Traffic Laws & Signals

Study questions with answers

12 sample Traffic Laws & Signals questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Under the operating rules, the operator and any passenger must:

   Correct answer: sit astride the seat facing forward, one leg on each side

   Riders must straddle the seat facing forward with one leg on each side, although sidecar passengers are exempt.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorcycle Operating Rules

2. 2. Minnesota's operating rules prohibit a motorcyclist from:

   Correct answer: riding between lanes of vehicles headed the same way

   Riding between lanes of moving or stopped same-direction traffic, sometimes called lane splitting, is not allowed.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorcycle Operating Rules

3. 3. Carrying packages that keep a rider from keeping both hands on the handlebars is:

   Correct answer: prohibited

   Operators may not carry articles that interfere with keeping both hands on the handlebars.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorcycle Operating Rules

4. 4. A motorized bicycle's maximum design speed on a flat surface is:

   Correct answer: 30 mph

   A moped is limited to a top speed of about 30 mph on level ground.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorized Bicycle

5. 5. Where must moped riders generally position themselves on the roadway?

   Correct answer: As far to the right as practical, except when turning left

   Because of their low speed, mopeds should ride as far to the right as practical unless preparing a left turn.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Moped Operating Rules

6. 6. To qualify as a motorized bicycle (moped) in Minnesota, the engine displacement must be:

   Correct answer: 50 cubic centimeters or less

   A moped uses an electric motor or an engine of 50 cubic centimeters or less, with a top speed of 30 mph.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorized Bicycle

7. 7. One defining feature of an autocycle is that it:

   Correct answer: has a steering wheel and does not require the driver to straddle it

   An autocycle has three wheels, a steering wheel, antilock brakes, and seating that does not require straddling.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Autocycle

8. 8. Minnesota's 'red light, green light' law lets a motorcyclist proceed through a signal that will not change only after:

   Correct answer: coming to a complete stop and waiting a reasonable amount of time

   The affirmative defense requires a full stop and an unreasonably long red before cautiously proceeding.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Red Light, Green Light

9. 9. While riding on a motorcycle instruction permit in Minnesota, you may not:

   Correct answer: carry passengers

   Permit holders may not carry passengers, may not ride at night, and must wear a helmet and eye protection.

   Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorcycle Permit Process

10. 10. For a motorcycle permit holder, 'nighttime' is defined as the period from:

    Correct answer: a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise

    Night runs from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise, and permit riders may not ride then.

    Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorcycle Permit Process

11. 11. A passenger may legally ride on a Minnesota motorcycle only if they:

    Correct answer: can reach a footrest on each side with both feet while seated

    Passengers must be able to reach a footrest on each side and use a permanent passenger seat or a sidecar.

    Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Motorcycle Operating Rules

12. 12. The affirmative defense for proceeding on an unchanging red light applies only when:

    Correct answer: no approaching traffic is close enough to be an immediate hazard

    You may go only if the signal appears to be malfunctioning or not detecting you and cross traffic is clear or far away.

    Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Red Light, Green Light