New Jersey Motorcycle practice
Handling Emergencies
What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.
Questions reviewed against the official New Jersey driver handbook · July 7, 2026
20 questions · pass with 16 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
1. Before leaving the roadway onto the shoulder, what should you check?
Correct answer: That the surface is firm enough to ride on
Confirm the shoulder is solid before you ride onto it; over soft grass or loose sand, brake nearly to a crawl first.
2. During a quick stop, how should the rear brake be used?
Correct answer: Apply it at the same time as the front, without locking it
Apply the rear brake at the same time as the front, trying not to lock the rear wheel.
3. If an insect or a thrown object strikes you while riding, what matters most?
Correct answer: Keeping control with your hands on the bars
Do not let it affect your control of the motorcycle; keep watching the road and your hands on the bars, then stop when safe.
4. What is the first thing to do if the throttle sticks open?
Correct answer: Flip the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch
Right away, hit the engine cut-off switch while squeezing the clutch, which cuts the engine off from the rear wheel.
5. What is the safe way to ride over an object in the road when you cannot avoid it?
Correct answer: Grip tightly, keep straight, and rise slightly on the pegs
Hold the grips tightly, keep a straight course, and rise slightly on the pegs so your legs and arms absorb the shock.
6. How should you respond to a front-wheel wobble?
Correct answer: Grip firmly and gradually close the throttle
Grip the handlebars firmly, do not fight the wobble, and gradually close the throttle to let the bike slow down.
7. How should you handle bumps, broken pavement, or potholes?
Correct answer: Slow down, keep the bike upright, and rise slightly on the pegs
Slow down to lessen the impact, keep the bike straight and upright, and rise slightly on the pegs to absorb the shock.
8. Why should you avoid braking during a wobble?
Correct answer: It could make the wobble worse
Applying the brakes during a wobble can actually make the wobble worse.
9. When metal bridge gratings make the motorcycle wander, what should you do?
Correct answer: Stay relaxed and avoid abrupt maneuvers
Riding over grooves or grating makes the bike wander, which is uneasy but not usually dangerous, so stay relaxed and avoid abrupt moves.
10. How can you tell the front tire has gone flat while riding?
Correct answer: The steering feels heavy
When the front tire loses air, the steering will feel heavy.
11. How should you use the front brake in a quick stop?
Correct answer: Squeeze steadily and firmly without locking the wheel
Squeeze the front brake lever steadily and firmly without grabbing it, applying it right up to the point before the wheel locks.
12. How should you respond to a small animal in the road while riding in traffic?
Correct answer: Stay in your lane rather than swerve into traffic
Do not swerve out of your lane for an animal in traffic; surviving an impact with an animal is more likely than a crash with another vehicle.
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Every New Jersey question is written from the official New Jersey driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free