New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Test flashcards
New Mexico Motorcycle Permit Test · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- T-CLOCS inspection
- A pre-ride checklist covering Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and fluids, Chassis, and Stands. Working through it in order catches failures before they become crashes.
- Friction zone
- The range of clutch lever travel where the clutch partly engages. Riders use it to start smoothly and to control the motorcycle at walking speed without stalling.
- Engine cut-off switch
- A switch on the right handlebar that stops the engine. It must be in the RUN position for the starter to work, and riders use it as an emergency shutdown.
- DOT helmet requirement
- New Mexico requires every rider and passenger to wear a helmet meeting federal safety standards. Eye protection is also required unless the motorcycle has a windshield.
- Countersteering
- Above walking speed, pressing the grip on the side you want to go toward makes the motorcycle lean and turn that way. It is the primary steering input for curves and swerves.
- Braking on pavement
- Apply both brakes at the same time and squeeze the front brake progressively, since it provides most stopping power. Keep the front wheel straight and the bike upright.
- Lane position choice
- The left third gives the best view of oncoming traffic and makes you more visible; the center third collects oil drips. Position is chosen for each situation, not fixed.
- Low-speed turning
- At walking speed, turn the handlebars toward the turn and keep the bike more upright. Above walking speed, lean the bike and press the grip instead.
- 2-second following rule
- Pick a fixed object ahead; if you reach it before counting two seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it, you are too close. Add a second at night or in rain.
- Lane splitting in New Mexico
- Riding between moving traffic lanes is not authorized in New Mexico. Riders stay within a single lane and do not ride side by side with another motorcycle.
- Intersection scanning
- Intersections are the highest-risk spot. Scan left-right-left before entering and watch for left-turning vehicles that may cross your path.
- Blind spot check
- Mirrors leave gaps, so turn your head to check the blind spot before changing lanes. If you can see a driver's face in the mirror, you are more likely visible.
- Completing a pass
- Pass promptly, avoid riding beside the vehicle, and do not return to the lane until you see the passed vehicle's headlights in your mirrors.
- Truck blind spots
- Large trucks have deep blind areas directly behind and along both sides. If you cannot see the truck's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
- Truck right turns
- Trucks swing wide before turning right and need extra room. Never pass a truck on the right as it prepares to turn; you may be crushed.
- Passing bicyclists
- New Mexico requires drivers to give bicyclists at least 5 feet of clearance when passing where practicable. Bicyclists have the same road rights as vehicles.
- Door zone
- The strip beside parked cars where an opening door can strike a rider. Ride outside it when space allows and watch for people stepping out.
- Pedestrian right of way
- Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way. Slow and be ready to stop, and expect people to step out from between parked cars.
- Quick stop technique
- Keep the bike upright and the front wheel straight, then apply both brakes firmly and progressively. Do not grab the front brake hard enough to lock the wheel.
- Front wheel lock
- If the front wheel locks, release the front brake lever immediately and reapply smoothly. A locked front wheel causes a fall.
- Swerving vs braking
- Swerve to avoid an obstacle, then brake once the bike is upright and straight. Hard braking and swerving at the same time risks a slide.
- Railroad track crossing
- Cross tracks at as close to 90 degrees as possible. Never brake or accelerate hard while on the tracks, because the metal is slippery.
- First rain hazard
- The first minutes of rain are the slickest because oil and dust float on the water. Reduce speed and add following distance until the road washes off.
- Unavoidable crash response
- Stay with the motorcycle and brake as much as possible. Separating from the bike removes the protection it provides and increases injury risk.
- New Mexico BAC limits
- Riders 21 and older are per se impaired at a BAC of 0.08. Riders under 21 face zero tolerance, and any detectable alcohol is a violation.
- Implied consent
- By riding on New Mexico roads, a rider agrees to submit to a chemical test when lawfully arrested for DWI. Refusing brings license sanctions.
- Fatigue warning signs
- Drifting in the lane, missing signs, heavy eyelids, and slow reactions signal fatigue. Stop and rest, since caffeine and loud music only mask symptoms.
- Motorcycle endorsement
- New Mexico requires an M endorsement on a valid driver's license, or a motorcycle-only license. Riding without it is a violation.
- Drug impairment
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antihistamines and sleep aids, can impair riding. Combining them with alcohol multiplies the effect.
- New Mexico insurance minimums
- Motorcycles must be insured to New Mexico's minimum liability limits. Carry proof of insurance and current registration while riding.
- Following distance in rain
- Increase following distance to 3 seconds at night or in rain and 4 or more in fog, heavy rain, or on gravel. More space buys reaction time.
- Stopping behind traffic
- Leave enough room behind the vehicle ahead to maneuver around it, and watch your mirrors for traffic approaching from behind.