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100+ Free North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Practice Questions

Pass your North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Knowledge Test (Class M) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Exam

25

Multiple-Choice Questions

North Dakota DOT

80% (20/25)

Passing Score

North Dakota DOT

$5 / $8 / $5

Knowledge / Permit / Road Test Fees

NDDOT 2026

14 years

Minimum Age for Class M Learner's Permit

North Dakota DOT

The North Dakota DOT motorcycle knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly (80%) to pass. The knowledge test costs $5 per attempt, the motorcycle permit costs $8, and the road test costs $5. All questions come from the North Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, which uses the MSF curriculum. North Dakota law (NDCC 39-10.2-06) requires helmets for riders under 18 and all motorcycle permit holders. The BAC limit is 0.08% for riders 21 and older and 0.02% for riders under 21, lane splitting is illegal, and an MSF Basic RiderCourse card dated within one year waives the NDDOT skills test.

Sample North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which control is operated by your right hand on a typical motorcycle?
A.The clutch lever
B.The throttle and the front brake lever
C.The rear brake pedal
D.The gear shifter
Explanation: On a standard motorcycle, the right hand operates both the throttle (by twisting the grip) and the front brake lever in front of the grip. The left hand works the clutch lever, the left foot the gear shifter, and the right foot the rear brake pedal.
2Which control is operated by your left hand on a typical motorcycle?
A.The throttle
B.The clutch lever
C.The front brake lever
D.The rear brake pedal
Explanation: The left hand operates the clutch lever, which disengages power from the engine to the rear wheel so you can shift gears or come to a stop. The right hand controls throttle and the front brake.
3What does the acronym T-CLOCS stand for in a pre-ride inspection?
A.Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands
B.Throttle, Clutch, Lights, Oil, Cables, Steering
C.Tires, Cables, Lights, Operation, Chains, Speed
D.Tank, Carburetor, Lights, Oil, Clutch, Switches
Explanation: T-CLOCS is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's pre-ride checklist: Tires and wheels, Controls (levers, pedal, cables, hoses, throttle), Lights and electrics, Oil and other fluids, Chassis (frame, suspension, chain/belt, fasteners), and Stands. Running T-CLOCS before every ride catches problems before they cause a crash.
4Under North Dakota law (NDCC 39-10.2-06), who is required to wear a motorcycle helmet?
A.All motorcycle operators and passengers, regardless of age
B.Only passengers, never operators
C.Riders under 18 and all motorcycle permit holders, plus their passengers
D.Helmets are optional for every rider in North Dakota
Explanation: NDCC 39-10.2-06 requires any rider or passenger under 18 to wear a DOT-approved helmet. North Dakota also requires every Class M learner's-permit holder to wear a helmet at all times, along with any passenger they carry. Fully licensed adult riders are exempt from the state requirement but still strongly encouraged to wear one.
5What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for motorcycle operators 21 and older in North Dakota?
A.0.05%
B.0.08%
C.0.10%
D.0.15%
Explanation: North Dakota's per-se BAC limit for drivers and motorcycle operators 21 and older is 0.08%. At or above 0.08% you can be charged with driving under the influence regardless of how impaired you appear, and a motorcycle's balance demands make any alcohol especially dangerous.
6What is North Dakota's BAC limit for motorcycle operators under 21?
A.0.08% — the same as adults
B.0.05%
C.0.02%
D.0.10%
Explanation: North Dakota sets a 0.02% BAC limit for operators under 21 under its zero-tolerance law. Any measurable amount of alcohol at or above 0.02% can result in DUI charges and license suspension for an under-21 rider, even on a first offense.
7Is lane splitting (riding between lanes of moving or stopped traffic) legal in North Dakota?
A.Yes, at any speed
B.Yes, only when traffic is stopped
C.No — North Dakota prohibits operating a motorcycle between lanes or between adjacent rows of vehicles
D.Yes, only on interstates
Explanation: North Dakota law prohibits operating a motorcycle in a way that deprives other vehicles of full use of their lane. Lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal statewide. Two motorcycles may, however, ride side-by-side within a single lane if both operators consent.
8What is counter-steering and when do you use it?
A.Steering opposite the intended direction; used at very low speeds for U-turns
B.Pressing forward on the handgrip on the side you want to turn toward; used at speeds above roughly 10-12 mph
C.Leaning the bike without using the handlebars at all
D.Turning the front wheel sharply in the direction of the turn at any speed
Explanation: Above about 10-12 mph a motorcycle turns by counter-steering: you press forward on the handgrip on the side you want to lean toward (press right, lean right; press left, lean left). The bike falls into a controlled lean. Below 10-12 mph riders steer the handlebars directly.
9The MSF cornering process is called SLPR. What do the letters stand for?
A.Slow, Look, Press, Roll
B.Stop, Listen, Push, Ride
C.Signal, Lean, Pause, React
D.Stop, Look, Pass, Return
Explanation: SLPR is the MSF-based cornering process taught in North Dakota: Slow (reduce speed before the curve using both brakes), Look (turn your head to where you want to go), Press (counter-steer by pressing the handgrip on the inside of the turn), and Roll (smoothly roll on the throttle through and out of the curve).
10What does the SIPDE crash-avoidance strategy stand for?
A.Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
B.Stop, Inspect, Push, Drive, Exit
C.Signal, Inspect, Plan, Decide, Engage
D.See, Initiate, Press, Drive, Evaluate
Explanation: SIPDE is the MSF strategy for managing risk in traffic: Scan ahead and around, Identify potential hazards, Predict how they could become problems, Decide what action to take, and Execute that action smoothly. The simplified version is SEE: Search, Evaluate, Execute.

About the North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Exam

The North Dakota DOT motorcycle knowledge test is the written exam you must pass to earn a Class M motorcycle permit or endorsement on your North Dakota driver license. It contains 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the North Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual, which is based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) curriculum. The test covers controls, T-CLOCS inspection, counter-steering, the SLPR cornering process, the SIPDE/SEE strategy, lane positions, and North Dakota-specific laws on helmets (NDCC 39-10.2-06), lane sharing, and impaired riding. Applicants must answer at least 20 of 25 questions correctly to pass, a score of 80%. A current Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse (BRC) completion card dated within one year waives the on-cycle skills (road) test at the NDDOT.

Questions

25 scored questions

Time Limit

No strict time limit at most North Dakota driver license sites

Passing Score

80% (20 of 25 questions correct)

Exam Fee

$5 knowledge test attempt, $8 motorcycle permit, $5 road test (North Dakota Department of Transportation)

North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Exam Content Outline

Section 1

Motorcycle Controls and Pre-Ride Inspection

Primary controls (throttle, clutch, front/rear brakes), instruments, the T-CLOCS pre-ride checklist, and DOT-approved protective gear

Section 2

Basic Riding Skills

Proper body position, throttle and clutch coordination, smooth shifting, starting from a stop, and stopping using both brakes

Section 3

Cornering, Braking and Crash Avoidance

Counter-steering above 10-12 mph, the SLPR cornering process (Slow-Look-Press-Roll), maximum braking, swerving, and quick stops on curves

Section 4

Lane Use, Visibility and SIPDE/SEE

Lane positions 1, 2 and 3, the two-second (12-second visual lead) following rule, hand signals, staggered group formation, and SIPDE/SEE crash-avoidance strategies

Section 5

North Dakota Laws and Road Hazards

ND helmet law under NDCC 39-10.2-06 (under-18 riders and all motorcycle permit holders), lane-splitting prohibition, daylight-only permit rule, prairie crosswinds, gravel rural roads, deer strikes, sudden plains storms, and oil-patch truck traffic

How to Pass the North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% (20 of 25 questions correct)
  • Exam length: 25 questions
  • Time limit: No strict time limit at most North Dakota driver license sites
  • Exam fee: $5 knowledge test attempt, $8 motorcycle permit, $5 road test

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

North Dakota DOT Motorcycle Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the North Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual cover to cover — every test question is drawn from it
2Memorize the T-CLOCS pre-ride check (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands) and the SIPDE/SEE crash-avoidance strategy
3Learn NDCC 39-10.2-06 cold: helmets required for any rider under 18 and for every motorcycle permit holder, plus their passengers
4Know the BAC limits: 0.08% for riders 21+, 0.02% for riders under 21, and 0.04% for commercial drivers
5Enroll in the North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program Basic RiderCourse — a current MSF card waives the NDDOT road test

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the North Dakota motorcycle knowledge test?

The North Dakota DOT motorcycle knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the North Dakota Motorcycle Operator Manual. The manual is based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) curriculum and is published by the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

What score do I need to pass the North Dakota motorcycle permit test?

You must answer at least 20 of 25 questions correctly, a passing score of 80%. The same standard applies whether you are testing for a Class M motorcycle learner's permit or a motorcycle endorsement on an existing North Dakota driver license.

How much does the North Dakota motorcycle permit cost?

The NDDOT charges $5 per knowledge test attempt, $8 for the motorcycle permit itself, and $5 for the road (skills) test. Completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse and presenting a card dated within one year waives the road test.

Do I have to wear a helmet to ride a motorcycle in North Dakota?

Under NDCC 39-10.2-06, any rider or passenger under 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet, and so must every motorcycle learner's-permit holder regardless of age, along with their passengers. Fully licensed adult riders are not required by state law to wear a helmet, but the NDDOT and NHTSA strongly recommend it.

Is eye protection required for motorcycle riders in North Dakota?

North Dakota state law does not require eye protection for adult motorcycle operators. Riders are still strongly encouraged to use a face shield, goggles, or safety glasses, and the MSF Basic RiderCourse requires eye protection during training. Eye protection is required for many off-highway vehicle operators by separate statute.

Is lane splitting legal for motorcyclists in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota law prohibits riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles, so lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal statewide. Two motorcycles may, however, ride side-by-side in a single lane (staggered or paired) when both operators consent.

What is the BAC limit for motorcycle riders in North Dakota?

North Dakota's per-se BAC limit is 0.08% for motorcycle operators 21 and older. Riders under 21 are subject to a 0.02% BAC limit under the state's zero-tolerance law, and commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. Even small amounts of alcohol significantly degrade balance, judgment, and reaction time on a motorcycle.