SA rider knowledge test protective gear and helmets practice questions

Question 1

Which mark shows that a motorcycle helmet is approved for road use in South Australia?

• An approval mark to Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1698Correct answer
• A sticker showing the helmet's weight
• A club or rally sticker
• The manufacturer's logo on the visor

A road legal helmet carries an approval mark for a recognised standard, and AS/NZS 1698 is the long standing Australian and New Zealand mark. Check the current list of accepted standards before buying.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules, rule 270 (motorcycle helmets)

Question 2

A friend offers you a second hand helmet and cannot say whether it has ever been dropped or crashed. What should you do?

• Take it, helmets do not wear out
• Do not use it, because impact damage to the liner is often invisible from outsideCorrect answer
• Take it and only use it for short trips
• Take it and replace the padding

The energy absorbing liner crushes once and then no longer works, and the shell can look perfect over a crushed liner. A helmet with unknown history is not worth the risk.

Rule cited: The Rider's Handbook (South Australia), topic: helmets

Question 3

How tight should the chin strap be?

• Loose enough to slip two fingers under comfortably
• Firm under the jaw, so the helmet cannot be rolled forward off your headCorrect answer
• It does not matter as long as it is clipped
• Tight enough to stop you speaking

Test the strap by trying to roll the helmet forward off your head with both hands. If it comes off or moves a long way, it is too loose or the helmet is the wrong size.

Rule cited: The Rider's Handbook (South Australia), topic: helmets

Question 4

What is the main protective advantage of a full face helmet over an open face one?

• It is lighter
• It covers the chin and jaw, which is where a large share of helmet impacts landCorrect answer
• It is cheaper
• It lets in more air

The chin bar protects the part of the face an open face helmet leaves bare, and the built in visor keeps wind, insects and stones out of your eyes.

Rule cited: The Rider's Handbook (South Australia), topic: helmets

Question 5

You are only riding a few kilometres to work. What should you wear?

• Work clothes are fine for a short trip
• The same protective jacket, pants, gloves and boots you would wear for a long rideCorrect answer
• Just a helmet and gloves
• Whatever is comfortable, since most crashes happen on highways

Most crashes happen close to home on ordinary roads at ordinary speeds. Bitumen removes ordinary clothing and skin in a couple of metres, so gear up for every ride.

Rule cited: The Rider's Handbook (South Australia), topic: protective clothing

Question 6

What do proper motorcycle gloves give you besides abrasion protection?

• A firmer, more precise grip on the bars and leversCorrect answer
• Faster acceleration
• Better fuel economy
• Nothing, they are purely for protection

Gloves made for riding are shaped around the controls and stop your hands sliding on the grips when they are wet or sweaty. They also protect your palms, which take the impact in almost every fall.

Rule cited: The Rider's Handbook (South Australia), topic: protective clothing

Question 7

Why does reflective material on your jacket or helmet matter at night?

• It makes the motorcycle louder
• It throws headlight beams back at drivers, which makes a narrow motorcycle far easier to pick outCorrect answer
• It only matters in daylight
• It is a legal requirement on all riding gear

At night a driver sees light, not shapes. Reflective panels on your back, shoulders and helmet turn you into something a driver notices well before they could recognise a motorcycle.

Rule cited: The Rider's Handbook (South Australia), topic: being seen