Louisiana MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 13

At minimum, a street-legal motorcycle must have at least a headlight, taillight, and brake light; front and rear brakes; turn signals; a horn; and two mirrors.

Because of their size, motorcycles may seem to be traveling faster than they actually are.

Inexperienced riders should ride near the front of a group, just behind the leader, so more experienced riders can keep an eye on them from behind.

Like any other vehicle, motorcycles have blind spots. Always turn your head to check for traffic in your blind spot before changing lanes.

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

To reduce the risk of a collision when riding at night, be sure to reduce your speed and increase your following distance. Use the headlights of vehicles ahead of you to see farther down the road. Use your high beam headlight, except when following or meeting another vehicle.

Generally, you should maintain a minimum following distance of two seconds. Increase your following distance to at least three seconds whenever you are riding under conditions that are less than ideal.

The added weight of a passenger in a sidecar will affect the handling of your motorcycle. Expect your motorcycle to require extra space to come to a complete stop.

The best way to handle a tailgater is to get them in front of you. If you can do so safely, change lanes and let them pass. Speeding up may only increase the danger by causing them to continue tailgating you at a higher speed.

A number of surfaces can provide poor traction for tires. Wet pavement; roads covered in loose gravel or sand; muddy, snowy, or icy areas; and painted lane markings can be more hazardous for a motorcyclist than dry pavement.

For your protection, you should wear a long-sleeved jacket, ideally made of leather, when riding. In warm weather, a leather jacket can help protect you against dehydration. Many motorcycle jackets are designed to help keep you cool even when the weather is hot.

While a staggered formation is usually best for group riding, a group should switch into a single-file formation when taking curves, turning, or entering or exiting a highway.

Proper clothing for riding can help protect you from injury in the event of a collision. It can also protect against routine hazards and discomforts, such as hot or cold weather.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield can help protect your whole face in a crash. While goggles can protect your eyes, they won't protect the rest of your face. A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles.

Successful motorcyclists know that they are safest when they are clearly seen by other road users. Use your headlight, brake light, signals, and lane position to maximize your visibility.

When being passed, motorcyclists should be careful not to be hit by any part of the passing vehicle, including its mirrors. In addition to the vehicle itself, motorcyclists should be aware of wind gusts coming from the passing vehicle and potential objects being thrown by a passenger in the vehicle who may not be paying attention to the road.

The gearshift lever of a motorcycle is located in front of the left footrest and is operated by the rider's left foot.

Drippings from cars tend to form an oily strip in the center of each lane. Unless conditions are wet, it is usually still safe for a motorcycle to operate on the center strip.

An effective face shield should be free of scratches, be resistant to penetration, allow clear views to both sides, fasten securely, permit air to pass through, and provide enough space for eyeglasses or sunglasses to be worn underneath. It is important for a face shield to permit the passage of air because an airtight face shield can create fogging and make it difficult for a rider to see.

Most motorcycle crashes happen in broad daylight. You should always wear brightly-colored clothing when riding to maximize your chances of being seen, even during the day.

To reduce your risk of being involved in a crash, you must ensure that you are visible to others on the road and that other drivers understand what you're planning to do. Clearly communicate your intentions through proper signaling and lane positioning. Maintain an adequate space cushion and scan your path of travel, identifying upcoming hazards and being prepared to react.

If you find yourself riding in a vehicle's blind spot, you should either speed up quickly or slow down and drop back to vacate the spot.

To ride safely at night, you should reduce your speed, use your high beam headlight when you are not riding near other vehicles, and increase your following distance. Take advantage of vehicles ahead of you to provide clues about the upcoming road. Their headlights may help to illuminate the road ahead and their taillights will bounce up and down if the vehicle is being driven over bumps on the road.

A motorcycle must lean to make a turn. To make it lean in the appropriate direction, press the handgrip in the direction you want to turn.

Loads carried in a sidecar should be secured so that they do not shift and affect the motorcycle's handling. Loads should be distributed toward the rear of the sidecar to reduce tipping of the nose of the sidecar in the event of a sudden left turn.