Illinois SOS Motorcycle Practice Test 41

  • 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. You are pulling out of a farm entrance onto a rural highway. What is your obligation?

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    Answer C: Yield to every vehicle already on the highway before you enter the roadway

    A driver entering a highway from a private road or driveway yields to every vehicle already on the highway.

  2. 2. What is the right speed for a normal right turn at a city corner?

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    Answer C: Slow enough to hold your lane and stop for a pedestrian

    A city right turn is tight and crosses a crosswalk, so the correct speed is one that keeps you inside your lane and still allows a stop.

  3. 3. A yellow diamond shows an arrow that doubles back on itself. What kind of curve lies ahead?

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    Answer C: A turn of 135 degrees or more, nearly doubling back

    The hairpin curve sign is used where the road changes direction by 135 degrees or more, and it is normally backed up by chevrons or a large arrow through the bend.

  4. 4. You are traveling beside a solid white lane line. What does it tell you?

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    Answer B: Crossing it is discouraged or prohibited, so stay in your lane

    A solid white line separates lanes going the same direction where lane changing is discouraged or prohibited, such as where a through lane meets a mandatory turn lane.

  5. 5. While you are still on an entrance ramp, where should your attention be?

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    Answer D: Along the ramp ahead and back at the highway traffic in the mirrors and over your shoulder

    A merge needs both halves of the picture at once: the ramp curving ahead of you and the traffic you are about to join behind and to your left.

  6. 6. Why must a tank bag be strapped down properly rather than simply laid on the tank?

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    Answer D: Because a bag that slides can reach the controls or your hands

    Braking pushes anything loose on the tank forward toward the handlebars, where it can jam the steering or interfere with the levers.

  7. 7. An overhead lane signal shows a flashing yellow X above your lane. What does it mean?

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    Answer D: The lane may be used only for a left turn

    A flashing yellow X marks a lane that may be used only to make a left turn; a steady yellow X is the one that warns you to leave the lane.

  8. 8. Where among these is parking specifically prohibited?

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    Answer A: On a bridge, in a tunnel or on railroad tracks

    Bridges and tunnels have no safe refuge and cannot be widened, and a vehicle left on railroad tracks cannot be avoided by an approaching train.

  9. 9. Under Illinois' basic speed law, besides curves and hill crests, in which other situations must a driver reduce speed even without a posted sign lowering the limit?

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    Answer B: When approaching and crossing an intersection, or traveling on a narrow or winding roadway

    Illinois' basic speed law also requires reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection and when traveling on a narrow or winding roadway.

  10. 10. Why is an underinflated tire especially risky on a long drive in hot weather?

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    Answer C: It flexes more, builds up heat and can fail at speed

    A soft tire flexes on every rotation, and that flexing makes heat that the hot road and high speed add to until the tire can come apart.

  11. 11. The road is icy and visibility is poor, but you are driving at the posted speed limit. Is this acceptable?

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    Answer A: No, because you may never drive faster than is safe for the conditions

    Under the basic speed rule a driver must travel at a speed that is reasonable for the actual conditions, so a legal posted speed can still be an unlawful and unsafe speed.

  12. 12. Your phone is in a mount on the dashboard rather than in your hand. What is true?

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    Answer B: It still takes your eyes and mind off the road

    A mount solves the hand problem but not the eye or the mind problem, and reading or tapping a mounted screen costs the same seconds of attention.

  13. 13. A line beside your lane is painted about twice the normal width. What does the extra width convey?

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    Answer B: Greater emphasis on the restriction it carries

    Width is part of the marking code: a wide line carries more emphasis than a normal one, which is why it is used at gores and channelizing lines.

  14. 14. At an intersection where turning on a red arrow is not permitted, the signal shows a red left arrow next to a steady green ball. What may you do?

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    Answer D: Go straight or turn right if permitted, but not left

    An arrow controls only the movement it points to, so here the red arrow stops the left turn while the green ball still allows the other movements.

  15. 15. The queue for an exit ramp has backed up into the right lane of the highway. What should you do if you want that exit?

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    Answer B: Join the back of the queue in the lane instead of cutting in later

    Passing a queue and forcing in at the front stops the whole line, and using the shoulder puts you where broken-down vehicles are expected to be.

  16. 16. In most states, how far before a turn must your signal already be on in city traffic?

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    Answer B: At least 100 feet, roughly the length of six or seven cars

    Most states require the signal for at least 100 feet before a turn in city driving, which gives drivers behind you time to react before you slow; several require more at higher speeds.

  17. 17. How long should a rider stay in the oncoming lane while passing?

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    Answer D: Only as long as completing the pass safely requires

    Every extra second in the oncoming lane is exposure with no benefit, so the rider passes decisively and returns as soon as the road behind is clear.

  18. 18. What does this sign warn a driver about?

    A yellow diamond showing two black lines joining into one as they go up
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    Answer A: Traffic from another roadway will enter the same lane ahead

    Two traffic streams come together into one lane beyond this point, so drivers on both roadways have to adjust speed and spacing to fit together.

  19. 19. You are about to pass a slower vehicle on a two lane road. What should you do with the gears?

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    Answer B: Downshift before you begin, so the engine can accelerate strongly

    A lower gear puts the engine in the part of its range where it accelerates best, which shortens the time spent in the oncoming lane.

  20. 20. A yellow diamond reading DIP warns a driver about

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    Answer A: a short, sharp depression in the road surface

    A dip is an abrupt low point that can jolt a vehicle or scrape its underside, so speed should be reduced before reaching it.

  21. 21. What does a pre-ride check of a hydraulic brake system cover?

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    Answer C: The fluid level and any sign of a leak at the hoses and fittings

    A falling fluid level means either worn pads or a leak, and a leaking hose or fitting can empty the system without warning.

  22. 22. Your passenger wants to carry a bag in one hand during the ride. What should you tell them?

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    Answer B: No, both hands are needed to hold on, so the bag must be secured on the machine

    A passenger needs both hands on the operator or the handholds, and anything carried loose can be dropped into the wheel or pull the passenger off balance.

  23. 23. Why is hard braking the wrong response to a tire blowout at speed?

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    Answer C: Because it can pull the vehicle further out of line and start it spinning

    With one tire gone the braking forces are uneven, so heavy braking increases the pull to one side and can spin the vehicle.

  24. 24. Where is passing prohibited even when no line is visible?

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    Answer D: On a curve or near the crest of a hill, at intersections and at railroad crossings

    Passing is prohibited wherever your view of oncoming traffic is blocked or where vehicles may cross your path, which includes hills, curves, intersections and rail crossings.

  25. 25. A small yellow plaque showing a speed number below a curve warning sign gives

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    Answer C: the speed recommended for the condition being warned about

    The advisory speed plaque belongs to the warning series and states the speed judged safe for the condition ahead under good circumstances, not a regulatory limit.