South Dakota MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 3

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

Long-term exposure to wind and engine noise can damage your hearing, even if you wear a helmet. It is a good idea to use hearing protection every time you ride to help prevent hearing damage.

Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. It is important to be able to brake quickly by using both brakes.

A flashing red traffic light means the same thing as a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, yield to all crossing traffic and pedestrians, and proceed when it is safe to do so.

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.

All passes must be completed within the posted speed limits and only in areas where passing is permitted.

A sturdy riding jacket provides essential protection in the event of a crash, no matter the weather. Jackets also provide an additional benefit in hot weather by protecting the rider against dehydration. Many motorcycling jackets are designed to prevent the wearer from overheating.

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

To have proper riding posture, position yourself so that you are using your arms to steer rather than to hold yourself up. Sit so that your elbows are slightly bent when you hold the handgrips.

To reduce your chances of being involved in a collision, always allow yourself an adequate cushion of space. Maintain your space cushion when following another vehicle, being followed by another vehicle, passing, being passed, or lane sharing.

The best way to help others see your motorcycle is to have your headlight turned on (as well as your running lights, if applicable). Use your high beam headlight both day and night, whenever it is legal and safe to do so.

When passing a truck, you should only return to your original lane when you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror.

When being passed on your left, you should ride in the center portion of your lane. Riding in the right portion of the lane can be dangerous as it may tempt the passing driver to re-enter your lane too quickly.

An expanded cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and another driver may try to squeeze in front of you, open up your following distance.

A passenger on a motorcycle should sit as far forward as possible without crowding the operator. The passenger should keep both feet on the footrests at all times, even when stopped.

This sign is displayed on the rear of slow-moving vehicles that may be moving more slowly than 25 mph, such as construction equipment, farm machinery, or horse-drawn vehicles.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. Vary your lane position as road and traffic conditions warrant.

When riding at night, reduce your speed and increase your following distance. Visibility is lowered at night and you will need the additional time and space to react to upcoming hazards.

If you approach an intersection that is not marked with signs or traffic lights at the same time as another driver, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

In general, it is best for a group to ride in a staggered formation. Move into a single-file formation when taking a curve, making a turn, entering a highway, or leaving a highway.

If a tire goes flat while you are riding, hold onto the handgrips firmly and concentrate on maintaining a straight course. Brake only if you are sure which tire is flat. Exit the roadway once your motorcycle has slowed considerably.

Like any vehicle, motorcycles have blind spots. In addition to using your mirrors, you must always turn your head to check your blind spot before changing lanes.

Riding between rows of stopped or slowly moving vehicles can be dangerous. Vehicles may change lanes, doors may open, or arms may be stuck out of vehicles' windows. Despite their size, motorcycles need the full width of a lane to operate safely.

You should shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow or stop. Remain in first gear while stopped so you can move quickly, if needed.

If your front wheel locks while you are making a quick stop, release the front brake immediately and then re-apply it firmly. Use both the front and rear brakes if you need to stop quickly.