Utah 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 28 Utah numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

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Numbers flashcards

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  • Alcohol & drugs

    In Utah, an adult rider is considered intoxicated at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

    0.05% or above

    The manual notes that adults are generally considered intoxicated at a BAC of 0.08%, but Utah's threshold is lower: 0.05%.

    Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 78

  • Fines, points & penalties

    A 25-year-old rider wearing a DOT-compliant helmet gets a ticket for a moving violation in Utah. What does Utah law require the court to do?

    Waive $8 of the fine

    Utah requires helmets only for riders under 21, but it encourages older riders to wear one. A court must waive $8 of a moving-violation fine for a rider 21 or older who was wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.

    Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 8

  • Speed limits

    During your first two months with a Utah motorcycle learner permit, you may NOT ride on a highway with a posted speed limit of:

    More than 60 mph

    For the first two months, a Utah motorcycle permit holder may not ride on a highway with a posted speed limit of more than 60 mph (Utah Code 53-3-210.6).

    Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division website

Every Utah motorcycle number, by topic

Official Utah 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

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.05%Legal BAC limit for adult driversle.utah.gov
Quote
has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .05 grams or greater at the time of operation or actual physical control.
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehiclele.utah.gov
Quote
driving a commercial motor vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in the individual's blood, breath, or urine is .04 grams or more
under 21 · age 21 or two yearsDrunk driving (DUI)For a driver under 21, until age 21 or two years, whichever is longerle.utah.gov
Quote
for an individual under 21 years old on the date of arrest: (A) except as provided in Subsection (1)(d)(ii)(B) , until the individual is 21 years old or for a period of two years, whichever is longer
18 monthsDrunk driving (DUI)Refusing a chemical test revokes an adult's license for 18 monthsle.utah.gov
Quote
for an individual 21 years old or older on the date of arrest, for a period of: (A) except as provided in Subsection (1)(d)(i)(B) or (9) , 18 months
0.05%In Utah, an adult rider is considered intoxicated at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?Answer: 0.05% or aboveUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 78
Quote
an adult with a BAC of 0.08% or above is considered intoxicated (in Utah the threshold is 0.05%).
two hoursOn a long motorcycle trip, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle?Answer: At least every two hoursUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 80
Quote
Take frequent rest breaks — Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Fines, points & penalties

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$8HelmetsA court waives $8 of a moving-violation fine for a helmeted rider 21+, except for DUIle.utah.gov
Quote
A court shall waive $8 of a fine charged to an individual operating a vehicle described in Subsection (1) for a moving traffic violation if the individual was: (a) 21 years old or older at the time of operation
$8A 25-year-old rider wearing a DOT-compliant helmet gets a ticket for a moving violation in Utah. What does Utah law require the court to do?Answer: Waive $8 of the fineUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 8
Quote
A court shall waive $8 of a fine charged to a person operating a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle for a moving traffic violation if the person was 21 years of age or older

Speed limits

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
45 mphLane splittingSpeed limit of 45 mph or less (or an off-ramp)le.utah.gov
Quote
on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less; or (ii) on an off-ramp; (d) the individual is not on an on-ramp; (e) the vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped; (f) the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less; and (g) the movement may be made safely.
15 mphLane splittingMotorcycle at 15 mph or lessle.utah.gov
Quote
on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less; or (ii) on an off-ramp; (d) the individual is not on an on-ramp; (e) the vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped; (f) the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less; and (g) the movement may be made safely.
60 mphDuring your first two months with a Utah motorcycle learner permit, you may NOT ride on a highway with a posted speed limit of:Answer: More than 60 mphUtah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division website
Quote
the operator of a motorcycle holding the motorcycle learner permit may not operate a motorcycle: (i) on a highway with a posted speed limit of more than 60 miles per hour
45 mphUtah allows lane filtering only on a road with a speed limit of:Answer: 45 mph or lessUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 13
Quote
The individual is on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less, or on an off-ramp
15 mphWhen lane filtering in Utah, the vehicle you pass must be stopped. How fast may you ride while filtering?Answer: 15 mph or lessUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 13
Quote
The vehicle being overtaken in the same lane is stopped, The motorcycle is traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less,

Distances & following gaps

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
two secondsHow long must you signal before turning or changing lanes on a motorcycle in Utah?Answer: At least two secondsUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 12
Quote
You must signal your intention to turn right or left, or to change lanes, for at least TWO seconds before beginning the turn or lane change.
Two secondsWhat is the normal minimum following distance behind another vehicle?Answer: Two secondsUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 45
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained when following a vehicle.
90 secondsYou are 18, riding a motorcycle, and a red signal has not detected you. Under Utah law, after stopping completely, how long must you wait before you may proceed when no other vehicles or pedestrians are near?Answer: At least 90 secondsUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 13
Quote
and not less than 90 seconds at the intersection or stop line - proceed across the roadway if there are no other vehicles or pedestrians near the intersection.
one secondIn a staggered group formation, where does the second rider ride?Answer: In the right side of the lane, at least one second behind the leaderUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 72
Quote
The group leader rides in the left side of the lane, and the second rider stays at least one second back and rides in the

Ages, permits & the test

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
6 monthsMotorcycle permit6 monthsle.utah.gov
Quote
may issue a motorcycle learner permit effective for six months to an applicant who: (a) holds an original or provisional class D license, a CDL
two-month · under 19Motorcycle permitIt can waive the skills test and the two-month holding period for riders under 19dld.utah.gov
Quote
Anyone younger than 19 years old must hold the motorcycle learner permit for two months. The two-month requirement may be waived upon proof of completion of the Basic Rider Course (BRC).
Six monthsHow long is a Utah motorcycle learner permit valid?Answer: Six monthsUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 8
Quote
To obtain a learner permit, you must go to a driver license office, complete the application process, and pay the fee. A learner permit is valid for six months.
two monthsYou got your Utah motorcycle learner permit three weeks ago. When can you carry a passenger?Answer: Not until you have held the permit for two monthsUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 9
Quote
Carry passengers, Ride between the hours of 10 P.M. and 6 A.M. After holding a motorcycle learner permit for two months, the learner permit holder may operate a motorcycle without the aforementioned restrictions imposed.
six monthsYou finished the Basic Rider Course and want the Driver License Division to waive your skills (road) test. Within what time must you apply for the endorsement?Answer: Within six months after completing the BRCUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 25
Quote
if you apply for a motorcycle endorsement on your Utah driver license within six months after completing the BRC, the Driver License Division may waive the skill (road) portion
At least 45You need to cross a pavement seam that runs parallel to your path. At what angle should you cross it?Answer: At least 45 degreesUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 64
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚.

Time limits & deadlines

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
five monthsMore than half of all motorcycle crashes involve riders with how much experience on their motorcycle?Answer: Less than five monthsUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 34
Quote
More than half of all crashes involve riders with less than five months of experience on their motorcycle.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 21HelmetsMotorcycle riders and passengers under 21 must wear a DOT-compliant helmetle.utah.gov
Quote
An individual under 21 years old may not operate or ride the following on a highway unless the individual is wearing protective headgear that complies with specifications adopted under Subsection (4) : (a) a motorcycle
under 21Who must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle on a Utah public street?Answer: Anyone under 21Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 7
Quote
It is against the law for anyone under the age of 21 to operate or ride a motorcycle
Three timesCompared with riders without helmets, how likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries in a crash?Answer: Three times more likelyUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 30
Quote
helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing helmets

Other numbers

NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%On a typical motorcycle, what share of your total stopping power can the front brake supply?Answer: 70% or moreUtah Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 41
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide 70% or more 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 Utah 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 28 of them for Utah, 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 Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual, Utah statutes or DLD 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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