Sidecar/trike testing

Knowledge test

The knowledge test measures how well you understand the rules of the road and how to safely operate your trike or a motorcycle with a sidecar. You must pass the knowledge test before you can get:

  • An instruction permit to practice riding on public highways.
  • A sidecar/trike endorsement, if you didn’t complete a sidecar/trike training course.

How to take the test

  • If you take a sidecar/trike safety course, the knowledge test will be included in the course.
  • If you don’t take a sidecar/trike safety course, you may take the knowledge test at any sidecar/trike training school.

Sample knowledge test questions

1. More than half of all collisions:

  • Occur at speeds greater than 35 mph.
  • Happen at night.
  • Are caused by worn tires.
  • Involve operators who have ridden their motorcycles less than six months.

2. When riding, you should:

  • Turn your head and shoulders to look through turns.
  • Keep your arms straight.
  • Keep your knees away from the gas tank.
  • Turn just your head and eyes to look where you are going.

3. Making eye contact with other drivers:

  • Is a good sign that they see you.
  • Is important when approaching an intersection.
  • Doesn’t mean that the driver will yield.
  • Decreases your chances of being involved in a collision.

4. To reduce your reaction time, you should:

  • Ride slower than the speed limit.
  • Cover the clutch and the brakes.
  • Shift into neutral when slowing.
  • Pull in the clutch when turning.

5. Retroreflective clothing should:

  • Be worn at night.
  • Be worn during the day.
  • Not be worn.
  • Be worn day and night.

6. The best way to stop quickly is to:

  • Use the front brake only.
  • Use the rear brake first.
  • Throttle down and use the front brake.
  • Use both brakes at the same time.

7. When it starts to rain it is usually best to:

  • Ride in the center of the lane.
  • Pull off to the side until the rain washes the oil to the side of the road.
  • Riding in the rain requires no different riding strategy.
  • Increase your speed.

8. If your three-wheeler starts to wobble:

  • Accelerate out of the wobble.
  • Use the brakes gradually.
  • Grip the handlebars firmly and close the throttle gradually.
  • Downshift.

9. The FRONT brake potential increases as the weight does what?

  • Transfers to the rear.
  • Settles evenly on the front and rear.
  • Transfers to the front.
  • The front brake is not affected by weight.

10. When riding in a group, inexperienced riders should position themselves:

  • Just behind the leader.
  • In front of the group.
  • At the tail end of the group.
  • Beside the leader.

Answers: 1—D, 2—D, 3—C, 4—B, 5—D, 6—D, 7—B, 8—C, 9—C, 10—A

Riding skills test

The riding skills test measures your ability to operate a 3-wheel motorcycle legally and safely.

  • If you take a sidecar/trike safety course, the riding skills test will be included in the course.
  • If you don’t take a sidecar/trike safety course, you may take the riding skills test at any sidecar/trike training school after you pass the knowledge test.
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