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Virginia Motorcycle: Handling Emergencies practice test

What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.

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.

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Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback 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.

Show all 12 questions with answers
  1. 1. If your motorcycle develops a wobble, you should NOT:

    Correct answer: Try to accelerate out of it

    Accelerating only makes a wobble worse; instead grip firmly, ease off the throttle, and do not brake.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  2. 2. If a tire suddenly goes flat while riding, you should brake using:

    Correct answer: The brake on the tire that is still good, applied gradually

    Hold the grips firmly, keep straight, and gently apply the brake on the good tire before easing off the road.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  3. 3. Most wobbles can be traced to:

    Correct answer: Improper loading or the wrong tires or pressure

    Wobbles usually stem from improper loading, unsuitable accessories, or incorrect tires or tire pressure.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  4. 4. A sudden flat in the REAR tire usually feels like:

    Correct answer: The back jerking from side to side

    When the rear tire loses air, the back of the motorcycle tends to jerk from side to side.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  5. 5. If a small animal is in your path while you are in traffic, you should:

    Correct answer: Stay in your lane rather than swerve into traffic

    Hitting something small is less dangerous than swerving into traffic and striking something large like a car.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  6. 6. If the throttle sticks open, your first action should be to:

    Correct answer: Twist it back and forth to try to free it

    First try twisting the throttle back and forth, which may free a stuck cable.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  7. 7. An early sign that an engine is about to seize is usually:

    Correct answer: A loss of engine power

    Engines seize when low on oil, and the first sign is often a loss of power, sometimes with a changed sound.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  8. 8. If an object strikes your face shield while riding, you should:

    Correct answer: Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the bars

    Do not let flying objects break your control; keep steering and pull off to fix any damage when it is safe.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  9. 9. If a dog chases your motorcycle, the manual suggests you:

    Correct answer: Downshift, approach slowly, then accelerate as you reach it

    Shift down and approach the dog slowly, then speed up as you reach it to leave it behind, and never kick at it.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  10. 10. If the engine seizes while you are riding, you should first:

    Correct answer: Pull in the clutch to disconnect the engine

    Squeezing the clutch disconnects the seized engine from the rear wheel so you can coast to a stop.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  11. 11. How can you tell the FRONT tire has suddenly gone flat?

    Correct answer: The steering feels heavy

    A front flat makes the steering feel heavy, while a rear flat makes the back jerk from side to side.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

  12. 12. If the throttle stays stuck after twisting it, you should:

    Correct answer: Use the engine cut-off switch while squeezing the clutch

    Using the engine cut-off switch while pulling in the clutch removes power to the rear wheel.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies