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. To reduce fatigue on a long ride, you should:

   Correct answer: Take frequent breaks and dress to block wind and cold

   Protecting yourself from wind and cold, limiting distance, and taking frequent rest breaks all reduce fatigue.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 11: Being in Shape to Ride

2. 2. When you ride over metal bridge gratings or rain grooves and the bike wanders, you should:

   Correct answer: Relax, keep a steady speed, and ride straight across

   The wandering feeling is usually harmless, so stay on course, hold your speed, and ride straight across.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 6: Handling Dangerous Surfaces

3. 3. Head injuries matter so much to riders because they are:

   Correct answer: The greatest threat and more common than neck injuries

   Head injuries are the rider's greatest threat and occur far more often than neck injuries.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 2: Preparing to Ride

4. 4. What are the four steps for controlling a turn, in order?

   Correct answer: Slow, look, lean, then roll

   The manual's turning sequence is slow, look, lean, and then roll on the throttle.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 3: Control for Safety

5. 5. When riding at night, your speed should be:

   Correct answer: Slower than you would ride in daylight

   Because you see hazards later after dark, ride slower than you would during the day.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 7: Riding at Night

6. 6. How can the vehicle ahead help you when riding at night?

   Correct answer: Its lights reveal the road and bumps ahead

   The car ahead lights the road better than your high beam, and its bouncing taillights warn of rough pavement.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 7: Riding at Night

7. 7. When you release the throttle, it should:

   Correct answer: Snap back on its own

   A properly working throttle snaps back on its own when you let go, which you should check before every ride.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 2: Preparing to Ride

8. 8. What should you do with the throttle while going through a turn?

   Correct answer: Roll on gently to hold or slightly increase speed

   Rolling on the throttle keeps a steady or gradually increasing speed and avoids slowing in the turn.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 3: Control for Safety

9. 9. When rain first begins to fall, where is often the best place to ride?

   Correct answer: In the tire tracks left by other cars, usually the left one

   As rain starts, move out of the center grease area and ride in car tire tracks, where the left track is often best.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 6: Handling Dangerous Surfaces

10. 10. The manual calls which action the most important for improving your odds of surviving a crash?

    Correct answer: Wearing a securely fastened helmet

    A properly and securely fastened helmet is described as the most important factor in surviving a crash.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 2: Preparing to Ride

11. 11. To make a motorcycle lean to the left in a turn, you should:

    Correct answer: Press forward on the left handgrip

    Pressing the handgrip on the side you want to go leans the bike that way, so push left to go left.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 3: Control for Safety

12. 12. At night, you should use your high beam whenever you are:

    Correct answer: Not following or meeting another vehicle

    Use the high beam to gather all the light you can, except when following or meeting another vehicle.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 7: Riding at Night