Vermont Motorcycle practice
Vermont Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops practice test
Using both brakes together, stopping quickly without locking a wheel, and recovering from a skid.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Choose your level
Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Braking & Emergency Stops questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. On a sidecar rig, what can happen to the sidecar wheel if you brake during a sharp turn?
Correct answer: It may lift off the ground
Braking in a sharp turn on a sidecar-equipped motorcycle can lift the sidecar wheel off the ground, and braking too hard while turning can cause a skid.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Three-Wheel Supplement, Braking
2. The rear wheel has locked in a skid. What happens to your ability to steer?
Correct answer: You lose the ability to change direction
Once the rear wheel locks, you lose the ability to change direction. Releasing the brake regains control but risks a high-side crash if the wheels are out of line.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Crash Avoidance, Rear-Wheel Skids
3. As you come to the end of a stop, what should you do with the handlebars?
Correct answer: Straighten them so you stay balanced and upright
In the final few feet before stopping, square up the handlebars so you keep your balance and stay upright.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Crash Avoidance, Stopping Quickly in a Curve
4. If your chain or belt breaks while riding, what does the manual tell you to do?
Correct answer: Roll off the throttle and brake to a halt in a safe spot
When a chain or belt breaks, the rear wheel suddenly gets no power. Roll off the throttle and brake to a halt in a safe spot.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Mechanical Problems, Drive Train Problems
5. When does a motorcycle's ABS come into play?
Correct answer: When maximum pressure is applied to both brake controls
ABS operates when maximum pressure is applied to both the front and rear brake controls and the sensors detect a possible wheel lock.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)
6. You must stop quickly in a left-hand curve, and straightening up first would carry you off the road. What does the manual recommend?
Correct answer: Apply the brakes smoothly and gradually while still leaned, adding pressure as you straighten
When straightening up first isn't possible, for example because it would take you off the pavement on a left-hand curve, brake smoothly and gradually, then add pressure as you slow and lean less.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Crash Avoidance, Stopping Quickly in a Curve
7. Your three-wheel motorcycle has two front tires. On Vermont's three-wheel skills test, which tire has to finish inside the box when you make the normal stop after the sharp left turn?
Correct answer: The left front tire
The Left Turn & Normal Stop exercise ends with a smooth stop that must not skid, with the front tire in the box. For vehicles with a pair of front tires, the manual names the left front tire as the one that counts. Skidding, or failing to stop with that tire within the box's borders, loses points.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Three-Wheel Motorcycle Exercises
8. In the Vermont skills test quick-stop exercise, what speed must you settle into before reaching the first line?
Correct answer: 12 to 20 mph
Settle at a steady 12 to 20 mph by the first line; once the front tire passes the second line, stop as quickly as you safely can with both brakes.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Two-Wheel Motorcycle Exercises
9. You are riding downhill and want to downshift into first gear. What might you need to do first?
Correct answer: Use the brakes to slow down enough before downshifting
When heading downhill or shifting into first, you may have to brake first so you are slow enough to downshift safely.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Shifting Gears
10. How does an integrated braking system differ from a fully linked one?
Correct answer: It applies partial front braking whenever the rear brake is used
An integrated system is a type of linked braking that adds some front braking any time the rear brake is used. Check your owner's manual for details.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Linked and Integrated Braking Systems
11. During a quick stop on a good-traction surface you accidentally lock the rear wheel. The motorcycle is upright and going straight. What does the manual say you can do?
Correct answer: Keep the rear wheel locked until you come to a complete stop
If traction is good, you may leave the rear wheel locked until you have fully stopped; an upright motorcycle traveling straight remains controllable.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Crash Avoidance, Quick Stops
12. In the cone weave and normal stop exercise on the Vermont skills test, which of these costs you points?
Correct answer: Skidding as you come to a stop
Points come off for skidding during the stop, stalling, putting a foot down, hitting or skipping a cone, or not ending with the front tire within the box.
Source: Vermont Motorcycle Manual — Two-Wheel Motorcycle Exercises
More Motorcycle topics
Practice Braking & Emergency Stops in another state
Every Vermont question is written from the official Vermont 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