Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. For riders with less experience, which cornering line is usually the safest choice?

   Correct answer: The middle/middle/middle path

   The middle/middle/middle path is generally safest for less-experienced riders and helps avoid both oncoming traffic and roadside debris.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Cornering Lines

2. 2. How does a motorcycle's need for maintenance compare with that of a car?

   Correct answer: It needs more frequent attention than a car

   Compared with a car, a motorcycle requires attention far more often, because a small mechanical fault that merely annoys a driver can bring down a rider.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Checking Your Motorcycle

3. 3. In motorcycle crashes, which type of injury most often causes a rider's death?

   Correct answer: Head injury

   Head injury is the leading cause of death for riders in motorcycle crashes, which is why helmet use matters so much.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Helmets

4. 4. Which material offers the best abrasion protection for riding gear, and which offers little?

   Correct answer: Leather or abrasion-resistant material protects best; denim offers little

   The best abrasion protection comes from leather or other tough scuff-resistant materials; ordinary denim offers very little.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Jacket and Pants

5. 5. Which of the following is a requirement for effective eye or face-shield protection?

   Correct answer: It should have no scratches and offer an unobstructed view forward and to each side

   Good eye or face-shield protection must be scratch-free, provide a clear forward and side view, and attach firmly so it cannot blow off.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Eye Protection

6. 6. After you have entered a corner on a two-wheeler, what does gently rolling on the throttle do?

   Correct answer: It helps stabilize the motorcycle through the corner

   Smoothly rolling on the throttle once you are in the corner helps stabilize the motorcycle and maintain or slightly increase speed.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Cornering Steps

7. 7. What is the purpose of good hearing protection while riding?

   Correct answer: To reduce harmful noise while still letting you hear horns and sirens

   Good hearing protection cuts harmful wind and road noise while still letting you hear important sounds like horns and sirens.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Hearing Protection

8. 8. How often do many manufacturers recommend replacing a motorcycle helmet, even without a crash?

   Correct answer: About every five years

   Many manufacturers suggest replacing a helmet about every five years because its protective materials break down over time.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Helmet Types and Construction

9. 9. To protect against impact, in which areas should riding gear include body-armor inserts?

   Correct answer: In the knees, elbows, shoulders, hips, and back

   Look for gear with body-armor inserts at critical impact areas such as the knees, elbows, shoulders, hips, and back.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Jacket and Pants

10. 10. What is the benefit of an outside/inside/outside cornering line?

    Correct answer: It straightens out the corner, requiring less lean and giving more traction

    Taking an outside/inside/outside line straightens out the corner, so you need less lean and keep more traction available.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Cornering Lines

11. 11. Where should your feet stay while riding, and why?

    Correct answer: Firmly on the foot pegs, since dragging them can cause serious injury

    Keep your feet firmly on the foot pegs at all times, because dragging your feet while riding can cause serious injury.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Riding Posture

12. 12. When are a majority of crashes most likely to occur relative to a rider's experience on their current motorcycle?

    Correct answer: When the rider has less than six months on that bike

    Crash data shows that most occur while a rider still has under half a year on the particular motorcycle they ride, no matter their total experience.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Preparing to Ride: Understanding and Inspecting Your Motorcycle