Arizona Motorcycle Permit Test cheat sheet

Pre-ride check order: tires and wheels, controls and cables, lights and mirrors, oil and fluids, chassis and chain or belt, stands - the T-CLOCS categories.

Tire check: measure cold pressure with a gauge, confirm at least 1/16 inch (2/32 inch on some tires) of tread depth, and look for cuts, bulges, or embedded objects.

Chain or belt check: 1/2 to 1 inch of slack on most chains, measured at the midpoint between sprockets, plus correct lubrication and no kinks or missing O-rings.

Control layout: right hand grip twists for throttle and holds the front brake lever; right foot operates the rear brake pedal; left hand holds the clutch lever and turn signal switch; left foot shifts gears.

Shift pattern on most motorcycles is one down and the rest up (1-N-2-3-4-5-6); neutral sits between first and second gear.

Friction zone: the band of clutch lever travel where the clutch partially engages; it is used for low-speed control and starts on an incline.

Countersteering: at speeds above roughly 12 mph, pressing the grip in the direction of the desired turn causes the bike to lean and turn that way.

Turn signals on most motorcycles are not self-canceling; the rider must manually cancel after completing the turn or lane change.

Arizona requires every rider and passenger to wear a DOT-compliant helmet; riders under 18 must wear a helmet regardless of any other rule.

Eye protection is required unless the motorcycle has a windshield; goggles, a face shield, or shatter-resistant glasses satisfy the requirement.

Helmet fit rule: the helmet should be snug enough that the skin on the forehead moves with the helmet when the chin strap is tightened.

High-visibility gear rule: bright colors, reflective material on the jacket and helmet, and retroreflective piping increase detection at night and in rain.

Passenger rule: the motorcycle must have a permanent passenger seat and foot pegs; the passenger must sit facing forward with feet on the pegs.

Load rule: keep cargo low, centered, and within the manufacturer's weight limit; secure it so it cannot shift into the wheel, chain, or controls.

Tire pressure must be adjusted upward for a passenger or heavy load according to the owner's manual; underinflation causes heat buildup and blowouts.

Arizona law requires a rearview mirror and a horn; a motorcycle must also have at least one headlight, taillight, and brake light.

Arizona does not permit lane splitting; a motorcycle may not share a lane with another vehicle except another motorcycle, and even then only two abreast.

Ride in the left third of the lane to be seen in the driver's side mirror and to keep an escape path to the shoulder or adjacent lane.

Avoid riding in the center of the lane when oil drips accumulate there, especially at intersections and toll booths.

Following distance rule: at least 2 seconds in ideal conditions, 3 seconds at night or in rain, and 4 or more seconds on gravel or wet pavement.

Position for visibility: stay out of blind spots, and when passing a large truck, move through the blind spot quickly rather than lingering alongside.

Use the high beam during the day on rural roads to increase contrast; switch to low beam at night when following or meeting traffic.

Conspicuity aids: a bright helmet, reflective vest, and modulating headlight (where legal) increase the chance of being seen at intersections.

When stopped behind a vehicle, position the bike slightly to one side of the lane so the rider has an escape route and the driver ahead can see the bike in the mirror.

Braking rule: apply both brakes simultaneously, with more force on the front brake as weight transfers forward; the front provides most stopping power on dry pavement.

Progressive squeeze: apply the front brake lever smoothly and increasingly rather than grabbing it, to avoid locking the front wheel.

Locked front wheel recovery: release the front brake lever immediately; the bike will straighten and regain balance once the wheel rolls again.

Locked rear wheel: keep the rear brake applied and hold the handlebars straight until stopped; releasing a locked rear wheel while moving can cause a high side.

Swerve rule: separate braking from swerving - brake first, release the brakes, then swerve; do not brake while the bike is leaned into a swerve.

Swerve technique: push the grip on the side you want to go, keep the bike leaned, and look through the gap to the exit.

Cornering emergency: if you enter a curve too fast, apply both brakes smoothly while the bike is upright, then release and lean; if you must, lean further and look through the curve.

Stopping distance grows with speed squared; doubling speed roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop.

Cornering sequence: slow before the curve, look through the curve to the exit, lean into the turn, and roll on the throttle smoothly once the lean is set.

Apex rule: enter wide, touch the inside near the apex, and exit wide; this straightens the curve and preserves traction.

Look rule: the motorcycle goes where the rider looks; turn the head to the exit of the curve rather than staring at the road directly ahead.

Traction budget: braking, accelerating, and leaning all use the same tire grip; do not add lean and braking force at the same time on a slick surface.

Wet surface: reduce speed, increase following distance, avoid painted lines and metal grates, and brake earlier and more gently.

Gravel or sand: keep the throttle steady, avoid sudden braking or steering, and ride straight through rather than swerving.

Railroad tracks: cross at as close to a 90-degree angle as possible and rise slightly off the seat to absorb the jolt.

Tar snakes and grooved pavement: reduce lean angle, keep a light grip on the bars, and avoid abrupt inputs.

Arizona legal limit: 0.08 percent BAC for riders 21 and older; a rider under 21 is subject to a zero-tolerance standard of 0.00 percent.

Implied consent: a rider arrested for DUI is deemed to consent to a blood, breath, or urine test; refusing can result in license suspension.

Alcohol effects: it slows reaction time, reduces balance and coordination, narrows peripheral vision, and impairs judgment of speed and distance.

Fatigue rule: stop and rest at the first signs of drowsiness - yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting, or missing an exit; caffeine and cold air do not substitute for sleep.

Medication caution: check labels for drowsiness warnings; antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and some pain relievers impair riding even at prescribed doses.

Impairment is not limited to alcohol; cannabis, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs can all support a DUI charge in Arizona.

Rider fatigue risk rises on long highway stretches; take a break at least every 2 hours and avoid riding more than 8 to 10 hours in a day.

If a rider feels impaired, the only safe choice is not to ride; arrange a ride, call a taxi, or stay put.

Truck blind spots: a large truck has no-zones directly behind the trailer, alongside the cab, and in front of the bumper; if you cannot see the driver's mirror, the driver cannot see you.

Truck turning rule: large trucks swing wide before turning; never pass a truck on the right when it is signaling a turn.

Following a truck: stay back far enough to see the driver's mirrors, and be aware that debris and tire tread can come off the trailer.

Passing rule: pass quickly and completely, and do not re-enter the lane until you can see the front of the passed vehicle in your mirror.

Intersection rule: watch for left-turning vehicles; a motorcycle's narrow profile makes it hard to judge speed and distance, so cover the brakes and be ready to swerve.

Crosswind and turbulence: expect buffeting when passing or being passed by large vehicles; grip the tank with the knees and keep a light hold on the bars.

Animals and debris: scan the road edges for animals and fallen objects, and avoid swerving into traffic to miss small debris.

Door zone: ride outside the door zone of parked cars to avoid being hit by an opening door.

Right-of-way rule: a vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right; a motorcycle is a full vehicle for this rule.

Stop rule: a steady red light means stop at the limit line or before the crosswalk; a right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.

Four-way stop rule: the first vehicle to arrive goes first; if two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.

Sign shapes: octagon means stop, inverted triangle means yield, diamond means warning, and a pennant means no-passing zone.

Signals: a flashing red is treated as a stop sign; a flashing yellow means proceed with caution; a steady yellow means stop unless stopping is unsafe.

School bus rule: stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm in both directions unless separated by a median.

Emergency vehicle rule: pull to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren; do not block an intersection.

Pedestrian rule: yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

Arizona requires a class M endorsement on the driver license to operate a motorcycle; a learner permit requires the rider to be at least 16 and to ride only during daylight hours.

Helmet law: all riders and passengers must wear a DOT-approved helmet, regardless of age, in Arizona.

Required equipment: one headlight, taillight, brake light, horn, rearview mirror, and a muffler that meets noise limits; turn signals are required if the bike was manufactured with them.

Handlebar height rule: handlebars may not be raised above shoulder height when the rider is seated.

Footrest rule: the motorcycle must have footrests for the operator and for any passenger carried.

Passenger rule: a passenger under 18 must wear a helmet, and a passenger must have a seat and foot pegs designed for carrying a passenger.

License plate must be visible and unobstructed, mounted where it can be read from behind.

Insurance rule: Arizona requires liability insurance; riders must be able to show proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement.

Headlight rule: a motorcycle must have at least one headlight that is on whenever the motorcycle is operated; daytime headlight use is required in Arizona.

Brake light rule: the brake light must be red and visible from at least 300 feet behind the motorcycle in normal daylight.

Turn signal rule: signals must be visible from at least 300 feet in daylight and must flash at a rate of 60 to 120 times per minute.

Mirror rule: at least one mirror must provide a view of the road behind for at least 200 feet.

Horn rule: the horn must be audible from at least 200 feet away.

Tire rule: tires must have at least 1/16 inch of tread depth and no visible damage; tires must be properly inflated.

Exhaust rule: the muffler must be in good working order and must not be modified to increase noise above legal limits.

Inspection rule: a motorcycle must pass a safety inspection if required by the state, and the rider must carry registration and proof of insurance.

Speed limit rule: obey the posted limit; in a school zone the limit is 15 mph when children are present unless otherwise posted.

Lane use rule: a motorcycle may use a full lane; two motorcycles may share a lane only if both riders agree and the lane is wide enough.

Following rule: do not follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when it is responding to an emergency.

Parking rule: park a motorcycle at an angle to the curb where permitted, and do not block a sidewalk or crosswalk.

Alcohol rule: a rider with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is DUI; a rider under 21 with any alcohol in the system is subject to zero tolerance.

Seat belt and child restraint rules do not apply to motorcycles, but helmet and eye protection rules do.

Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections: yield to the vehicle on the right, and yield to vehicles already in the intersection.

Signal rule: signal at least 100 feet before a turn and continue signaling until the turn is complete.

Front brake use: on dry pavement the front brake provides about 70 percent of stopping power; practice progressive squeeze to avoid lockup.

Rear brake use: use the rear brake for low-speed control and for stabilizing the bike in a slow turn; it provides less stopping power than the front.

Wet braking: reduce front brake force, increase following distance, and brake earlier and more gently.

Swerve and brake separation: brake before the swerve, release the brakes, swerve, then brake again after the swerve is complete.

Cornering correction: if you are too fast in a curve, look through the curve, lean more, and roll on the throttle smoothly; do not grab the brakes while leaned.

Obstacle rule: if you must hit an object, hit it at a right angle with the front wheel and rise slightly off the seat.

Skid recovery: keep the handlebars straight and look where you want to go; do not fight the bars.

Practice rule: emergency braking and swerving should be practiced in a safe, empty lot before they are needed in traffic.