Alaska DMV Motorcycle Practice Test 16
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age16 years
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1. 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.
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2. You are driving at night on an unlit road using low beams. How should you choose your speed?
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Answer C: So you could stop within the distance your headlights light up
Driving faster than you can stop within the lit area is called overdriving your headlights. Anything beyond the beam is invisible until it is too late to react.
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3. A small signal face beside a bikeway shows red, yellow and green lenses that each carry a bicycle symbol. Whom does it control?
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Answer C: Bicyclists using that crossing or bikeway
A bicycle signal face governs bicycle movements only, and people on foot at the same corner still follow the pedestrian signal.
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4. A SHOULDER DROP OFF sign warns that
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Answer B: there is a step down from the pavement to the shoulder
The sign is used where the edge of the pavement stands several inches above the shoulder, which can grab a wheel and pull the vehicle sideways.
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5. You are starting from a stop on a snowy, icy street and the drive wheels begin to spin. What should you do?
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Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and start again more gently
Spinning tires polish the surface and dig in. Very gentle pressure on the accelerator, and a higher gear if you have one, gives the tires the best chance to grip.
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6. What causes the side to side motion a rider feels when crossing a steel grid deck or rain grooves?
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Answer C: The tires following the ridges and grooves, which is normal and harmless
The tread follows the pattern in the surface, which produces a wandering feel. The motorcycle is not out of control, so relax on the bars and hold your speed.
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7. A preferential lane sign reads HOV 2+ and lists the hours it applies. During those hours, which vehicles may use the lane?
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Answer A: Vehicles carrying at least two people, counting the driver
The number on an HOV sign is the minimum number of occupants, driver included, that a vehicle must carry to use the lane while the restriction is in effect.
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8. Besides motorist services and tourist information, a blue sign background is also used for
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Answer B: evacuation route signing
Blue is assigned to road user services, tourist information and evacuation routes, so hurricane and other evacuation routes are signed in blue.
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9. May you exceed the posted speed limit in order to complete a pass?
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Answer C: No, the posted limit applies while you are passing too
The limit does not lift for passing; if you cannot complete the pass within it, there is not enough room and you should stay back.
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10. You realize you have just gone past your exit on a freeway. What should you do?
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Answer C: Carry on to the next exit and turn around there
A missed exit costs a few minutes, while backing up or cutting across the striped gore area puts you in the path of traffic that is not expecting it.
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11. An Alaska motor driven cycle whose lamps reveal a person or vehicle at 300 feet may be ridden at what speed?
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Answer A: 30 mph or more
The Alaska table allows 30 mph or more only when the lamps reveal a person or vehicle at 300 feet, with shorter ranges capping the speed at 21 to 29 mph or at 20 mph or less.
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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. A yellow diamond shows two lanes narrowing into one. What does it require of a driver?
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Answer D: Adjusting speed and merging before the lane disappears
The lane ends sign gives notice that one lane will be dropped, so drivers should adjust speed and blend into the continuing lane in good time.
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14. Which feature matters most in clothing meant to keep a rider warm?
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Answer C: A windproof outer layer, since moving air strips body heat fast
Wind blowing through clothing carries away heat faster than anything else, so a windproof outer shell over insulating layers is what keeps a rider warm.
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15. An oncoming car is waiting to turn left across your path at an intersection. What is the safest response?
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Answer D: Slow, cover the brakes and pick a lane position that keeps an escape path
A car turning left in front of a rider is one of the most common motorcycle collisions, so the rider prepares to stop or swerve rather than trusting the driver to wait.
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16. To make a motorcycle lean into a turn at normal riding speed, the rider should:
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Answer C: Press forward on the handgrip on the side of the turn
This is countersteering: press left to lean left and go left, press right to lean right and go right.
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17. 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.
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18. How does the distance needed to stop change when a rider doubles speed?
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Answer D: It grows to roughly four times the original distance
Braking distance rises with the square of speed, so twice the speed needs roughly four times the distance in which to stop.
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19. How often may an Alaska driver use an approved course to reduce points on the driving record?
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Answer A: Not more than one course in any 12 month period
Alaska deducts two points for an approved driver improvement or alcohol information course, but no more than one such course may be used for a reduction in any 12 month period.
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20. Why should a driver crossing several lanes change only one lane at a time?
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Answer B: Each lane has its own traffic and its own blind spot to be checked
Sweeping across two or three lanes means entering lanes you never checked, so each change gets its own signal, mirror check and head check.
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21. When must an applicant wear eye protection during the Alaska motorcycle road skills test?
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Answer C: Whenever the motorcycle used for the test has no windshield
Alaska requires all road skills test applicants to wear eye protection if the motorcycle they provide is not fitted with a windshield, and the applicant must supply the machine, helmet and eye protection.
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22. On loose gravel or deep fresh snow, how does an antilock system affect the stopping distance?
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Answer D: It can lengthen it, although you keep the ability to steer
On loose surfaces a locked wheel piles up a wedge of gravel or snow that helps it stop, so the antilock stop can be longer even though steering still works.
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23. Where is a U-turn generally the most reasonable choice?
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Answer B: At an intersection where it is permitted and you can see well both ways
A U-turn needs a legal place and a long clear view in both directions, which is why a permitted intersection with open sight lines is the usual choice.
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24. When is the right time to put on rain gear?
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Answer C: Before the rain reaches you, at a safe place off the roadway
Once you are wet you stay cold for the rest of the ride, so stop somewhere safe and put the rain suit on while you are still dry.
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25. You have a green light at a school crossing, but the crossing guard steps out and holds up a stop sign toward you. What must you do?
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Answer A: Stop, because the crossing guard controls this crossing and outranks the signal
Directions from a crossing guard or a police officer take priority over signals and signs.