Maryland Motorcycle practice
Maryland Motorcycle: Handling Emergencies practice test
What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
10 questions · pass with 8 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
10 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 10 questions with answers
1. What is the rule about braking and swerving at the same time?
Correct answer: Brake before or after, never while swerving
Keep braking separate from swerving: brake before or after, but never while you swerve, because doing both at once can cause a loss of control.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Crash Avoidance: Swerving or Turning Quickly
2. If your throttle sticks and twisting it does not free it, what should you do?
Correct answer: Hit the engine kill switch while squeezing in the clutch
Right away, flip the engine kill switch while simultaneously squeezing the clutch to cut drive to the rear wheel, then coast off the road and stop.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Stuck Throttle
3. If your front tire suddenly goes flat while riding, how will the steering feel?
Correct answer: Heavy
A front-wheel flat makes the steering feel heavy and is especially hazardous because it affects your ability to steer and keep balance.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Tire Failure
4. Why should you not apply the brakes when trying to control a wobble?
Correct answer: Braking could make the wobble worse
Braking during a wobble could make it worse, so instead you close the throttle gradually and shift your weight forward and down.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Wobble
5. If your motorcycle begins to wobble, what should you NOT do?
Correct answer: Try to accelerate out of it
Do not try to accelerate out of a wobble; that only makes the bike more unstable. Instead grip firmly and close the throttle gradually.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Wobble
6. What should you do first if a tire goes flat while you are riding?
Correct answer: Hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle, and keep straight
Grip the handlebars tightly, roll off the throttle, and hold your line straight; if you must brake, do it gently on the good tire only, then ease to the side.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Tire Failure
7. How should you respond correctly to a front-wheel wobble?
Correct answer: Grip firmly and close the throttle gradually
Grip the bars firmly without fighting the wobble, close the throttle gradually to slow, move your weight forward and down, and pull off to fix it.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Wobble
8. What usually causes an engine to seize, and how should you react?
Correct answer: Low oil; squeeze the clutch and pull off
A seizing engine is usually low on oil; the first sign is lost power or a change in sound, so squeeze the clutch to disengage it and pull off the road.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Engine Seizure
9. If the drive chain breaks while riding, what will you notice?
Correct answer: The rear wheel suddenly loses all drive power
When the chain snaps, the rear wheel abruptly loses its drive; roll off the throttle and brake smoothly until you come to a halt.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Mechanical Problems: Chain Problems
10. What is a swerve, as described in the crash-avoidance section?
Correct answer: A sudden change in direction
A swerve means abruptly changing direction, whether through a pair of quick turns or a fast sidestep, to get around something you cannot stop for.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Crash Avoidance: Swerving or Turning Quickly
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