TAS rider knowledge test protective gear and helmets practice questions

Question 1

What kind of helmet must you wear when you ride a motorcycle on a Tasmanian road?

• Any helmet sold by a motorcycle shop
• A bicycle helmet with a chin strap
• An approved motorcycle helmet that meets a standard accepted in Tasmania, such as AS/NZS 1698Correct answer
• Any helmet, as long as it has a visor

The rider and any pillion passenger must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is properly fitted and fastened. AS/NZS 1698 is the long standing Australian and New Zealand standard. Some jurisdictions also accept helmets built to United Nations ECE 22.05 or later, so check the current rule before you buy.

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

Question 2

You leave your helmet strap loose because it feels more comfortable. Why is that a problem?

• It is only a problem at speeds over 80 km/h
• A loose helmet can come off in a crash, and the law says the helmet must be securely fastenedCorrect answer
• It makes the helmet heavier
• It has no effect as long as the helmet is approved

A helmet only protects you while it stays on your head. In a crash the head often takes the first impact, and a loose strap lets the helmet roll off before that impact happens.

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

Question 3

Your helmet falls off the seat onto a concrete floor. The outside looks fine. What is the safest thing to do?

• Keep using it, because the shell is not cracked
• Have it checked or replace it, because the inner liner can be damaged even when the shell looks fineCorrect answer
• Keep using it but only for short trips
• Wash the liner and keep using it

The energy absorbing liner inside a helmet crushes once. Damage to it is often invisible from the outside. A helmet that has taken a hard knock, or has been in a crash, should be replaced.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: helmets and protective clothing

Question 4

Why does eye protection matter on a motorcycle even on a clear day?

• It only matters at night
• Wind, dust, insects and stones can make your eyes water or close, and you lose sight of the roadCorrect answer
• It stops the helmet from fogging
• It is only needed on unsealed roads

A single insect at 80 km/h can shut your eyes for long enough to run off the road. A visor or goggles keep your vision clear and steady.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: helmets and protective clothing

Question 5

What is the main reason to wear proper motorcycle gloves?

• They keep your hands warm and nothing else
• They protect your hands in a fall and help you keep a firm, steady grip on the controlsCorrect answer
• They are required only for learner riders
• They stop the handlebars from rusting

Hands go out first in almost every fall. Gloves built for riding have abrasion resistant palms and knuckle protection, and they stop cold or wet hands from going numb on the levers.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: helmets and protective clothing

Question 6

You are choosing a riding jacket. Which choice does most for your safety?

• A dark jacket, because it hides road grime
• A light windproof jacket with no lining
• A jacket in a light or bright colour with abrasion resistant material and fitted armourCorrect answer
• Any jacket, as long as it zips up

Colour helps drivers pick you out of a busy background, and the material and armour do the work if you hit the road. The two things are not in competition, so choose gear that does both.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: being seen and protective clothing

Question 7

Why are boots that cover the ankle better than low shoes for riding?

• They make gear changes quieter
• They protect the ankle bones and stop your foot from being twisted or crushed in a fallCorrect answer
• They are lighter than shoes
• They are only needed on long rides

The ankle takes a lot of load when a bike goes down or slides. Sturdy boots with ankle support and a firm sole also stop your foot slipping off the peg on a wet day.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: helmets and protective clothing

Question 8

It is a warm summer day and you plan a short ride in shorts and a t shirt. What is the risk?

• None, because short rides are low risk
• Only sunburn
• Skin has almost no resistance to a slide on bitumen, and most crashes happen close to home on short tripsCorrect answer
• The bike will overheat

Road surfaces remove skin very quickly. Vented or mesh riding gear keeps you cool without giving up abrasion protection, so heat is not a reason to ride unprotected.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: helmets and protective clothing