For riders and drivers aged 21 and older, nearly every state sets the legal BAC limit at 0.08 percent. Lower limits apply to commercial drivers and to anyone under 21.
A motorcycle's smaller size does not get rid of blind spots; its mirrors still miss parts of the road beside and behind you, just as a car's mirrors do. A look over your shoulder covers the areas they cannot show.
Passing does not suspend the speed limit, so the whole maneuver has to be completed at a legal speed. If you cannot get by without speeding, drop back and wait for a safer chance.
Changing to lower gears as your speed falls means you reach first gear just as you stop. You then have the right gear for your speed and can accelerate away quickly if a hazard appears.
When glare washes out your signal lights, hand signals give other drivers a clear, easy-to-see message about your plans. A horn can draw attention, but it cannot tell anyone which way you mean to turn.
No one lane position is best in every case. Keep choosing the spot where you can see and be seen, hold a cushion of space, and stay clear of hazards like debris or oily pavement; that spot shifts as conditions change.
Braking and swerving should be separate actions, done in whichever order the situation demands. Braking in the middle of a swerve can make a tire lose its grip and put the motorcycle into a skid.
Blue signs with white lettering or symbols direct drivers to services like gas stations, food, lodging and hospitals. Green is used for direction and distance information, and orange for work zones.
With the front wheel locked, you cannot steer, so let off the front brake right away to get the wheel turning again, then reapply it firmly. Relying on the rear brake alone would give up most of your stopping power.
Pick the part of the lane that puts you in the line of sight of cross-street drivers at the earliest possible moment. Never take it for granted that they have noticed you or will give you the right-of-way.
The added weight of a passenger means the motorcycle needs more distance to come to a stop. Braking sooner, with both brakes, gives you that extra room and keeps the stop smooth.
Protective riding gear, usually leather or synthetic material with armor, should cover the arms and legs completely, stay snug and hold up against scraping and impact. Discomfort only distracts you, and bright colors beat gear that blends in because they help drivers see you.
The center portion keeps a buffer between you and the passing vehicle, its mirrors and its wind blast. Drifting to the far side of the lane can tempt the driver to cut back in too soon.
The front wheel sets the motorcycle's direction, and a rider stays upright through constant small steering corrections, so losing that tire's grip threatens both control and balance. If it happens, hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course while slowing gradually.
Putting beginners close to the front, right behind the leader, lets the more experienced riders who follow keep watch and help if needed. A beginner should not lead, because the leader must plan ahead and guide the entire group.
Under federal safety standards, a helmet with DOT certification has to leave a wide view to the sides, at least 105 degrees left and right of straight ahead, so traffic next to you stays visible. Wearing one adds protection rather than creating a hazard.
Each letter in T-CLOCS names an area to inspect: Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and fluids, Chassis, and Stands. Covering all of them before you set out lets you spot a defect while the motorcycle is still parked.
Railroad tracks cross the road a short distance past this sign, which is why it shows an X and the letters RR on a yellow circle. Slow down, check both directions for a train, and be prepared to stop.
A DO NOT ENTER sign marks a road that traffic is barred from entering, such as the wrong end of a one-way street or a freeway exit ramp. If it faces you, do not drive in.
Ankles are often hurt in motorcycle crashes, so riding boots or shoes should rise over them and give firm support. They also need hard, durable, slip-resistant soles rather than soft material that offers little protection.
Open space on every side gives a rider time to notice a hazard and room to brake or swerve around it. Creeping along far below traffic speed or riding on the center line actually brings you into more conflicts with other vehicles.
Fresh rain mixes with the oily film on the pavement, so the first part of a shower is when the surface is most slippery. The tracks that car tires leave usually offer the most grip, while painted lines and the road's edge can be very slick when wet.
Swivel just your head to look ahead through the curve, keeping your shoulders square and your eyes level with the horizon. Rotating your shoulders or upper body can tug on the handlebars and pull you off your intended path.
The liver breaks alcohol down at a fairly steady pace, roughly one standard drink per hour, and nothing speeds that process up. Coffee, exercise, or a cold shower may make someone feel more alert, but the alcohol stays in the blood until enough time has passed.
Using the front and rear brakes together gives you the most stopping power and the best stability. The front brake supplies most of the stopping force, so relying on just one brake makes stops longer and harder to control.
Keeping to the left portion puts distance between you and car doors that may swing open, pedestrians emerging from between parked vehicles, and cars pulling away from the curb. Those hazards appear with little warning, so the extra space gives you time and room to respond.
Keeping the load low and firmly fastened holds the motorcycle's center of gravity down, so the bike stays stable and handles predictably. Stacking cargo high raises the center of gravity, and loading only one side pulls the bike off balance.
When tracks cross your path at an angle, it is usually safer to hold a straight line inside your lane. Turning to meet the rails at a right angle could carry you into another lane of traffic.
With too much speed, the motorcycle may be unable to hold its path through the turn and gets carried toward the outside, where it can cross into another lane or leave the road. Do your slowing before you lean into the turn rather than braking sharply in the middle of it.
A small mechanical problem that would only inconvenience a car driver can lead to a crash on a motorcycle, so a bike needs closer and more frequent care. Its parts are also more exposed to weather and road grime.
Every question in this set has its own page with the correct answer and an explanation.
