Missouri DOR Motorcycle Practice Test 39

  • Questions25
  • Correct to pass20
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age15 years 182 days

Minimum age: 15 years 182 days with an approved rider training course, otherwise 16 years

25 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 20 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. You arrive at a four-way stop after two other vehicles have already stopped there. When is it your turn?

    Show answer

    Answer A: After both of the earlier vehicles have gone

    Vehicles clear a four-way stop in the order they arrived, so the third driver to stop is the third to go.

  2. 2. You enter a work zone where the top layer of pavement has been milled off, leaving a grooved surface. How should you ride?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Hold a relaxed grip and steady speed, and expect the tires to wander

    Milled or grooved pavement makes the tires follow the ridges and the motorcycle feel unsettled, so relax on the bars, keep a constant speed and ride straight through.

  3. 3. When are the hazard warning lights properly used?

    Show answer

    Answer A: When your vehicle is stopped or barely moving and is a hazard

    Hazard lights warn that your vehicle is an obstruction; they do not authorize illegal parking and they hide your turn signals while driving.

  4. 4. The driver of a slow farm vehicle moves partly onto the shoulder and waves you past. Who is responsible for the pass?

    Show answer

    Answer A: You are, so pass only if you can see that the road is clear

    A courtesy wave is not a traffic control, and the driver who changes lanes is the one answerable for the maneuver.

  5. 5. The road is icy and visibility is poor, but you are driving at the posted speed limit. Is this acceptable?

    Show answer

    Answer A: No, because you may never drive faster than is safe for the conditions

    Under the basic speed rule a driver must travel at a speed that is reasonable for the actual conditions, so a legal posted speed can still be an unlawful and unsafe speed.

  6. 6. You have turned right into the nearest lane but you need the left lane soon. When should you move over?

    Show answer

    Answer A: After the turn is finished, once you have checked mirrors and blind spot

    Complete the turn in the proper lane first, then make a normal lane change with mirror and blind spot checks once you are established on the new street.

  7. 7. What is wrong with slowing to a crawl at a stop sign and then rolling on through?

    Show answer

    Answer C: It is not a stop, and you may miss a pedestrian or cross traffic

    A rolling stop is a violation and it also cuts short the moment you need in order to look carefully in each direction before entering.

  8. 8. An arrow panel at a work zone displays a flashing arrow pointing to the left. What does it require?

    Show answer

    Answer C: Move out of the closed lane into the lane on the left

    A flashing or sequential arrow on an arrow panel directs traffic out of a closed lane and into the lane the arrow points to.

  9. 9. How does Missouri classify a violation of the emergency and stationary vehicle law?

    Show answer

    Answer B: A class A misdemeanor

    Missouri makes a violation of the section that contains the move over rules a class A misdemeanor.

  10. 10. You are turning left from a two-way street onto a one-way street. Which lane should you enter?

    Show answer

    Answer C: The first lane open to traffic on the left side of the one-way street

    Turn left from the lane closest to the center line and finish in the first available lane on the left of the one-way street, then change lanes if you need to.

  11. 11. You are making a legal U-turn at an intersection. Who has the right of way?

    Show answer

    Answer C: Everyone else, until your turn is complete

    A U-turn crosses several paths at once, so you yield to oncoming vehicles, to crossing traffic and to pedestrians before starting it.

  12. 12. You are traveling at 55 mph on a rural road and come up behind a horse-drawn buggy. What is the main danger?

    Show answer

    Answer D: You close on it very quickly because it moves at walking pace

    A buggy travels only a few miles an hour, so the gap closes far faster than drivers expect and there is very little time to brake once you see it.

  13. 13. The queue for an exit ramp has backed up into the right lane of the highway. What should you do if you want that exit?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Join the back of the queue in the lane instead of cutting in later

    Passing a queue and forcing in at the front stops the whole line, and using the shoulder puts you where broken-down vehicles are expected to be.

  14. 14. A driver is tailgating you. Why is it a bad idea to tap or stab the brakes to warn them?

    Show answer

    Answer C: Because it cuts the little space they have and can cause a crash

    Brake checking removes the small margin the tailgater has left and can provoke a collision; add space in front of you instead and let them pass.

  15. 15. A yellow curve warning sign carries a yellow plaque showing a speed. What does that number mean?

    Show answer

    Answer D: The recommended maximum safe speed for the curve under ideal conditions

    An advisory speed plaque on a yellow warning sign gives the recommended maximum speed for the hazard ahead when conditions are good.

  16. 16. Traffic safety experts describe three kinds of driver distraction. Which set is correct?

    Show answer

    Answer A: Visual, manual and cognitive

    Distraction takes the eyes off the road, the hands off the controls or the mind off driving, and many activities do more than one of those at once.

  17. 17. A deer crosses the road ahead of you and disappears into the trees. What should you expect?

    Show answer

    Answer A: More animals may follow, since deer usually move in groups

    Deer commonly travel in groups, so one animal crossing is a warning that others are close by. Slow down and stay ready to stop well past the point where it crossed.

  18. 18. Why should you avoid parking over tall dry grass or a pile of dead leaves?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Because the hot exhaust can set the dry material on fire

    The exhaust system stays hot for a long time after a drive and can ignite dry vegetation underneath the vehicle.

  19. 19. How many points does Missouri assess for speeding under state law compared with speeding under a municipal ordinance?

    Show answer

    Answer C: 3 points under state law and 2 under a municipal ordinance

    A Missouri speeding conviction under state law carries three points, while the same offense under a county or municipal ordinance carries two.

  20. 20. You are riding directly into a low sun that is glaring off your face shield. What should you do?

    Show answer

    Answer A: Slow down and assume that drivers ahead of you cannot see you either

    Glare cuts what everyone can see, so lower speed buys reaction time, and a driver blinded by the same sun is even less likely to notice a motorcycle.

  21. 21. You are stopped in traffic at a red light when an ambulance comes up behind you with its siren on. What is the correct action?

    Show answer

    Answer D: Stay put until you can move aside legally and safely

    You must not run a red light or make an unsafe move to yield; wait, then pull to the side once the way ahead lets you do it safely.

  22. 22. You are already leaned over in a curve when you see loose gravel spread across the road ahead. What is the best response?

    Show answer

    Answer B: Slow gently, bring the bike more upright, and cross the gravel with steady throttle

    A leaned tire has little grip left for braking or for loose stones. Reduce speed smoothly, get the motorcycle as upright as the curve allows, and hold a steady throttle across the gravel.

  23. 23. How does Missouri grade a hands-free violation that causes serious physical injury?

    Show answer

    Answer D: A class B misdemeanor

    Causing serious physical injury while violating Missouri's hands-free law is a class B misdemeanor.

  24. 24. Your front wheel drops off the edge of the pavement onto a lower shoulder. What is the safest way back?

    Show answer

    Answer D: Ride straight, slow down, then turn back sharply enough to cross the edge

    Trying to climb a raised pavement edge at a shallow angle lets the tire slide along it, so the rider settles first and then crosses the edge at a sharp angle.

  25. 25. You have a green arrow to turn left. What still applies?

    Show answer

    Answer D: You must yield to any pedestrian or vehicle still inside the intersection

    A green arrow protects your turn from conflicting traffic, but you must still let anyone already in the intersection get clear before you move.