South Dakota DPS Motorcycle Practice Test 15
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age14 years
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1. Besides an owner's liability insurance policy, what is one alternative method South Dakota law accepts for maintaining financial responsibility on a vehicle?
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Answer A: A certificate of deposit of money or securities in the amount of fifty thousand dollars
State law lists a $50,000 certificate of deposit of money or securities as one accepted alternative to a liability insurance policy, alongside a bond or self-insurance certificate.
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2. A rider needs to stop quickly while leaned over in a curve. What is the best technique?
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Answer D: Bring the motorcycle upright where possible, then brake firmly with both brakes
An upright tire has more traction available for braking, so lean angle should be reduced as brake pressure is increased.
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3. Which of these does NOT affect how fast alcohol reaches the bloodstream?
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Answer A: How confident the drinker feels
Food, the strength of the drinks and the speed of drinking all change how fast alcohol is absorbed, but a drinker's confidence changes nothing at all.
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4. A friend asks for a ride and has no gear at all. What is the correct approach?
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Answer A: Provide a certified helmet, eye protection and covering clothing
A passenger hits the ground the same way the rider does, so a passenger needs the same protection: a certified helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots and covering clothing.
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5. What is the main advantage of a face shield over goggles?
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Answer D: It protects the whole face, not only the eyes
Goggles keep wind and debris out of the eyes, but a shatter resistant face shield also protects the rest of the face in a crash.
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6. How does riding in a formation change your responsibility for your own space cushion?
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Answer C: It does not change it, because each rider still manages their own space and decisions
A formation organizes the group, but every rider remains responsible for their own following distance, escape paths and riding decisions.
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7. You must slow suddenly on a highway and a vehicle is following close behind you. What helps prevent a rear-end collision?
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Answer D: Tapping the brake pedal early so your brake lights flash a warning
Early brake light flashes give the driver behind more time to react, and slowing gradually instead of suddenly reduces the chance of being struck.
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8. The center line beside your lane is solid yellow while the opposite side has a broken yellow line. What does this mean?
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Answer D: You may not pass, but traffic in the other direction may
A solid yellow line on your side of the center marks a no-passing zone for your direction only, while the broken line grants the opposing direction a passing zone.
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9. When should a passenger get on the motorcycle?
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Answer D: After the engine has been started and the operator is ready
Mounting after the engine is running and the operator is settled keeps the motorcycle stable and spares the operator a long balancing act with the extra weight aboard.
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10. How does a rider judge whether the brake pads still have life left in them?
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Answer A: By looking at how much friction material is left on the pad
Pads are inspected visually for remaining thickness against the wear indicator, because a pad worn to its backing plate will destroy the disc.
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11. How much room should a rider try to leave when passing a line of parked cars?
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Answer A: Enough to clear an opening door, roughly the width of a car door
A door swings out about the width of a door, so ride at least that far from parked vehicles and slow down wherever you cannot leave that much space.
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12. 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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13. Where should a rider keep the knees while riding?
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Answer B: Against the fuel tank
Knees held against the tank anchor the rider to the motorcycle and improve balance, which matters most in turns.
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14. What should the operator do while a passenger climbs on board?
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Answer D: Sit on the machine with both feet planted and the front brake held on
The added weight arrives suddenly and off center, so the operator braces the motorcycle with both feet down and the front brake applied to keep it still.
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15. Besides air pressure, what should a rider look for when inspecting the tires?
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Answer B: Tread depth, cuts, embedded objects and uneven wear
Worn or damaged tires lose grip and can fail suddenly, and uneven wear also warns of a pressure or alignment problem.
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16. Why should riding gloves fit snugly?
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Answer C: So loose material does not dull your feel for the controls
Bunched or baggy material gets between your hand and the grip, so a close fitting glove keeps the feel for the throttle, clutch and brake lever.
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17. 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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18. You are parked legally, but a police officer tells you to move the vehicle. What should you do?
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Answer B: Move it as directed, because an officer overrides the signs
Directions from a police officer or a firefighter take precedence over signs and markings, whether they are directing traffic or clearing a street.
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19. 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.
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20. At night you are waiting to turn left and can see only the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Why should you allow a bigger margin?
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Answer D: Because lights alone make speed and distance hard to judge
With no other visual cues, two points of light give you very little information about how fast the vehicle is closing, so leave extra margin.
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21. You are entering a marked school zone during the posted hours. What should you do?
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Answer A: Slow to the school zone limit and watch for children
The school zone limit applies throughout the posted hours, whether or not you can see any children at that moment.
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22. A yellow diamond shows a car with wavy lines behind its rear tires. What is the warning?
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Answer D: The surface loses grip badly when it is wet
The slippery when wet sign marks a stretch where traction falls off sharply in rain, so speed and braking must be reduced well in advance.
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23. When should a helmet be replaced?
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Answer B: After a crash, or if the shell is cracked or the straps are frayed
The energy absorbing liner is designed to crush once, so a helmet that has taken an impact or shows damage no longer offers full protection.
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24. Your green left-turn arrow goes out and a steady green ball stays lit. What may you do?
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Answer A: Continue turning left, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic
When the arrow ends and a green ball remains, the turn changes from protected to permissive, so it is still allowed but oncoming traffic goes first.
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25. How soon before its expiration date may a South Dakota driver license be renewed?
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Answer B: Up to 180 days before expiration
State law allows a renewal application up to 180 days prior to the license's expiration date.