New Mexico MVD Motorcycle Practice Test 12

  • Questions25
  • Correct to pass18
  • Passing score72%
  • Minimum age13 years

Minimum age: 13 years with a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse for a Y or Z endorsement, 15 years otherwise

25 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 18 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. A white diamond symbol is painted in a highway lane. What does it identify?

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    Answer C: A lane reserved for high-occupancy vehicles

    The diamond symbol marks a preferential lane, most often one reserved for vehicles carrying a minimum number of occupants.

  2. 2. What condition does this sign warn a driver about?

    A yellow diamond showing a vertical black line with a shorter line joining it from the right
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    Answer B: Another road joins the road being traveled, from one side

    It announces a side road entering the main roadway, so the driver should expect vehicles waiting to pull out and other vehicles slowing to turn in.

  3. 3. The lights at a highway-rail grade crossing begin to flash red as you approach. What must you do?

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    Answer B: Stop short of the tracks and wait until the lights stop and no train is near

    Flashing red lights at a crossing require a stop clear of the tracks, and you may proceed only once the lights have stopped, any gates are fully raised and no train is approaching.

  4. 4. What does this sign tell a driver about the road ahead?

    A yellow diamond showing a black curving arrow
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    Answer A: The roadway changes direction ahead, so speed should be reduced before reaching it

    It gives advance notice of a change in alignment so the driver can slow down before entering, since braking inside a bend uses up grip that is needed for steering.

  5. 5. What effect does low tire pressure have on a motorcycle?

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    Answer C: It makes steering, braking and general handling worse

    An underinflated tire changes shape under load, which makes the motorcycle steer heavily and respond unpredictably.

  6. 6. How should following distance change when you ride at night?

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    Answer D: Open it up to three seconds or more

    Less light means hazards appear later, so a rider should slow down and stretch the following distance to three seconds or more.

  7. 7. A warning sign showing two children on a see-saw is posted beside a residential street. What does it mean?

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    Answer D: A play area lies beside the road and children may run out

    The playground sign warns that children are present next to the roadway and may enter it without looking, so drivers should cover the brake and slow down.

  8. 8. On a divided highway you see a median opening marked for authorized vehicles only. May you use it to turn around?

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    Answer D: No, those openings are for emergency and maintenance vehicles

    Official crossovers are reserved for emergency and highway maintenance use; turning there puts a slow vehicle across high-speed traffic.

  9. 9. A United States numbered route is normally marked with

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    Answer C: black numerals on a white shield

    The U.S. route marker is a white shield carrying black numerals, which sets it apart at a glance from the red, white and blue Interstate shield.

  10. 10. The oil pressure warning light comes on while you are riding. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Stop as soon as it is safe and shut the engine off

    That light warns that the engine may not be receiving oil, and every extra minute of running risks destroying it.

  11. 11. A group has just stopped at a stop sign. How should the formation be restored?

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    Answer B: Riders should pull away one at a time and take up the stagger once moving

    Motorcycles need room to pull away and get up to speed, so the staggered formation is taken up again only after the riders are rolling.

  12. 12. You are following another vehicle down a long, steep grade. What should you do about the gap?

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    Answer D: Make it longer, because both of you need more room to stop

    Everything takes longer to stop on a downgrade, including the vehicle ahead, so the gap that works on the flat is no longer enough.

  13. 13. What should a group agree on before the ride begins?

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    Answer A: The route, the fuel and rest stops, and the hand signals to be used

    Settling the route, the stops and the signals before departure keeps the group together and avoids sudden, confusing decisions once it is moving.

  14. 14. A tow truck with flashing amber lights is loading a car on the shoulder ahead. How should you treat it?

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    Answer B: Give it the same room as an emergency vehicle

    Tow operators, utility crews and highway workers face the same danger from passing traffic, so move over or slow down for their flashing amber lights too.

  15. 15. Why should riding boots come above the ankle?

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    Answer C: The ankle is easily broken and is left bare by a low shoe

    The ankle takes a lot of damage when a motorcycle goes down or a foot is trapped, and a low shoe leaves it completely unprotected.

  16. 16. The trapezoid sign shape is associated with

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    Answer C: recreational and cultural interest area signing

    The trapezoid is used for recreational and cultural interest area guide signs and for national forest route markers.

  17. 17. You are in a minor collision on a busy road. No one is hurt and both vehicles can be driven. What is the recommended thing to do?

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    Answer C: Move the vehicles out of the travel lanes to a safe spot before exchanging information

    Vehicles left in traffic after a minor crash invite a second, often worse, collision. Clearing the lane protects everyone, and you still exchange details and report as required.

  18. 18. Where is the clutch lever located on a standard motorcycle?

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    Answer D: On the left handlebar

    Squeezing the lever on the left handlebar disengages the clutch and interrupts power between the engine and the rear wheel.

  19. 19. A pedestrian waiting at a curb faces a steady upraised hand. What does that indication mean?

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    Answer A: Do not start to cross in that direction

    A steady upraised hand forbids entering the crosswalk, while a flashing hand only forbids starting a new crossing.

  20. 20. You are waiting in a left-turn lane at a green light when a fire engine with lights and siren comes toward you in the oncoming lanes. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Hold your position and let the fire engine pass

    Turning across the path of an approaching emergency vehicle is exactly what you must not do; stay put until it has gone by.

  21. 21. What is the purpose of carrying a first aid kit in your vehicle?

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    Answer D: It lets you treat cuts and bleeding while the help is on its way

    A kit is for simple first aid such as controlling bleeding until trained help arrives, not a substitute for calling for that help.

  22. 22. What are painted curb markings mainly used for?

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    Answer D: Conveying parking and stopping regulations

    Colored curbs tell drivers where waiting or parking is restricted, and because the exact color meanings are set locally a driver should also read the posted signs.

  23. 23. You are calling 911 to report a crash. Which information matters most?

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    Answer C: The exact location, how many people are hurt and any hazard such as fire

    Dispatchers need to know where to send help, how much help to send, and what dangers the crews will meet on arrival.

  24. 24. How long should a glance at a mirror or an instrument take?

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    Answer A: A brief glance of about a second, returning your eyes to the road at once

    Checks should be quick flicks of the eyes. At highway speed, a few seconds with your eyes off the road covers a distance long enough for a hazard to appear.

  25. 25. You are turning right where a paved trail crosses the road just past the corner. What should you look for?

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    Answer B: Cyclists and walkers arriving from either direction on the trail

    A shared use path carries two-way traffic on foot and on bicycles, so scan both directions along the trail before crossing it.