Arizona motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 29 Arizona numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

12 questions a round from the 18 number questions in our Arizona bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.

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Numbers flashcards

18 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.

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Every Arizona motorcycle number, by topic

Official Arizona laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

5 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driversazleg.gov
Quote
If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehicleazleg.gov
Quote
If the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle that requires a person to obtain a commercial driver license as defined in section 28-3001 and the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more.
12 months, 2 years, 84 monthsDrunk driving (DUI)License or permit suspended for 12 months, or 2 years for a second or later refusal within 84 monthsazleg.gov
Quote
the violator's license or permit to drive will be suspended or denied for twelve months, or for two years for a second or subsequent refusal within a period of eighty-four months
two hoursOn a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hoursArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 69
Quote
Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.
6 hoursHow does eating marijuana differ from smoking it in its effects on a rider?Answer: Onset can take over an hour and effects can last over 6 hoursArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 68
Quote
But when marijuana is eaten the onset of effects could be delayed for more than an hour and the duration of the “high” could be more than 6 hours.

Speed limits

3 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
45 mphLane splittingThe street must have at least two adjacent lanes in the same direction and a speed limit of 45 mph or lessazleg.gov
Quote
Has a speed limit that does not exceed forty-five miles per hour. 2. Travels at a speed that does not exceed fifteen miles per hour.
15 mphLane splittingThe rider may not exceed 15 mphazleg.gov
Quote
Has a speed limit that does not exceed forty-five miles per hour. 2. Travels at a speed that does not exceed fifteen miles per hour.
15 mphYou ride a two-wheeled motorcycle on an Arizona street with two lanes in your direction and a posted limit of 40 mph. Cars in your lane are stopped at a red light. When may you pass between them (lane filtering)?Answer: When it is safe and you ride no faster than 15 mphArizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, page 51
Quote
The posted speed limit does not exceed 45 miles per hour. The motorcycle does not travel faster than 15 miles per hour.

Distances & following gaps

3 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
Two secondsIn normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?Answer: Two secondsArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 29
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
Three secondsWhat following distance should you use when riding at night?Answer: Three seconds or moreArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 42
Quote
Open up a three-second following distance or more. And allow more distance to pass and be passed.
two secondsIn a staggered group formation, how far behind the first rider should the third rider stay?Answer: At least two seconds, in the left side of the laneArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 60
Quote
The third maintains the left position of the lane, at least two seconds behind the first rider.

Ages, permits & the test

11 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$7Feeapps.azdot.gov
Quote
Motorcycle Endorsement $7
15 years, 6 monthsMotorcycle permit15 years 6 monthsazleg.gov
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A person who is at least fifteen years and six months of age may apply to the department for an instruction permit for a class M license.
7 monthsMotorcycle permit7 months from issueazleg.gov
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The permit is valid for seven months from the date of issuance.
24 monthsMotorcycle permitNo more than two Class M permits to the same person within 24 months (one renewal)azleg.gov
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On a public highway from sunset to sunrise or when there is insufficient light to clearly discern a person and a vehicle on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet. D. The department shall not issue more than two class M permits to the same person within twenty-four months.
500 feetMotorcycle permitNo riding from sunset to sunrise or when there is not enough light to see a person or vehicle 500 feet awayazleg.gov
Quote
On a public highway from sunset to sunrise or when there is insufficient light to clearly discern a person and a vehicle on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet. D. The department shall not issue more than two class M permits to the same person within twenty-four months.
15 years, 6 monthsWhat is the youngest age at which you can be issued an Arizona motorcycle instruction permit?Answer: 15 years and 6 monthsArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 3
Quote
If you are at least 15 years and 6 months of age, you may be issued a motorcycle instruction permit.
7 monthsHow long is an Arizona motorcycle instruction permit valid?Answer: 7 monthsArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 3
Quote
A motorcycle permit is valid for 7 months and can be renewed only one time within a 24-month period.
24-monthHow often can an Arizona motorcycle instruction permit be renewed?Answer: Only one time within a 24-month periodArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 3
Quote
A motorcycle permit is valid for 7 months and can be renewed only one time within a 24-month period.
6 monthsAn applicant under 18 wants an Arizona motorcycle license. How long must he or she have held an Arizona instruction permit?Answer: At least 6 monthsArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 4
Quote
under 18 must have held an Arizona instruction permit for at least 6 months.
30 hoursAn Arizona applicant under 18 has not taken an MVD-approved motorcycle education program. What can a parent or guardian do instead?Answer: Certify in writing that the applicant completed at least 30 hours of motorcycle driving practiceArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 4
Quote
or the parent or guardian must certify in writing that the applicant has completed at least 30 hours of motorcycle driving practice.
at least 45A pavement seam runs parallel to your path and you need to cross it. How should you do it?Answer: Move far enough away to cross it at an angle of at least 45 degrees, then make a deliberate turnArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 50
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

6 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 18HelmetsOperators and passengers under 18 must wear a securely fastened protective helmetazleg.gov
Quote
An operator or passenger of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle who is under eighteen years of age shall wear at all times a protective helmet on the operator's or passenger's head in an appropriate manner.
500 feetBesides the hours between sunset and sunrise, when else is an Arizona motorcycle permit holder forbidden to ride?Answer: When there is not enough light to clearly see people or vehicles 500 feet awayArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 3
Quote
between sunset and sunrise, or at any time when there is not enough light to clearly see persons or vehicles at a distance of 500 feet.
under age 18Under Arizona law, who must wear a safely secured helmet on a motorcycle?Answer: Operators and passengers under age 18Arizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 9
Quote
Arizona law requires operators and passengers under 18 to wear a helmet that is safely secured.
200 feetWhat does Arizona law require of a motorcycle's horn?Answer: It must be able to emit sound for at least 200 feetArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 9
Quote
You must have at least one horn capable of emitting sound for at least 200 feet.
five milesSome riders skip a helmet on quick errands. What does crash research say about short trips?Answer: Most crashes happen on trips of less than five miles, a few minutes after starting outArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 14
Quote
Most crashes happen on short trips (less than five miles long), just a few minutes after starting out.
Three timesCompared with riders who wear no helmet, how likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries?Answer: Three times more likelyArizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 14
Quote
helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%About how much of a motorcycle's stopping power can the front brake provide?Answer: At least 70%Arizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 24
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least 70% of your total stopping power.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Arizona motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 29 of them for Arizona, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Arizona Motorcycle Operator Manual (MSF manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), Arizona statutes or MVD pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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