Pennsylvania MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 14

Adjust your mirrors so you can see the lane behind you and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder, but it’s the road behind you and to the side of you that is most important.

To help maximize your visibility at night, you should wear bright clothing with reflective materials.

Riding in cold weather for long periods of time can cause severe chill, fatigue, and even hypothermia. Be sure to wear proper clothing to protect you from the elements.

Passing is prohibited in no passing zones. It is also prohibited to pass by riding off of the main-traveled portion of a roadway.

Adjust your mirrors so you can see the lane behind you and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder, but it’s the road behind you and to the side of you that is most important.

When making a turn, you should look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

When turning, look through the turn to where you want to go by turning only your head. Keep your knees against the gas tank to help maintain your balance while turning. Your arms should be slightly bent any time you are holding the handgrips.

To reduce the risk of a crash, you should always ensure that you are visible to others. Communicate your intentions through proper use of your signals, brake light, and lane position. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle and consistently scan the road ahead of, behind, and next to your vehicle. Always be ready to avoid an unexpected hazard.

To ride safely on a slippery surface, you should use both brakes when braking is necessary, reduce your speed, and avoid making sudden moves. Be especially alert to oily areas, shaded areas, dirt, gravel, and bridges, as these surfaces may provide less traction than others.

Alcohol begins to affect a person's judgment and decision-making abilities long before the legal blood alcohol limit is reached.

The risk of head and neck injuries is greatly reduced by wearing a high-quality helmet. A helmet is a rider's best defense against injury in the case of an accident.

Unlike drivers of larger vehicles, a motorcyclist has three lane position options in their travel lane. The rider should select whichever position is safest based on road and traffic conditions.

Under normal conditions, you should maintain a following distance of at least four seconds. Increase your following distance any time conditions are less than perfect.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. You should vary your lane position in response to changes in riding conditions.

Because most crashes happen in broad daylight, you should always wear brightly-colored clothing while riding, even during the day.

In potential high-risk areas, such as school zones or construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes. This cuts down the amount of time you will need to react to a hazard.

You should wear gear that helps protect you while you ride. It is best to wear a DOT-approved helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.

The extra weight of a passenger means that your motorcycle will need more time than usual to speed up, slow down, and turn. To accommodate the added weight, you should reduce your speed; start slowing earlier than normal; increase your following distance; and seek out larger gaps when crossing, entering, or merging with traffic.

Check your brake levers individually before every ride. Make sure each one feels firm and holds the motorcycle when the brake is fully applied.

When passing another vehicle on the left, you should ride in the left portion of your lane. Signal your intentions and check for traffic. Pass when it is safe to do so, then signal and return to your original lane when traffic allows.