Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. You should perform a head check before changing lanes because motorcycles:

   Correct answer: Have blind spots just like cars

   Motorcycles have blind spots just like cars, so turn your head to check for traffic before changing lanes.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 4.2, Head Checks

2. 2. The four steps the handbook gives for taking a turn are:

   Correct answer: Slow, look, lean, roll

   The recommended sequence for cornering is Slow, Look, Lean, Roll.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.2, Turning

3. 3. Using both brakes even for ordinary stops is recommended because it:

   Correct answer: Builds the habit you'll need in an emergency

   Applying both brakes for normal stops builds the habit of using them together in an emergency.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.3, Braking

4. 4. When you must ride over bumps, potholes, or broken pavement, you should:

   Correct answer: Slow down, keep the bike upright, and rise slightly off the seat

   Slow down, keep the motorcycle upright, and rise slightly off the seat with weight on the pegs to absorb the shock.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 8.2, Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles

5. 5. Even on a slippery surface, the front brake:

   Correct answer: Is still more effective and should be applied gradually

   The front brake remains more effective than the rear even on a slippery surface; apply it gradually and avoid locking it.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 8.1, Slippery Surfaces

6. 6. The "Roll" step of cornering means you should:

   Correct answer: Roll on the throttle to hold or gradually increase speed

   Roll on the throttle through the turn to hold a steady speed or gradually accelerate, avoiding deceleration mid-turn.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.2, Turning

7. 7. Keeping your knees against the gas tank helps you:

   Correct answer: Keep your balance as the motorcycle turns

   Pressing your knees to the tank helps you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns; this is not needed on a three-wheeler.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.1, Knees

8. 8. SIPDE is a five-step strategy that stands for:

   Correct answer: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute

   SIPDE stands for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute, a process used to make judgments in traffic.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 7, SIPDE

9. 9. When metal bridge gratings or rain grooves make your motorcycle weave, you should:

   Correct answer: Relax, hold your speed, and ride straight across

   The weaving feeling is usually not dangerous, so relax, keep your speed, and ride straight across rather than zigzagging.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 8.2, Grooves and Gratings

10. 10. Sitting with your arms slightly bent on the grips is recommended so that you can:

    Correct answer: Use your arms to steer instead of to hold yourself up

    Bent arms let you use your arms to steer the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up, and to turn the bars without stretching.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.1, Body Position and Posture

11. 11. When the motorcycle is leaned over in a turn, applying the brakes is riskier because:

    Correct answer: Less traction is left for stopping

    Some traction is used for cornering while leaning, so less traction remains available for braking.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.3, Braking

12. 12. To make a two-wheel motorcycle lean into a turn, you:

    Correct answer: Press on the handgrip in the direction of the turn

    Press on the handgrip in the direction of the turn: press left to lean left and go left, press right to lean right and go right.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 3.2, Turning