Maryland Motorcycle Test Study Guide

To control a motorcycle well, sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent on the handgrips, and position yourself so your arms steer the motorcycle rather than hold you up (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.8). Start with your right wrist flat to avoid using too much throttle, keep your knees against the gas tank, and keep your feet firmly on the footrests near the controls.

• Your motorcycle has two brakes -- one for the front wheel, one for the rear; the front brake supplies up to three-quarters of your stopping power (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.9).
• Adjust the handlebars so your hands are even with or below your elbows, and adjust both mirrors to show the lane behind and beside you (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.5-6, p.8).
• Maryland law requires two mirrors with at least 7 square inches of reflective surface each, plus the Class M-required headlight, taillight, brake light, plate light and a horn (p.vi).

Maryland law requires every operator and passenger to wear protective headgear meeting FMVSS 218 (DOT) — there is no age or insurance exemption (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.vi-vii). Approved eye protection is also required unless the motorcycle has an approved windscreen mounted at the proper height. Helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive a head injury.

• Helmets must carry a factory DOT label (or a Snell label that meets it); a compliant helmet also has a label indicating month and year of manufacture (p.vi).
• A shatter-resistant faceshield protects your whole face; goggles protect only the eyes; a windshield is not a substitute and tinted protection should never be worn at night (p.3).
• Wear a jacket and pants that fully cover arms and legs, sturdy over-the-ankle boots, and leather or durable gloves; bright orange/red/yellow/green is most visible (p.4, p.18-19).

Stay in first gear while stopped so you can move out quickly, and shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.8). Use both brakes every time you slow or stop — the front brake supplies up to three-quarters of your stopping power and is safe when you squeeze, never grab, the lever (p.9).

• Change gears before entering a turn; if you must shift in a turn, do it smoothly because a sudden power change can cause a skid (p.8-9).
• Grabbing the front brake or stomping the rear can lock a wheel and cause a loss of control; on a slippery surface, apply both brakes gently (p.9).
• If you downshift while going too fast, the motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid (p.8).

Most single-vehicle motorcycle crashes happen in turns, and too much speed is usually the cause (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.9). Use four steps: SLOW, LOOK, PRESS, ROLL. Slow before the turn, look through it to where you want to go, press the handgrip in the direction of the turn to lean — press right, lean right, go right — and roll on the throttle to stay stable.

• In normal turns the rider and motorcycle lean together; in slow tight turns counterbalance -- lean the motorcycle only, keep your body straight, and shift weight to the outside peg (p.9-10).
• Running wide in a curve is a primary cause of single-vehicle crashes -- ride within your skill level and posted speed limit (p.24).
• With no traffic, start a curve at the outside to widen your line of sight, move to the inside, then move out to exit (p.24).

Each Maryland traffic lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.10). Choose the path that helps you see and be seen, avoid hazards, and protect your lane from other drivers. Maintain a minimum two-second following distance behind the vehicle ahead — open it to three seconds or more if the road is slippery, traffic is heavy, or you cannot see through the vehicle ahead.

• If hazards are on your left only, ride in path 2 or 3; if on your right only, stay in path 1 or 2; with vehicles on both sides, the center (path 2) is usually best (p.10).
• Lane sharing is PROHIBITED in Maryland -- cars and motorcycles each need a full lane (p.14).
• Handle a tailgater by changing lanes and letting them pass; if you cannot change lanes, slow and open extra space ahead (p.12).

Experienced riders use SEE -- Search, Evaluate, Execute -- a three-step process for spotting hazards and acting early (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.15). Search aggressively ahead, to the sides and behind. Evaluate how road, traffic and other vehicles could create risk. Execute by adjusting speed and position and communicating with lights or horn.

• Scan your path of travel about 12 seconds ahead (p.7).
• Handle two or more hazards 'one at a time' -- adjust speed so they separate, then deal with each (p.16).
• In high-risk areas such as intersections, schools and construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes to cut your reaction time (p.16).

Over half of motorcycle/car crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider's right-of-way, and the intersection is the most likely place (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.16). Drivers often say they never saw the motorcycle. Keep your headlight on at all times -- a motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed by day -- wear bright clothing, and signal every turn (p.18-19).

• Making eye contact does not guarantee a driver will yield -- slow down and be ready to react (p.16, p.18).
• At a blind intersection with a stop sign, stop once, edge forward, and stop again just short of cross-traffic before looking around obstructions (p.17).
• A motorcycle's brake light is less noticeable than a car's -- flash it before slowing where others may not expect it (p.20).

Two skills save you in a tight spot: stopping quickly and swerving. To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time, squeezing the front lever firmly and progressively -- never grabbing it (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.22). When there is no room to stop, swerve: press the handgrip on the side of your escape direction to lean the motorcycle quickly, then press the opposite grip to recover (p.23).

• If the front wheel locks, release the front brake immediately, then reapply it firmly (p.22).
• To stop quickly in a curve, straighten the motorcycle upright first, then brake (p.22-23).
• Never brake while swerving -- separate braking from swerving, doing it before or after (p.23).

Wet pavement, gravel, mud, snow, ice, painted lane markings and metal plates all reduce traction. Slow down before you reach a slippery surface, avoid sudden moves, and use both brakes gently (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.26). When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars -- often the left track -- not the slippery oil strip in the center.

• Cross railroad and trolley tracks by riding straight within your lane; turning to take them head-on can carry you into another lane (p.27).
• For seams or ruts that run parallel to your path, move away and cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees (p.27).
• At night, ride slower, open a three-second-or-more following distance, and use your high beam when not following or meeting a car (p.22).

A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car, so make a complete check before every ride (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.6). Check the tires (pressure, wear, tread), fluids weekly, headlight and taillight, turn signals, brake light, clutch, throttle, mirrors, brakes and horn (p.5-7).

• Stuck throttle: use the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time, then pull off and check the cable (p.28).
• Wobble: grip the bars firmly and close the throttle gradually -- do not brake, do not accelerate, and shift weight forward (p.28-29).
• If a tire goes flat, hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle, keep a straight course, and edge to the side of the road (p.28).

Only experienced riders should carry passengers or large loads -- the extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances and stops (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.30). Instruct your passenger before you start, equip the motorcycle with a proper seat and passenger footrests, and keep cargo low, forward, evenly distributed and securely fastened (p.30-32).

• A passenger should mount only after the engine is started, sit as far forward as possible without crowding, hold your waist/hips/belt, lean as you lean, and keep both feet on the footrests even when stopped (p.31).
• Keep loads low and over or in front of the rear axle; a load behind the rear axle can cause a wobble; secure cargo with elastic cords, not rope (p.31-32).
• Ride in a staggered formation -- never side by side -- and move to single-file for curves, turns, freeway ramps and on/off highway transitions (p.33).

In Maryland, a BAC of .05 or above can lead to an alcohol-related conviction, and the MVA will automatically suspend the license of any driver who tests at .08% or higher (Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual p.36). Implied consent means by driving on a Maryland highway you have agreed to take a test. Alcohol leaves the body at only about one drink per hour, and judgment is impaired well below the legal limit.

• Studies show 40-45% of all riders killed in motorcycle crashes had been drinking (p.34).
• A conviction for riding under the influence brings a mandatory license suspension, severe fines, community service and added costs (p.36-37).
• Riding is more tiring than driving a car -- rest at least every two hours and never ride when fatigued or after taking impairing medication (p.37-38).