What is the most effective way to stop quickly on a motorcycle?

Use both the front and rear brakes at the same time

To make a motorcycle lean and turn right at speed, you should:

Press the right handgrip forward

Press the left handgrip forward

How can you tell that a helmet meets federal safety standards?

It has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218

It was sold at a motorcycle dealer

When crossing railroad tracks that run at an angle to the road, you should:

Turn so you cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees

Motorcycle Permit Test: Everything to Know Before You Ride

The motorcycle permit test is a written knowledge exam based on your state's motorcycle operator manual. It covers pre-ride inspection, protective gear, lane position, braking, cornering, hazards and group riding. Pass it (plus a vision test) to get a motorcycle permit, then pass a skills test or an approved rider course to earn your Class M license or endorsement.

Updated on 2026-11-06 · Ver en español

DMVPermitUSA is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by any state DMV, BMV, MVD, DPS or other government agency. Always check your state's official driver handbook and DMV website for current requirements.

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Motorcycle permit quiz: 5 questions

What is the most effective way to stop quickly on a motorcycle? Use only the rear brake / Use only the front brake / Use both the front and rear brakes at the same time / Downshift without braking. Answer: Use both the front and rear brakes at the same time. Use both brakes every time you stop. The front brake provides most of the stopping power, but using both gives the shortest, most controlled stop.
To make a motorcycle lean and turn right at speed, you should: Press the right handgrip forward / Press the left handgrip forward / Shift your weight to the left / Pull both handgrips toward you. Answer: Press the right handgrip forward. This is countersteering: press right, lean right, go right. Above walking speed, a small forward press on the handgrip on the side you want to turn starts the lean.
How can you tell that a helmet meets federal safety standards? It is brightly colored / It has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218 / It covers the ears / It was sold at a motorcycle dealer. Answer: It has a DOT label showing it meets FMVSS 218. Helmets that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 carry a DOT symbol. Novelty helmets without it give little protection.
When crossing railroad tracks that run at an angle to the road, you should: Cross parallel to the tracks / Turn so you cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees / Speed up and lean / Brake hard on the tracks. Answer: Turn so you cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees. Crossing at a shallow angle can catch your front tire. Cross as close to straight across as is safe — at least 45 degrees — without making a sharp turn.
When riding in a group, the recommended formation is usually: Side by side / Single file only / Staggered formation / Wherever there is space. Answer: Staggered formation. A staggered formation keeps the group close while giving each rider space: the leader in the left part of the lane, the next rider in the right part, and so on.

How motorcycle licensing works

Every state requires a special license or endorsement to ride a motorcycle on public roads, usually called a Class M license or an M endorsement added to a regular driver's license. The path is similar everywhere: pass a vision screening and a written motorcycle knowledge test to get a motorcycle permit (or instruction permit), practice under the permit's restrictions, then pass an on-cycle skills test — or complete a state-approved basic rider course — to earn the license.

The knowledge test is separate from the car permit test. Its questions come from your state's motorcycle operator manual, and many states base theirs on the same national manual, so the content is remarkably consistent across the country. Expect around 20 to 50 multiple-choice questions with a passing score of about 80%, depending on the state.

In many states, completing an approved rider training course lets you skip the DMV skills test, and in some it also waives the knowledge test or the permit period. Courses usually include classroom lessons and range riding on training motorcycles, which is an excellent way to learn before you ride in traffic. Some states also offer a separate endorsement for three-wheeled motorcycles.

Motorcycle permit requirements and restrictions

Minimum ages, fees and restrictions vary. Teens usually need parental consent and, in many states, a car learner's permit or driver's ed first. Common motorcycle permit restrictions include:

Daylight riding only, often from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset.
No passengers at any time.
No interstates or freeways in some states.
A helmet for all permit holders in most states, even where adult riders may ride without one.
Supervision by a licensed motorcycle rider within sight in some states.
A limited validity period, after which you must pass the skills test or renew the permit.

Check your state's motorcycle manual for its exact permit rules. Breaking them can cost you your permit and delay your license.

What the motorcycle knowledge test covers

The test focuses on how to ride safely, not on engines. Most questions fall into these areas:

Main topics on the motorcycle knowledge test
Topic	What to know
Preparing to ride	Protective gear, helmets, eye protection, knowing your controls
Pre-ride inspection	Tires and wheels, controls, lights and electrics, oil and fluids, chassis, stands (the T-CLOCS checklist)
Basic control	Body position, shifting, braking with both brakes, turning: slow, look, press, roll
Keeping your distance	Lane positions, following distance, passing, blind spots, being seen
Intersections	Scanning, covering the brakes, cars turning left in front of you
Hazards	Slippery surfaces, gravel, railroad tracks, grooves and gratings, animals, flying objects
Emergencies	Quick stops, swerving, tire failure, stuck throttle, wobble
Passengers and groups	Carrying passengers and cargo, staggered formation
Fitness to ride	Alcohol, drugs, fatigue and the same BAC limits as drivers

Helmets and protective gear

A motorcycle offers no protection in a crash, so your gear is your protection. NHTSA estimates that helmets are about 37% effective in preventing deaths for motorcycle riders and 41% for passengers. Choose a helmet with the DOT symbol, which shows it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218; a full-face helmet also protects your face and chin. Replace a helmet after any impact.

Helmet laws differ widely. Fewer than half of the states require all riders to wear a helmet; most others require them only for younger riders (often under 18 or 21), and a few — such as Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire — have no helmet requirement for adults. Permit holders are usually required to wear one regardless. Whatever the law, the test and the manual recommend wearing a helmet on every ride.

Eye protection: a face shield or goggles; many states require it if the motorcycle has no windshield.
Jacket and long pants made of leather or abrasion-resistant material, even in hot weather.
Full-fingered gloves for grip and protection.
Boots that cover your ankles, with non-slip soles and no loose laces.
Bright colors and reflective material to help other drivers see you.

Lane position, visibility and intersections

Motorcycle manuals divide each lane into three parts: left, center and right. No single position is always best. Choose the one that lets you see and be seen, keeps you out of other drivers' blind spots, avoids surface hazards and gives you an escape route. The center of the lane often has an oily strip from cars, especially at intersections.

Other drivers often fail to notice motorcycles. One of the most common serious crashes is a car turning left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection. Keep your headlight on, use lane position to stand out, cover your brakes when approaching intersections, and never assume a driver has seen you.

Check your mirrors often and always turn your head to check blind spots before changing lanes — mirrors on a motorcycle show less than you think. Avoid riding alongside cars, where you sit in the driver's blind spot, and do not share a lane with a car: drivers may not expect you there. Use a systematic strategy such as Search, Evaluate, Execute: scan ahead, to the sides and behind; identify hazards and decide how to handle them; then adjust speed, position or communicate. Keep at least a 2- to 3-second following distance, depending on your state's manual, and more on poor surfaces. Our following distance guide explains the counting method.

Braking, cornering and road hazards

Use both brakes every time you stop. The front brake provides most of your stopping power, so learn to squeeze it smoothly and progressively. If your motorcycle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply both firmly in an emergency. In a curve, the safest approach is to brake before the curve while upright, then roll on the throttle gently through the turn — remembered as slow, look, press, roll. Turn your head and look through the curve to where you want to go; the motorcycle tends to follow your eyes. If you enter a curve too fast, keep looking through it, lean more and avoid grabbing the brakes while leaned over.

Above walking speed, motorcycles turn by countersteering: press the handgrip on the side you want to go. Press right, lean right, go right. This is also how you swerve quickly around an obstacle; separate braking and swerving, never doing both at the same time.

Slow down on wet pavement, gravel, sand, wet leaves, painted lines and metal covers, and avoid sudden inputs.
Cross railroad tracks, grooves and pavement seams at an angle of at least 45 degrees.
For an animal in the road, slow down and pass; do not swerve dangerously for small animals.
If the front or rear tire goes flat, hold the handgrips firmly, ease off the throttle and brake gently with the good tire.
If the throttle sticks, pull in the clutch and use the engine cut-off switch.

Passengers, cargo and group riding

Do not carry passengers until you are experienced and allowed to by your license — permit holders usually cannot. The motorcycle must have a passenger seat and footrests, and the passenger should wear the same protective gear. A passenger changes the bike's handling: it takes longer to stop and accelerate, so adjust your suspension and tire pressure as recommended and ride more smoothly.

When riding in a group, keep groups small, plan the route, put the least experienced riders behind the leader and use a staggered formation: the leader in the left third of the lane, the next rider about one second behind in the right third, and the third rider two seconds behind the leader. Ride single file in curves, on ramps and when entering or leaving highways. Lane splitting is legal in California and a few states allow limited lane filtering at low speeds; it is illegal in most states.

Alcohol, fatigue and preparing for the test

Riding requires more balance, coordination and judgment than driving a car, so even small amounts of alcohol or drugs are especially dangerous. The same BAC limits apply — 0.08% for adults in every state except Utah (0.05%) and zero tolerance under 21 — but the safest choice is not to ride after drinking at all. Read our BAC and DUI guide for details. Fatigue and dehydration also slow reactions; take breaks on long rides.

To prepare, read your state's motorcycle manual cover to cover, paying close attention to the inspection checklist, braking, countersteering and lane positions. General road rules still apply, so review signs and right-of-way too. Then use our practice tests by topic and a full mock exam to check that you are well above the passing score.

Motorcycle permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the motorcycle permit test?

It depends on the state, typically about 20 to 50 multiple-choice questions, with a passing score of around 80%. Check your state's motorcycle manual or DMV website.

Do I need a car license to get a motorcycle permit?

Not always. Some states let adults apply for a motorcycle permit without a car license, while others require a driver's license or car permit first, especially for teens. Check your state's rules.

Can I skip the motorcycle skills test?

In many states, yes: completing a state-approved basic rider course can waive the DMV skills test, and sometimes the knowledge test. Confirm with your state.

Can I carry a passenger with a motorcycle permit?

Usually not. Most states prohibit passengers for permit holders and also restrict night riding and sometimes highway riding.

Do I have to wear a helmet?

It depends on the state and your age. Some states require helmets for all riders, others only for younger riders, and most require them for permit holders. Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet on every ride is strongly recommended.

What is countersteering?

It is how a motorcycle turns at speed: pressing the handgrip on the side you want to turn makes the bike lean that way. Press right, lean right, go right.

Is lane splitting legal?

Lane splitting is legal in California, and a few states allow limited lane filtering at low speeds in stopped traffic. It is illegal in most states.