Texas motorcycle warm up test
A shorter 20 question run pulled from across the TX 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 Texas exam is graded
TxDPS publishes a 70 percent pass mark and nothing else: no question count and no time limit, so both the length and the allowance on this paper are ours. The claim circulating online that the Texas test stops after 10 wrong answers appears in no DPS source, and DPS issues the exam to driver education schools as a printed PDF, which could not end early even if it wanted to.
This paper allows 30 minutes. That allowance is ours, not TxDPS's, because no published limit exists for this test.
What is specific to Texas
Texas requires driver education of every first-time applicant under 25, not just teenagers, which catches adults moving from other states. Every applicant must also complete the Impact Texas Drivers video course before the driving exam. There is no points system on a Texas license at all: instead a driver becomes a habitual violator at four convictions in 12 months. Drivers under 18 face a total wireless ban including hands-free, and the adult supervising a learner commits a criminal offense if they sleep, are intoxicated or are otherwise not paying attention. Posted limits run to 85 mph on some highways, the highest in the country, and annual safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles ended on 1 January 2025.
How many attempts do you get?
Three attempts per application, then a new application and fee. An application is held for 90 days after a first failure. After 90 days, or after three failed exams, a new application is required.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026), checked September 9, 2026.
Every question in this Texas quick motorcycle test, with answers
All 49 questions this paper draws from, each with the correct answer, why it is correct, and the Texas 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. What grade do you need to pass a Texas knowledge exam?
- 70 percent (correct answer)
- 80 percent
- 90 percent
- 60 percent
Answer: 70 percent. The Texas Driver Handbook states that a grade of 70 percent or better passes any knowledge exam, and the same threshold is set by rule in the Administrative Code.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026), Chapter 1; 37 TAC s. 15.52
27. Who must complete a driver education course before a first Texas license?
- Applicants under 18 only
- Every first-time applicant under 25 (correct answer)
- Every applicant regardless of age
- Nobody, it is optional
Answer: Every first-time applicant under 25. Texas requires driver education of every first-time applicant younger than 25, not just teenagers. Adults moving from other states are frequently caught out by this.
Source: Transportation Code s. 521.1601
28. What must every Texas applicant complete before taking the driving exam?
- A vision therapy assessment
- A defensive driving course
- The Impact Texas Drivers video course (correct answer)
- A first aid certificate
Answer: The Impact Texas Drivers video course. All applicants must complete the Impact Texas Drivers course appropriate to their age group before sitting the driving exam. There are separate age-banded versions.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7, Chapter 1
29. How does Texas track repeat traffic offenders?
- A demerit system reset annually
- By insurance record only
- A points system, with suspension at 12 points
- There is no points system; four convictions in 12 months makes you a habitual violator (correct answer)
Answer: There is no points system; four convictions in 12 months makes you a habitual violator. Texas has no driver license points system. Instead a person is a habitual violator on four or more convictions from separate incidents within 12 consecutive months, or seven or more within 24 months.
Source: Transportation Code s. 521.292(b)
30. How many supervised practice hours does a Texas learner need?
- 30 hours, 10 at night (correct answer)
- 40 hours, 10 at night
- 50 hours, 10 at night
- 20 hours, 5 at night
Answer: 30 hours, 10 at night. Texas requires 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with at least 10 at night, alongside 7 hours of in-car instruction and 7 hours of in-car observation in the driver education course.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7; TxDPS graduated licensing requirements
31. The adult supervising a Texas learner driver commits an offense if they:
- Change the radio station
- Are asleep, intoxicated or otherwise not attentive (correct answer)
- Sit in the back seat
- Hold an out-of-state license
Answer: Are asleep, intoxicated or otherwise not attentive. The accompanying person must be 21 or over, hold a license for that vehicle type, have at least a year of experience and occupy the seat beside the driver. Being asleep or intoxicated is itself an offense.
Source: Transportation Code s. 521.222(d)
32. You fail the Texas knowledge exam. How many attempts do you get per application?
- One
- Two
- Three (correct answer)
- Unlimited
Answer: Three. An application is held for 90 days after a failure. After 90 days, or after three failed exams, a new application and fee are required.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026)
33. Under Texas zero tolerance, a driver under 21 commits an offense with:
- A BAC of 0.05 or higher
- A BAC of 0.08 or higher
- A BAC of 0.02 or higher
- Any detectable amount of alcohol (correct answer)
Answer: Any detectable amount of alcohol. Texas zero tolerance means any detectable amount of alcohol in a minor operating a vehicle, even where they are not intoxicated under the DWI statute. Suspensions escalate with each offense.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7, Chapter 10; Alcoholic Beverage Code s. 106.041
34. Texas Move Over law requires you to change lanes or slow to:
- 20 mph below the limit (correct answer)
- The posted limit
- 30 mph in all cases
- 10 mph below the limit
Answer: 20 mph below the limit. If you cannot safely change lanes away from a stopped vehicle, you must slow to 20 mph below the posted limit. The law covers emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance and utility vehicles, not just police.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.157
35. A Texas signal shows no indication at all. Texas statute says you treat it as:
- Uncontrolled
- A green light
- A four-way stop sign (correct answer)
- A yield sign
Answer: A four-way stop sign. Texas law is explicit: a signal that displays no indication at all is treated as a stop sign, so you stop and proceed in turn.
Source: Transportation Code s. 544.007(i)
36. When does Texas allow a left turn while the light is a steady red?
- At any intersection after stopping
- Only where a sign permits it
- 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 a complete stop, Texas permits a right turn on red and a left on red from a one-way onto a one-way, unless a sign prohibits it.
Source: Transportation Code s. 544.007(d)
37. A driver under 18 in Texas may use a wireless device:
- Not at all, except in an emergency (correct answer)
- For navigation only
- When stopped at a light
- Hands-free only
Answer: Not at all, except in an emergency. Texas bars any use of a wireless communication device by a driver under 18, including hands-free. The only carve-out is a genuine emergency.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.424
38. Red lights start flashing on a school bus ahead of you, on an undivided Texas road. Traffic must stop:
- Only from behind
- From either direction (correct answer)
- Only if children are visible
- Only on roads under 40 mph
Answer: From either direction. Texas requires drivers approaching from either direction to stop. A first offense carries a fine between $500 and $1,250.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.066
39. Who must wear a motorcycle helmet in Texas?
- Only passengers
- Everyone, with no exceptions
- Riders under 21, and others unless they meet an exemption (correct answer)
- Nobody, helmets are optional
Answer: Riders under 21, and others unless they meet an exemption. Texas law demands protective headgear, then lifts that duty for riders of 21 and over who either finished an approved operator training course or are covered by the health insurance plan the statute describes. An officer may not stop a rider solely to check.
Source: Transportation Code s. 661.003
40. A first-time Texas Class M motorcycle applicant must:
- Hold a Class C license for two years
- Be at least 18
- Pass a written test only
- Complete an approved rider training course, at any age (correct answer)
Answer: Complete an approved rider training course, at any age. Every first-time Class M applicant must furnish evidence of completing an approved motorcycle operator training course, regardless of age.
Source: Transportation Code s. 521.148(a)
41. A restricted Texas Class M license issued at 15 limits the rider to a motorcycle of no more than:
- 250cc (correct answer)
- 400cc
- 500cc
- 125cc
Answer: 250cc. A special restricted Class M at 15 caps engine size at 250 cubic centimeters. The restriction lifts automatically at 16.
Source: Transportation Code s. 521.224(b) to (e)
42. What is the highest posted speed limit found in Texas?
- 80 mph
- 85 mph (correct answer)
- 70 mph
- 75 mph
Answer: 85 mph. The statutory prima facie limit outside urban districts is 70 mph, but Texas permits higher posted limits after an engineering study, and some stretches are posted at 85 mph, the highest in the country.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.352(b) and s. 545.353
43. Driving on the improved shoulder in Texas is:
- Permitted for right turns only
- Always prohibited
- Permitted only in specific listed situations, when necessary and safe (correct answer)
- Permitted whenever traffic is heavy
Answer: Permitted only in specific listed situations, when necessary and safe. Texas lists the permitted situations, including stopping or parking, avoiding a collision, and allowing another vehicle to overtake. Outside those, shoulder driving is an offense.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.058(a)
44. In Texas, a child under 18 riding in the open bed of a pickup truck is:
- Permitted below 35 mph
- Permitted with a seat belt fitted
- Permitted on any road
- Prohibited (correct answer)
Answer: Prohibited. It is an offense to operate an open-bed pickup or flatbed while a child younger than 18 occupies the bed, with limited exceptions.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.414(a)
45. What is the minimum liability insurance required in Texas?
- 25/50/20
- 30/60/25 (correct answer)
- 50/100/50
- 20/40/15
Answer: 30/60/25. Texas requires $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 per collision, and $25,000 for property damage. Driving uninsured starts at a $175 fine.
Source: Transportation Code s. 601.072(a-1)
46. Since 1 January 2025, non-commercial vehicles in Texas:
- Require inspection only on sale
- Still require an annual safety inspection
- No longer require an annual safety inspection (correct answer)
- Require inspection every two years
Answer: No longer require an annual safety inspection. The annual safety inspection requirement for non-commercial vehicles ended on 1 January 2025. Owners instead pay an annual Inspection Program Replacement Fee. Emissions testing continues in certain counties.
Source: House Bill 3297 (88th Legislature, 2023), effective 1 January 2025
47. Texas bans texting while driving:
- Only for drivers under 18
- Only on highways
- Only in school zones
- Statewide, and the ban preempts local rules (correct answer)
Answer: Statewide, and the ban preempts local rules. The statewide ban on reading, writing or sending an electronic message while driving preempts local ordinances. Handheld use is separately banned in school crossing zones.
Source: Transportation Code s. 545.4251(b)
48. A Texas driver license issued to an adult is normally valid for:
- 8 years (correct answer)
- 10 years
- 4 years
- 6 years
Answer: 8 years. A Texas license expires on the first birthday after the eighth anniversary of the application, and an in-person renewal is required at least every 16 years.
Source: Transportation Code s. 521.271(a)(1)
49. How many questions are on the Texas Class C knowledge exam?
- 40
- DPS does not publish a question count (correct answer)
- 20
- 30
Answer: DPS does not publish a question count. The Texas Department of Public Safety does not publish the number of questions on the Class C knowledge exam in the handbook or on its website. What it does publish is the pass mark of 70 percent, so revise to that standard rather than to a count you have seen quoted elsewhere.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook DL-7 (rev. January 2026); dps.texas.gov, checked September 2026
Other Texas practice tests
Original practice questions written from the rules themselves, not the examination questions TxDPS uses. TxDPSneither runs this site nor endorses it.