Illinois SOS Motorcycle Practice Test 8
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age16 years
-
1. When should tire pressure be measured?
Show answer
Answer B: Before riding, while the tires are still cold
Riding heats the air inside a tire and raises the reading, so pressure is set cold to match the figure the manufacturer specifies.
-
2. What should be adjusted on the motorcycle before carrying a passenger?
Show answer
Answer C: The suspension and the tire pressure, following the owner's manual
The extra weight compresses the suspension and loads the tires, so both should be set to the values the manufacturer specifies for riding with a passenger.
-
3. You have passed a large truck and want to move back into its lane. What should you see first?
Show answer
Answer B: Both of its headlights in your rear-view mirror
Seeing both headlights in your mirror means you are far enough ahead to be out of the truck's front no-zone before you move over.
-
4. Why do streetcar or light rail rails set into a street deserve extra care from a rider?
Show answer
Answer B: The groove alongside the rail can catch a front tire crossed at a shallow angle
The groove beside an embedded rail is just wide enough to trap a motorcycle tire, so cross rails at as steep an angle as your lane allows.
-
5. You have turned onto a ramp at night and your headlights pick out large white arrows painted on the pavement pointing straight back at you. What do they mean?
Show answer
Answer C: You are traveling against the flow and must turn back
Wrong-way arrows are laid so that a driver going the correct way never sees them head on, so an arrow pointing at you means you are on the ramp backwards.
-
6. An exit ramp is separated from the highway by a triangle of pavement painted with white stripes. What may you do there?
Show answer
Answer C: Nothing; keep off it and choose either the lane or the ramp
The striped area between a ramp and the through lanes is not for driving, stopping or last-second changes of direction.
-
7. Why is a motorcycle particularly hard for other drivers to judge at night?
Show answer
Answer A: Its single headlight gives no width cues for distance and speed
Drivers judge distance from the spacing between a pair of headlights, and a single lamp gives them nothing to measure, so they routinely misjudge how close and how fast a motorcycle is.
-
8. Why should you make sure your turn signal has stopped flashing after a lane change?
Show answer
Answer A: A signal left flashing tells other drivers that you intend to move again
Other drivers act on your signals, so one that is left on gives them false information about what you are about to do.
-
9. What kind of gloves are recommended for riding?
Show answer
Answer A: Full fingered gloves of leather or similar durable material
Full fingered leather or equivalent gloves improve grip on the controls and protect the hands, which riders instinctively put out in a fall.
-
10. Before making a right turn at an intersection, what should you check besides oncoming traffic?
Show answer
Answer B: Your right blind spot and the crosswalk, for cyclists and pedestrians
Right turns often catch a cyclist or a pedestrian coming up on the right, so check the blind spot and the crosswalk before you turn.
-
11. What effect does low tire pressure have on a motorcycle?
Show answer
Answer C: It makes steering, braking and general handling worse
An underinflated tire changes shape under load, which makes the motorcycle steer heavily and respond unpredictably.
-
12. On a long drive you notice repeated yawning, missed exits and drifting toward the lane line. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Pull off at a safe place and sleep, or change drivers
Those are warning signs that sleepiness is already interfering with driving, and only rest restores alertness. Fresh air, music and caffeine do not reverse it.
-
13. You feel fine twenty minutes after your last drink. Why is that a poor guide to driving?
Show answer
Answer B: Your blood alcohol level can still be rising
Alcohol keeps being absorbed for some time after the last drink, so a driver who feels able at the door can be more impaired a few miles down the road.
-
14. The low sun is directly ahead and glare makes it hard to see. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Slow down, use the sun visor or sunglasses, and increase following distance
Sun glare can hide pedestrians, brake lights and signals. Reducing speed and adding space gives you time to react to what you cannot yet see.
-
15. You are about to pass a large truck on a two-lane highway. Which practice is correct?
Show answer
Answer A: Finish the pass without delay and expect wind turbulence beside the truck
Lingering beside a truck keeps you in its blind spot and exposes you to air turbulence. Pass on the left, keep moving, and move back only when you can see the whole truck in your mirror.
-
16. Why is dusk one of the harder times of day to drive?
Show answer
Answer B: The failing light blurs shapes into the background
In fading light there is not enough contrast to pick objects out, yet it is not dark enough for headlights to do the work, so pedestrians and cyclists disappear.
-
17. You are turning left out of a driveway onto a busy two-way street. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Wait for a gap in both directions before you start to move
The turn crosses one direction of traffic and joins the other, so you need a gap in both before leaving the driveway rather than stopping across a lane.
-
18. Unless otherwise posted, what is the Illinois speed limit on interstates and tollways?
Show answer
Answer C: 70 miles per hour
Illinois sets 70 miles per hour on interstates and tollways, 65 on four-lane highways and 55 on other highways and rural areas unless otherwise posted.
-
19. You are passing a crash on the other side of a divided highway. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Keep your eyes on your own lane and the traffic around you
Staring at a crash scene, often called rubbernecking, causes sudden slowing and secondary collisions. Your attention belongs on the traffic in front of you.
-
20. How much space should you hold behind the rider who is directly ahead of you in your own portion of the lane?
Show answer
Answer D: At least two seconds
Riders sharing the same track keep a following distance of at least two seconds so they have the time and the room to react to a hazard.
-
21. How does a NO OUTLET sign differ from a DEAD END sign?
Show answer
Answer B: It warns that a whole group of streets has no way out
No Outlet is posted where the road leads into a network of streets from which there is no through route, while Dead End refers to the single street itself.
-
22. A squirrel darts into your path a short distance ahead. What is normally the safest response?
Show answer
Answer C: Hold your line, brake as much as is safe, and accept hitting a small animal
Swerving without space, or crashing while braking, hurts the rider far more than a small animal does, so stay in your lane and slow as much as traction allows.
-
23. On a two-lane road, a solid yellow line runs on your side of the center while a broken yellow line runs on the other side. What does this mean?
Show answer
Answer D: You may not pass, although oncoming drivers may
Passing restrictions are read from the line closest to your own lane, so a solid yellow line on your side creates a no-passing zone for you alone.
-
24. A traffic signal is displaying a flashing red light. How must you treat it?
Show answer
Answer D: Stop completely, then proceed when the way is clear
A flashing red carries the same meaning as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go only when it is safe.
-
25. Why should a rider glance down at the sidestand before pulling away?
Show answer
Answer A: A stand left down can catch the road and lever the rear wheel off the ground
A sidestand that is still down will dig into the pavement in a left turn and can lift the rear tire clear of the road.