Virginia DMV Motorcycle Practice Test 38

  • Questions25
  • Correct to pass20
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age15 years 6 months

25 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 20 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. What is the proper use of the horn?

    Show answer

    Answer C: To give a brief warning when another road user may not have seen you

    The horn is a warning device meant to alert someone to your presence when a collision is possible, and using it in anger tends to escalate conflict rather than prevent crashes.

  2. 2. What is the recommended way to park a motorcycle at a curb?

    Show answer

    Answer C: At an angle, with the rear wheel touching the curb

    Backing the rear wheel to the curb at an angle keeps the motorcycle clear of traffic and lets the rider ride out forward instead of backing into the lane.

  3. 3. A sign at the intersection prohibits U-turns, but the opening looks wide and clear. What may you do?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Obey the sign and turn around somewhere else

    A prohibition applies whatever the traffic looks like at that moment, usually because of sight distance or conflicts you cannot see from the lane.

  4. 4. The light ahead is green but traffic beyond the intersection is backed up. What should you do?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Wait behind the intersection until there is room to clear it completely

    You may not enter an intersection unless you can get completely through it, because stopping inside blocks cross traffic when the signal changes.

  5. 5. In a work zone, the flagger's instructions conflict with the pavement markings still visible on the road. Which do you follow?

    Show answer

    Answer B: The flagger, because a person directing traffic outranks the markings

    An authorized flagger controlling a temporary traffic control zone overrides signs, signals and markings, and drivers must obey the flagger's signals.

  6. 6. A driver is tailgating you. Why is it a bad idea to tap or stab the brakes to warn them?

    Show answer

    Answer C: Because it cuts the little space they have and can cause a crash

    Brake checking removes the small margin the tailgater has left and can provoke a collision; add space in front of you instead and let them pass.

  7. 7. You have started to pass and you see the no-passing zone beginning ahead. What should you do?

    Show answer

    Answer D: Ease off, drop back and return to your own lane

    A pass must be completed before the no-passing zone starts. If it will not fit, abandon it and slot back in behind.

  8. 8. A yellow lamp flashes above a warning sign at a sharp curve. What does it ask of a driver?

    Show answer

    Answer D: Slow down and pass the point with extra care

    A warning beacon draws attention to the sign it is mounted with, and the message of the sign is what the driver must act on.

  9. 9. In a work zone the temporary lane lines conflict with the old lines still visible on the pavement. Which do you follow?

    Show answer

    Answer C: The temporary markings, which show the current traffic pattern

    Temporary markings define the traffic pattern in force, and the old lines are simply the layout that no longer applies.

  10. 10. What is the fine for a second or subsequent offense of holding a handheld personal communications device while driving in Virginia?

    Show answer

    Answer C: 250 dollars

    A second or subsequent offense of Virginia's handheld device law is punishable by a fine of 250 dollars.

  11. 11. In most states, when are headlights required apart from times of poor visibility?

    Show answer

    Answer A: From about half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise

    Most states require lights from about half an hour after sunset until about half an hour before sunrise, and some simply say sunset to sunrise; lights are also required whenever visibility is poor.

  12. 12. Low sun is shining onto the signal ahead and you cannot tell which light is lit. What should you do?

    Show answer

    Answer D: Slow down and be ready to stop until you can be sure

    An unreadable signal has to be treated as one that may be red, so approach slowly enough to stop while you work out what it shows.

  13. 13. What is the maximum fine for exceeding a maximum speed limit specifically posted for a Virginia highway work zone when workers are present?

    Show answer

    Answer C: A maximum fine of 500 dollars

    Exceeding a maximum speed limit specifically posted for a Virginia highway work zone, when workers are present and the zone is properly signed, is punishable by a fine of not more than 500 dollars.

  14. 14. An ambulance with lights and siren is coming toward you on an undivided two-lane road. What must you do?

    Show answer

    Answer A: Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes

    On an undivided road, drivers in both directions clear the way, pulling to the right edge and stopping.

  15. 15. At what apparent total property damage threshold must a Virginia law enforcement officer who investigates a crash forward a written report to the DMV?

    Show answer

    Answer B: 3,000 dollars or more

    A Virginia law enforcement officer who investigates a crash resulting in injury, death, or apparent total property damage of 3,000 dollars or more must forward a written report to the DMV within 24 hours of completing the investigation.

  16. 16. Where is this sign normally installed?

    A white vertical rectangle with a black border and black legend
    Show answer

    Answer A: At an island or other obstruction in the roadway, to show which side traffic must take

    It is placed at a divider, island or fixed obstruction so that drivers approaching it know without hesitating which side to pass on.

  17. 17. How should you position your vehicle for a right turn from a two-way street?

    Show answer

    Answer B: As close as practical to the right curb or edge, then turn into the nearest right lane

    Right turns are made from the lane nearest the right edge into the nearest available lane, which keeps the turn tight and prevents a wide sweep into other traffic.

  18. 18. A pedestrian has stepped into a crosswalk at an intersection ahead of you. What is your obligation?

    Show answer

    Answer C: Yield and let the pedestrian finish crossing before you proceed

    Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and an intersection has a legal crosswalk whether or not lines are painted on the pavement.

  19. 19. You are driving on an open highway in a strong crosswind. What is the safest adjustment?

    Show answer

    Answer A: Reduce speed and keep a firm grip, expecting gusts on bridges and beside large vehicles

    Gusts hit hardest in open gaps, on bridges and when passing high-sided vehicles, so a lower speed and a firm grip let you correct before you are pushed out of your lane.

  20. 20. Where does a rider find the correct chain slack figure for a particular motorcycle?

    Show answer

    Answer B: In the owner manual for that motorcycle

    Correct slack varies from model to model, so the manufacturer specification in the owner manual is the only reliable figure.

  21. 21. Your passenger keeps leaning out to one side to see the road ahead. What should you do?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Ask them to stay in line with you and look over your shoulder instead

    Leaning out shifts the combined weight sideways and unsettles the machine, and a passenger can see far enough by looking past the rider's shoulder.

  22. 22. Why should reflective material be placed on the front, back and sides of a rider's gear?

    Show answer

    Answer D: A driver may approach the rider from any of those directions

    Threats come from ahead, behind and from the sides at intersections, so reflective material should be visible from every direction a vehicle can approach.

  23. 23. A large truck ahead of you in a roundabout is using part of both lanes as it goes around. What is the correct response?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Stay back and give it room until it leaves the roundabout

    Long vehicles need extra width to get around the central island, so drivers behind must hold back rather than share the space beside them.

  24. 24. How should a rider take curves while carrying a passenger?

    Show answer

    Answer A: More slowly than when riding alone

    The extra weight raises the center of gravity and makes the motorcycle respond more slowly, so curves have to be taken at a lower speed.

  25. 25. Where does the restriction that starts at this sign come to an end?

    A yellow sign shaped like a horizontal triangle pointing right, with black lettering
    Show answer

    Answer D: Where the centerline markings show that overtaking is allowed again

    The sign marks the start of the restricted section, and the centerline markings along the road show how far it runs and where overtaking becomes lawful again.