Pennsylvania DOT Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 2024

You have to follow traffic rules even when riding a motorcycle, which includes not exceeding the speed limit. Passing must be completed within posted speed limits.

If you’re riding or driving when you would normally be sleeping, you're much more likely to nod off or fall asleep. Avoid fatigue by taking breaks regularly and not riding if you're tired. Every year almost 100,000 crashes are caused by drivers falling asleep across the U.S.

The most important thing to do after passing or being passed by a larger vehicle is to ensure you are able to see hazards and that others can see you. Create a space cushion around your motorcycle immediately after passing or being passed.

Most of the collisions involving motorcycle riders occur in broad daylight. This makes it extra important that you wear brightly-colored or reflective clothing to maximize your chances of being seen.

If you notice that a person is unconscious, you need to check that he/she is breathing normally. Look and listen for breathing, look for chest movements, and feel for breath on your cheek.

Motorcyclists must be especially careful if they ride over an object that can damage the tires or get stuck in the drive chain or belt. Always pull off the road and double-check that everything is OK before continuing.

SEE is a three-step process that motorcycle riders can use to make appropriate judgments and apply them correcly. It stands for Search, Evaluate, Execute. "Evaluate" is focused on evaluating how a hazard can affect you and have a plan in place to reduce risks. For example; evaluate how traffic traffic control devices will affect traffic up ahead, how you should avoid potholes etc., when other vehicles may move in front of you (near a highway exit, for example).

If you brake too much using your brake pedal, your brakes may overheat and stop functioning. A low gear will allow for your vehicle to engine brake, and thus avoid overheating.

Keep an eye on your surroundings (e.g. if you have a large vehicle behind you). Your vehicle will pick up speed on its own when driving downhill (due to gravity), so also check your speed every now and then to see if you’re riding faster than is safe.

If you are being tailgated, you should allow for the tailgater to pass by slowing down and/or changing lanes. Lightly tap your brakes a couple of times to warn the tailgater that you are about to slow down.

Consider pulling over to let the tailgater pass if you’re riding on a two-lane road where passing is prohibited.

If you are group riding in a staggered formation, pass one at a time. Each rider has to decide when it is safe to pass and when the space cushion in front of the passed vehicle is large enough. Do not pass many at a time as it will greatly increase the risk of an accident when passing, and will require far more time to make a complete pass.

Don’t stop or make any last-minute moves on a freeway. If you miss your exit, remain calm and take the next appropriate exit instead.

Be extra careful when braking or cornering in very hot weather as your tires won't be able to grip a soft surface as well as they can a firm dry one.

When you approach any intersection, you must make sure that you can see other vehicles and that they can see you. Try to maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle that permits you to take evasive action if needed.

When it starts to rain, oil, grease, anti-freeze, and other vehicle fluids tend to gather in the center portion of the lane and bubble up. It's usually the most slippery just as it starts to rain until further rain has washed these fluids away.

Any help you can give to other drivers is good. In some cases, drivers just quickly glance in their rear-view mirror or side mirrors before changing lanes and they may not spot a motorcycle rider in black clothing. Your body is half the visible surface area of the entire motorcycle unit, so your clothing will greatly affect if others spot you or not.

When facing a flashing red traffic light, you must come to a complete stop and yield according to the right-of-way rules. Only proceed if safe.

You need a good view all around the motorcycle. If your body or shoulder obscures the view, extend the mirror arms by fitting longer stems.

Watch out for how other vehicles are acting (e.g. slowing down or turning), and don’t believe blindly in turn signals. Other drivers may signal too early or forget to turn off their turn signal after turning.

Pull over on the right as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Another train may come after the first train. Don’t proceed before you’ve checked for trains in BOTH directions.