New Hampshire NH DMV Motorcycle Practice Test 21

  • Questions25
  • Correct to pass20
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age16 years

Minimum age: 16 years; applicants under 18 must complete a Basic Rider Class and present parental permission

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

  1. 1. Why is standing water across a road dangerous even when it looks shallow?

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    Answer B: It can hide a washed out roadbed, a deep hole or a missing cover

    You cannot see the surface under the water, and floods commonly wash the roadbed away or lift covers off drains.

  2. 2. Once a driver has joined the route this sign begins, how is the rest of the way marked?

    An orange rectangle with black lettering and a black arrow
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    Answer B: By further markers of the same kind at each turn, until the original road is rejoined

    The alternate route is signed continuously, with a marker at every turn, so a driver with no local knowledge can follow it back to the original road.

  3. 3. How should a load be distributed between the two saddlebags?

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    Answer B: Evenly, so the weight is balanced from side to side

    An uneven load pulls the motorcycle toward the heavy side and makes it behave differently in left turns than in right turns.

  4. 4. The low sun is directly ahead and glare makes it hard to see. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Slow down, use the sun visor or sunglasses, and increase following distance

    Sun glare can hide pedestrians, brake lights and signals. Reducing speed and adding space gives you time to react to what you cannot yet see.

  5. 5. An emergency vehicle with flashing lights and a siren is approaching from behind on a two-way street. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes

    Clearing a path by pulling to the right and stopping gives the emergency vehicle a predictable route, while stopping in mid-lane or inside an intersection blocks that path.

  6. 6. Why would this sign be installed on an approach?

    A yellow diamond showing a traffic signal with three stacked lights
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    Answer B: Because the signal cannot be seen from far enough back for a driver to react in time

    Advance notice of a signal is used where a crest, a curve, trees or a building keep the signal heads out of view until a driver is already too close to stop comfortably.

  7. 7. You are riding up an entrance ramp to merge onto a freeway. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Build up to traffic speed on the ramp, then signal and check the blind spot

    Matching the speed of freeway traffic before merging avoids forcing others to brake, and a head check covers the area the mirrors do not show.

  8. 8. What is the proper use of the horn?

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    Answer C: To give a brief warning when another road user may not have seen you

    The horn is a warning device meant to alert someone to your presence when a collision is possible, and using it in anger tends to escalate conflict rather than prevent crashes.

  9. 9. A pedestrian waiting at a curb faces a steady upraised hand. What does that indication mean?

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    Answer A: Do not start to cross in that direction

    A steady upraised hand forbids entering the crosswalk, while a flashing hand only forbids starting a new crossing.

  10. 10. You are ready to pull out of a parallel parking space into the traffic lane. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Signal, check the mirror and blind spot, and wait for a gap

    A driver leaving a parking space must yield to traffic already in the lane, so signal, look for the gap and only then move out.

  11. 11. Your light turns green and a driver on the cross street enters against a red. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Hold back and let that vehicle go through

    Giving up a right of way you are entitled to is the only way to avoid a crash with a driver who has already failed to yield.

  12. 12. A vehicle ahead of you displays a reflective orange triangle on its rear. What does that emblem tell you?

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    Answer B: The vehicle is built to travel at 25 mph or less

    The orange triangle is the slow moving vehicle emblem used on farm and construction equipment designed for 25 mph or less, warning you that you are closing on it much faster than it appears.

  13. 13. You notice that the driver ahead of you is holding a phone to the ear. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Assume slower reactions and leave extra space, or else hold back

    A driver on the phone reacts late and misses things, so the safe response is distance rather than a lesson.

  14. 14. You are clear of the tracks after your vehicle stalled on a crossing. Whom should you contact?

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    Answer C: The emergency number posted on the blue sign at the crossing, or 911

    Grade crossings carry an emergency notification sign with a railroad phone number and a crossing identification number so that approaching trains can be stopped, and 911 works if that sign is not visible.

  15. 15. What should the operator do before a bump, a sharp turn or a sudden stop?

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    Answer C: Warn the passenger so they can brace for it

    A warning lets the passenger tighten their grip and prepare, which keeps the passenger weight from shifting unexpectedly at the worst moment.

  16. 16. 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.

  17. 17. A wide solid white line separates the through lanes from an exit lane. What does it tell drivers?

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    Answer B: The choice of lane should already have been made

    A channelizing line marks where the paths separate and crossing it is discouraged or prohibited, so the lane change has to happen upstream.

  18. 18. You are about to pass a long tractor-trailer on a two-lane road. What should you expect?

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    Answer B: You will need more clear road, since the vehicle is much longer

    A tractor-trailer can be 70 feet long, so passing it takes more distance and more time than passing a car at the same speed difference.

  19. 19. Your route crosses a long steel grid bridge deck. What should you do about braking and speed while you are on the grating?

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    Answer B: Keep a steady speed and do any braking before the grating, not on it

    A steel deck makes the motorcycle weave and offers less grip, so set your speed before you reach it, ride straight across, and brake on solid pavement.

  20. 20. You are driving through a residential area where parked cars hide the side streets. What is the safest approach?

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    Answer C: Slow down and cover the brake as you pass each opening

    Where parked vehicles hide side streets and driveways, lower speed and a covered brake buy the time you lose in sight distance.

  21. 21. Which statement about standard drinks is correct?

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    Answer C: A standard serving of beer, of table wine and of distilled spirits each contain about the same amount of pure alcohol

    Roughly 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of table wine and 1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirits each contain about the same amount of pure alcohol, so the type of drink does not change the effect.

  22. 22. You are waiting to turn left across two oncoming lanes when a driver in the near lane stops and waves you through. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Turn only after checking the far lane yourself

    The waving driver cannot give away the right of way of the traffic in the second lane, which may not be stopping at all.

  23. 23. A yellow diamond shows an arrow that doubles back on itself. What kind of curve lies ahead?

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    Answer C: A turn of 135 degrees or more, nearly doubling back

    The hairpin curve sign is used where the road changes direction by 135 degrees or more, and it is normally backed up by chevrons or a large arrow through the bend.

  24. 24. What alcohol concentrations are evidence of impaired driving in New Hampshire?

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    Answer D: .08 percent or higher for drivers 21 and over, and .02 percent or higher for drivers under 21

    New Hampshire treats a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher as legal intoxication, and applies a .02 percent limit to drivers under 21.

  25. 25. A car is passing you on a two lane road. Which lane position is generally best while it goes by?

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    Answer A: The center portion of your lane

    The middle of the lane keeps distance from the passing vehicle and its mirrors while leaving room on the other side if the rider needs it.