Wisconsin WisDOT DMV Motorcycle Practice Test 42

  • Questions25
  • Correct to pass20
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age16 years

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

  1. 1. Which statement best describes what the basic speed law requires of you?

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    Answer C: That you never drive faster than is reasonable and safe for the conditions

    Nearly every state has a basic speed law that makes the conditions the real limit: weather, traffic, light and road surface can all require a speed well below the posted number.

  2. 2. You are joining a highway from a short ramp that has no acceleration lane. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Stop or slow at the end of the ramp and wait for a safe gap

    Without an acceleration lane there is no room to match speed, so you must yield at the end of the ramp and enter only when a gap allows it.

  3. 3. What does it mean to ride the clutch?

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    Answer C: Holding the lever part way in while riding, which wears the clutch plates

    Cruising with the clutch partly disengaged makes the plates slip against each other, which wears them out and removes engine braking.

  4. 4. A lane control sign over one lane shows both a straight arrow and a left arrow. What does it tell drivers in that lane?

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    Answer A: Either movement may be made from that lane

    An optional movement lane control sign lists every movement permitted from the lane, so a driver may choose any arrow shown.

  5. 5. A center lane is bordered by a solid yellow line on the outside and a broken yellow line on the inside, with turn arrows painted inside it. What is that lane for?

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    Answer C: Left turns made by traffic traveling in either direction

    That marking pattern identifies a two-way left-turn lane, which drivers approaching from both directions may use to prepare for a left turn.

  6. 6. Which statement about standard drinks is correct?

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    Answer C: A standard serving of beer, of table wine and of distilled spirits each contain about the same amount of pure alcohol

    Roughly 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of table wine and 1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirits each contain about the same amount of pure alcohol, so the type of drink does not change the effect.

  7. 7. A school sign combined with an AHEAD plaque, or with a plaque giving a distance in feet, forms an assembly that

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    Answer B: warns of a school crossing located further along the road

    The school advance crossing assembly is placed before the crosswalk to give drivers notice, while a different assembly marks the crossing itself.

  8. 8. You are approaching a refuse collection truck working along your street. What should you expect?

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    Answer D: Workers stepping into the road around the truck

    Collection crews move constantly between the truck and the curb, often from where you cannot see them, so slow right down and pass only when the whole area is clear.

  9. 9. A car is passing you on a two lane road. Which lane position is generally best while it goes by?

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    Answer A: The center portion of your lane

    The middle of the lane keeps distance from the passing vehicle and its mirrors while leaving room on the other side if the rider needs it.

  10. 10. You are driving in fog so thick that you can barely see the vehicle ahead. Which pavement marking is the best guide for staying in your lane?

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    Answer A: The white edge line on the right side of the road

    The right edge line keeps you positioned away from oncoming traffic and is easy to follow at low speed. Following tail lights closely tempts you to drive faster than you can see.

  11. 11. How does Wisconsin's operator license system separate motorcycle-only privileges from car and commercial privileges?

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    Answer D: It issues a distinct license labeled Motorcycle Only for Class M privileges, separate from a Class D card or a Commercial Driver License

    Wisconsin statute requires a license authorizing only Class M vehicles to be labeled Motorcycle Only, kept separate from the Class D regular license and from a CDL for Class A, B or C vehicles.

  12. 12. A yellow diamond showing arrows arranged in a circle warns of

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    Answer B: a circular intersection such as a roundabout ahead

    The circular intersection warning sign announces a roundabout or traffic circle so drivers can slow down and prepare to yield to traffic already circulating.

  13. 13. A rider signals that they need to stop, although nobody else in the group wants a break. What should happen?

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    Answer A: The group stops, because a rider who needs a break should get one

    A rider who is tired, cold or uncomfortable is a hazard to the whole group, and stopping costs far less than the mistake that follows.

  14. 14. What must you check about a load before riding away with it?

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    Answer C: That it does not cover the tail light, the brake light or the signals

    Luggage that hides the lights leaves drivers behind with no warning that the motorcycle is slowing or turning.

  15. 15. On a two-way street, where and how should you park at the curb?

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    Answer C: On the right side, facing the way traffic moves

    On a two-way street you must park on the right, headed in the direction of travel; parking facing traffic is prohibited.

  16. 16. Where is the no passing zone pennant sign installed?

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    Answer A: On the left side of the roadway

    The pennant is placed on the left side of the roadway at the beginning of the no-passing zone, in the field of view of a driver who is thinking about overtaking.

  17. 17. A piece of farm machinery ahead of you is wider than its own lane. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Hold back until you can see far enough to pass safely

    Wide equipment leaves no gap inside the lane and may use part of the other side, so a pass needs a long clear view of the road ahead.

  18. 18. 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.

  19. 19. A driver reaching a stop sign is required to do what?

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    Answer D: Come to a complete stop and then proceed only when it is safe

    A stop sign requires a full stop before the stop line, crosswalk or intersection, after which the driver may go on once the way is clear.

  20. 20. You are traveling at 55 mph and see a vehicle ahead moving at about 15 mph. What is the hazard?

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    Answer A: You reach it far sooner than you expect

    At a 40 mph difference you cover the gap in a few seconds, which is why drivers strike slow vehicles they saw in plenty of time.

  21. 21. Is it a good idea to shift into neutral and coast down a long hill to save fuel?

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    Answer B: No, you lose engine braking and some control of the vehicle

    In neutral the engine cannot help slow the vehicle, so the brakes do all the work and can overheat. Stay in gear so the drivetrain helps hold your speed.

  22. 22. What should the operator do while a passenger climbs on board?

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    Answer D: Sit on the machine with both feet planted and the front brake held on

    The added weight arrives suddenly and off center, so the operator braces the motorcycle with both feet down and the front brake applied to keep it still.

  23. 23. What is the correct sequence for shifting into a higher gear?

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    Answer C: Roll off the throttle, squeeze the clutch, lift the lever, ease the clutch out

    Closing the throttle as the clutch comes in, then easing the clutch out as the throttle is reopened, keeps the change smooth and the chassis settled.

  24. 24. A diamond-shaped sign is used to

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    Answer A: warn of a condition on or next to the road that may call for caution

    The diamond is the standard shape of the warning series, which alerts drivers to conditions that would otherwise not be obvious in time to react.

  25. 25. You are starting from a stop on a snowy, icy street and the drive wheels begin to spin. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and start again more gently

    Spinning tires polish the surface and dig in. Very gentle pressure on the accelerator, and a higher gear if you have one, gives the tires the best chance to grip.