Alaska Motorcycle Permit Test cheat sheet

Right hand controls the front brake lever and throttle; left hand controls the clutch lever and turn-signal/horn/dimmer switches.

Right foot operates the rear brake pedal; left foot operates the shift lever (1-N-2-3-4-5 pattern on most street bikes).

The T-CLOCS checklist covers Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, and Stands.

Check tire pressure and tread when tires are cold; look for cuts, embedded objects, and sidewall cracks.

Verify throttle snaps back freely and clutch and brake levers have correct free play before every ride.

Test both brake lights, headlight high/low beam, turn signals, and horn before riding.

Check chain or belt slack and lubrication, and confirm the rear axle adjusters are evenly set.

Confirm mirrors are clean and adjusted so each shows a sliver of your shoulder and the lane behind.

A DOT-compliant helmet is the minimum legal standard; a Snell or ECE rating indicates additional independent testing.

Helmet fit rule: the shell should not move independently of the scalp when the chin strap is fastened and the head is shaken.

Replace a helmet after any crash in which it struck a surface, and typically after about five years of use.

A face shield or goggles protect the eyes; windshields alone do not meet eye-protection requirements in most states.

Jackets and pants of abrasion-resistant leather or textile reduce road rash; armor at shoulders, elbows, and knees adds impact protection.

Full-fingered gloves protect hands and improve grip; boots that cover the ankle protect against foot and ankle injuries.

Bright or reflective outer layers increase conspicuity; retroreflective material is most effective at night.

Hearing protection reduces wind noise but must not block the sounds of traffic, horns, or sirens.

Countersteering: at speeds above roughly 10-15 mph, press the grip on the side you want to turn toward to initiate the lean.

In a slow-speed turn, keep the clutch in the friction zone, use the rear brake for speed control, and turn the head to look through the corner.

Braking rule: apply both brakes at once; the front brake provides most of the stopping power as weight shifts forward.

Squeeze the front brake progressively rather than grabbing it, to avoid locking the front wheel.

The friction zone is the range of clutch lever travel where power begins to engage; it is used for slow-speed control.

Look where you want to go: target fixation on a hazard causes the motorcycle to drift toward it.

When stopped on a hill, hold the motorcycle with the rear brake while using the throttle and clutch to pull away.

At intersections, stop in a position where you can see and be seen, and keep the motorcycle in first gear with an escape path in mind.

Following-distance rule: at least a 2-second gap in ideal conditions; add one second for each additional adverse factor (rain, darkness, gravel, or a following vehicle that blocks your view).

Lane position 1 (left third) improves visibility and being seen; position 2 (center) is often slick with oil drips; position 3 (right third) is useful near oncoming left-turners.

The center of a lane accumulates oil and is most slippery when wet; avoid it at intersections and toll plazas.

Scan 12 seconds ahead and check mirrors every few seconds; maintain a space cushion on all four sides.

Pass only when you can see far enough ahead to complete the pass; do not linger beside another vehicle in its blind spot.

When being passed, hold your lane position and speed; do not accelerate or move toward the passing vehicle.

Use the SIPDE process: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.

At night, reduce speed and increase following distance because visibility and reaction margins shrink.

Motorcycles are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot; ride where the driver's mirrors can see you, and avoid lingering alongside a car.

Left-turning vehicles across your path are a leading cause of motorcycle-vehicle crashes; cover the brakes and be ready to swerve or stop.

Large trucks have blind spots directly behind, directly in front, and along both sides; if you cannot see the truck's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

Stay out of the space a truck needs for a wide right turn, and never pass a truck on the right as it turns.

When following a large vehicle, stay far enough back to see its mirrors and to be seen.

At intersections, watch for vehicles entering from side streets and driveways; a driver looking past you may pull out.

Ride with your headlight on to increase conspicuity; flashing the high beam or using the horn can alert inattentive drivers.

Signal lane changes early and check mirrors and blind spots before moving; do not assume a driver has seen your turn signal.

In Alaska, a person is legally impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, and at 0.04% or higher for commercial drivers.

Alaska's Implied Consent law requires a driver to submit to a chemical test after a lawful arrest; refusal carries license revocation.

Alcohol slows reaction time, impairs balance, and reduces judgment and vision, all of which are critical on a motorcycle.

Riding under the influence of any impairing substance, including prescription or over-the-counter drugs, is illegal.

A first DUI conviction in Alaska carries jail time, fines, license revocation, and required treatment or education.

Time, not coffee, food, or cold air, is the only thing that reduces blood alcohol concentration.

Combining alcohol with other drugs, including marijuana, increases impairment more than either alone.

If you have been drinking, do not ride; arrange a sober ride or stay put.

Red octagon means stop; a red triangle with a white center means yield.

Yellow diamond signs warn of hazards ahead; orange signs mark construction and work zones.

White rectangular signs carry regulatory information such as speed limits and lane-use rules; green signs give guidance and destinations.

A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe.

A solid white line marks the right edge or separates lanes in the same direction; a broken white line separates same-direction lanes where changing lanes is allowed.

A double solid yellow line means no passing in either direction; a double line with one broken side allows passing only for the side with the broken line.

A flashing red signal means stop and proceed when safe; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

At a steady yellow light, stop if you can do so safely; do not accelerate to beat the light.

Pavement markings such as arrows and crosswalks indicate required lane use and pedestrian zones.

Alaska requires a motorcycle endorsement (or a motorcycle-only license) to operate a motorcycle on public roads.

To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, applicants must pass a knowledge test and a skills test or an approved rider-training course.

Alaska law requires all riders and passengers to wear a DOT-compliant helmet.

A motorcycle may not carry more than one passenger unless the motorcycle is designed for more, and the passenger must have a seat and footrests.

Lane splitting is not permitted in Alaska; a motorcycle may not share a lane with another vehicle except another motorcycle.

Motorcyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other vehicles, including speed limits, signals, and right-of-way rules.

A motorcycle must have a headlight, taillight, brake light, turn signals, horn, and mirrors as required by law.

Riders must carry a valid license and registration and must show proof of insurance when requested.

Passengers under a certain age must wear a helmet, and children must be able to reach the footrests and hold on securely.

When a front tire locks, release the front brake lever smoothly and reapply; when the rear locks, keep it locked and steer straight until stopped.

If a tire goes flat, hold the bars firmly, ease off the throttle, and brake gently; do not grab the brakes.

In a swerve, separate braking from swerving; brake first, then release and swerve, or swerve without braking.

In rain, reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid painted lines, metal grates, and the center of the lane where oil collects.

Cross gravel, sand, or debris with the motorcycle upright, steady throttle, and no sudden braking or turning.

In strong crosswinds, lean into the wind and be prepared for gusts when passing trucks or leaving sheltered areas.

On wet or icy roads, avoid sudden control inputs and use gentle, progressive braking.

If you must ride over an obstacle, approach it at a right angle, rise slightly off the seat, and roll the throttle on to lighten the front.

When an animal enters the road, slow down and stay in your lane rather than swerving into oncoming traffic.