MD motorcycle study set

Maryland Road Signs and Signals Practice Questions

24 Maryland motorcycle questions on road signs and signals, each with the correct answer and an explanation from the MVA handbook.

All Maryland exam paths

Road Signs and Signals questions

1. What should a rider do at a traffic signal that does not detect the motorcycle?
1. A. Position the bike over the detector loop
2. B. Ride through the red light at once
3. C. Reverse and take a different route
Answer: A — Position the bike over the detector loop

Many loop detectors respond better when the bike sits directly over the wire; a signal that never changes is treated as out of order.
2. What does this sign mean to a rider approaching it?
1. A. Slow down and proceed if clear
2. B. Yield only to vehicles on the right
3. C. Come to a complete stop before proceeding
Answer: C — Come to a complete stop before proceeding

A STOP sign applies to a motorcycle exactly as it applies to any other vehicle.
3. What must a rider do where this sign is posted?
1. A. Accelerate to merge
2. B. Slow and give way to traffic
3. C. Stop completely every time
Answer: B — Slow and give way to traffic

A YIELD sign requires slowing and giving way, and a rider must be prepared to stop.
4. What surface hazard does this sign warn a rider about?
1. A. The road becomes slippery when wet
2. B. The road is under construction
3. C. The lane ends ahead
Answer: A — The road becomes slippery when wet

A two-wheeled vehicle depends entirely on tyre grip for balance, so a slippery surface is more consequential.
5. Why does this sign matter especially to a motorcyclist?
1. A. Gravel damages a motorcycle's paint
2. B. Motorcycles are prohibited on gravel
3. C. Loose gravel can cause a fall
Answer: C — Loose gravel can cause a fall

Gravel reduces the traction a rider needs for both balance and braking.
6. What should a rider set their speed for after this sign?
1. A. The road ends ahead
2. B. A series of curves ahead
3. C. A single right turn ahead
Answer: B — A series of curves ahead

Successive curves demand that speed be set before each one, with no chance to recover between them.
7. What hazard does this sign warn a rider about?
1. A. An uneven surface ahead
2. B. A closed road ahead
3. C. A weight restriction ahead
Answer: A — An uneven surface ahead

A rough surface unsettles a motorcycle far more than a car, so slow before reaching it.
8. What does this sign mean for a rider approaching the crossing?
1. A. Trains stop before the crossing
2. B. Motorcycles may cross without slowing
3. C. Yield and cross the rails near a right angle
Answer: C — Yield and cross the rails near a right angle

A crossbuck requires yielding to trains, and rails at an angle are a specific hazard for a two-wheeled vehicle.
9. What does this sign warn a rider to prepare for?
1. A. The road narrowing to one lane
2. B. Traffic merging into their lane
3. C. A lane being added
Answer: B — Traffic merging into their lane

Merging traffic may not see a motorcycle, so a rider should adjust position and speed early.
10. What does this pavement condition sign warn about?
1. A. The paved surface ends
2. B. The road is closed
3. C. A bridge is ahead
Answer: A — The paved surface ends

A change from pavement to gravel or dirt is a significant traction change for a motorcycle.
11. Why is the roadside unsafe for a rider where this sign is posted?
1. A. The shoulder is reserved for cyclists only
2. B. The shoulder is closed for repaving
3. C. The shoulder is soft and unsafe to ride on
Answer: C — The shoulder is soft and unsafe to ride on

A soft shoulder will not support a motorcycle and can cause an immediate loss of control.
12. What should a rider begin preparing for at this sign?
1. A. A level crossing with gates ahead
2. B. A stop sign ahead that may be obscured
3. C. A traffic signal a short distance ahead
Answer: B — A stop sign ahead that may be obscured

Advance warning matters more on a motorcycle because braking should begin upright and early.
13. What should a rider expect after this sign?
1. A. Traffic in both directions on the same roadway
2. B. A one-way road that begins just ahead
3. C. An extra passing lane opening up ahead
Answer: A — Traffic in both directions on the same roadway

Meeting oncoming traffic changes safe lane position and passing decisions.
14. Why is this sign significant for a rider?
1. A. Motorcycles are prohibited ahead
2. B. The speed limit rises ahead
3. C. A narrowing road cuts the space cushion
Answer: C — A narrowing road cuts the space cushion

Less lane width means fewer lane positions and less room to escape sideways.
15. What should a rider prepare for at this sign?
1. A. A rest area a short way ahead
2. B. A lane ending, requiring an early merge
3. C. A new lane opening up on the right
Answer: B — A lane ending, requiring an early merge

Merging early gives a rider room to pick a gap rather than being squeezed at the taper.
16. What does this sign warn a rider to expect?
1. A. A sharp curve ahead
2. B. A junction ahead
3. C. A hill ahead
Answer: A — A sharp curve ahead

Entry speed for a curve must be set before the lean begins, so advance warning is used immediately.
17. Why does this sign matter more to a rider than to a car driver?
1. A. Cars cannot use the shoulder either
2. B. Shoulders are wider for motorcycles
3. C. A broken shoulder offers no escape route
Answer: C — A broken shoulder offers no escape route

A motorcycle needs a firm surface to stop on, which a soft shoulder does not provide.
18. What does this work zone sign mean for a rider?
1. A. Expect a detour onto a side road
2. B. Expect uneven surfaces and loose material
3. C. Expect the road ahead to be freshly paved
Answer: B — Expect uneven surfaces and loose material

Work zones combine several of the surface hazards that most affect a two-wheeled vehicle.
19. What does this sign tell a rider about the road ahead?
1. A. A steep grade to descend
2. B. A nine mile per hour limit
3. C. A truck lane ahead
Answer: A — A steep grade to descend

Descending grades build speed quickly and demand braking done upright and early.
20. What is a rider forbidden to do in this zone?
1. A. Pass only on the right
2. B. Slow vehicles must pull over
3. C. Do not pass in this zone
Answer: C — Do not pass in this zone

No-passing zones apply to motorcycles exactly as they do to cars.
21. Who should a rider expect in the road ahead?
1. A. Parking is prohibited ahead
2. B. Pedestrians may be crossing ahead
3. C. A bus stop is ahead
Answer: B — Pedestrians may be crossing ahead

A pedestrian crossing requires the same yielding duty from a rider as from any driver.
22. What does this sign mean for a rider planning a manoeuvre?
1. A. U-turns are prohibited here
2. B. Left turns are prohibited here
3. C. All turns are prohibited here
Answer: A — U-turns are prohibited here

Regulatory prohibitions apply to motorcycles the same as to other vehicles.
23. What should a rider do at this sign?
1. A. Stop completely before entering
2. B. Enter without slowing if clear
3. C. Yield to traffic already circulating
Answer: C — Yield to traffic already circulating

Traffic already circulating has the right of way, and a rider should be prepared to stop.
24. How far from a stopped Maryland school bus must a rider stop?
1. A. At least 30 feet
2. B. At least 20 feet
3. C. At least 10 feet
Answer: B — At least 20 feet

The extended stop arm and flashing red lights create the duty.