California Motorcycle: Hazards & Road Surfaces Practice Test

Question 1

What is the safest way to ride over an object you cannot avoid in your path?

Accepted Answer

Approach it as straight-on as possible, slow down, and rise slightly off the seat — Approach the object as straight-on as possible, slow down, and rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footpegs. This lets your arms and legs absorb the shock and keeps you balanced.

Answer

Hit it at a shallow angle while leaning

Answer

Speed up and brake hard as you hit it

Answer

Close your eyes and coast over it

Question 2

How should you cross railroad or trolley tracks that run in the same direction as your path?

Accepted Answer

Move over and cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees — Move far enough across your lane to cross the tracks at an angle of at least 45 degrees. Edging over them at a shallow angle can catch your tire and cause a fall, and wet metal is especially slippery.

Answer

Ride along the top of the rail lengthwise

Answer

Cross at the shallowest angle possible

Answer

Brake hard while your tires are on the rails

Question 3

Where does loose dirt and gravel tend to collect on a road?

Accepted Answer

Along the edges, and especially on curves and highway ramps — Sand and gravel gather along the sides of the pavement, and curves and the ramps leading on and off highways are the worst for it, so treat the road edge carefully in those places.

Answer

Down the middle of every traffic lane

Answer

On bridges and overpasses only

Answer

In the left tire track of the lane

Question 4

When you must ride across a metal bridge grating or steel plates, you should:

Accepted Answer

Slow first, then cross straight at a steady speed without braking — These surfaces can feel slippery and make the bike wander. Slow down before you reach them, then keep a steady speed and ride straight across without braking or turning while on them.

Answer

Brake hard while crossing to stay slow

Answer

Swerve side to side to keep your balance

Answer

Speed up and lean through them

Question 5

When is a paved road usually most slippery during rain?

Accepted Answer

Right after the rain first starts — The road is often most slippery when rain first begins, before the water washes oil and dirt off the surface. Slow down, avoid sudden moves, and ride in the tire tracks left by cars.

Answer

Only after several hours of steady rain

Answer

Roads are never slippery in the rain

Answer

Only once the road is completely dry again

Question 6

In the SEE riding strategy, what do the letters stand for?

Accepted Answer

Search, Evaluate, Execute — SEE stands for Search, Evaluate, and Execute. It is a step-by-step way to spot hazards early and act in time to stay safe.

Answer

Stop, Enter, Exit

Answer

See, Enter, Escape

Answer

Signal, Evaluate, Enter

Question 7

The front wheel and handlebars suddenly begin shaking from side to side. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Hold the bars firmly, ease off the throttle, and stay off the brakes — Trying to power out of a wobble only makes it worse. Grip the bars without fighting them, ease the throttle off gradually, shift your weight forward and down, and leave the road as soon as you can.

Answer

Accelerate hard to ride through it

Answer

Apply the front brake firmly

Answer

Let go of one grip to cut down your input

Question 8

If a tire suddenly goes flat while you are riding at speed, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle, and steer straight as you slow — Hold the handgrips firmly, ease off the throttle, and keep the motorcycle straight as you slow down. Braking hard or steering sharply on a flat can make you lose control.

Answer

Brake hard on the flat tire right away

Answer

Let go of the grips and lean back

Answer

Turn sharply toward the shoulder

Question 9

In the SEE strategy, what does the 'Execute' step tell you to do?

Accepted Answer

Adjust speed, change position, or communicate to avoid the hazard — To Execute, carry out your decision by adjusting your speed, changing lane position, or communicating with others to make space and avoid the hazard. When traction is limited, do one thing at a time.

Answer

Close your eyes and hope the hazard passes

Answer

Speed up through every hazard

Answer

Ignore the hazard until the last second

Question 10

Your throttle sticks open and twisting it back and forth does not free it. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Use the engine cut-off switch and pull the clutch in at the same time — Cutting the engine while you squeeze the clutch takes power away from the rear wheel. Once the motorcycle is under control, get off the road and inspect the throttle cable before riding on.

Answer

Brake hard and hope the engine stalls

Answer

Shift up through every gear you have

Answer

Steer for the shoulder and let go of the bars

California Motorcycle: Hazards & Road Surfaces practice test

Study questions with answers

1. What is the safest way to ride over an object you cannot avoid in your path?

2. How should you cross railroad or trolley tracks that run in the same direction as your path?

3. Where does loose dirt and gravel tend to collect on a road?

4. When you must ride across a metal bridge grating or steel plates, you should:

5. When is a paved road usually most slippery during rain?

6. In the SEE riding strategy, what do the letters stand for?

7. The front wheel and handlebars suddenly begin shaking from side to side. What should you do?

8. If a tire suddenly goes flat while you are riding at speed, what should you do?

9. In the SEE strategy, what does the 'Execute' step tell you to do?

10. Your throttle sticks open and twisting it back and forth does not free it. What should you do?

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