South Dakota DPS Motorcycle Practice Test 45
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age14 years
-
1. Your right-turn lane shows a green arrow while the through lanes face a red ball. What does that mean?
Show answer
Answer C: Only the right turn is allowed, and it is protected while the arrow lasts
A green arrow gives a protected movement in that direction only; the red ball still stops the through traffic in the other lanes.
-
2. You realize your tires are running on ice. Which set of inputs is safest?
Show answer
Answer C: Gentle steering, no sudden braking, and no sudden acceleration
Whatever grip is left is used up at once by any sudden input, so every movement of wheel, brake and accelerator must be slow and small.
-
3. The trapezoid sign shape is associated with
Show answer
Answer C: recreational and cultural interest area signing
The trapezoid is used for recreational and cultural interest area guide signs and for national forest route markers.
-
4. Where should the least experienced riders be placed in a group?
Show answer
Answer C: Just behind the leader
Placing newer riders just behind the leader keeps the pace manageable for them and lets the more experienced riders behind keep an eye on them.
-
5. You notice a bulge on the sidewall of one of your tires. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Have the tire replaced before driving far, because it could blow out
A sidewall bulge means the internal cords have broken and only the rubber is holding the air. The tire can fail suddenly at any speed.
-
6. You are circulating in a roundabout and a vehicle is waiting to enter ahead of you. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer D: Keep going, because circulating traffic does not stop for entering vehicles
Stopping in the circle to be polite surprises the drivers behind you and defeats the design; entering traffic is the side that waits.
-
7. You arrive at an intersection with no signs, no signals and no markings at the same time as a vehicle on the road to your right. What must you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Yield to the vehicle on your right
At an uncontrolled intersection you must yield to a vehicle already in the intersection or approaching from your right.
-
8. On an overhead guide sign, the small exit number panel sits above the left-hand end rather than the right. What does that placement tell you?
Show answer
Answer A: The exit leaves from the left side of the roadway
The exit number plaque is placed on the side from which the ramp leaves, which gives advance notice of the unusual left-hand exit.
-
9. A lane along the right edge is set off by a solid white line and marked with a bicycle symbol. How should a driver treat it?
Show answer
Answer B: Stay out of it except for the short distance needed to turn or cross where that is allowed
A marked bicycle lane is set aside for bicycle traffic, and motor vehicles may enter it only briefly where turning or crossing is permitted.
-
10. You are approaching a blind right hand curve. Which starting lane position gives the best view through it?
Show answer
Answer C: The left portion of the lane, toward the outside of the curve
Starting at the outside of a curve opens up the line of sight through it, and the rider then moves toward the inside as the exit comes into view.
-
11. The front brake lever feels soft and travels almost to the handgrip. What should the rider do?
Show answer
Answer D: Leave the motorcycle where it is until the brake system has been inspected
A spongy lever usually means air or fluid loss in the system, and a brake in that condition can fail completely under hard use.
-
12. Why should you make sure your turn signal has stopped flashing after a lane change?
Show answer
Answer A: A signal left flashing tells other drivers that you intend to move again
Other drivers act on your signals, so one that is left on gives them false information about what you are about to do.
-
13. You arrive at an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure. How should you proceed?
Show answer
Answer C: Treat the intersection as an all-way stop
When a signal shows no indication at all, drivers on every approach must stop and then take turns, exactly as at an all-way stop.
-
14. A pedestrian steps off the curb in the middle of a block where there is no crosswalk at all. What is the legal position?
Show answer
Answer A: They must yield to you, but you must still avoid a crash
A pedestrian crossing away from a crosswalk yields to vehicles, yet every driver still has a duty to use care and avoid hitting a person.
-
15. A steady green downward arrow is displayed above the lane you are in. What does it tell you?
Show answer
Answer A: You may drive in that lane
A green downward arrow means the lane beneath it is open for travel in your direction.
-
16. You are riding in the right hand lane of a freeway and vehicles ahead are merging on from an entrance ramp. What is the best response?
Show answer
Answer C: Change lanes if you safely can, or adjust speed to open a gap for them
Merging drivers are looking over a shoulder for a gap and easily miss a motorcycle, so the rider makes room rather than waiting to be seen.
-
17. At 45 mph you look at a navigation screen for four seconds. Roughly how far do you travel unseeing?
Show answer
Answer D: About 260 feet
At 45 mph you cover roughly 66 feet a second, so four seconds on a screen is around 260 feet of road that you never looked at.
-
18. Another vehicle is passing you on a two-lane road. What should you do with your speed?
Show answer
Answer A: Hold your speed or ease off slightly to shorten the pass
Speeding up strands the passing driver in the oncoming lane, while a steady speed or a slight lift lets the pass finish quickly and safely.
-
19. Why is a U-turn on a one-way street a problem?
Show answer
Answer A: You would end up facing the wrong way against all the traffic
Every lane of a one-way street runs the same way, so turning around leaves you driving head-on against all of the traffic.
-
20. About how far ahead do low beam headlights let you see on a dark road?
Show answer
Answer B: About 250 feet
Low beams light roughly 250 feet of road, and high beams roughly 350 to 500 feet, which sets the limit on a safe night speed.
-
21. What is the friction zone of the clutch?
Show answer
Answer A: The range of lever travel where power starts to reach the rear wheel
Easing the clutch lever into the friction zone lets the engine drive the rear wheel gradually, which is what makes a smooth start from a stop possible.
-
22. Is it acceptable to drive far below the flow of traffic on an open highway?
Show answer
Answer B: No, driving too slowly can obstruct traffic and create a hazard
Traffic that is much slower than the surrounding flow forces other drivers into sudden braking and unnecessary passing maneuvers, and impeding traffic is itself a violation.
-
23. A pedestrian signal changes to a flashing upraised hand. What does that indication mean?
Show answer
Answer C: Do not start crossing, but finish a crossing already begun
The flashing upraised hand is the pedestrian change interval: nobody may start to cross, but a pedestrian already in the crosswalk may continue to the far side or to a median.
-
24. An entrance ramp joins a highway just before an exit ramp leaves it. What should you expect in that short section?
Show answer
Answer D: Vehicles crossing paths as some enter and others leave
In a weaving section entering traffic moves left while exiting traffic moves right over the same short stretch, so lane changes there need extra room and extra care.
-
25. You are approaching a narrow bridge where the road has one lane in each direction and no shoulder. What should you do about passing?
Show answer
Answer B: Do not pass on or near the bridge
A narrow bridge gives neither vehicle anywhere to go, so passing is prohibited there in the same way as on a hill or in a tunnel.