Michigan SOS Motorcycle Practice Test 38

  • Questions20
  • Correct to pass16
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age16 years

20 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 16 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. You have stopped at a stop line but parked cars hide the cross street. What comes next?

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    Answer C: Edge forward to where you can see, stopping again if needed

    The legal stop at the line is only the first stop; you then move up slowly to a point where you can see, and stop again if traffic requires it.

  2. 2. Heavy rain has left standing water on the road where this sign is posted. What does the law expect of the driver?

    A white vertical rectangle with a black border and black legend
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    Answer C: Driving below the posted figure, at a speed that suits the conditions

    Drivers must adapt to conditions, so in rain, fog, snow or dense traffic the safe speed falls below the posted maximum and keeping to that maximum can itself be an offense.

  3. 3. Traffic is heavy and a truck is stopped in the lane on your right. How do you keep an out?

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    Answer B: Keep space open ahead of you and avoid being boxed in on both sides at once

    Being hemmed in on both sides with no gap ahead removes every option, so keep at least one direction open.

  4. 4. The drive chain breaks or comes off while you are riding. What should you do first?

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    Answer A: Close the throttle and brake to a stop clear of the roadway

    A broken chain or belt takes the drive away at once, so the rider closes the throttle, slows under control with both brakes and stops well off the roadway.

  5. 5. What does a broken line indicate, whatever color it is painted?

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    Answer C: That crossing it is permitted

    A broken line always describes a permissive condition, and the color then tells the driver whether the traffic beyond it runs the same way or the opposite way.

  6. 6. You are making a U-turn at a signal on a green left arrow. Who must you still watch for?

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    Answer D: People in the crosswalk you will cross as you come around

    Even a protected arrow does not clear the crosswalk, and a U-turn sweeps across a crosswalk that pedestrians may already be using.

  7. 7. You reach an intersection with no signs, signals or markings clearly before a vehicle that is approaching on your right. What is the rule?

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    Answer B: You may go first because you got there first

    At an uncontrolled intersection the first driver to arrive goes first; the yield to the right rule only settles a tie.

  8. 8. Red pavement markings are used on a roadway to show that

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    Answer A: it must not be entered from that direction

    Red markings identify a roadway that is not to be entered or used, and they also mark the pavement of truck escape ramps.

  9. 9. When should you move into the lane you need for a turn?

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    Answer D: Well before the intersection, as soon as you know your route

    Getting into the correct lane early lets other drivers read your intentions and keeps you from making a sudden lane change at the corner.

  10. 10. When is a wet road usually most slippery?

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    Answer C: Just after the rain starts, before the surface oil is washed away

    Oil and dirt lying on the pavement mix with the first water and cut traction badly until continued rain washes the residue to the side of the road.

  11. 11. Your navigation device tells you to turn where a road sign says the turn is closed. What should you do?

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    Answer B: Follow the signs and what you can see

    A device works from stored data that can be out of date, while signs and the road in front of you show the situation now, so the road wins every time.

  12. 12. You are approaching a sharp curve. When should you reduce your speed?

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    Answer D: Before you enter the curve, so you can accelerate gently through it

    Braking hard inside a curve uses up the traction that is already being demanded for cornering, so the slowing must be finished before you enter.

  13. 13. A large X with the letters R and R beside it is painted across your lane. What does it mean?

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    Answer A: A railroad crossing lies a short distance ahead

    The pavement marking repeats the advance warning for a grade crossing, and it is used on paved approaches where speeds are high or where gates are installed.

  14. 14. What is the benefit of looking far down the road rather than just ahead of the hood?

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    Answer A: You steer with smaller corrections and you see trouble in plenty of time

    A distant view steadies your steering and gives you time to plan, because you meet hazards after you have already seen them.

  15. 15. Is it acceptable to leave your vehicle across the entrance of an alley for a short time?

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    Answer A: No, the entrance must stay clear at all times

    Blocking an alley entrance traps the vehicles inside and can keep emergency services out, so it is prohibited however brief the stop.

  16. 16. Why can a mild afternoon still chill a rider dangerously on the highway?

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    Answer B: Riding speed creates a wind chill well below the air temperature

    Air moving over the body at highway speed strips heat far faster than still air, so a comfortable temperature at a standstill can cause serious chilling in an hour of riding.

  17. 17. Which federal standard must a motorcycle helmet meet to be sold for on-road use in the United States?

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    Answer B: FMVSS No. 218

    Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 sets the impact, penetration and retention requirements for motorcycle helmets sold in the United States.

  18. 18. At night you are waiting to turn left and can see only the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Why should you allow a bigger margin?

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    Answer D: Because lights alone make speed and distance hard to judge

    With no other visual cues, two points of light give you very little information about how fast the vehicle is closing, so leave extra margin.

  19. 19. Every signal head at an intersection is flashing red in all directions. How should you treat the intersection?

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    Answer C: As an all-way stop, stopping and then going in turn

    Red flashing in every direction means each approach must stop, so the intersection works exactly like an all-way stop.

  20. 20. You reach a one-lane bridge and a vehicle is already partway across it coming toward you. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Stop before the bridge and let it come through

    A vehicle already on a one-lane bridge has the right of way, and the driver who has not yet entered waits at the approach.