VIC motorcycle test road surface hazards practice questions

Question 1

You are riding on a wet Melbourne street and need to cross tram tracks. What is the safest way?

• Cross as close to a right angle as you safely can, upright and with a steady throttleCorrect answer
• Cross at a shallow angle so the tyres roll along the rail
• Brake firmly while your tyres are on the rail
• Ride with one wheel in the groove beside the rail

Wet steel rails have very little grip and the groove beside them can catch a front tyre. Cross them as square as the traffic allows, with no braking, turning or sudden throttle while you are on them.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: trams and tram tracks

Question 2

Why do painted lines and arrows matter more to a rider when the road is wet?

• They do not, paint has the same grip as the road
• Wet paint is much more slippery than the road surface beside itCorrect answer
• They melt in the rain
• They confuse the motorcycle's speedometer

Line marking, arrows and pedestrian crossing stripes are smooth and get slick when wet. Avoid braking or turning while your tyres are on them, especially at intersections.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: road surface hazards

Question 3

You come around a country bend and see loose gravel spread across your lane a short distance ahead. What is the best response?

• Brake hard while you are on the gravel
• Slow down before you reach it, then cross it upright with a steady throttleCorrect answer
• Accelerate to get across it quickly
• Swerve suddenly to the other side of the road

Do your braking on the good surface. Once you are on the loose stuff, keep the bike as upright as you can, avoid sudden brake, throttle or steering inputs, and let it roll through.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: road surface hazards

Question 4

Roadworks have left steel plates covering a trench across your lane. How should you ride over them?

• Upright, with a steady throttle and no braking or turning on the plateCorrect answer
• Leaned over so less of the tyre touches the steel
• Braking hard just as you reach the plate
• With the front wheel on the plate and the rear off it

Steel plates offer far less grip than bitumen and much less again when wet. Set your speed early, stay upright and let the bike roll straight across.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: road surface hazards

Question 5

As you approach traffic lights you notice a dark shiny strip down the middle of the lane. What is it likely to be and what should you do?

• New bitumen, ride straight over the middle of it
• Oil and fuel dropped by stopped vehicles, so stop with your tyres either side of itCorrect answer
• A drainage channel, so brake harder before it
• A shadow, so ignore it

Vehicles idling at lights drip oil and fuel into the centre of the lane. That strip has very little grip, so brake and put your feet down in the wheel tracks either side of it.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: road surface hazards

Question 6

You are turning at an intersection in the rain and there is a metal drain cover on your line. What should you do?

• Ride over it while leaned, it makes no difference
• Adjust your line to avoid it, or cross it upright with no braking or turningCorrect answer
• Brake on it to slow before the turn
• Accelerate hard over it

Wet metal covers are one of the most slippery things on a city street. Plan your line early so you either miss it or cross it while the bike is upright and settled.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: road surface hazards

Question 7

You spot a deep pothole in your lane with a car close behind you. What is the safest response?

• Swerve sharply at the last moment
• Slow early if you can, then avoid it with a small smooth line change, or if you must hit it, stay upright and loosen your grip on the barsCorrect answer
• Brake hard while the front wheel is in the hole
• Stand up and close your eyes

A violent swerve can cause a bigger problem than the pothole. Scan far enough ahead to make a small early adjustment. If you cannot avoid it, be upright, off the brakes and relaxed on the bars.

Rule cited: Victorian Rider Handbook, topic: hazard perception