Motorcycle Permit Practice Test California
Ready to ride? This motorcycle permit practice test California page gives you three 20-question quizzes and a 50-question mock exam built from the California Motorcycle Handbook: permits and training, controls and braking, traffic and hazards, and a full mock exam.
Motorcycle Permit Practice Test California: 4 Free Quizzes
Every question has four answers and a short explanation. You need 80 percent to see PASS. The full mock exam has 50 questions.
What the California motorcycle knowledge test covers
Motorcycle licensing in California is handled by California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The rider knowledge test is separate from the standard driver test. It asks about equipment, control skills, and how to stay visible and safe among cars and trucks.
Quiz 1: California rules, permits and gear
Rules for riders, helmets and protective gear, and the checks before every ride.
Quiz 2: Controls, braking and turning
Front and rear brakes, downshifting, turning and lane position.
Quiz 3: Traffic, hazards and road surfaces
Intersections, road surfaces, group riding and visibility.
Full mock exam
50 mixed questions with alcohol, fatigue, emergencies and passengers.
Motorcycle permit requirements by age
The DMV sets different paperwork for each age group.
| Age | What you need |
|---|---|
| 15 and a half to under 17 and a half | DL 389 from a CHP-approved course, proof of driver education and driver training (or a Class C license), and passing both the driver and motorcycle knowledge tests. |
| 18 to under 21 | DL 389 and passing both the driver and motorcycle knowledge tests. |
| 21 and older | The rider training course is encouraged but not required. |
See the DMV’s motorcycle license page and the driver handbooks for the latest requirements.
The CMSP course and the DL 389
The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) is the CHP-approved rider training program. Riders under 21 must complete it and present the DL 389 certificate. Riders 21 and older can skip it, but many take it because the DMV accepts the certificate in place of its own riding test.
The certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date, so book your DMV visit while it is still good.
Permit limits at a glance
- No passengers.
- No freeway riding.
- Daylight hours only.
- Protective gear and a compliant helmet.
Protective gear checklist
Your gear is part of the test and your best defense in a fall.
Helmet
California requires a helmet that meets standards for riders and passengers. Replace it after any hard impact.
Eye protection
A face shield or goggles keep wind, dust and insects out of your eyes at speed.
Jacket, pants and gloves
Long sleeves, long pants and gloves protect skin. Bright or reflective colors help drivers see you.
Boots
Sturdy boots that cover the ankle protect your feet and give you a better grip on the pegs.
Motorcycle numbers worth memorizing
A few key figures come up on the rider test.
Three motorcycle questions to try
Cover the answer, decide, then check.
May a motorcycle permit holder carry a passenger?
Passengers are not allowed on the instruction permit.
Which brake provides most of your stopping power?
Use both together, and squeeze smoothly.
How should you cross railroad tracks?
A shallow angle can trap your tire in the groove.
How to prepare in a week
Short sessions work better than one long one.
Read a section of the California Motorcycle Handbook each evening and take the matching quiz the next morning. Quiz 1 comes first because permit and gear rules are the easiest points on the test. Take Quiz 2 after you read about braking and turning, and Quiz 3 after the sections on traffic and road surfaces.
Keep a running list of missed questions. Most riders miss the same two or three ideas, such as how to brake in a curve or where to position themselves in a lane. Write each one in your own words, then retake the quiz the next day.
Finish with the mock exam, and save your scores so you can see progress. If you can also book a rider training course, you will practice the same skills on a real bike, and the certificate can replace the riding test.
Mistakes new riders make on the test
Confusing permit limits with license limits
The permit bars passengers and freeways. Read the wording of each question.
Braking hard in curves
Slow before the curve. Test questions check that you know braking mid-curve upsets the bike.
Forgetting to be seen
Lane position, headlight and bright gear all count as safety answers.
Study guides and articles
Read a little more before you test.
Motorcycle Permit vs License: What Is the Difference?
Motorcycle permit vs license: what a permit allows, what it does not and how riders move on to a full license.
ReadMotorcycle Braking Basics: Front Brake vs Rear Brake
The front brake gives most of your stopping power. Learn how to use both brakes smoothly.
ReadMotorcycle permit practice test
Choose your state and take four free rider quizzes.
ReadSharing the Road With School Buses, Bicyclists and Trucks
Safe habits around buses, bikes, motorcycles and trucks, and what knowledge tests ask about them.
ReadMore California practice tests
Keep going with another exam, or go back to the state hub.
California motorcycle permit test FAQ
What is the minimum age for a California motorcycle permit?
You may apply at 15 and a half. Applicants under 21 must complete a CHP-approved rider training course and present the DL 389 certificate. Younger applicants also need driver education and driver training.
What can I not do with a motorcycle instruction permit?
You may not carry passengers or ride on freeways. State law also limits permit riders to daylight hours.
What is the DL 389?
It is the certificate you receive after completing the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. The DMV accepts it in place of its own riding skills test, and it is valid for 12 months from the issue date.
Do I have to take a course if I am over 21?
It is not required for riders 21 and older, but the DMV encourages it, and passing it can replace the riding test.
How many questions do I need to get right?
The DMV lists the passing score as 80 percent. On our 20-question quizzes that means 16 correct, and on the 50-question mock exam it means 40.
Do I need a helmet?
Yes. California requires riders and passengers to wear a helmet that meets safety standards.
Can I take the driver and motorcycle tests together?
Applicants who do not yet hold a license generally take both the driver knowledge test and the motorcycle knowledge test. Check the DMV motorcycle page for your situation.
Is lane splitting legal in California?
State law does not prohibit it when done in a safe and prudent way. It is a topic that appears in the handbook, so know the guidance.
Sources: California DMV motorcycle licenses and the California driver handbooks.