Alabama Motorcycle: Protective Gear & Helmets Practice Test

Question 1

The manual names three things that make a rider's gear right for the road. What are they?

Accepted Answer

A helmet meeting DOT standards, face or eye protection, and protective clothing — Gear counts as right only when it protects you, and the list is a helmet that meets federal standards, something guarding the face or eyes, and clothing built to shield the body.

Answer

Gloves, sunglasses, and a windshield

Answer

A reflective vest, a helmet, and a first aid kit

Answer

A helmet, a loud horn, and a tool kit

Question 2

Whatever the speed at the time of a crash, how do helmeted riders compare with unhelmeted ones when it comes to head injuries?

Accepted Answer

They are three times as likely to survive — The manual puts their odds of surviving a head injury at three times those of a rider who was not wearing one, and that figure holds at any speed.

Answer

They are about equally likely to survive

Answer

They are twice as likely to be injured

Answer

They are ten times as likely to survive

Question 3

According to the manual, how often do motorcycle crashes produce injuries to the head or neck?

Accepted Answer

In about one crash out of every five — The manual reports that damage of this kind shows up in one crash out of every five, and head injuries are both far more common than neck injuries and every bit as severe.

Answer

In about one crash out of every fifty

Answer

In roughly half of all crashes

Answer

In very nearly every crash

Question 4

Besides a helmet, what does Alabama law specifically require a person to wear while operating or riding a motorcycle?

Accepted Answer

Shoes — The law states that no one may operate or ride a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle without wearing shoes.

Answer

A jacket

Answer

Long pants

Answer

Gloves

Question 5

Alabama encourages, but does not require, riders to protect their face and eyes by using what?

Accepted Answer

A plastic faceshield attached to an approved helmet — The state encourages using a plastic faceshield attached to an approved helmet to protect the face and eyes.

Answer

Prescription eyeglasses only

Answer

A windshield mounted on the motorcycle

Answer

A wide-brimmed hat

Question 6

What should you look for when deciding whether a particular helmet is fit to wear?

Accepted Answer

A snug fit right around, with no cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps — Besides meeting federal and state standards, with a Snell Memorial Foundation label as a further mark of quality, the helmet has to sit snugly and show no visible damage.

Answer

A loose fit so that air can circulate freely

Answer

A tinted shield suited to every condition

Answer

A total weight of under one pound

Question 7

Which piece of protective gear does Alabama law require every motorcycle operator and rider to wear?

Accepted Answer

Approved protective headgear (a helmet) — State law forbids operating or riding on a motorcycle without approved protective headgear, meaning a helmet.

Answer

A reflective vest

Answer

Leather gloves

Answer

A full-face shield

Question 8

Alabama encourages riders to wear protective clothing that includes which items?

Accepted Answer

A jacket, pants, gloves, and boots or sturdy shoes — The state encourages appropriate protective clothing such as a jacket, pants, gloves, and boots or sturdy shoes.

Answer

Shorts and sandals in warm weather

Answer

Only a helmet and nothing more

Answer

A reflective vest instead of a jacket

Question 9

Which two helmet styles does the manual recommend, each offering a different amount of coverage?

Accepted Answer

Three-quarter and full face — Both are acceptable choices; what separates them is how much of the head and face the shell actually wraps.

Answer

Half shell and novelty

Answer

Open face and beanie

Answer

Skull cap and half shell

Question 10

What does the manual say about when, in a ride, most motorcycle crashes occur?

Accepted Answer

Most happen on trips under five miles, only minutes after setting out — Because short errands account for the bulk of crashes, the manual's point is that no trip is brief enough to justify skipping the gear.

Answer

After more than two hours in the saddle

Answer

On trips longer than fifty miles

Answer

On the return leg of a long journey

Question 11

Is a windshield mounted on the motorcycle enough on its own to protect a rider's eyes?

Accepted Answer

No, most windshields will not keep wind out of your eyes, so a shield or goggles is still needed — The manual rules out windshields, eyeglasses, and sunglasses as replacements: glasses still let the eyes water and can be blown off when you turn your head.

Answer

Yes, a windshield takes the place of goggles

Answer

Yes, provided it rises above the height of the headlight

Answer

Only eyeglasses or sunglasses may be substituted for one

Question 12

When should a rider leave tinted eye protection at home?

Accepted Answer

Any time there is little outside light to work with — Tint cuts down the light reaching your eyes, so it belongs in daylight and not in dusk, darkness, or any other condition where outside light is scarce.

Answer

On bright, cloudless afternoons

Answer

Whenever a full face helmet is being worn

Answer

On long rides at highway speed

Alabama Motorcycle: Protective Gear & Helmets practice test

Study questions with answers

1. The manual names three things that make a rider's gear right for the road. What are they?

2. Whatever the speed at the time of a crash, how do helmeted riders compare with unhelmeted ones when it comes to head injuries?

3. According to the manual, how often do motorcycle crashes produce injuries to the head or neck?

4. Besides a helmet, what does Alabama law specifically require a person to wear while operating or riding a motorcycle?

5. Alabama encourages, but does not require, riders to protect their face and eyes by using what?

6. What should you look for when deciding whether a particular helmet is fit to wear?

7. Which piece of protective gear does Alabama law require every motorcycle operator and rider to wear?

8. Alabama encourages riders to wear protective clothing that includes which items?

9. Which two helmet styles does the manual recommend, each offering a different amount of coverage?

10. What does the manual say about when, in a ride, most motorcycle crashes occur?

11. Is a windshield mounted on the motorcycle enough on its own to protect a rider's eyes?

12. When should a rider leave tinted eye protection at home?

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