New Jersey MVC Motorcycle Practice Test 9

  • Questions50
  • Correct to pass40
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age17 years

Minimum age: 17 years, with parent or guardian consent under 18

50 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 40 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. 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.

  2. 2. A crossing guard steps into the roadway ahead of this sign with one hand raised. What must the driver do?

    A five sided sign with a pointed top, a bright yellow green background and a black legend
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    Answer B: Stop and stay stopped until the guard waves traffic on

    An adult guard is controlling traffic at that crossing, so the instruction given by that person governs and the driver waits to be released.

  3. 3. The car ahead of you slows down for no reason that you can see. Should you pull out and pass?

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    Answer B: No, find out why it is slowing before you commit to the other lane

    A driver usually slows for something, such as a turn, a hazard or a pedestrian, and that something is often exactly where your pass would take you.

  4. 4. A driver extends the left arm out the window and bends it upward at the elbow. What does this signal mean?

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    Answer B: A right turn

    The left arm bent upward at the elbow is the standard hand signal for a right turn.

  5. 5. Where should the rider be looking during a U-turn?

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    Answer B: All the way around toward the point where the turn will finish

    A motorcycle follows the eyes, so turning the head to the exit of the turn keeps the machine coming round instead of drifting wide.

  6. 6. What does the thick foam liner inside a certified helmet actually do in a crash?

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    Answer C: It crushes so the head slows down over a longer time and distance

    The crushable liner is the part that absorbs energy, letting the head decelerate gradually instead of stopping instantly against a hard surface.

  7. 7. How long is a New Jersey driver license valid before it must be renewed?

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    Answer B: Four years

    New Jersey issues driver licenses for a four-year term, and endorsements expire with the license except for hazardous materials.

  8. 8. Some crosswalks are marked with two transverse lines and others with a row of wide bars laid along the direction of travel. Why is the second pattern used?

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    Answer B: It is far easier for an approaching driver to see

    Longitudinal bar patterns are used where extra visibility is wanted, such as an uncontrolled crossing or one near a school, because they show up much better from a car.

  9. 9. Which quality matters most in a face shield?

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    Answer B: It resists penetration and is free of deep scratches

    A shield has to stop objects thrown up from the road and stay clear enough for undistorted vision, and it needs some airflow so that it does not fog.

  10. 10. A driver sees this sign on a quiet road with no other traffic in either direction. What is the correct response?

    A yellow circle showing a black cross and the letters R R in the side quarters
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    Answer C: Slow down, look and listen for a train, and be ready to stop

    The sign gives advance notice of a highway-rail grade crossing, so the driver reduces speed, checks both directions along the tracks and keeps enough room to stop short of the rails.

  11. 11. On the Interstate system, what do the odd-numbered one and two digit routes have in common?

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    Answer D: They run mainly north and south

    Odd numbers are given to north and south Interstates and even numbers to east and west ones, with the numbers rising toward the north and the east.

  12. 12. A yellow sign ahead of an underpass reads LOW CLEARANCE 12 FT 6 IN. What does the figure tell you?

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    Answer B: The greatest height that can pass beneath the structure

    The figure is the actual clearance available, so a vehicle taller than that must leave the road and take a marked alternative route.

  13. 13. Children are playing close to the edge of a residential street. What is the right speed choice?

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    Answer D: Well below the limit, slow enough to stop for a sudden dash

    Children can step out without warning, so the safe speed is the one that lets you stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

  14. 14. Small green signs with white numerals posted at regular intervals along a highway are used to

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    Answer B: show distance along the route and give a reference point for reporting a location

    Reference location signs, commonly called mileposts, carry white numerals on green and let a driver describe exactly where a breakdown or crash has occurred.

  15. 15. Why are ordinary denim jeans a poor choice for riding?

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    Answer C: They wear through in a slide, giving little abrasion protection

    Light denim abrades away in a fraction of a second on pavement, while leather or purpose made textile gear stays intact long enough to protect the skin underneath.

  16. 16. You approach an intersection where the signal is flashing yellow. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Slow down and cross the intersection with caution

    A flashing yellow signal warns you to slow down and cross with care; it does not require a stop, but it does not give you priority either.

  17. 17. You are stopped at an intersection where bushes block your view of cross traffic. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Edge forward slowly until you can see, then proceed when clear

    Creeping forward a little at a time lets you gain a view without committing to the crossing. Never enter an intersection you cannot see into.

  18. 18. Once a driver has joined the route this sign begins, how is the rest of the way marked?

    An orange rectangle with black lettering and a black arrow
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    Answer B: By further markers of the same kind at each turn, until the original road is rejoined

    The alternate route is signed continuously, with a marker at every turn, so a driver with no local knowledge can follow it back to the original road.

  19. 19. Which ability does alcohol usually affect first?

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    Answer A: Judgment and self control

    Alcohol reduces judgment and inhibition before a drinker notices any clumsiness, which is why an impaired driver often feels perfectly capable while already driving worse.

  20. 20. Cones and drums mark a shifted lane through a work zone. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Follow the path that they mark and stay inside it

    Channelizing devices define the temporary travel path, and the space on the other side of them belongs to the workers.

  21. 21. In which situation should you increase your usual following distance?

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    Answer B: On wet roads, at night, in fog, when towing a trailer, or when following a motorcycle

    Reduced traction, reduced visibility, a heavier load and a vehicle that can stop faster than yours all require extra space to keep the same margin of safety.

  22. 22. What happens to traffic fines for violations committed in a New Jersey highway construction zone?

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    Answer D: They are doubled

    New Jersey doubles fines in construction zones for offenses such as speeding, tailgating, improper passing and disobeying an officer.

  23. 23. Windblown sand has collected across the pavement at a rural intersection where you must stop. How should you handle the stop?

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    Answer A: Do your braking on clean pavement before the sand, then roll across upright

    Sand acts like ball bearings under the tires, so finish your braking on the clean surface ahead of it and cross the loose patch upright with no sudden inputs.

  24. 24. You reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same moment as a vehicle approaching from your left. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Proceed, but only once you see that driver slowing

    You have the right of way over the vehicle on your left, but a right of way is something the other driver has to give, so confirm it before you commit.

  25. 25. Which is an early warning that fatigue is affecting your riding?

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    Answer D: You miss turns and signs and have to think about routine actions

    Fatigue shows up first as slower thinking and missed information, so treat lapses in attention as a signal to stop and rest.

  26. 26. Where should the weight of a load sit in relation to the rear axle?

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    Answer A: Over the rear axle or in front of it

    Weight placed behind the rear axle acts as a lever against the steering and can make the motorcycle wobble and handle and brake poorly.

  27. 27. How does driving on overinflated tires affect the vehicle?

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    Answer D: It gives a harsher ride and a smaller contact patch

    An overinflated tire bulges in the middle, so less rubber touches the road, grip suffers and the ride becomes hard. The center of the tread wears first.

  28. 28. You are turning right off a street into a parking lot driveway that crosses a bike lane and a sidewalk. Who has the right of way?

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    Answer D: Pedestrians on the sidewalk and riders in the bike lane

    Turning into a driveway means crossing the paths of people who were already traveling straight, so you give way to both the bike lane and the sidewalk.

  29. 29. Is it acceptable to drive with your vehicle straddling the line between two lanes?

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    Answer D: No, you must drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane

    A vehicle astride the line takes up two lanes and leaves the drivers around it unable to predict where it will go.

  30. 30. How much should you normally reduce your speed on a road covered with packed snow compared with dry conditions?

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    Answer C: By about half

    Packed snow roughly doubles the distance needed to stop, so a common guideline is to cut speed by about half. On ice, slow to a crawl.

  31. 31. An overhead sign shows that the right lane is EXIT ONLY. What does that mean if you intend to stay on the highway?

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    Answer B: You have to move out of that lane before the exit

    An exit only lane leaves the highway completely, so a driver continuing on the highway has to change lanes before it does.

  32. 32. On a highway with mileage-based exit numbering, you have just passed exit 42 and are looking for exit 55. About how far is it?

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    Answer B: Thirteen miles

    With mileage-based numbering each exit takes the number of the nearest milepost, so subtracting one exit number from another gives the distance in miles.

  33. 33. Why is dusk one of the harder times of day to drive?

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    Answer B: The failing light blurs shapes into the background

    In fading light there is not enough contrast to pick objects out, yet it is not dark enough for headlights to do the work, so pedestrians and cyclists disappear.

  34. 34. Your vehicle breaks down on a busy highway. What is the safest course of action?

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    Answer D: Get it as far off the roadway as possible, switch on the hazard lights and keep clear of the traffic lanes

    A vehicle left in or beside a travel lane is a hazard, so move it well off the road, make it conspicuous with hazard lights and keep yourself away from passing traffic.

  35. 35. What is the most common cause of rear-end collisions?

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    Answer C: Following too closely to stop in time

    A driver who leaves too little space has no room to perceive, react and brake when the vehicle ahead slows, which is why space management prevents rear-end crashes.

  36. 36. You are driving along a street lined with parked cars. What should you watch for?

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    Answer B: Doors opening, vehicles pulling out and pedestrians stepping from between cars

    Parked cars hide people and can move without warning. Keep as much space from them as you safely can and cover the brake.

  37. 37. An oncoming vehicle at night has its high beams on and you are being dazzled. Where should you look?

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    Answer A: Toward the right edge of your lane

    Looking toward the right edge line keeps you on course while sparing your eyes the worst of the glare. Slow down and do not retaliate with your own high beams.

  38. 38. You are leaving a private driveway and entering a public street. What are you required to do?

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    Answer B: Stop and yield to traffic on the street and to pedestrians on the sidewalk

    A driver entering a roadway from a driveway, alley or private road must stop and yield to traffic on the roadway and to pedestrians on the sidewalk being crossed.

  39. 39. You are turning left from a two-way street onto another two-way street. Where should you begin and end the turn?

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    Answer B: Begin in the lane just right of the center line and finish just right of the center line of the new street

    You approach a left turn from the lane closest to the center line and enter the new roadway just to the right of its center line, which keeps you clear of oncoming traffic.

  40. 40. How many points does New Jersey assess for exceeding the speed limit by 1 to 14 mph?

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    Answer A: 2 points

    Speeding by 1 to 14 mph carries two points; 15 to 29 mph over carries four and 30 mph or more carries five.

  41. 41. You are on a four-lane divided highway and a vehicle in your lane is stopped waiting to turn left across the median. What is the normal way past?

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    Answer D: Slow down and go by in the lane to the right when it is clear

    On a multilane road the free lane beside you is the lawful place to go past a vehicle waiting to turn, and the median is not part of the roadway.

  42. 42. What should a rider do before riding an unfamiliar or borrowed motorcycle?

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    Answer B: Locate and try the controls, then ride cautiously until used to the machine

    Turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel valve and engine cut-off switch sit in different places on different models, and hunting for them in traffic is dangerous.

  43. 43. What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

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    Answer B: Slow down and proceed with caution

    A flashing yellow lets you enter the intersection cautiously after yielding to pedestrians and to conflicting traffic that is already there.

  44. 44. You come upon a crash that has just happened and decide to help. Where should you stop your vehicle?

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    Answer A: Well beyond the scene, completely off the road, with the hazard lights on

    Stopping past the crash and off the pavement keeps you from becoming another victim and leaves the approach clear for emergency vehicles.

  45. 45. In the T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection, what does the first item cover?

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    Answer C: Tires and wheels

    T stands for tires and wheels, where the rider checks pressure, tread, damage, rims, spokes and bearings before anything else.

  46. 46. A small plate under a stop sign reads CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP. What is it telling you?

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    Answer D: Traffic on the cross street is not required to stop at all

    The plate warns that the other road is uncontrolled, so you must wait for a gap instead of expecting anyone to take turns with you.

  47. 47. Which of these does NOT affect how fast alcohol reaches the bloodstream?

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    Answer A: How confident the drinker feels

    Food, the strength of the drinks and the speed of drinking all change how fast alcohol is absorbed, but a drinker's confidence changes nothing at all.

  48. 48. In a work zone a flagger signals you to stop, but the sign beside the road says the lane is open. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Obey the flagger

    A flagger controls the work zone in real time and the instruction outranks the signs and markings, which cannot reflect what is happening at that moment.

  49. 49. This sign is still standing late at night, and nobody is working. What should the driver assume?

    An orange diamond with black lettering
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    Answer B: The layout may still be altered, so the same care and reduced speed apply

    Narrowed lanes, shifted alignments, dropped pavement edges and parked equipment remain overnight, so the hazard does not end when the crew goes home.

  50. 50. A line of short dashes set closer together than an ordinary lane line runs beside your lane where a ramp leaves the highway. What does a dotted line of that kind convey?

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    Answer A: A warning that the lane is about to change function

    Dotted lines give guidance or warning about a downstream change, such as a lane that becomes an exit only lane or a lane line carried across an intersection.