Michigan Motorcycle practice
Michigan Motorcycle: Hazards & Road Surfaces practice test
Gravel, wet pavement, grooved roads, and railroad tracks — reading and handling surfaces that matter far more on two wheels.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
12 questions · pass with 10 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Hazards & Road Surfaces questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. If a deer or other large animal is on or near your path, what is the only reliable action?
Correct answer: Stop before reaching it, then wait or pass at walking speed
Large animals are unpredictable, so stop before reaching them, then wait for them to leave or ease past at walking speed.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Eight — Motorcycles and deer
2. To handle a strong side wind, what should you do?
Correct answer: Lean into the wind with handgrip pressure and keep a large space cushion
Counter wind gusts by leaning into them with forward pressure on the handgrip, moving away from other vehicles, and maximizing your space cushion.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Eight — Wind
3. To cross railroad or trolley tracks safely, what should you generally do?
Correct answer: Ride straight ahead within your lane
It is usually safest to ride straight ahead within your lane; turning to cross at a steep angle can carry you into another lane.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Six — Railroad tracks and seams
4. Riding over rain grooves or a bridge grating that makes the bike weave calls for what?
Correct answer: Holding a steady speed and riding straight across
The weaving feel is normal; hold a steady speed and ride straight across rather than zigzagging.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Six — Grooves and gratings
5. About how wide is the oily strip that collects drippings in the center of a lane?
Correct answer: No more than about two feet
The center oil strip is usually no wider than two feet, and unless the road is wet, the center still offers adequate traction.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Six — Lane positions
6. When a dog chases your motorcycle, what does the manual say to do?
Correct answer: Slow down, downshift, then accelerate away as it nears
Slow down and downshift until the dog is near, then accelerate away out of its reach; do not kick at it.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Eight — Animals
7. What happens to your available lean angle on a crowned road?
Correct answer: It is reduced, so you should slow down
A crowned road reduces ground clearance and the available lean angle, so slow down and use caution.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Eight — Crowned roads
8. When you must ride through a long stretch of sand or gravel in a work zone, what does the manual advise?
Correct answer: Downshift and hold a steady speed
For long sand or gravel stretches, downshift and hold a steady speed, braking lightly in a straight line if needed.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Eight — Work zones
9. A hazard or object spotted in the road ahead calls for a rider to do what?
Correct answer: Scan well ahead, go around it if possible, and increase following distance
Scan well ahead for objects, go around them when possible, and increase your following distance to allow maneuvering room.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Eight — Work zones: objects in the road
10. For tracks or pavement seams that run parallel to your path, at what angle should you cross them?
Correct answer: At least 45 degrees, then make a quick sharp turn
Move away from a parallel seam, then cross it at 45 degrees or more with a quick, sharp turn so it can't catch your tires.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Six — Railroad tracks and seams
11. If you cannot avoid an obstacle such as a pothole, what technique helps?
Correct answer: Adjust speed and rise off the seat, letting your legs absorb the impact
When an obstacle can't be avoided, adjust your speed and rise slightly off the seat so your legs cushion the bike's reaction.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Six — Obstacles
12. When it first starts to rain, where is often the best place to ride?
Correct answer: In the tire tracks left by cars
Just after rain begins, ride in the tire tracks left by cars — often the left track — and avoid pooled water and highway ruts.
Source: Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual, Section Six — Slippery surfaces
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Every Michigan question is written from the official Michigan driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free