South Dakota Motorcycle Permit Practice Test 3

20 questions written from the South Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, with an explanation and page citation for every answer.

Question 1 of 20
Lane position & seeing

What is the minimum following distance the manual recommends in normal conditions?

Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.

Sample questions

  1. What is the minimum following distance the manual recommends in normal conditions?

    • A One car length per 10 mph
    • B Four seconds
    • C Two seconds
    • D One second
    Show answer

    C. Two seconds

    Keep at least a two-second gap: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed marker, count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.' If you reach the marker before 'two,' you are too close.

    Source: South Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 16

  2. When should your passenger get on the motorcycle?

    • A After you start rolling slowly in first gear
    • B After the engine is started and the transmission is in neutral
    • C Before you start the engine, with the bike in first gear
    • D Before you get on, while the motorcycle is on its side stand
    Show answer

    B. After the engine is started and the transmission is in neutral

    Tell your passenger to get on only after you have started the engine and put the transmission in neutral. Keep both feet on the ground and the front brake applied as they climb on.

    Source: South Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 27

  3. About how quickly can the body generally eliminate alcohol?

    • A About one drink every 15 minutes
    • B About two drinks per hour
    • C About one drink per hour
    • D About one drink every three hours
    Show answer

    C. About one drink per hour

    Alcohol is generally eliminated at almost one drink per hour, and only time lowers your blood alcohol. Drinking faster than that makes alcohol build up in your body.

    Source: South Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 32

  4. When should you use both the front and rear brakes?

    • A Every time you slow or stop
    • B Only on dry pavement
    • C Only in emergency stops
    • D Only when riding faster than 30 mph
    Show answer

    A. Every time you slow or stop

    Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. Practicing this on normal stops builds the skill and habit you will rely on in a panic stop.

    Source: South Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 15