Massachusetts RMV Motorcycle Practice Test 44
- Questions25
- Correct to pass18
- Passing score72%
- Minimum age16 years
-
1. A yellow diamond shows an arrow bent into a series of reversing turns. What does it warn about?
Show answer
Answer A: Three or more changes of direction close together
The winding road sign replaces a string of separate curve signs where several bends follow one another with only short straights between them.
-
2. You reach an intersection showing a steady red light, and a stop line is painted across your lane. Where must you bring the vehicle to a complete stop?
Show answer
Answer C: Before the stop line
A steady red requires a complete stop before the marked stop line. Where there is no stop line you stop before the crosswalk, and where there is neither, before entering the intersection.
-
3. The signal ahead turns yellow while you are approaching it. What does the yellow light mean?
Show answer
Answer C: The red is coming; stop if you can do so safely
A steady yellow warns that the red is next. Stop if you can do so safely; enter the intersection only when stopping would be dangerous.
-
4. You are on a city street with two lanes in your direction, cars parked along the curb and driveways every few yards. Which lane is usually safer?
Show answer
Answer B: The lane farther from the curb, away from opening doors and vehicles pulling out
Most of the hazards on such a street come from the curb side, so the inside lane gives you more space and more time to react.
-
5. Two drivers each have three drinks, one over three hours and one in half an hour. What is the difference?
Show answer
Answer C: The fast drinker reaches a higher peak level
The liver removes alcohol at a steady rate, so drinking faster than the body can clear it pushes the blood alcohol level much higher.
-
6. What is the correct sequence for shifting into a higher gear?
Show answer
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.
-
7. In which crash must the police always be notified?
Show answer
Answer D: Any crash in which somebody has been injured or killed, whatever the damage
Injury or death always makes a crash reportable, whatever the amount of vehicle damage or the opinions of the drivers.
-
8. Which of these is an early warning that you are too tired to keep driving?
Show answer
Answer C: Not remembering the last few miles you drove
Memory gaps, repeated yawning, heavy eyelids and drifting are the body signaling that sleep is winning, and they mean stop rather than push on.
-
9. An arrow panel at a work zone displays a flashing arrow pointing to the left. What does it require?
Show answer
Answer C: Move out of the closed lane into the lane on the left
A flashing or sequential arrow on an arrow panel directs traffic out of a closed lane and into the lane the arrow points to.
-
10. Why should a rider glance down at the sidestand before pulling away?
Show answer
Answer A: A stand left down can catch the road and lever the rear wheel off the ground
A sidestand that is still down will dig into the pavement in a left turn and can lift the rear tire clear of the road.
-
11. The green left-turn arrow ends and a steady red ball comes on for your lane, at an intersection where no turn on red is allowed. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Stop and wait, because no turn is allowed while the red ball is lit
Once a red indication faces your lane and no turn on red is permitted there, the turn is over; only a vehicle already inside the intersection completes its movement.
-
12. What is the best way to keep your phone from distracting you on a trip?
Show answer
Answer D: Silence it and stow it before you start
A phone you cannot hear and cannot reach cannot tempt you, which is far more reliable than deciding case by case while you drive.
-
13. The leader gives a hand signal that you can see clearly from your place in the group. What should you do with it?
Show answer
Answer A: Repeat the signal so the riders behind you also receive it
Signals are passed down the line rider by rider, because riders further back cannot see the leader through the machines in between.
-
14. A piece of farm machinery ahead of you is wider than its own lane. What should you do?
Show answer
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.
-
15. A rider uses only the rear brake for a quick stop. What is the result?
Show answer
Answer B: A much longer stop, and a rear wheel that locks easily
With weight thrown forward the rear tire has little grip left, so it gives up only a small share of the available braking and skids under heavy pressure.
-
16. A wide crosswalk you are turning across has a refuge island in the middle. What should you assume about people standing on it?
Show answer
Answer D: They may step off the island into your path at any moment
An island is a pause in a crossing, not the end of one, so treat anyone on it as a pedestrian who is still crossing.
-
17. What should a pre-ride check of a belt final drive look for?
Show answer
Answer C: Correct tension, plus cracks, frayed edges and missing teeth
A belt is inspected for tension and for damage such as cracks, missing teeth and worn edges, and unlike a chain it is never lubricated.
-
18. You are driving through patchy fog on a highway. What should you be ready for?
Show answer
Answer B: Sudden dense banks where visibility drops within a few car lengths
Patchy fog can go from clear to nearly blind in a moment, so keep your speed low enough that a sudden bank does not leave you without room.
-
19. A downpour has just started on a street with a visible dark strip down the middle of the lane. Where should you ride?
Show answer
Answer A: In the left or right portion of the lane, away from the greasy center strip
Dripped oil and grease build up in the center of the lane, and water floats that film to the top, so the tire tracks on either side offer better grip.
-
20. How long is the Massachusetts suspension for a driver declared a habitual traffic offender?
Show answer
Answer C: Four years
A habitual traffic offender, defined by three major moving violations or any twelve major or minor ones within five years, loses the license for four years.
-
21. Parked cars block your view of a cross street you are about to enter. How should you proceed?
Show answer
Answer A: Edge forward slowly until you can see along the cross street, then go
Creeping forward buys a view of the cross street a little at a time, and it keeps the rider slow enough to stop if something is coming.
-
22. You enter a work zone at night where one lane is closed and a flagger is on duty. What is the safest approach?
Show answer
Answer A: Slow early, merge before the closure and be ready to stop
Merging early at a reduced speed keeps the queue orderly and leaves you room to stop for equipment, workers or traffic that has halted ahead.
-
23. You are about to change lanes to the left when you notice a vehicle already overtaking you in that lane. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Hold your lane and your speed, and change only after that vehicle has gone by
A signal asks for space but does not create it, and the overtaking driver has nowhere to go if you move across.
-
24. How should a driver respond to this sign?
Show answer
Answer C: Slow down before reaching the rough spot and cross it at a steady, low speed
Losing speed before a sharp rise in the pavement keeps the vehicle settled, while braking or accelerating on top of it unsettles the suspension and costs grip.
-
25. Your face shield develops a crack across the middle. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Replace the shield, because a crack scatters light and can fail
A cracked shield distorts your view, scatters light badly at night and can break apart in an impact, so it should be replaced rather than repaired.