Maryland Motorcycle Handbook 2019 - E Permit Test

Rearview mirrors are one of the most important pieces of equipment on a motorcycle. The reflective surface of the mirror shall be of a size not less than seven (7)square inches allowing you to see part of the lane behind you and part of the lane nextto you. Convex mirrors allow you to see the road in your immediate area in moredetail, but they make the vehicles behind you look farther away than they really are.MirrorsL & R SidesHornHeadlightTail & BrakelightsFrontFenderLicense PlateLightFront BrakeRearFenderOperator Foot RestsL & R SidesPassenger Foot RestsL & R SidesREQUIRED OPERATOR EQUIPMENTNo person shall operate or ride a motorcycle unless they are wearing protectiveheadgear which complies with the standards established by the Motor VehicleAdministration. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), 218 Motorcycle Helmets, is adopted as the minimum standard for helmets required to be wornby operators and passengers on motorcycles. The Administration shall accept allhelmets which comply with the requirements of FMVSS 218, motorcycle helmets,49 CFR 571.281. Helmets bearing a factory applied (DOT) Department of Transportation label and/or Snell Memorial Foundation meet those standards. If the DOTlabel is missing, a compliant helmet will also have a label either sewn into the comfort line or affixed to the liner that indicates the month and year the helmet wasmanufactured.No person shall operate or ride a motorcycle unless they are wearing an eyeprotection device approved by the Administration.All face shields, goggles, prescription lenses and “over the counter” glassesmust comply with the Federal Food and Drug Administration regulations on impactresistance.If the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen, if must be securely fastenedto the motorcycle. If the operator is not wearing an approved eye protection device,the windscreen must be mounted at a proper height to protect the operator’s faceand eyes when the operator is seated on the motorcycle in a normal riding position.It is recommended that the operator wear an approved eye protection device eventhough the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.vii

THE MARYLAND MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAMThe purpose of the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Motorcycle Safety Programis to improve the safety of motorcyclists through rider education and a publicawareness effort that benefits all highway users. The Program operates training centers throughout the state that conduct rider training courses for new and experiencedriders through which an individual can earn a Class M license.The Basic Rider Course (BRC) is designed for the new rider. The course includesseven (7) hours of classroom sessions and approximately ten (10) hours of “on motorcycle” practice. Participants learn the basic operating skills, street strategies andaccident avoidance skills. Training motorcycles are provided. The Alternate BasicRider Course (ABRC) is a seven-hour course for the individual who has experiencewith operating a motorcycle and may have a learner’s permit. Training motorcycles areprovided but a participant can use their own motorcycle if transported to the trainingcenter legally. Students who meet the knowledge and skill test licensing standards ineither BRC or ABRC may receive a licensing completion certificate and can take it toany full service MVA office to obtain a motorcycle (Class M) license without additional skills testing.For more information log onto the Motorcycle Safety Program’s website tm, or call the ProgramOffice at 443-572-8236. Individuals under 18 years of age are required to successfully complete a motorcycle safety course prior to obtaining a motorcycle license.To take a course, you must be eligible to apply for a learner’s permit, however, thepermit is not required to enroll in the course.DRIVER’S EDUCATION COURSEApplicants who have never had a license in any state, must successfullycomplete the Driver’s Education Course consisting of thirty (30) hours of classroomand six (6) hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction.ALCOHOL & DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAMApplicants who have an out-of-country license must also successfully completethe 3-Hour Alcohol & Drug Education Program.viii

CONTENTSPREPARINGTO RIDEWear The Right Gear .2Helmet Use .2Helmet Selection .2Eye and Face Protection .3Clothing.4Know Your Motorcycle.4The Right Motorcycle For You.4Borrowing and Lending .5Know Your Motorcycle Controls .5Check Your Motorcycle .6Know Your Responsibilities .7RIDE WITHINYOUR ABILITIESBasic Vehicle Control .8Body Position .8Shifting Gears .8Braking .9Turning .9Keeping Your Distance .10Lane Positions .10Following Another Vehicle .11Being Followed .12Passing and Being Passed .12Lane Sharing .14Merging Cars.14Cars Alongside .14SEE.15Intersections .16Blind Intersections .17Passing Parked Cars .18Parking at the Roadside .18Increasing Conspicuity .18Clothing.19Headlight .19Signals .19Brake Light .20Using Your Mirrors .20Head Checks .21Horn .21Riding at Night .22Crash Avoidance .22Quick Stops .22Swerving or Turning Quickly .23Cornering.24Handling Dangerous Surfaces .25Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles .25Slippery Surfaces .26Tracks and Pavement Seams.27Grooves and Grating .27Mechanical Problems.28Tire Failure .28Stuck Throttle .28Wobble .28Chain Problems .29Engine Seizure .29Animals.29Flying Objects .30Getting Off The Road .30Carrying Passengersand Cargo .30Equipment .30Instructing Passengers.31Riding With Passengers .31Carrying Loads .31Group Riding .32Keep the Group Small.32Keep the Group Together .32Keep Your Distance .32BEING IN SHAPETO RIDEWhy Information is Important.34Alcohol and Other Drugs InMotorcycle Operation .34Alcohol in the Body .35Blood Alcohol Concentration .35Alcohol and the Law .36Consequences of Conviction.36Minimize the Risks.37Step In to Protect Friends .37Fatigue.37EARNINGYOUR LICENSEKnowledge Test .392-Wheel Skill Test Diagram.403-Wheel Skill Test Diagram.41On-Cycle Skill Test .421

PREPARING TO RIDEWhat you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not you’ll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on anytrip, a safe rider makes a point to:1. Wear the right gear.2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.3. Check the motorcycle equipment.Wear the Right Gear4. Be a responsible rider.WEAR THERIGHT GEARWhen you ride, your gear is“right” if it protects you. In any crash,you have a far better chance of avoiding serious injury if you wear: A DOT Certified helmet. Face or eye protection. Protective clothing.Helment UseHelmet UseCrashes are not rare events —particularly among beginning riders.One out of every five motorcyclecrashes results in head or neckinjuries. Head injuries are just assevere as neck injuries – and far morecommon. Crash analyses show thathead and neck injuries account for amajority of serious and fatal injuriesto motorcyclists. Research also showsthat, with few exceptions, head andneck injuries are reduced by theproper wearing of a DOT certifiedhelmet.Some riders don’t wear helmetsbecause they think helmets will limittheir view to the sides. Others wearhelmets only on long trips or whenriding at high speeds. Here are somefacts to consider:2 A DOT certified helmet lets yousee as far to the sides as necessary. A study of more than 900motorcycle crashes, where 40%of the riders wore helmets, didnot find even one case in which ahelmet kept a rider from spottingdanger. Most crashes happen on shorttrips (less than five miles long),just a few minutes after startingout. Most riders are riding slowerthan 30 mph when a crashoccurs. At these speeds, helmetscan cut both the number andseverity of head injuries by half.No matter what the speed, helmeted riders are three times morelikely to survive head injuries thanthose not wearing helmets at the timeof the crash.Helmet SelectionThere are two primary types ofhelmets, providing two differentlevels of coverage: full face and openface, also known as the three-quarter.Whichever style you choose, youcan get the most protection by makingsure that the helmet:

Eye & Face Protection Is certified to meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)standards. (Helmets with a labelfrom the Snell Memorial Foundation give you an added assuranceof quality.) Fits snugly, all the way around. Has no obvious defects such ascracks, loose padding or frayedstraps.Whatever helmet you decide on,keep it securely fastened on your headwhen you ride. Otherwise, if you areinvolved in a crash, it’s likely to flyoff your head before it gets a chanceto protect you.Eye and Face ProtectionA plastic shatter-resistantfaceshield can help protect yourwhole face in a crash. It also protectsyou from wind, dust, dirt, rain,insects, and pebbles thrown up fromcars ahead. These problems are distracting and can be painful. If youhave to deal with them, you can’tdevote your full attention to the road.Goggles protect your eyes,though they won't protect the rest ofyour face like a faceshield does. Awindshield is not a substitute for afaceshield or goggles. Most windshields will not protect your eyesfrom the wind. Neither will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses won’tkeep you eyes from watering, andthey might blow off when you turnyour head while riding.To be effective, eye or faceshieldprotection must: Be free of scratches. Be resistant to penetration. Give a clear view to either side. Fasten securely, so it does notblow off. Permit air to pass through, toreduce fogging. Permit enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.Tinted eye protection should notbe worn at night or any other timewhen little light is available.3

ClothingPersonal Protective Equipment(PPE)Street clothes may not be suitablefor the riding environment. SelectPPE that is designed for motorcycling. Not only will it protect you in acrash, it will also provide comfort andprotection from heat, cold, flyingdebris and hot and moving parts ofthe motorcycle. Jacket and pants should coverThe Right Motorcyclearms and legs completely. Theyshould fit snugly enough to keepfrom flapping or ballooning in thewind, yet loosely enough to allowfreedom of movement. Leatheroffers the most protection, butsturdy synthetic “textile” materials also offer excellent protectionwith reduced weight. You shouldwear a jacket even in warmweather to prevent dehydration.Textile jackets are designed toprotect without getting you overheated even during the summer. Boots should be sturdy, extendedabove your ankles and providesupport when you put your feetdown at a stop and when supporting the motorcycle. They shouldhave low heels and soles made ofa hard non-slip material. Be sureto tuck laces in so they won’tcatch on your motorcycle.periods in cold weather can causesevere chill and fatigue. A winterjacket should resist wind and fitsnugly at the neck, wrists, and waist.Good-quality rainsuits designed formotorcycle riding resist tearing apartor ballooning up at high speeds.The Right Motorcyclefor YouFirst, make sure your motorcycle“fits” you. When seated on the motorcycle, your feet should reach and,preferably, be flat on the ground withyour legs slightly bent at the knee. Youshould be able to reach the handlebarsand turn them lock-to-lock withouthaving to stretch forward or lock yourarms.KNOW YOURMOTORCYCLEThere are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trouble.Your motorcycle should not be one ofthem. To make sure that your motorcycle won’t let you down: Read the owner’s manual first. Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols. Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride. Keep it in safe riding condition Gloves provide you a better gripon the handlebars and providesome protection in a crash.Gloves should be full-fingeredand made of leather, or similardurable material.In cold or wet weather, your PPEshould keep you warm and dry, aswell as protect you from injury. Youcannot control a motorcycle wellif you are numb. Riding for longbetween rides.1Test YourselfA plastic shatter-resistant faceshield:A. Is not necessary if you have a windshield.B. Only protects our eyes.C. Helps protect your whole face.D. Does not protect your face as wellas goggles.Answer - page 384

that make your motorcycle harderto handle.At minimum, your street-legal motorcycle should have: Headlight, taillight and brakelight. Front and rear brakes. Turn signals. Horn. Two mirrors.Borrowing and LendingBorrowers and lenders of motorcycles, beware. Crashes are fairlycommon among beginning riders –especially in the first months of riding. Riding an unfamiliar motorcycleadds to the problem. If you borrow amotorcycle, get familiar with it in acontrolled area. And if you lend yourmotorcycle to friends, make sure theyare licensed and know how to ridebefore allowing them out into traffic.No matter how experienced you maybe, ride extra carefully on any motorcycle that’s new or unfamiliar to you.More than half of all crashes occur onmotorcycles ridden by the operatorfor less than six months.Get Familiar with theMotorcycle ControlsMake sure you are completelyfamiliar with the motorcycle beforeyou take it out on the street. Be sure toreview the owner’s manual. This isparticularly important if you are ridinga borrowed motorcycle. If you aregoing to use an unfamiliar motorcycle:5Know Your Motorcycle Avoid add-on’s and modifications

Check Your Motorcycle Make all the checks you would Turn Signals—Turn on bothon your own motorcycle.right and left turn signals. Makesure all lights are working properly. Find out where everthing is,particularly the turn signals, horn,headlight switch, fuel-controlvalve, and engine cut-off switch.Find and operate these itemswithout having to look for them. Know the gear pattern. Workthe throttle, clutch, and brakes afew times before you start riding. All controls react a little differently. Brake Light—Try both brakecontrols, and make sure each oneturns on the brake light.Once you have mounted themotorcycle, complete the followingchecks before starting out: Clutch and Throttle—Makesure they work smoothly. Thethrottle should snap back whenyou let go. The clutch should feeltight and smooth. Ride very cautiously and beaware of surroundings. Accelerategently, take turns more slowly, andleave extra room for stopping. Mirrors—Clean and adjust bothmirrors before starting. It’s difficult to ride with one hand whileyou try to adjust a mirror. Adjusteach mirror so you can see thelane behind and as much as possible of the lane next to you.When properly adjusted, a mirrormay show the edge of your armor shoulder—but it’s the roadbehind and to the side that’s mostimportant.Check Your MotorcycleA motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car. A minortechnical failure in a car seldom leadsto anything more than an inconvenience for the driver.If something’s wrong with themotorcycle, you’ll want to find outabout it before you get in traffic.Make a complete check of yourmotorcycle before every ride. Brakes—Try the front and rearbrake levers one at a time. Makesure each one feels firm andholds the motorcycle when thebrake is fully applied.Before mounting the motorcycle makethe following checks: Tires—Check the air pressure,general wear and tread. Fluids—Oil and fluid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic fluidsand coolants weekly. Look underthe motorcycle for signs of an oilor gas leak. Headlights and Taillight—Check them both. Test yourswitch to make sure both highand low beams are working.62Test YourselfMore than half of all crashes:A. Occur at speeds greater than 35mph.B. Happen at night.C. Are caused by worn tires.D. Involve riders who have ridden theirmotorcycles less than six months.Answer - page 38

it works.In addition to the checks youshould make before every trip, checkthe following items at least once aweek: Wheels, cables, fasteners, andfluid checks. Follow your owner’smanual to get recommendations.KNOW YOURRESPONSIBILITIES“Accident” implies an unforeseenevent that occurs without anyone’sfault or negligence. Most often intraffic, that is not the case. In fact,most people involved in a crash canusually claim some responsibility forwhat takes place.Consider a situation where someone decides to try to squeeze throughan intersection on a yellow light turning red. Your light turns green. Youpull into the intersection withoutchecking for possible latecomers.That is all it takes for the two of youto tangle. It was the driver’s responsibility to stop. And it was your responsibility to

knowledge. This handbook has been prepared by the MVA, with assis-tance from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, to provide you with the information needed to enable you to obtain a motorcycle license and to help you learn those motorcycle operating skills and knowledge. As you study this