CALIFORNIA DMV MOTORCYCLE 2026 TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔Which gear should the rider be in when coming to a stop? - ✔✔1st
✔✔Why does a motorcycle rider change gears? - ✔✔To match engine speed to road
speed
✔✔What is "engine braking?" - ✔✔using the engine to slow you down by downshifting
and easing out the clutch
✔✔Which type of helmet provides the most protection in case of a crash? - ✔✔full face
helmet
✔✔Define hypothermia. - ✔✔below normal body temperature
✔✔Which part of the lane is best lane position for being seen at an intersection? -
✔✔There is no single best lane position
✔✔When should you check your motorcycle's tire pressure? - ✔✔Every time before you
ride
✔✔If you accidentally lock the front wheel when applying the front brakes, you should: -
✔✔release and then reapply with less pressure
✔✔Which of the following can affect motorcycle traction? - ✔✔acceleration
deceleration
tire pressure
all of the above
A: all of the above
✔✔Motorcycle helmets should be - ✔✔DOT compliant
✔✔Counterweighting is used... - ✔✔In low-speed tight turns
✔✔The main cause of motorcycle accidents is: - ✔✔An interaction of factors
✔✔Target fixation means: - ✔✔Looking at one thing too long
✔✔Threshold braking means: - ✔✔using both brakes progressively without locking
either wheel
✔✔The 3 parts of total stopping distance are: - ✔✔perception, reaction, braking
, ✔✔Countersteering in a normal speed turns means: - ✔✔Pushing the handlebar
forward slightly in the direction you want to go.
✔✔Why is it important to do a head check when changing lanes? - ✔✔Someone might
be in your blind spot.
✔✔What is hazardous about starting off up a hill? - ✔✔Rolling backward
✔✔The "friction zone" on a motorcycle is: - ✔✔where the motor starts putting power to
the rear wheel through the clutch
✔✔Why should you park your motorcycle in 1st gear? - ✔✔to keep it from rolling
✔✔Neutral is: - ✔✔Between 1st and 2nd gear
✔✔What is hydroplaning? - ✔✔water build up under tread causing loss of traction
✔✔How does carrying a passenger affect the motorcycle? - ✔✔slower take offs
longer stops
more time for passing
all of the above
A: all of the above
✔✔What is the rider's torso position during a swerve? - ✔✔upright, independent of
motorcycle lean
✔✔Swerving around an obstacle generally occurs at speeds above: - ✔✔20 mph
✔✔Which of the following actions should be avoided while swerving? - ✔✔braking
accelerating
body leaning
all of the above
A: All of the above
✔✔Why should you rise up slightly off of the seat when crossing over an obstacle? -
✔✔To use the legs and knees as shock absorbers
✔✔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)
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔Which gear should the rider be in when coming to a stop? - ✔✔1st
✔✔Why does a motorcycle rider change gears? - ✔✔To match engine speed to road
speed
✔✔What is "engine braking?" - ✔✔using the engine to slow you down by downshifting
and easing out the clutch
✔✔Which type of helmet provides the most protection in case of a crash? - ✔✔full face
helmet
✔✔Define hypothermia. - ✔✔below normal body temperature
✔✔Which part of the lane is best lane position for being seen at an intersection? -
✔✔There is no single best lane position
✔✔When should you check your motorcycle's tire pressure? - ✔✔Every time before you
ride
✔✔If you accidentally lock the front wheel when applying the front brakes, you should: -
✔✔release and then reapply with less pressure
✔✔Which of the following can affect motorcycle traction? - ✔✔acceleration
deceleration
tire pressure
all of the above
A: all of the above
✔✔Motorcycle helmets should be - ✔✔DOT compliant
✔✔Counterweighting is used... - ✔✔In low-speed tight turns
✔✔The main cause of motorcycle accidents is: - ✔✔An interaction of factors
✔✔Target fixation means: - ✔✔Looking at one thing too long
✔✔Threshold braking means: - ✔✔using both brakes progressively without locking
either wheel
✔✔The 3 parts of total stopping distance are: - ✔✔perception, reaction, braking
, ✔✔Countersteering in a normal speed turns means: - ✔✔Pushing the handlebar
forward slightly in the direction you want to go.
✔✔Why is it important to do a head check when changing lanes? - ✔✔Someone might
be in your blind spot.
✔✔What is hazardous about starting off up a hill? - ✔✔Rolling backward
✔✔The "friction zone" on a motorcycle is: - ✔✔where the motor starts putting power to
the rear wheel through the clutch
✔✔Why should you park your motorcycle in 1st gear? - ✔✔to keep it from rolling
✔✔Neutral is: - ✔✔Between 1st and 2nd gear
✔✔What is hydroplaning? - ✔✔water build up under tread causing loss of traction
✔✔How does carrying a passenger affect the motorcycle? - ✔✔slower take offs
longer stops
more time for passing
all of the above
A: all of the above
✔✔What is the rider's torso position during a swerve? - ✔✔upright, independent of
motorcycle lean
✔✔Swerving around an obstacle generally occurs at speeds above: - ✔✔20 mph
✔✔Which of the following actions should be avoided while swerving? - ✔✔braking
accelerating
body leaning
all of the above
A: All of the above
✔✔Why should you rise up slightly off of the seat when crossing over an obstacle? -
✔✔To use the legs and knees as shock absorbers
✔✔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)
