An adult is about to ride a conventional two-wheel motorcycle on a North Carolina public road. The rider's helmet complies with FMVSS 218, but its retention strap is unfastened. What must be corrected before departure?
Correct answer: The retention strap must be properly secured
On a conventional two-wheel motorcycle, a compliant helmet must also be worn with its retention strap properly secured. A close fit or a short, slow trip does not replace fastening. The current statute's special autocycle exception is outside this scenario.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 4, printed 6; Preparing to Ride — Helmet Use; current G.S.20-140.4(a)(2), two-wheel motorcycle scope. ↗
Before leaving, a rider finds that a helmet's interior padding has come loose and the helmet shifts around on the head. The outer shell looks intact. Which decision is safest?
Correct answer: Use a sound, properly fitting helmet instead of relying on the intact outer shell
Helmet fit and condition include the padding and retention system, not just the outer shell. Loose padding and an unstable fit need to be addressed before riding; makeshift compensation is not a substitute for a sound, correctly fitting helmet.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 5, printed 7; Preparing to Ride — Helmet Selection. ↗
A ride planned for daylight will now finish after dark. The rider has a dark-tinted face shield and a clear, suitable replacement. What preparation best preserves vision for the evening part of the trip?
Correct answer: Fit the clear protection before the low-light portion of the ride
Tinted eye protection reduces available light and should not be used at night or in other low-light conditions. Use suitable clear protection rather than abandoning eye protection or relying on surrounding lights.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 5, printed 7; Preparing to Ride — Eye and Face Protection. ↗
A rider's sturdy, ankle-covering boots have long laces hanging near the motorcycle's foot controls. What should the rider do before moving?
Correct answer: Secure and tuck the laces so they cannot catch on the motorcycle
Suitable boots support the ankles, but loose laces can still catch on the motorcycle. Secure them before riding so they do not interfere with controls or moving parts.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 6, printed 8; Preparing to Ride — Clothing, boots and shoes. ↗
Two protective riding jackets cover the rider's arms. One flaps heavily in the wind; the other fits securely while still allowing the rider to reach and operate the controls freely. Which is the better fit?
Correct answer: The secure jacket that still permits free movement
Protective clothing should provide coverage without flapping excessively or restricting movement. The rider still needs to operate the motorcycle freely; neither loose fabric nor a constricting fit is an advantage.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 6, printed 8; Preparing to Ride — Clothing, jacket and pants. ↗
While seated on an unfamiliar motorcycle in a showroom, a rider cannot reach the ground well enough to support it confidently. What should guide the choice before practicing in traffic?
Correct answer: A motorcycle that fits the rider and can be supported and controlled comfortably
The motorcycle should fit its rider. The handbook calls for being able to reach the ground while seated; an unsuitable fit is not corrected by engine power or by experimenting at traffic stops. This is not a universal flat-foot measurement.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 6, printed 8; Preparing to Ride — The Right Motorcycle for You. ↗
An experienced rider borrows a motorcycle with noticeably different handling and control response. What should happen before the rider takes it into ordinary traffic?
Correct answer: Review the owner's instructions and become familiar with the borrowed bike in a controlled area
Experience on one motorcycle does not make a different motorcycle familiar. Review its instructions, locate its controls and practice its response in a controlled area before entering traffic.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 7, printed 9; Preparing to Ride — Borrowing and Lending; Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls, continuing physical8/printed10. ↗
A rider sees a fuel-supply valve and kick starter in a handbook drawing but cannot find either on the motorcycle being borrowed. What is the right conclusion?
Correct answer: The drawing includes equipment that may not be fitted, so the rider must check this model's manual and controls
The controls drawing expressly marks some equipment as optional or variable. Learn the actual motorcycle's layout from its owner's manual; a generic drawing is not proof that every model has a fuel valve or kick starter.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 7, printed 9; Preparing to Ride — Motorcycle Controls figure; Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls, continuing physical8/printed10. ↗
On a motorcycle with separate front and rear brake controls, a pre-ride check shows that the rear control activates the brake light. What check is still needed?
Correct answer: Confirm that operating the front brake control also activates the brake light
The handbook calls for trying both brake controls and confirming that each turns on the brake light. Success with one control does not establish that the other control's brake-light function works.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 8, printed 10; Preparing to Ride — Check Your Motorcycle, Brake Light. ↗
A rider sits on the motorcycle and discovers that the mirrors mainly show the rider's shoulders. What should be done before starting the trip?
Correct answer: Clean and adjust them while stopped to obtain useful views behind and beside the motorcycle
Set the mirrors before departure. A small part of an arm or shoulder may remain visible, but the useful view is the road behind and to the side. Adjusting mirrors while riding divides attention and may require taking a hand off a control.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 8, printed 10; Preparing to Ride — Check Your Motorcycle, Mirrors. ↗
During a stationary pre-ride check of a conventional twist-throttle motorcycle, the throttle does not return as its owner's manual specifies when released. What is the safest next step?
Correct answer: Have the fault corrected before riding in traffic
The throttle must operate smoothly and return correctly. A fault found while parked should be corrected before the ride, not compensated for with a brake or tested in traffic. This is not an emergency stuck-throttle procedure.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 8, printed 10; Preparing to Ride — Check Your Motorcycle, Clutch and Throttle. ↗
A rider sees plenty of tread on both motorcycle tires and wants to skip the rest of the tire check. What is the better approach?
Correct answer: Check tire pressure and overall condition as well as tread, using the motorcycle's specifications
Visible tread is only part of the pre-ride tire check. Check pressure and general condition too, following the motorcycle's specifications. No single pressure value fits every motorcycle or loading condition.
Source: North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, Thirteenth Edition, September 2007; current NCDMV-linked 44-page PDF, metadata modified April 24, 2026; physical 8, printed 10; Preparing to Ride — Check Your Motorcycle, Tires; owner's-manual recommendations. ↗
