Iowa DOT Motorcycle Practice Test 46
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age14 years
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1. An arrow panel in a work zone shows four flashing lamps in caution mode instead of an arrow. What does that display mean?
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Answer A: Warning only, so pass the work area with caution in your current lane
Caution mode gives a general warning without directing a lane change, so drivers stay alert and pass the activity with care.
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2. Which common non-prescription medicine is most likely to make a driver drowsy?
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Answer C: A cold or allergy remedy containing an antihistamine
Antihistamines in cold and allergy remedies are a leading cause of drowsiness behind the wheel, which is why the label carries a warning.
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3. A warning sign showing two children on a see-saw is posted beside a residential street. What does it mean?
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Answer D: A play area lies beside the road and children may run out
The playground sign warns that children are present next to the roadway and may enter it without looking, so drivers should cover the brake and slow down.
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4. You reach a stretch of road covered by moving flood water of unknown depth. What is the correct decision?
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Answer D: Turn around and take another route
About a foot of moving water is enough to carry away most cars, and the roadbed under the water may already be washed out, so the only safe choice is to turn around.
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5. A yellow diamond on an exit ramp shows a truck tipping over onto two wheels. Which drivers does it concern most?
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Answer D: Those in tall vehicles carrying a high load
The truck rollover sign warns that the curve can overturn a vehicle with a high center of gravity, so such drivers must slow well below the normal ramp speed.
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6. You are traveling in the same direction as a funeral procession and want to get ahead of it. What should you not do?
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Answer B: Driving in between the vehicles of the procession
Most states prohibit driving into or through a funeral procession, and cutting into the line leaves the drivers behind with no lead vehicle to follow, so go around only where passing is permitted.
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7. Which color scheme is standard for the drums and barricades that channel traffic through a work zone?
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Answer C: Alternating orange and white retroreflective stripes
Drums and barricades carry alternating orange and white retroreflective stripes, and the traffic cones used in the same zones are predominantly orange.
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8. A police officer in the intersection raises a hand toward you although your signal is green. What should you do?
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Answer B: Stop and wait for the officer to wave you on
An officer directing traffic overrides signals and signs, and drivers must follow the officer even when the light says otherwise.
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9. How is a wheel bearing checked during an inspection?
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Answer A: Raise the wheel clear of the ground and rock it side to side to feel for play
A worn bearing shows itself as side to side play in a raised wheel, and it may also feel rough or notchy when the wheel is spun.
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10. What does the RESERVE position on a fuel supply valve do?
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Answer C: It draws on the small amount of fuel left at the bottom of the tank
A fuel supply valve normally offers OFF, ON, RESERVE and PRIME, and RESERVE taps the last of the fuel so the rider can reach a station.
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11. 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.
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12. You are traveling beside a tractor-trailer and cannot see the truck driver's face in any of the truck's mirrors. What does that tell you?
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Answer A: The truck driver probably cannot see your vehicle
Large trucks have deep blind spots on all four sides, so if the driver's face is not visible in a mirror the driver has no view of you. Move ahead or drop back until you are out of that area.
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13. You have stopped on an uphill grade close behind a large truck at a traffic signal. What is the risk?
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Answer B: The truck may roll back into you when it starts to move
Heavy vehicles can roll backward a short distance when the driver moves from the brake to the accelerator on a hill. Leave extra room when stopped behind a truck on a grade.
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14. Where are children in the greatest danger around a school bus?
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Answer B: In the roadway right around the bus, especially in front
The danger zone is the band of roadway around the bus where the driver's view is poorest, and children crossing in front of the bus are hardest to see.
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15. At an intersection where turning right on red is permitted and no sign prohibits it, what must you do before turning?
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Answer A: Come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and cross traffic
A right turn on red is allowed only after a full stop, and the turning driver must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to traffic already using the intersection.
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16. 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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17. 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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18. Why is a rider advised to keep the wrist flat and low on the throttle grip?
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Answer A: It makes it harder to roll on too much throttle by accident
A flat wrist limits how far the grip can rotate in one motion, so a bump or a startled reaction is less likely to open the throttle suddenly.
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19. What must an Iowa applicant under eighteen do before receiving an intermediate or full driver's license valid for a motorcycle?
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Answer D: Successfully complete an approved motorcycle education course
Iowa Code section 321.180B requires a person under eighteen who applies for an intermediate or full license valid for a motorcycle to complete a motorcycle education course approved by the department or by a licensed school.
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20. Your motorcycle starts to wander while you ride over rain grooves or a bridge grating. What should you do?
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Answer A: Relax, hold a steady speed and ride straight across
The wandering feeling on grooved surfaces and gratings is unsettling but generally not hazardous, while zigzagging to fight it is far more dangerous.
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21. How can a rider check the action of the front suspension while the motorcycle is stationary?
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Answer D: Hold the front brake on and push down on the bars to feel the forks move and return
Compressing the forks against the front brake shows whether they move smoothly and return without binding, sticking or making noise.
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22. Your vehicle stalls on a railroad crossing and will not restart. What should you do first?
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Answer A: Get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately
Everyone must leave the vehicle and move well clear of the tracks at once, walking toward the train at an angle so that debris from an impact travels away from you.
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23. You are about to pass a slower vehicle on a two lane road. What should you do with the gears?
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Answer B: Downshift before you begin, so the engine can accelerate strongly
A lower gear puts the engine in the part of its range where it accelerates best, which shortens the time spent in the oncoming lane.
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24. Besides the certification label, what does a novelty helmet typically lack?
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Answer B: A thick, firm liner of impact absorbing foam under the shell
The energy absorbing layer is what makes a helmet work, and a novelty shell has little or none of it, so it offers almost no protection in a crash.
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25. Why are motorcycles so often missed by other drivers?
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Answer C: Their narrow shape is easily hidden in traffic
A motorcycle presents a narrow outline that disappears behind pillars, mirrors and other vehicles, and it is harder to judge its speed and distance.