes. Plan b: move to the
side to let them pass
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What's a leading cause of motorcycle accidents at intersections? What
should you watch out for the most? CORRECT ANSWER - A car that does
not see you, making a left into your path regardless of whether you have
the right of way. Most common is drivers not seeing you to their left and
making a left into you (same direction) but also very common left turn from
opposite direction.
What should you check before making a stop? CORRECT ANSWER - Your
rear view mirror for oncoming hazards from behind
What's so dangerous about U-turns? What can you do about other drivers
making u-turns? CORRECT ANSWER - Other cars often don't see
motorcyclists and make sudden U-turns cutting off your path of travel. Slow
down and try to get their attention - be ready to act
Give five reasons why motorcycling is more risky than driving a car.
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. More vulnerable
2. Maneuvers are more dangerous
3. Have to balance.
4. Skids and spins
5. Exposed to wind and rain
What does it mean to "accept your responsibility"? CORRECT ANSWER -
Choose to ride within your limits every single time
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What five items make up Rider Readiness? CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Mentally readiness (focused unimpaired distraction free)
2. Physical Readiness (rested, healthy, free of stress/impairements)
3. Proper riding gear
4. Understanding your abilities and limitations
5. Knowledge of the riding conditions (road and weather etc.)
6. Motorcycle in good condition and awareness of your motorcycles
capabilities and limitations
What are the three benefits of wearing apparel specifically designed for
motorcycling? CORRECT ANSWER - Improves
-Comfort
-Concentration
-Safety
What is the difference between retro-reflective and reflective? CORRECT
ANSWER - -Retro reflective reflects the light back to the source.
-Reflective can reflect in any direction.
Why aren't ordinary glasses or sunglasses sufficient eye protection?
CORRECT ANSWER - -Not impact resistant (not shatter proof)
-Not secured
CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
PROGRAM (CMSP) TEST 2026\2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS.
What are 5 ways you can command and communicate your presence on
the road as a motorcyclist? CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Bright and Reflective
Clothing
2. Headlights
3. Signals
4. Brake light (flash before stopping if appropriate)
5. Horn
What two adjectives would describe HOW WE SCAN/SEARCH?
CORRECT ANSWER - Aggressive and Purposeful
What is target fixation and how do we avoid it? CORRECT ANSWER -
Intense focus on an object causes awareness of other objects to diminish.
We tend to move towards what we are trying to avoid.
Avoid by:
Keep your head on a swivel and keep your focus on your objective, not
what you're trying to avoid
Situations with a 10 second path of travel require what? CORRECT
ANSWER - Immediate response. AGGRESSIVELY scan for situations 10
seconds ahead of you.
, Page|2
What are the 5 factors that determine a good lane position? CORRECT
ANSWER - Pick a lane that allows you to:
1. See and be seen
2. Maintain a space cushion
3. Maintain an escape route
4. Protect your lane (don't let cars come into your lane
5. Avoid surface hazards (debris, potholes etc.)
What is an expert motorcyclist? CORRECT ANSWER - A rider who uses
expert judgement to avoid using expert skills
What is SMOG-C used for? What is it? CORRECT ANSWER - Used for
changing lanes:
Signal
Mirror
Over the shoulder
Go
Cancel Signal
If someone is tailgating you, what should you do? CORRECT ANSWER -
Increase your space cushion by applying your brakes. Plan b: move to the
side to let them pass
, Page|3
What's a leading cause of motorcycle accidents at intersections? What
should you watch out for the most? CORRECT ANSWER - A car that does
not see you, making a left into your path regardless of whether you have
the right of way. Most common is drivers not seeing you to their left and
making a left into you (same direction) but also very common left turn from
opposite direction.
What should you check before making a stop? CORRECT ANSWER - Your
rear view mirror for oncoming hazards from behind
What's so dangerous about U-turns? What can you do about other drivers
making u-turns? CORRECT ANSWER - Other cars often don't see
motorcyclists and make sudden U-turns cutting off your path of travel. Slow
down and try to get their attention - be ready to act
Give five reasons why motorcycling is more risky than driving a car.
CORRECT ANSWER - 1. More vulnerable
2. Maneuvers are more dangerous
3. Have to balance.
4. Skids and spins
5. Exposed to wind and rain
What does it mean to "accept your responsibility"? CORRECT ANSWER -
Choose to ride within your limits every single time
, Page|4
What five items make up Rider Readiness? CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Mentally readiness (focused unimpaired distraction free)
2. Physical Readiness (rested, healthy, free of stress/impairements)
3. Proper riding gear
4. Understanding your abilities and limitations
5. Knowledge of the riding conditions (road and weather etc.)
6. Motorcycle in good condition and awareness of your motorcycles
capabilities and limitations
What are the three benefits of wearing apparel specifically designed for
motorcycling? CORRECT ANSWER - Improves
-Comfort
-Concentration
-Safety
What is the difference between retro-reflective and reflective? CORRECT
ANSWER - -Retro reflective reflects the light back to the source.
-Reflective can reflect in any direction.
Why aren't ordinary glasses or sunglasses sufficient eye protection?
CORRECT ANSWER - -Not impact resistant (not shatter proof)
-Not secured
