VIC motorcycle test protective gear and helmets practice questions

Question 1

Which of these shows that a motorcycle helmet is approved for road use in Victoria?

• An approval mark to Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1698Correct answer
• A sticker from the shop that sold it
• A racing team logo on the shell
• A label showing the price it was sold for

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

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

Question 2

You are riding one block to the shops and you leave your chin strap undone. What is the position?

• It is legal because the helmet is still on your head
• It is legal on trips under 2 km
• It is an offence, the helmet must be securely fastenedCorrect answer
• It is legal if you ride below 40 km/h

The helmet has to be properly fitted and fastened whenever the motorcycle is moving. An unfastened helmet comes off in the first moment of a crash, which is exactly when you need it.

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

Question 3

Your helmet has been in a crash but there is no obvious damage to the outside. What should you do?

• Keep using it, the outside looks fine
• Replace it, the impact liner may be crushed even if the shell looks undamagedCorrect answer
• Keep using it but only for short trips
• Repaint the shell and keep using it

The energy absorbing liner works by crushing once. After an impact it may be compressed under a shell that still looks new, so the helmet will not protect you the same way again.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: helmets

Question 4

It is a hot summer day in Melbourne. What is the sensible approach to gloves?

• Ride without gloves so your hands stay cool
• Wear vented motorcycle gloves, because hands are one of the first things to hit the roadCorrect answer
• Wear gardening gloves, they are cooler
• Gloves only matter in the wet

Riders put their hands out instinctively when they fall. Summer weight motorcycle gloves keep the abrasion protection while letting air through, and they also improve grip on the controls.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: protective clothing

Question 5

What sort of footwear gives a rider the best protection?

• Sturdy boots that cover the ankleCorrect answer
• Running shoes with good grip
• Sandals in summer
• Any shoe with laces

Ankles twist and get crushed in even a low speed fall. Boots that come above the ankle also protect against the hot exhaust and give you a firmer footing when you stop.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: protective clothing

Question 6

Why does riding gear in bright or reflective colours matter more on a motorcycle than in a car?

• It does not matter, headlights do the same job
• A motorcycle presents a narrow outline that is easy for drivers to missCorrect answer
• It is required by law in all conditions
• It makes the motorcycle quieter

Drivers scan for the shape of a car. A rider is a thin outline that can hide behind a windscreen pillar or blend into the background, so anything that makes you stand out helps.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: being seen

Question 7

You are riding home after dark and your visor is deeply scratched. What is the risk?

• There is no risk, scratches only affect how the visor looks
• Oncoming headlights scatter across the scratches and hide what is aheadCorrect answer
• The visor will fog less because of the scratches
• Scratches only matter in daylight

At night a scratched or dirty visor turns every oncoming headlight into a spread of glare. Use a clear visor at night and keep it clean. Dark tinted visors are for daytime only.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: helmets and visors