New York Motorcycle Exam Simulation
20 questions · 14 correct to pass. You won't see any feedback until you finish — just like the real test.
New York also requires at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correct — in addition to the overall passing score.
New York Motorcycle questions with answers
20 sample questions from the New York Motorcycle question bank — each with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the section of the official handbook it comes from.
1. When loading cargo on a motorcycle, you should:
Correct answer: Keep the load low, balanced, and tightly secured
Keep the load low — on the tank or in the saddlebags — secure it tightly so it cannot shift, and spread the weight evenly on both sides. A high or loose load raises the center of gravity and can upset the motorcycle's balance.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Carrying Passengers and Cargo
2. You are riding straight through an intersection, and an oncoming car is waiting to turn left across your path. You should:
Correct answer: Slow down, cover your brakes, and be ready to stop or take evasive action
Left-turning cars are the biggest intersection danger for riders. Never assume the driver sees you. Slow down, cover both brakes, choose a lane position that keeps you visible, and be ready to stop or swerve if the car turns.
3. If the throttle stays stuck open and twisting it back and forth does not free it, what should you do?
Correct answer: Squeeze the clutch and turn off the engine cut-off switch
If the throttle sticks, first try twisting it back and forth. If that fails, squeeze in the clutch and use the engine cut-off (kill) switch to stop power to the rear wheel, then brake and pull safely off the road.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Mechanical Problems
4. An object suddenly appears in your path and you are too close to stop in time. Your best option is usually to:
Correct answer: Swerve around the object
When there is not enough room to stop, swerve around the object instead. Press on the handgrip in the direction you want to go for a quick, smooth turn, and keep the motorcycle upright — do not brake while you are swerving.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Swerving or Turning Quickly
5. Under New York's Zero Tolerance Law, a rider under 21 can face penalties for riding with a blood alcohol concentration as low as:
Correct answer: 0.02%
For riders under 21, New York's Zero Tolerance Law sets the limit far lower — a BAC of 0.02% to 0.07% can bring penalties, and 0.08% or more is treated as DWI. In short, any drinking and riding is a serious risk for a young rider.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Alcohol and Other Drugs
6. Why are full-fingered leather gloves recommended for riding?
Correct answer: They improve grip and protect your hands in a fall
Leather, full-fingered gloves improve your grip on the controls and shield your hands from wind, sun, and injury in a fall. Bare hands tire quickly and are badly hurt in even a minor spill.
7. What does New York State law require regarding motorcycle helmets?
Correct answer: Every rider and passenger must wear a DOT-approved helmet
New York has a universal helmet law: the operator and any passenger must wear a helmet that meets U.S. DOT standards, on every ride. There is no age exception — everyone on the motorcycle must be helmeted.
8. Why should riders be cautious of painted lane markings and steel surfaces when the road is wet?
Correct answer: They can be more slippery than the surrounding road
Painted lines, manhole covers, steel plates, and bridge gratings offer less grip than pavement, especially when wet. Try not to ride directly on them while braking or turning, and cross them with the motorcycle as upright as possible.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Handling Dangerous Surfaces
9. As you ride through a curve, where should you be looking?
Correct answer: Through the curve toward where you want to go
Turn your head and look through the turn toward where you want to end up. Your motorcycle tends to go where you look, so keeping your eyes up and ahead helps you steer a smooth, controlled line.
10. A car is waiting to pull out from a side street on your right. Which lane position usually makes you most visible and gives you the most space?
Correct answer: The center or left portion of your lane
Moving away from the right edge — toward the center or left of your lane — puts you where the waiting driver is more likely to see you and buys room if they pull out. Hugging the right edge hides you and leaves little space to react.
11. When the road is wet or slippery, how should you adjust your following distance?
Correct answer: Increase it to more than two seconds
Slippery surfaces lengthen your stopping distance, so open up more space — well beyond the two-second minimum. A bigger cushion gives you time to react and room to stop without a sudden, traction-breaking grab of the brakes.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Following Distance
12. What is the correct way to hold the handgrips while riding?
Correct answer: Firmly, with your arms bent and relaxed
Hold the grips firmly but keep your arms bent so you can steer, absorb bumps, and react quickly. Locking your arms straight makes steering harder and sends every bump straight into your body.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Ride Within Your Abilities
13. Which brake provides the greatest share of a motorcycle's stopping power?
Correct answer: The front brake
The front brake supplies about three-quarters of your stopping power, because weight shifts forward when you slow. Used smoothly and properly, the front brake is safe and is your strongest tool for stopping.
14. In addition to a helmet, what eye protection does New York require for motorcyclists?
Correct answer: Approved eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield
New York requires riders to wear approved eye protection — goggles or a face shield — because wind, dust, insects, and debris can hit your eyes and cause you to lose control. Ordinary sunglasses are not a substitute for approved protection.
15. The manual recommends that a group of riders switch from a staggered formation to single file when:
Correct answer: Going through curves and turns or entering and leaving a highway
Ride single file through curves and turns, and when entering or leaving a highway. Those situations need each rider to have the full lane and a clear path, so the staggered formation is set aside until the road opens up again.
16. What is one of the most common reasons cars collide with motorcycles?
Correct answer: The driver did not see the motorcycle
In many car-motorcycle crashes the driver simply never saw the rider. Because motorcycles are small and easy to miss, make yourself visible — use your headlight, choose a smart lane position, wear bright gear, and signal early.
17. The safest way to handle a curve on a motorcycle is to:
Correct answer: Reduce your speed before you enter the curve
Slow down before the curve so you can hold a steady or slightly increasing speed through it. Braking hard in mid-curve while leaned over reduces traction and can cause a skid. Slow, look, press, and roll.
18. In New York, an adult 21 or older is considered legally intoxicated to operate a motorcycle at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of:
Correct answer: 0.08% or higher
For drivers and riders 21 and over, a BAC of 0.08% or higher meets the legal threshold for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York. Charges are still possible below that level, and the safest BAC for riding is zero.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Alcohol and Other Drugs
19. Carrying a passenger changes how your motorcycle handles. You should expect that it will:
Correct answer: Accelerate more slowly and need a longer distance to stop
The added weight makes the motorcycle slower to speed up and gives it a longer stopping distance. Ride a little slower, start braking earlier, and keep a larger space cushion than you would riding alone.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Carrying Passengers and Cargo
20. You must suddenly swerve around an obstacle in your path. What should you avoid doing?
Correct answer: Braking while you are swerving
Never brake while you are swerving — combining the two can break traction and cause a skid. If you must brake, do it before or after the swerve, not during it. Swerve first, then brake once the motorcycle is upright again.
Source: New York State Motorcycle Manual — Swerving or Turning Quickly