Iowa
Motorcycle Test

Passing your endorsement exam is a matter of knowing everything about your motorcycle. Our practice tests are designed with you in mind, ensuring that you are familiar with how these devices operate and what techniques you need to do when on the road with them. Our test is based on the official one, which pulls all of its questions from the Iowa Motorcycle Operator Manual, which can be picked up at your local DMV or downloaded online. When taking our practice test make sure you look over which questions you get wrong so you can look them up in the manual.

1 / 25

If you get tired while riding, the best thing to do is:

Take deep breaths to increase your oxygen levels.

Ride slowly to remain safe.

Stop as soon as possible and get some rest.

Speed up to get to your destination quickly.

2 / 25

In terms of lane positioning, you should divide the land into:

4 parts

5 parts

3 parts

2 parts

3 / 25

Motorcycles:

Can only be ridden in the state where they are registered.

Can only be ridden safely during the day.

Have blind spots that should be routinely checked.

Have no blind spots.

4 / 25

In ideal conditions, your following distance should be:

One second.

Whatever feels safe to the rider.

Four seconds.

Two seconds.

5 / 25

Riding with a passenger:

Is generally safer than riding alone.

Can make turning easier.

Can impact the handling of a motorcycle.

Is illegal at night.

6 / 25

You should check to make sure that your brake light:

At least works with both levers at once.

At least works with the rear pedal.

Operates with both levers independently.

Works with at least one lever.

7 / 25

Brightly-colored helmets:

Do not offer the same protection as other helmets.

Are for fashion only.

Are distracting to other drivers.

Make riders more visible.

8 / 25

If you're stuck in a traffic jam on a freeway the best gear to be in is?

2nd

3rd

1st

Neutral

9 / 25

Cold medicine and other over the counter drugs:

Can affect a rider's abilities to safely operate their motorcycle.

Aren't encouraged to use before a ride, but pose no safety hazards.

Don't impact a rider's abilities.

Are safe to use before operation.

10 / 25

If your rear tire locks up how can you regain control of your motorcycle?

Shifting up one gear.

Depressing the rear brake harder.

Quickly accelerating.

Release the rear brake.

11 / 25

A pre-ride inspection should be done:

Whenver is convenient.

Before every ride.

Once per year.

At least once per month.

12 / 25

A critical head injury is __________ times more likely when a motorcycle rider is not wearing a helmet during a crash.

five

two

zero

twenty

13 / 25

In a motorcycle and car crash, the blame usually falls on:

The motorcyclist

Both drivers

The car driver

Neither

14 / 25

When preparing to pass a vehicle on the left, it is important to ride on the left side of your lane because:

The left side of the lane is the safest part of the lane.

So you can signal to oncoming traffic.

All of these reasons.

It will give you the best chance of spotting hazards in the next lane.

15 / 25

If your motorcycle starts to handle differently during a ride you should:

Maintain speed and test both brakes.

Pull over and check the tires.

Ride until you find the next service station.

Check the motorcycle's tires once you return home.

16 / 25

When riding at night, your following distance should be:

Whatever distance feels comfortable.

Shorter than it is during the day.

Longer than it is during the day.

Should be the same as it is during the day.

17 / 25

When riding with a passenger, you should inform the passenger to:

Only get on the motorcycle after you've started the engine.

Grab onto your collar while riding.

None of these are correct.

Get on before starting the engine.

18 / 25

In car and motorcycle collisions, what percent are caused by the driver failing to properly yield the right-of-way to the rider?

25 percent

Over 90 percent

Less than 10 percent

Over 50 percent

19 / 25

Proper motorcycle clothing should:

Only flap slightly when riding.

Never cover your arms or legs.

Protect you in the event of a crash.

Not be leather in warm weather.

20 / 25

If you have to brake during a curve, the first thing you should do is:

Lean into the turn.

Use only the rear brake.

Get the motorcycle upright.

Use only the front brake.

21 / 25

Should you wear a riding jacket if the weather is warm?

Not if the temperature is over 80 degrees.

It depends on the humidity.

Never.

Yes, riding jackets are made to keep the rider cool, even in warm weather.

22 / 25

What is the best position within the lane while riding a motorcycle?

The right side of the lane.

The left side of the lane.

The middle of the lane.

It varies depending on the circumstances.

23 / 25

A good way of 'bonding' with your motorcycle is to:

Spend more time on the motorcycle when not riding it.

Use your arms to steer rather than support.

Change positions often.

Share it with other riders.

24 / 25

Your lane position should allow you to:

Signal to those around you.

Maximize your visibility.

Do all of these things.

Position yourself to make a turn.

25 / 25

Before going for a ride you should check all of the following except:

Tire pressure.

Mirror position.

Damage to the paint.

Tire tread.

Your score is

The average score is 75%

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Motorcycle License

How To Get an Iowa Motorcycle License

Before you can take your motorcycle for a spin in the state of Iowa you're going to need the official endorsement from the state department of transportation. To get this endorsement you must first pass both a knowledge and skills test. Once passed, you will be given a Class M designation that proves you are safe to drive on Iowa's roads. Instruction permits are available and allow users to practice with another person that has a valid license.

Getting this permit requires passing both the knowledge exam and a vision screening. Individuals 14 through 17 may drive a motorcycle with an instruction permit with an immediate family member 21 years or older; or with another licensed adult 25 years or older who have written permission from their parent or guardian. Before you can apply for a full motorcycle license you must hold an instructional permit for 6 months.

Sometimes the best way to study for a test is to do it in a group and the Iowa Motorcycle Rider Education is just such a program. This 15-hour class divides into five hours spent in the classroom and the other 10 in hands-on demonstrations. In this Basic Rider Course (BRC) individuals learn basic skills like turning, shifting, and stopping. Once both the knowledge and skills parts of this class are completed you will be given a certificate of completion which can be taken to your local DMV to get your motorcycle endorsement. Test locations are found throughout the state of Iowa.

If you have just moved to Iowa and have a motorcycle endorsement from another state you will need to go to your local DMV and pass the knowledge, skills and vision tests along with surrendering your old license and paying applicable fees.

Motorcycle Test

Iowa Motorcycle License Test Tips

Before you can test your skills you first have to test your knowledge. This knowledge exam gives you an honest and objective measure of your knowledge of motorcycle operation, safety techniques, and traffic signals. When using this website in conjunction with the official operator's manual you are given all the tools necessary to do well on this test. This part of the exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions of which 20 of them must be answered correctly. Once completed you will earn your learner's permit and be able to practice your motorcycle skills in earnest.

Once you've held your instructional permit for 6 months you'll be eligible for the on-cycle skills part of the exam. This test shows that all your practice and diligence have paid off and that you are a safe motorcycle driver in the state of Iowa. You'll be teamed up with an examiner who will give you instructions on different skills you need to be able to do effectively such as quick turns, stopping, staying within boundaries, and more. Other skills you will have to do is sharp left turns and a right U-turn. If you accrue too many points or stall your engine four times during the course of the test you will be given an automatic failure. Look through the beginning of your operator's manual to see a list of permanent driver's license stations near you.

Additional Information

Information on the Iowa Department of Transportation

The Iowa T&T is responsible for testing student drivers and licensing all drivers. To schedule your licensing examination or get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.iowataxandtags.org/drivers-license-services/motorcycle-license/
Phone: 800.532.1121

To find the office hours and / or location nearest you, please visit:
https://www.iowataxandtags.org/contact/

Additional Iowa Motorcycle License Helpful Links

Please use the links below to learn more about helpful topics related to the Iowa motorcycle license test or other motorcycle license related topics.

Iowa Motorcycle Test