When riding at night, how can you see upcoming bumps or rough pavement ahead?

Use this motorcycle practice test question to prepare for the real written exam at the DMV or during your motorcycle safety course. 

When riding at night, how can you see upcoming bumps or rough pavement ahead? 

1. Using your high beam headlights. 
2. Watching the taillights bouncing on the car ahead. 
3. Riding in the left or right portion of the lane.
4. Riding in the center portion of the lane. 

Find the answer to this question and an explanation below. 

Answer

This topic may show up on your motorcycle permit test. 

The answer is: B. Watching the taillights bouncing on the car ahead. 

How’d you do? Learn more about this motorcycle topic below. 

Explanation: Using the Car Ahead when Riding at Night

In order to pass your motorcycle permit exams and to become a safe rider, it’s important to know why a particular answer on the motorcycle written test is correct. 

Riding a motorcycle at night is more dangerous because it is harder to see and be seen. 

It will be much harder for you to spot upcoming hazards or changes in the pavement itself. Your depth perception is reduced and the distance ahead in which you can see is much less. 

However, it is important to be aware of upcoming bumps or irregularities in the pavement so that you can adjust your riding and keep control of your motorcycle. 

One way you can spot hazards when riding at night is by using the car ahead of you. 

First, you’ll be able to use the headlights of the cars ahead and around you to get a better view of the road ahead. 

If you’re following behind another vehicle, you can use their tail lights to help you spot bumps, dips, or rough patches of road ahead. 

If you see the tail lights of the vehicle ahead of you bounce up and down, you can tell that they’ve just driven over a bump or irregularity in the pavement. 

This will allow you to prepare and adjust your speed or lane positioning as necessary. 

You can find more information about this topic in the motorcycle rider’s handbook.

Check out more motorcycle permit test questions and answers here.

Find in-depth articles for new riders in our section dedicated to learning how to ride a motorcycle.

Plus, check out an overview of the requirements to get a motorcycle endorsement in each state.