Delaware Motorcycle Permit Test cheat sheet

The right hand controls the front brake and throttle; the left hand controls the clutch and turn signals; the right foot operates the rear brake; the left foot operates the gear shifter.

The T-CLOCS inspection covers Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, and Stands - check all six before every ride.

Tire check: cold tire pressure at the manufacturer's spec, at least 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) tread depth, no cracks, and no embedded objects.

Chain slack is measured at the midpoint of the lower run; adjust to the owner's manual spec - too tight damages the countershaft bearing, too loose risks derailment.

Check brake fluid level, lever and pedal free play, and that the brake light illuminates when the front lever or rear pedal is applied.

With the engine off and the bike upright, turn the handlebars lock to lock to confirm cables and wiring do not bind or pull.

Cold-start procedure: fuel valve ON, choke or fast idle as needed, clutch held, transmission in neutral, then press the starter.

Before moving, verify the sidestand is fully retracted; many bikes cut ignition if the clutch is released with the stand down in gear.

The friction zone is the range of clutch lever travel where power begins to transfer; keeping the lever partly engaged at low speed gives smooth control.

At low speed, use clutch slip and rear brake together to modulate speed; the front brake alone at walking pace risks a tip-over.

Countersteering: above roughly 12-15 mph, press forward on the grip in the direction of the intended turn to initiate lean.

Look through the turn to its exit - the motorcycle follows the rider's head and eyes, so target fixation on a hazard steers you toward it.

Slow, look, press, roll: the four-step cornering sequence - reduce speed before the curve, look to the exit, press the grip, then roll on throttle smoothly.

In a curve, brake before the entry; if you must brake mid-corner, use both brakes smoothly and progressively to avoid upsetting the chassis.

The rear brake is used for slow-speed maneuvering and to stabilize the bike; the front brake provides most of the stopping power at speed.

When stopping, downshift through the gears to first so the bike is in the correct gear if you need to accelerate suddenly.

Ride in the left portion of your lane to be visible in a driver's side mirror and to increase your line of sight past the vehicle ahead.

The three-second following rule: pick a fixed object and count three seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it; add a second for rain and more for poor visibility.

Lane positioning is dynamic - shift within your lane as conditions change (intersections, merging traffic, parked cars, oncoming traffic).

Cover the clutch and both brakes when approaching intersections, driveways, or any situation where a hazard could appear.

Before changing lanes, check mirrors, signal, and turn your head to check the blind spot - mirrors alone leave a gap beside the bike.

Avoid riding in a vehicle's blind spot; if you cannot see the driver's face in their mirror, they likely cannot see you.

At intersections, do not assume a left-turning driver sees you; reduce speed, cover the brakes, and be ready to swerve or stop.

Ride sober and alert: alcohol, drugs (including some prescriptions), and fatigue all degrade judgment, balance, and reaction time.

Large trucks have deep blind spots directly behind, alongside the cab, and on both sides; if you cannot see the driver's mirror, they cannot see you.

Never ride between a large vehicle and the curb or in the space a truck needs to complete a wide right turn - the rear wheels track inside the front wheels.

When passing a large vehicle, do so quickly and completely; do not linger alongside, and expect turbulence and a vacuum effect as you pass.

Leave extra following distance behind large vehicles - they block your view and their stopping distance is much greater than a motorcycle's.

Watch for left-turning vehicles at intersections: a driver turning across your path is a leading cause of motorcycle crashes - slow and cover the brakes.

Ride with headlights on day and night and wear bright, high-visibility gear to increase your conspicuousness to other drivers.

At railroad crossings, cross at a right angle and never stop on the tracks; wet steel rails reduce traction sharply.

Expect gravel, sand, oil, and wet leaves in the center of the lane and at intersections - the center of the lane often holds the slickest surface.

Alcohol impairs balance, judgment, and reaction time before a rider reaches the legal limit; riding under the influence is illegal in every state.

Fatigue slows reaction time and can cause micro-sleeps; if you feel drowsy, stop and rest - caffeine and cold air are not substitutes for sleep.

Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs (antihistamines, sleep aids) cause drowsiness; check labels and consult a pharmacist before riding.

The two primary crash-avoidance tools are swerving and braking; practice both so the response is automatic when a hazard appears.

Swerve: keep the bike upright, press the grip in the direction of the swerve, and do not brake while swerving - braking and swerving together can cause a skid.

Emergency braking: apply both brakes firmly and progressively, keeping the front wheel straight and the bike upright to maximize stopping force.

If a front-wheel skid occurs, release the front brake smoothly and re-apply; if the rear wheel skids, keep the rear brake applied and hold the bike straight.

In a curve, if you enter too fast, look through the turn and lean more; if you must brake, do so smoothly and progressively to avoid a slide.

Intersection crashes are the most common motorcycle crash type; reduce speed, scan left-right-left, and cover the brakes on approach.

A leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes is running wide on a curve - enter at a speed that lets you stay in your lane through the exit.

Ride as if you are invisible: assume other drivers have not seen you and position yourself where you can be seen and where you have an escape path.

When a hazard appears, the sequence is: identify, decide (brake or swerve), and act - do not freeze; practice makes the decision fast.

Wet roads, painted lines, metal grates, and manhole covers offer poor traction; reduce lean angle and brake gently over them.

Never ride between lanes of moving traffic (lane splitting/filtering) unless your state's law expressly permits it.

Alcohol is a factor in a large share of fatal motorcycle crashes; even one drink raises risk - the only safe riding decision is not to ride after drinking.

If you must choose between swerving and braking when a hazard is close, swerving is often faster - but the correct choice depends on the situation and your practice.

Check the headlight high and low beams, taillight, brake light, and both turn signals before every ride.

Verify the throttle returns to idle freely and does not stick; a sticking throttle is a serious safety defect.

Check the clutch and brake levers for smooth operation and correct free play; a spongy brake lever signals air in the line.

Inspect the tires for cuts, bulges, and embedded objects, and confirm the valve caps are present and tight.

Check the oil level with the bike upright on level ground per the owner's manual; low oil can cause engine damage.

Verify the mirrors are adjusted so you can see behind and to the sides without moving your head more than a glance.

Check that the sidestand springs return fully and that the sidestand switch (if equipped) cuts the engine when the stand is down in gear.

U-turns and tight turns: use the friction zone, keep the throttle steady, drag the rear brake, and look through the turn to the exit.

When starting from a stop, release the clutch smoothly into the friction zone while adding throttle to avoid stalling or lurching.

When stopping on a hill, hold the rear brake to keep the bike from rolling; release it only as you add throttle and engage the clutch.

Practice emergency stops in a straight line: apply both brakes firmly, keep the front wheel straight, and downshift as you slow.

At intersections, do not stop in the center of the lane where oil and debris collect; stop where you can be seen and have an escape path.

When riding over an obstacle, rise slightly off the seat, keep the throttle steady, and cross at a right angle to reduce impact.

Ride in the lane position that gives you the best view and the best escape path - there is no single correct lane position for all situations.

Increase following distance in rain, at night, and behind vehicles that block your view; three seconds is a minimum in good conditions.

When approaching a curve, reduce speed before the entry and roll on the throttle smoothly through the turn.

Signal your intentions early and cancel your turn signal after completing the maneuver.

Avoid riding in the center of the lane behind a vehicle that may be leaking oil or fluid.

When passing parked cars, watch for doors opening and pedestrians stepping out; give parked cars extra clearance.

When following a large truck, stay far enough back that you can see its mirrors and it can see you.

Do not ride in a truck's blind spot alongside the cab; pass quickly and completely.

Expect a truck's rear wheels to track inside its front wheels on a turn; never ride in that space.

At railroad crossings, cross at a right angle and never stop on the tracks.

Watch for gravel, sand, and oil at intersections and in the center of the lane.

Ride with headlights on and wear bright, high-visibility gear to be seen.

Alcohol impairs balance, judgment, and reaction time before the legal limit is reached.

Fatigue causes micro-sleeps; stop and rest rather than pushing through drowsiness.

Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs cause drowsiness; check labels before riding.

The two primary crash-avoidance tools are swerving and braking; practice both.

Swerve without braking; braking and swerving together can cause a skid.

Emergency braking: apply both brakes firmly and progressively with the bike upright.

If the front wheel skids, release the front brake smoothly and re-apply.

In a curve, if you enter too fast, look through the turn and lean more; brake smoothly if needed.

Intersection crashes are the most common motorcycle crash type; reduce speed and scan on approach.

Running wide on a curve is a leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes.

Ride as if you are invisible and position yourself where you can be seen.

When a hazard appears: identify, decide (brake or swerve), and act.

Wet roads, painted lines, metal grates, and manhole covers offer poor traction; reduce lean and brake gently.

Do not lane split unless your state's law expressly permits it.

Alcohol is a factor in a large share of fatal motorcycle crashes; do not ride after drinking.

If a hazard is close, swerving is often faster than braking - but the correct choice depends on the situation and your practice.