Illinois SOS Motorcycle Practice Test 10

  • Questions25
  • Correct to pass20
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age16 years

Minimum age: 16 years; applicants aged 16 or 17 must also complete an IDOT-approved motorcycle training course

25 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 20 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. A rider needs to stop quickly while leaned over in a curve. What is the best technique?

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    Answer D: Bring the motorcycle upright where possible, then brake firmly with both brakes

    An upright tire has more traction available for braking, so lean angle should be reduced as brake pressure is increased.

  2. 2. A wide crosswalk you are turning across has a refuge island in the middle. What should you assume about people standing on it?

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    Answer D: They may step off the island into your path at any moment

    An island is a pause in a crossing, not the end of one, so treat anyone on it as a pedestrian who is still crossing.

  3. 3. A steady red arrow is displayed for your left-turn lane at a two-way intersection. What must you do?

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    Answer C: Stop and remain stopped until an indication permits the turn

    A steady red arrow prohibits the movement it points to, so the driver stops and waits for a green arrow, a flashing yellow arrow or another indication that permits the turn.

  4. 4. A face shield keeps fogging up in cool, damp weather. What helps?

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    Answer A: Cracking the shield open slightly, or using an anti fog shield

    Fog forms when warm breath meets a cold shield, so moving a little air behind the shield or using an anti fog design is the safe fix.

  5. 5. You are making a legal U-turn at an intersection. Who has the right of way?

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    Answer C: Everyone else, until your turn is complete

    A U-turn crosses several paths at once, so you yield to oncoming vehicles, to crossing traffic and to pedestrians before starting it.

  6. 6. You make eye contact with a driver waiting to pull out of a side street. What should you assume?

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    Answer D: The driver may still not have seen you, so stay ready to slow or stop

    Drivers can look directly at you and still not register your vehicle, especially a small one. Eye contact helps, but never rely on it.

  7. 7. The light turns yellow when your front wheels are already past the stop line inside the intersection. What should you do?

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    Answer B: Keep going and clear the intersection without speeding up

    Once you are legally in the intersection the safest and correct action is to continue through and clear it, without accelerating.

  8. 8. Why is it harder for a rider to judge distance and closing speed after dark?

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    Answer D: Only lights are visible, so closing speeds are hard to read

    At night you see lights rather than whole vehicles and the scene around them, which strips away the cues that tell you how far away something is and how fast it is closing.

  9. 9. What is the main source of the noise that damages a rider's hearing?

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    Answer A: Wind turbulence around the helmet, which rises sharply with speed

    Wind noise around a helmet is loud enough at highway speed to cause permanent hearing loss over time, which is why earplugs are recommended even on quiet machines.

  10. 10. A signal beside a fire station stays dark until apparatus is about to leave, when it shows yellow and then red. What must a driver do?

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    Answer B: Stop on the red and wait until the signal goes dark again

    An emergency vehicle signal is a real traffic signal, so its red indication must be obeyed while the apparatus pulls out into the street.

  11. 11. A bicyclist in the bike lane ahead of you signals and starts to move left toward the turn lane. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Slow down and let the rider move across

    A bicyclist who needs to leave the bike lane to turn left is changing lanes like any driver, and following traffic should make room.

  12. 12. When should most of your braking for a turn be finished?

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    Answer B: Before you begin to turn the wheel

    Slow to the right speed before the turn begins; braking hard while turning uses up the grip the tires need for steering.

  13. 13. Who is best suited to ride as the sweep at the back of a group?

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    Answer B: An experienced rider who can handle a problem at the back

    The sweep has to notice a rider dropping back or stopping and deal with it away from the rest of the group, which takes judgment and experience.

  14. 14. What is sensible when you drive in an unfamiliar town for the first time?

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    Answer C: Drive a little slower and give yourself more time to read the signs

    In unfamiliar surroundings you need longer to take in signs, junctions and markings, and lower speed buys that time.

  15. 15. Why is this restriction so common beside fire hydrants, crosswalks and intersection corners?

    A white square showing the letter P inside a red circle with a red diagonal line through it
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    Answer C: To keep sight lines open and leave access for emergency crews

    A vehicle left in those places hides pedestrians from approaching drivers, blocks the path of turning vehicles and can keep firefighters from reaching a hydrant.

  16. 16. How should a rider use the head and eyes in a turn?

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    Answer A: Turn only the head to look through the turn, keeping the eyes level with the horizon

    Turning just the head keeps the upper body from upsetting the motorcycle, and level eyes help the rider judge lean angle and direction.

  17. 17. You are about to slow down sharply for a turn. Which check comes first?

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    Answer A: A look in the mirror to see how close the traffic behind you is

    Any hard slowing needs a mirror check first, because the driver behind is the one who has to react to it.

  18. 18. Warning signs such as stop ahead, yield ahead and signal ahead are installed mainly where

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    Answer B: the traffic control device cannot be seen from far enough away

    These advance warning signs are used when a crest, curve or obstruction keeps the stop sign, yield sign or signal from coming into view in time for a driver to react.

  19. 19. Traffic in a work zone is down to one lane in each direction, separated by a temporary double yellow line. May you pass?

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    Answer C: No, temporary markings prohibit passing just as permanent ones do

    A temporary marking has the same legal force as a permanent one, and a work zone is the last place with room to spare for an overtaking vehicle.

  20. 20. You come upon a crash that has just happened and decide to help. Where should you stop your vehicle?

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    Answer A: Well beyond the scene, completely off the road, with the hazard lights on

    Stopping past the crash and off the pavement keeps you from becoming another victim and leaves the approach clear for emergency vehicles.

  21. 21. A deer crosses the road ahead of you and disappears into the trees. What should you expect?

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    Answer A: More animals may follow, since deer usually move in groups

    Deer commonly travel in groups, so one animal crossing is a warning that others are close by. Slow down and stay ready to stop well past the point where it crossed.

  22. 22. You are approaching the entry of a modern roundabout. Who must you yield to?

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    Answer C: Traffic already circulating in the roundabout, which approaches from your left

    Traffic in a United States roundabout circulates counterclockwise, so drivers entering must look left and yield to vehicles already in the circulating roadway.

  23. 23. You need to leave the road and pull onto the shoulder. What should you check first?

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    Answer A: Whether the shoulder surface is firm enough to support the motorcycle

    Soft or loose shoulder material can grab the wheels or let the side stand sink, so confirm the surface is firm, signal, and then pull well clear of traffic.

  24. 24. Why should riders avoid the center strip of the lane, especially where traffic stops often?

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    Answer A: Because it collects oil and grease dripped from other vehicles

    Drippings from other vehicles build up in the center of the lane, and the buildup is heaviest at busy intersections and toll booths where traffic sits waiting.

  25. 25. What protective gear should a passenger wear?

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    Answer C: The same protective gear recommended for the operator

    A passenger is exposed to the same crash forces, weather and road debris as the operator, so the same head, eye, hand, body and foot protection applies.