South Carolina MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 11

Make sure your motorcycle's transmission is in neutral before you start the engine. Most motorcycles have a neutral indicator on the speedometer that lights up when the ignition switch is on and the cycle is in neutral.

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.

If you accidentally lock the rear wheel while stopping on a surface with good traction, you can keep it locked until you have completely stopped. Even with a locked rear wheel, you can control your motorcycle if it is upright and traveling in a straight line.

Position yourself in the portion of the lane where you are most likely to be seen by other road users and where you can maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle. There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. A responsible rider adjusts their position as conditions change.

In South Carolina, any motorcycle operator or passenger under the age of 21 must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. Helmets must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides with at least four square inches of reflectorized material, provided the helmet is not constructed of a reflectorized material.

Motorcyclists may pass on the right if there is unobstructed pavement with a width of at least eight feet to the right of the vehicle being passed. Motorcyclists, and other drivers, should never leave the road to pass another vehicle.

The skills a person needs to ride safely decrease as the amount of alcohol consumed increases. If you have consumed alcohol in any amount, it is safest not to ride your motorcycle.

If you approach an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or roadside assistance vehicle that is stopped with its lights flashing, you must change lanes to allow the vehicle extra space and proceed with caution. Always slow down and be prepared to stop when you approach an emergency scene.

Motorcycle passengers should always sit behind the operator and hold firmly and securely onto the operator's waist, hips, or midsection. They may instead choose to hold onto handgrips, provided that the motorcycle is equipped with them. Passengers should never ride sidesaddle.

Signs that are blue with white markings indicate the locations of services. These services may include rest areas, gas stations, food options, and hospitals.

A solid white line on the side of the road is used to indicate the right edge of a traffic lane.

If the front wheel locks up while you are braking, release the pressure from the front brake. Immediately re-apply pressure to the brake with controlled gradual pressure.

It is not advisable to ride beside passenger vehicles or trucks. Doing so may place you in another vehicle's blind spot and the driver could move into your lane without realizing you are there.

Clothing for riding should provide protection while keeping you comfortable. Jackets and pants should be snug enough that they do not flap in the wind, but not so snug that they restrict your movements.

Intersections present the greatest potential for conflict between motorcycles and other vehicles. When approaching an intersection, be sure you are riding in a lane position that makes you most visible to other road users.

Reduce your speed before entering a turn. If you take a turn too fast, you may end up veering out of your lane or even off the road.

A traffic signal displaying a solid red arrow has the same meaning as a red traffic light. Drivers must come to a complete stop and wait for a traffic signal that allows them to turn in their desired direction.

Some motorcycles have integrated braking systems that link the front and rear brakes together when the rider applies the rear brake pedal. It is important to consult your owner's manual for details on your specific motorcycle's braking system.

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.

Choose a lane position that helps you avoid road hazards. Make sure you maintain a safe cushion of space around your motorcycle at all times.

Pavement is often especially slippery when it first begins to rain. The rainwater mixes with the oily deposits left by cars that have not yet washed off the road. When riding in rain, the best option is to ride in the tire tracks left by cars ahead of you.

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.

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. You should always be flexible about your lane position, especially when riding at night.

When riding a motorcycle, it is highly recommended that you wear protective apparel. Look for a jacket that completely covers your arms and fits snugly but still allows you to move freely. Leather or sturdy synthetic materials with integrated body armor offer the best protection.

When approaching a blind intersection, move into the portion of the lane that will bring you into another driver’s field of vision at the earliest possible moment.

A “wobble” is when the front wheel and handlebars suddenly start to shake from side to side. Most wobbles are a result of improper loading, unsuitable accessories, or incorrect tire pressure.

Leather boots provide the best degree of protection when riding. They should be high and sturdy enough to cover and support your ankles.

Use hand signals when bright sunlight makes your mechanical signals difficult for other drivers to see. It is extremely important to clearly communicate with other road users.

If traffic allows, the center lane position is usually the best position for a motorcyclist to take when following a car because the center position will place them in the driver's rearview mirror. A motorcyclist should always be prepared to change positions if traffic or conditions require it.

When riding a motorcycle, it is highly recommended that you wear protective apparel. Clothing that may help protect a motorcycle user in the case of a crash include long-sleeved jackets; long, heavy pants; over-the-ankle, closed-toe boots; and full-fingered leather gloves. It is a good idea to cover as much skin as possible when riding a motorcycle.