Minnesota Motorcycle Permit Test

If you are not riding slowly enough when shifting into a lower gear, the motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid.

In Minnesota, all motorcycles are required to be equipped with a rearview mirror, a horn, a muffler, one or two headlights, one red taillight, and at least one brake. If the motorcycle has a seat designed or suitable for use by a passenger, it must also have footrests or floorboards for the passenger.

The owner's manual should be your primary source of information about your specific type of motorcycle. Be sure to read the manual before operating your motorcycle for the first time.

You should use your low beam headlight when riding in foggy conditions. Do not use your high beams when riding near other vehicles.

Your horn can be a useful tool if you need to get someone's attention quickly. However, because a motorcycle's horn is not as loud as a car's, other drivers may not notice that you are sounding your horn. You should never rely only on your horn to deal with a hazard.

You should stay well behind the vehicle in front of you, even when you are both stopped. This will give you room to escape if the vehicle backs up unexpectedly or if another vehicle approaches too quickly from behind.

A well-chosen lane position should increase your ability to see and be seen and keep you out of other drivers' blind spots. It should help you avoid surface hazards, protect your lane from other drivers, communicate your intentions to others, help you avoid wind blasts from other vehicles, and offer you an escape route from any hazards that may arise.

Wet pavement; roads covered in loose gravel or sand; muddy, snowy, or icy areas; painted lane markings; and metal covers and plates in the road can be slippery surfaces. Motorcyclists should ride with extra caution when riding over slippery surfaces.