California MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 9

A solid yellow traffic light warns that the signal is about to change to red. You must slow and come to a stop before the intersection if it is safe to do so. If you are already within the intersection when the light turns yellow, continue through the intersection.

Impairment of riding skills begins with the first drink. If you have consumed alcohol in any amount, it is not safe to ride.

Octagonal signs that are colored red are always stop signs. When approaching one of these signs, you must come to a complete stop, yield to any other traffic or pedestrians, and proceed once it is safe to do so.

You should never rely on eye contact as an assurance that a driver has seen you. It is not uncommon for a driver to look directly at a motorcyclist and still fail to actually notice them.

Alcohol reaches the brain and begins affecting the drinker's riding abilities within minutes of being consumed. Operating any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is illegal and dangerous.

Riding alongside another vehicle is dangerous because the vehicle could veer into your lane and sideswipe you. Additionally, the vehicle could block your escape route if a hazard arises.

You should always use both brakes when you slow or stop.

Before beginning your ride, tell your passenger to maintain a firm grasp on your hips, waist, or belt. If there are secure handholds for your passenger, they may also hold those.

To determine upcoming road conditions when riding at night, use the vehicle ahead of you. For example, the headlights of the vehicle may provide a better view of the road than your own high beam. If the vehicle's taillights bounce up and down, this indicates the presence of bumps on the road.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. Adjust your lane position as circumstances warrant.

The best way to stop quickly is to apply controlled pressure to both the rear and front brakes at the same time. Be careful not to lock the brakes in the process.

Motorcyclists should maintain a minimum two-second following distance under normal conditions. Any time conditions are less than perfect, a larger following distance is recommended.

White lines are used to separate traffic moving in the same direction. Solid lines indicate that drivers are not permitted to pass, whereas dashed lines indicate that drivers are permitted to pass, if it is safe to do so.

It is best to change gears before starting a turn. However, if you must shift while turning, shift smoothly. A sudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid.

When approaching a blind intersection that is controlled by a stop line or stop sign, you must first stop where indicated. You may then edge forward and stop again just short of where the cross traffic lane meets your lane. From that position, lean your body forward and look around buildings, parked cars, or bushes to see if anything is approaching. Make sure your front wheel stays out of the crossroad while you are looking.

If the throttle becomes stuck and you are unable to free it, immediately operate the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time. This will remove power from the rear wheel until you are able to safely leave the road and stop.

When riding, you should be positioned so that you are able to easily operate all controls. Sit with your arms slightly bent and use your arms to steer rather than to hold up your body. Keep your knees against the gas tank to help maintain your balance during turns.

To ensure control when making a turn, you should reduce your speed before entering the turn. Look through the turn in the direction you want to move, press on the handle grip to lean in the appropriate direction, and roll on the throttle through the turn to stabilize suspension.

Frequent mirror checks should be part of your normal scanning routine. Additionally, make a special point of using your mirrors before changing lanes, when stopping at an intersection, and before slowing down.

Wearing brightly-colored or reflective clothing can increase your chances of being seen by other road users.

When riding in a group, it is generally best to travel in a staggered formation. This formation allows riders to remain in close ranks while still maintaining safe following distances.

Use both brakes every time you slow down or stop. If you use only the rear brake when stopping normally, you may not develop the habit or the skill to use the front brake properly when you really need to stop quickly.

Protection should be your first consideration when buying a motorcycle helmet.

More than one-half of collisions involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles are caused by drivers failing to properly yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists should never assume that drivers of larger vehicles will yield the right-of-way, even if they are legally required to do so.

A helmet will provide a rider with the best protection if it meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards; fits snugly all the way around; and has no obvious defects, such as cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps.

Engines seize when they are low on oil. Without oil, the engine’s moving parts cannot move smoothly against each other and the engine overheats.

Experienced riders use a SEE strategy while riding to make safe judgements. "SEE" stands for Search, Evaluate, and Execute.

The front brake provides about three-quarters of a motorcycle's total stopping power. Use both the front and rear brakes every time you stop.

A properly chosen lane position should provide a number of benefits, including an increased ability to see others and to be seen. It should help you avoid wind blasts, other drivers' blind spots, and surface hazards. Your lane position should discourage other drivers from trying to share your lane and provide you with an escape route, should a hazard arise.

To make yourself more visible to other road users, it is best if you choose to wear bright orange, red, yellow, or green clothing. Avoid wearing drab or dark colors while riding.