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. Where do most motorcycle crashes tend to occur?

   Correct answer: On short trips under five miles, soon after setting out

   The manual notes that the majority of crashes happen on short outings under five miles, usually only minutes after the rider starts out.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Wear the Right Gear: Helmet Use

2. 2. What features should riding boots or shoes have?

   Correct answer: High, sturdy boots that cover the ankles with slip-resistant soles

   Footwear should be high and sturdy enough to cover and support the ankles, with hard, durable, slip-resistant soles and short heels, and laces tucked in.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Wear the Right Gear: Clothing

3. 3. How far ahead is the longest 'lead time' experienced riders scan for hazards under the SEE strategy?

   Correct answer: About 12 seconds ahead

   Riders search three lead times: about 2 seconds within their following distance, a 4-second immediate path, and hazards roughly 12 seconds ahead to prepare before a situation becomes urgent.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — SEE

4. 4. More than half of all motorcycle crashes involve riders with how much experience on their machine?

   Correct answer: Fewer than five months of experience on that motorcycle

   The manual states that over half of all crashes involve riders who have fewer than five months of experience on the motorcycle they are riding.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Know Your Motorcycle: Borrowing and Lending

5. 5. In a slow, tight turn, how should the rider and motorcycle be positioned?

   Correct answer: Lean the motorcycle only while keeping your body straight

   In slow, tight turns you counterbalance by leaning the motorcycle only while keeping your body straight, unlike normal turns where rider and machine lean together.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

6. 6. When should tinted eye protection NOT be worn?

   Correct answer: When there is little light available

   Tinted shields or goggles reduce the light reaching your eyes, so they should not be used when little light is available, such as at dusk or night.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Wear the Right Gear: Eye and Face Protection

7. 7. The manual says that in most traffic crashes, responsibility for what happens usually rests where?

   Correct answer: With more than one person; most people in a crash share some fault

   Rather than being true 'accidents,' most crashes involve people who share some responsibility; it is up to the rider to avoid being the cause of, or an unprepared part of, any crash.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Know Your Responsibilities

8. 8. When looking through a turn, what should you turn?

   Correct answer: Your head and eyes only

   To look where you want to go, turn just your head and eyes rather than your shoulders, keeping your eyes level with the horizon.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

9. 9. When following behind a car, where should you ride so the driver can see you in the rearview mirror?

   Correct answer: In the center portion of the lane

   Riding in the center portion of the lane places your image in the middle of the driver's rearview mirror, where a driver is most likely to notice you.

   Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Keeping Your Distance: Following Another Vehicle

10. 10. On a motorcycle with a sidecar, how does the sidecar behave during acceleration?

    Correct answer: It lags behind, making the bike feel steered toward the sidecar

    During acceleration the non-powered sidecar seems to lag behind, making the vehicle feel as though it is steering toward the sidecar's side; compensate by steering slightly the opposite way.

    Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Three-Wheel Supplement

11. 11. Before riding an unfamiliar motorcycle, which controls should you be able to find and operate without looking?

    Correct answer: The turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel valve, and cut-off switch

    On a borrowed or unfamiliar bike you should locate and work the turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel-supply valve, and engine cut-off switch by feel before heading into traffic.

    Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Know Your Motorcycle

12. 12. What does a plastic, shatter-resistant face shield do for a rider?

    Correct answer: It protects the whole face

    A quality face shield helps protect the whole face in a crash and also blocks wind, dust, rain, insects, and stones kicked up by traffic.

    Source: Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual — Wear the Right Gear: Eye and Face Protection