Texas DPS Motorcycle Practice Test 38
- Questions20
- Correct to pass16
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age15 years
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1. A center lane is bordered by a solid yellow line on the outside and a broken yellow line on the inside, with left-turn arrows painted in it. How may you use that lane?
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Answer A: Only to make a left turn or to prepare for one from either direction
That marking identifies a two-way left turn lane, which may only be used for left turns or to prepare for a left turn and never for travel or passing.
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2. You are overtaking a large tractor trailer on the highway. What should you expect as you ride alongside and then past it?
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Answer D: Changing pushes and pulls as you pass the front, the side and the rear
The air around a large truck moves in different directions along its length, so expect the buffeting to change as you go by. Keep a firm but relaxed grip and a steady throttle.
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3. You notice a bulge on the sidewall of one of your tires. What should you do?
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Answer D: Have the tire replaced before driving far, because it could blow out
A sidewall bulge means the internal cords have broken and only the rubber is holding the air. The tire can fail suddenly at any speed.
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4. Once the motorcycle is leaned over and settled in a curve, what should the throttle be doing?
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Answer C: Held steady or rolled on gently through the curve
A steady or slightly increasing throttle keeps the suspension settled and the weight balanced, while closing it mid-curve unloads the rear tire.
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5. You are traveling at the same speed as a vehicle in the next lane, just behind its rear door. What should you do?
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Answer B: Change your speed so that you leave that driver's blind spot
That position is the classic blind spot. Slow slightly or move ahead so the other driver can see you before deciding to change lanes.
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6. In which crash must the police always be notified?
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Answer D: Any crash in which somebody has been injured or killed, whatever the damage
Injury or death always makes a crash reportable, whatever the amount of vehicle damage or the opinions of the drivers.
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7. Which is an early warning that fatigue is affecting your riding?
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Answer D: You miss turns and signs and have to think about routine actions
Fatigue shows up first as slower thinking and missed information, so treat lapses in attention as a signal to stop and rest.
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8. 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.
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9. You are crossing a long, high bridge in a strong crosswind. Where should you expect the wind to change most suddenly?
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Answer A: At the ends of the bridge and where towers or trucks briefly block the wind
Wind is gustiest where something shelters you and then stops, such as bridge abutments, towers and large vehicles, so be ready for a push as you move in and out of the shelter.
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10. A driver reaches this sign and the intersecting roadway is completely clear. What is required?
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Answer D: Slowing to a speed that allows stopping, then going on without stopping if the way stays clear
This control asks the driver to slow down and be ready to stop, and a full stop becomes necessary only when traffic or pedestrians would otherwise be interfered with.
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11. During the tire check you find a nail driven into the rear tire. What should you do?
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Answer D: Have the tire repaired or replaced before the motorcycle is ridden
A punctured motorcycle tire can lose air suddenly, and a motorcycle has no second tire on that end to hold the machine up.
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12. A yellow diamond showing a bicycle is posted on a rural road. What should a driver expect?
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Answer A: Bicyclists crossing or riding along the roadway there
The bicycle warning sign is used where a bikeway crosses the road or where riders are likely to be in the traffic lanes, so drivers should look carefully and pass wide.
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13. What should a rider look for in rain gear?
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Answer A: A riding rain suit that fits close and will not balloon or tear at speed
Rain gear designed for riding stays sealed and stays put in the airstream, while loose garments can flap, tear or interfere with the controls.
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14. How far ahead should you normally be looking as you drive?
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Answer C: About 12 to 15 seconds ahead, well beyond the vehicle in front
Looking that far down the road lets you see a problem developing and slow smoothly, instead of discovering it in time only for hard braking.
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15. What is the job of the hard outer shell of a motorcycle helmet?
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Answer D: To spread impact force and to resist objects punching through
The shell distributes a concentrated blow over a wide area and stops sharp objects from reaching the head, while the liner underneath absorbs the energy.
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16. You reach the end of the acceleration lane and there is still no gap in the traffic. What should you do?
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Answer B: Slow down and merge behind the traffic rather than forcing your way in
Merging behind the traffic costs you only a little speed, while forcing into a space that is not there puts you alongside a vehicle with nowhere to go.
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17. What is the purpose of the engine cut-off switch?
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Answer B: To stop the engine without letting go of the handgrips
The cut-off switch, usually a red switch near the right handgrip, shuts the engine down while the rider keeps both hands in control of the motorcycle.
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18. Which equipment does Texas law require on a moped?
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Answer D: A brake, a head lamp, a reflector and a rear lamp
The manual lists the required moped equipment as a brake, a head lamp, a reflector and a rear lamp.
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19. At roughly what speed can hydroplaning begin when a lot of water is lying on the road?
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Answer C: At speeds as low as about 35 mph
With enough water and less than perfect tread, a tire can start to ride on the water at around 35 mph, well below normal highway speeds.
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20. A sign on a long downgrade points to a runaway vehicle ramp. What is that ramp for?
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Answer C: Trucks that have lost braking ability on the grade
A runaway ramp is an escape lane of loose material that stops a heavy vehicle whose brakes have overheated or failed, so it must always be left clear.