California motorcycle warm up test
A shorter 20 question run pulled from across the CA bank, for a first look before the full sitting. Each answer is tied to the rule it tests. No signup, no email.
20 questions, 30 minutes. The timer starts when you begin, and answers are shown at the end.
How the real California exam is graded
California DMV states 80 percent but publishes no current question count and no time limit. The only clock it publishes is an office cut off: knowledge tests are not available at DMV offices after 4:30 p.m., and the at home online test runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The counts widely quoted come from a 2006 DMV research report.
This paper allows 30 minutes. That allowance is ours, not California DMV's, because no published limit exists for this test.
What is specific to California
California is the only state to define lane splitting in its vehicle code, and it applies a universal helmet law to every rider and passenger at every age. It sets four separate alcohol thresholds rather than one, including 0.01 for anyone on DUI probation and 0.01 for drivers under 21. Minimum liability insurance rose to 30/60/15 on 1 January 2025. Daylighting rules now bar parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk, marked or not. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all, hands-free included, and a slow driver must pull over once five vehicles have queued behind them. The painted curb colors carry five specific legal meanings, which the test does ask about.
How many attempts do you get?
Three attempts per application, then you must reapply. Applicants under 18 must also wait seven days before retaking a failed knowledge test, not counting the day of the failure.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), the testing process, checked September 9, 2026.
Every question in this California quick motorcycle test, with answers
All 52 questions this paper draws from, each with the correct answer, why it is correct, and the California statute or handbook section it was drafted against. The paper itself picks a randomized subset and shuffles the options, so reading the list through is review rather than a shortcut.
1. For the shortest, safest stop on a motorcycle you should use:
- The rear brake only
- The front brake only
- Both brakes together, every time (correct answer)
- Engine braking alone
Answer: Both brakes together, every time. Both brakes together give the shortest stop. Weight piles onto the front tire the moment you slow, so the larger share of the work happens there, but the front on its own throws away what the rear can still contribute and the rear on its own roughly doubles the distance.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
2. The front brake on a motorcycle provides roughly what share of stopping power?
- None, it is for balance
- About a quarter
- About half
- About three quarters (correct answer)
Answer: About three quarters. Braking throws weight forward and loads the front tire, which is what lets it do roughly three quarters of the work of slowing the machine. Leaving that lever alone out of nerves is the classic beginner habit, and an expensive one.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
3. Your front wheel locks under hard braking. You should:
- Release the front brake, then reapply it smoothly (correct answer)
- Apply the rear brake harder
- Put a foot down
- Hold the brake and steer
Answer: Release the front brake, then reapply it smoothly. A locked front wheel loses steering and will fold the bike quickly. Release it immediately to let the wheel spin again, then squeeze back on progressively.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
4. The recommended sequence for taking a corner on a motorcycle is:
- Look, press, slow, roll
- Slow, look, press, roll (correct answer)
- Press, slow, roll, look
- Slow, press, look, roll
Answer: Slow, look, press, roll. Slow to your entry speed before the turn, look through the corner to where you want to go, press the handgrip to initiate lean, then roll on gentle throttle to stabilize the bike through the exit.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
5. To turn right at speed on a motorcycle you press:
- Neither, you steer with body weight only
- The left handgrip forward
- The right handgrip forward (correct answer)
- Both grips evenly
Answer: The right handgrip forward. Counter-steering. Once you are quicker than a brisk walk, a forward push on the right handgrip drops the machine into a right hand lean and it goes right. Push the left one and it goes left. Every rider is already doing this long before anybody puts a name to it.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
6. You enter a corner too fast and it tightens. The best response is:
- Sit upright and straighten the bike
- Release the throttle abruptly
- Brake hard mid-corner
- Look through the turn and lean further, trusting the available grip (correct answer)
Answer: Look through the turn and lean further, trusting the available grip. Most bikes have more lean available than the rider is using. Straightening up or grabbing the brakes mid-corner is what sends riders across the center line. Keep your eyes on the exit and lean more.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
7. The single greatest danger to a motorcyclist at an intersection is:
- An oncoming vehicle turning left across your path (correct answer)
- A vehicle following too closely
- Traffic signals changing
- Road surface debris
Answer: An oncoming vehicle turning left across your path. A car turning left across an approaching motorcycle is the most common multi-vehicle motorcycle crash. Drivers look for cars and a narrow headlight is easy to miss, so cover the brakes and be ready.
Source: NHTSA motorcycle crash causation data; MSF curriculum
8. Why should a rider avoid the center portion of the lane at a stop line?
- It is illegal to stop there
- Oil and fluid collect there and reduce grip (correct answer)
- It reduces visibility to the driver behind
- It is reserved for emergency vehicles
Answer: Oil and fluid collect there and reduce grip. Vehicles drip oil and coolant where their engines sit, so the center strip is the most contaminated part of the lane. Riding either wheel track keeps you on cleaner pavement.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
9. The safest following distance on a motorcycle in good conditions is at least:
- One second
- Two seconds
- Three seconds (correct answer)
- Five seconds
Answer: Three seconds. A minimum of two seconds is often quoted for cars, but a motorcycle benefits from three or more because braking is less forgiving and you need room to swerve as well as stop.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
10. To be seen by other drivers you should:
- Ride where you appear in their mirrors, with headlight on (correct answer)
- Stay directly behind larger vehicles
- Weave to attract attention
- Ride in the driver blind spot to stay clear
Answer: Ride where you appear in their mirrors, with headlight on. Position yourself where a driver naturally looks and where their mirrors cover. Sitting in a blind spot or tucked behind a truck removes you from every place they check.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
11. You must cross railway tracks that run at a shallow angle to your path. You should:
- Cross at the shallowest possible angle
- Move over inside your lane to meet the rails closer to square (correct answer)
- Brake while crossing
- Stand on the pegs and accelerate
Answer: Move over inside your lane to meet the rails closer to square. A shallow angle lets the groove catch your front wheel and steer it for you. Shift over inside your own lane so the rails come at you closer to square, and keep off the brakes while the tires are on the metal.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
12. You hit an unavoidable patch of gravel mid-corner. The best action is:
- Put a foot down for balance
- Brake hard immediately
- Stay off the brakes, hold a steady throttle and keep the bike upright as possible (correct answer)
- Accelerate through it
Answer: Stay off the brakes, hold a steady throttle and keep the bike upright as possible. Braking or steering sharply on loose surface is what causes the slide. Reduce lean, keep inputs smooth and steady, and let the bike carry through the patch.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
13. When is a wet road most slippery for a motorcycle?
- Only when standing water forms
- When the temperature is above 80F
- After hours of steady rain
- In the first few minutes of rainfall (correct answer)
Answer: In the first few minutes of rainfall. Oil and rubber lift off the surface when rain first arrives, before it washes away. The first few minutes carry the least grip, and painted lines and metal covers are worse again.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
14. The most important piece of protective equipment for a rider is:
- A helmet that meets the federal safety standard (correct answer)
- Boots
- A high visibility vest
- Gloves
Answer: A helmet that meets the federal safety standard. Head injury is the leading cause of motorcyclist death, and a helmet meeting the federal standard is the single most effective item. Eye protection, gloves, boots and abrasion-resistant clothing follow.
Source: NHTSA motorcycle safety data; FMVSS 218
15. Carrying a passenger changes the motorcycle by:
- Improving stability at all speeds
- Increasing stopping distance and slowing steering response (correct answer)
- Having no measurable effect
- Reducing the need for lean in corners
Answer: Increasing stopping distance and slowing steering response. Extra weight lengthens braking distance, slows acceleration and makes the bike steer more lazily. Brief the passenger to hold on, look over your shoulder into turns and keep their feet on the pegs at all times.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
16. Cargo carried on a motorcycle should be:
- Loaded entirely to one side
- As high as possible to keep it clear of the exhaust
- Kept low and secured close to the center of the bike (correct answer)
- Carried on the handlebars for easy access
Answer: Kept low and secured close to the center of the bike. Weight carried high or to one side raises the center of gravity and unsettles handling. Keep loads low, centered and firmly secured, and check them again after the first few miles.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
17. A pre-ride check on a motorcycle should always include:
- Only the brakes
- Only mirrors and lights
- Only fuel level
- Tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis and stands (correct answer)
Answer: Tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis and stands. The standard check runs tires and wheels, controls, lights and electrics, oil and fluids, chassis including chain and suspension, and the side and center stands. On a bike a small fault becomes a crash far faster than in a car.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
18. When being followed too closely you should:
- Increase your own following distance to the vehicle ahead (correct answer)
- Brake sharply to warn them
- Move onto the shoulder
- Speed up to open a gap
Answer: Increase your own following distance to the vehicle ahead. You cannot control the driver behind, but you can give yourself more room in front so any stop you make is gentle and gradual. Braking sharply to make a point invites the collision you are trying to avoid.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
19. Riding at night, a motorcyclist should:
- Use high beams at all times
- Reduce speed and increase following distance (correct answer)
- Follow closely behind cars to use their lights
- Ride in the center of the lane only
Answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance. A single headlight shows less than a car and other drivers judge your distance and speed poorly in the dark. Slow down, leave more space, and use the lights of vehicles ahead to read the road further on.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
20. Alcohol affects a motorcyclist:
- Only above the legal limit
- Only on longer journeys
- Less than a car driver, because riding demands focus
- More seriously, because riding needs balance and fine judgment (correct answer)
Answer: More seriously, because riding needs balance and fine judgment. Riding demands balance, coordination and judgment, all of which alcohol degrades before the legal limit is reached. Motorcyclists are heavily over-represented in alcohol-involved fatal crashes.
Source: NHTSA motorcycle safety data
21. The safest way to change lanes on a motorcycle is:
- Signal, check mirrors and turn your head to check the blind spot (correct answer)
- Move first, then signal
- Rely on other drivers to see your headlight
- Signal and move, mirrors are enough
Answer: Signal, check mirrors and turn your head to check the blind spot. A motorcycle has blind spots too, and mirrors alone will not show a vehicle beside you. Signal, check mirrors, then physically turn your head before moving.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
22. To make a tight, slow turn such as a U-turn, a rider should:
- Use the front brake to control speed
- Use light rear brake with steady throttle and look where they want to finish (correct answer)
- Coast with the clutch fully in
- Lean the body away from the turn
Answer: Use light rear brake with steady throttle and look where they want to finish. Slow maneuvers are controlled with the clutch friction zone, a steady throttle and light rear brake. Grabbing the front brake at full lock is the classic way to drop the bike at walking pace.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
23. A dog runs toward your motorcycle. The recommended response is:
- Swerve into the next lane
- Kick at it as you pass
- Slow as you approach, then accelerate away as you reach it (correct answer)
- Stop completely and wait
Answer: Slow as you approach, then accelerate away as you reach it. Animals chase what is moving away at a predictable speed. Slowing then accelerating past changes your position faster than the animal can adjust, and it keeps both hands on the controls.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
24. When riding in a group, the recommended formation on a straight road is:
- Single file at all times
- Whatever spacing feels comfortable
- Two abreast, side by side
- Staggered, with a full lane for each rider through corners (correct answer)
Answer: Staggered, with a full lane for each rider through corners. A staggered formation keeps the group compact while giving each rider space to move within the lane. In corners the group should move to single file so every rider has the full lane to choose a line.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
25. Eye protection matters on a motorcycle because:
- Wind, insects and debris can blind a rider instantly (correct answer)
- It reduces engine noise
- It is required only at night
- It is only a comfort measure
Answer: Wind, insects and debris can blind a rider instantly. At road speed an insect or stone chip arrives with real force, and watering eyes alone can blind you long enough to leave the road. Many states require eye protection even where a helmet is optional.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider curriculum, as adopted in state rider handbooks
26. California is the only state that has done which of the following?
- Required a sidecar for new riders
- Banned motorcycles from freeways
- Defined lane splitting in its vehicle code (correct answer)
- Abolished the motorcycle helmet requirement
Answer: Defined lane splitting in its vehicle code. California is the only state to define lane splitting in statute, describing it as riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on divided and undivided roads.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 21658.1
27. Who must wear a helmet on a motorcycle in California?
- Riders without medical coverage
- Nobody, it is advisory
- Riders under 21 only
- Every rider and every passenger, at every age (correct answer)
Answer: Every rider and every passenger, at every age. California applies a universal helmet law. Both the driver and any passenger must wear a safety helmet, and it is unlawful to carry a passenger if either is unhelmeted.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 27803
28. What is the alcohol limit for a California driver who is on DUI probation?
- 0.01 (correct answer)
- 0.08
- 0.05
- 0.04
Answer: 0.01. California sets four separate thresholds: 0.08 for drivers over 21, 0.01 for drivers under 21, 0.04 for drivers of vehicles requiring a commercial license or carrying passengers for hire, and 0.01 for anyone on DUI probation at any age.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), Section 9
29. A 19-year-old California driver has a BAC of 0.02. This is:
- Legal, the limit is 0.08
- Illegal, the limit under 21 is 0.01 (correct answer)
- Legal below 0.05
- Illegal only after a collision
Answer: Illegal, the limit under 21 is 0.01. California sets 0.01 for drivers under 21, which is lower than most states. Any measurable reading above that threshold is an offense.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), Section 9
30. Since 1 January 2025, California minimum liability insurance is:
- 15/30/5
- 25/50/10
- 30/60/15 (correct answer)
- 50/100/25
Answer: 30/60/15. The minimums rose on 1 January 2025 to $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for more than one, and $15,000 for property damage. They are scheduled to rise again in 2035.
Source: California Insurance Code s. 11580.1b
31. You must report a California collision to DMV on form SR 1 when property damage exceeds:
- $2,500
- $500
- $750
- $1,000 (correct answer)
Answer: $1,000. A driver must report within 10 days any collision causing injury, death, or property damage above $1,000 to any one person. This is separate from any police report.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 16000
32. California daylighting rules bar parking within how far of a crosswalk?
- 20 feet (correct answer)
- 25 feet
- 10 feet
- 15 feet
Answer: 20 feet. You may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, or within 15 feet where a curb extension is present. The rule exists so drivers can see people about to cross.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 22500; California Driver's Handbook (DL 600)
33. A white painted curb in California means:
- Park for a limited time
- Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers (correct answer)
- Loading for commercial vehicles
- No stopping at any time
Answer: Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. California uses five curb colors: white for passenger pick-up and drop-off, green for limited-time parking, yellow for loading, blue for disabled parking, and red for no stopping.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), parking
34. On a two-lane California highway where passing is unsafe, a slow driver must pull over once how many vehicles are queued behind?
- Three
- Four
- Five (correct answer)
- Ten
Answer: Five. Where five or more vehicles have formed a line behind a vehicle traveling below the normal speed of traffic, the slow driver must turn off at the nearest safe place to let them pass.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 21656
35. What is the California statutory maximum speed limit?
- 65 mph (correct answer)
- 70 mph
- 75 mph
- 55 mph
Answer: 65 mph. The statutory maximum is 65 mph, with 70 mph permitted only where specifically posted after a study, and 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways unless otherwise posted.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 22349 and s. 22356
36. A California vehicle towing a trailer is capped at:
- 45 mph
- 55 mph (correct answer)
- 65 mph
- The posted limit
Answer: 55 mph. California caps at 55 mph any vehicle towing another, trucks with three or more axles, school buses carrying pupils and farm labor vehicles, regardless of the posted limit.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 22406
37. In California you may cross the double solid lines beside a carpool lane:
- Only during off-peak hours
- Whenever traffic allows
- Never; you must use the marked openings (correct answer)
- Only when merging right
Answer: Never; you must use the marked openings. Where double parallel solid lines mark an HOV lane, you may not cross them to enter or leave it. Use the designated broken-line openings instead.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 21655.8
38. When does California allow a left turn while the light is a steady red?
- At any intersection with no oncoming traffic
- Only where a sign permits
- Never
- From a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping (correct answer)
Answer: From a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping. After stopping as required, a driver facing a steady circular red may turn right, or turn left from a one-way onto a one-way, unless a sign prohibits the turn.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 21453(b)
39. When must California headlights be switched on?
- During darkness and whenever conditions require continuous wiper use (correct answer)
- Only in fog
- Only outside urban areas
- Only during darkness
Answer: During darkness and whenever conditions require continuous wiper use. California requires headlamps during darkness or inclement weather, and defines inclement weather to include any condition requiring continuous windshield wiper use. Wipers on means lights on.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 24400(b) and (c)(2)
40. A California driver under 18 may use a mobile phone:
- Hands-free only
- Not at all, except in an emergency (correct answer)
- For navigation only
- When stationary in traffic
Answer: Not at all, except in an emergency. California bars any use of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device by a driver under 18, even with a hands-free device. Emergency use is the only exception.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 23124
41. California requires a child to ride in a rear-facing restraint until they are at least:
- 6 years old
- 1 year old
- 2 years old (correct answer)
- 4 years old
Answer: 2 years old. A child under 2 must be in a rear-facing child restraint, subject to weight and height exceptions, and a child under 8 must be secured in an appropriate restraint in a rear seat.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 27360
42. Smoking in a California vehicle is prohibited when:
- The vehicle is stationary
- It is a rental vehicle
- The windows are closed
- A person under 18 is present (correct answer)
Answer: A person under 18 is present. California bans smoking in a vehicle carrying a person under 18, whether or not the windows are open, and it carries a fine.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), driver duties
43. Under the California Three Feet for Safety Act, when passing a cyclist you must:
- Give at least three feet, and change lanes where one is available (correct answer)
- Sound the horn first
- Pass only at under 20 mph
- Give at least two feet
Answer: Give at least three feet, and change lanes where one is available. You may not pass a bicycle with less than three feet between any part of your vehicle and the cyclist. A later amendment also requires you to change lanes when a lane is available.
Source: California Vehicle Code s. 21760
44. For the first 12 months on a California provisional license, a driver under 18 may not:
- Drive on freeways
- Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., or carry passengers under 20 unsupervised (correct answer)
- Drive outside their county
- Drive a vehicle over 3,000 lb
Answer: Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., or carry passengers under 20 unsupervised. The first 12 months carry a curfew between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and a ban on carrying passengers under 20 unless a qualifying adult is present.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), provisional license restrictions
45. A California instruction permit for applicants under 18 requires how much supervised practice?
- 60 hours, 20 at night
- 30 hours, 10 at night
- 40 hours, 10 at night
- 50 hours, 10 at night (correct answer)
Answer: 50 hours, 10 at night. Under-18 applicants must complete 50 hours of practice with a California-licensed driver aged 25 or over, of which 10 must be at night, plus 6 hours of professional training and a 6 month permit hold.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), getting a permit and license
46. How many attempts do you get at the California knowledge test per application?
- Three (correct answer)
- Unlimited
- One
- Two
Answer: Three. You are allowed three attempts before you must reapply and pay again. Applicants under 18 must also wait seven days before a retake, not counting the day of the failure.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), the testing process
47. A California motorcycle instruction permit prohibits:
- Riding above 45 mph
- Carrying passengers, freeway riding and riding at night (correct answer)
- Riding outside your city
- Riding a motorcycle above 250cc
Answer: Carrying passengers, freeway riding and riding at night. The Class M1 or M2 instruction permit bars carrying passengers, riding on freeways and riding at night. California issues M1 and M2 as separate license classes rather than as endorsements.
Source: California Motorcycle Handbook (2024), permit restrictions
48. What is the minimum age for a California instruction permit if you are taking driver education?
- 14
- 15
- 15 years and 6 months (correct answer)
- 16
Answer: 15 years and 6 months. Applicants under 18 may apply from 15 years and 6 months, and only with a certificate of completion or enrollment in driver education. Adults may apply from 18 with no driver education requirement.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), getting an instruction permit
49. How many questions are on the California Class C knowledge test?
- 25
- 36 for adults, published on the DMV website
- 46 for everyone
- DMV does not publish a current count; 36 and 46 come from a 2006 research report (correct answer)
Answer: DMV does not publish a current count; 36 and 46 come from a 2006 research report. No current California DMV consumer page states a question count. The widely repeated 36 for adults and 46 for under-18s come from a DMV Research and Development report published in December 2006. DMV currently publishes only that 80 percent passes, which does not reconcile with the documented error allowances of six on 36 and eight on 46.
Source: California DMV report RSS-06-221 (December 2006); dmv.ca.gov, checked September 2026
50. A California school bus flashes red lights on an undivided road. You must:
- Stop from either direction (correct answer)
- Stop only if behind the bus
- Slow to 15 mph
- Proceed with caution
Answer: Stop from either direction. On an undivided road you stop from either direction until the children are safely across and the lights stop flashing. A divided or multilane highway is treated differently.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), school buses
51. A California adult driver may face suspension as a negligent operator at:
- 2 points in 12 months
- 4 points in 12 months (correct answer)
- 8 points in 12 months
- 12 points in 12 months
Answer: 4 points in 12 months. The thresholds are 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24 months or 8 in 36 months. DMV may place the driver on probation, suspend or revoke.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), negligent operator
52. Parked facing uphill against a curb in California, you should turn your front wheels:
- It does not matter with a parking brake
- Toward the curb
- Away from the curb, then let the vehicle roll back to touch it (correct answer)
- Straight ahead
Answer: Away from the curb, then let the vehicle roll back to touch it. Uphill with a curb, turn the wheels away from it and let the vehicle roll back a few inches so a rear wheel rests against it. Downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), parking on a hill
Other California practice tests
Original practice questions written from the rules themselves, not the examination questions California DMV uses. California DMVneither runs this site nor endorses it.