Traffic Signs & Signals — Maryland

Maryland motorcycle permit practice test: 341 free practice questions (Based on the official driver handbook). The official format is not yet verified; check the official site before your test. Traffic Signs & Signals: 9 questions. Updated

Regulatory, warning and guide signs, plus traffic light and pavement marking questions.

This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.

Topic / MetricValue
TopicTraffic Signs & Signals
License testMaryland Motorcycle permit test
Topic questions9 (3% of 341 total)
Review statusThis topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.

Official handbook

Not yet verified Motorcycle manual link not yet collected

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Questions (9)

1. What does this hand signal mean?
  1. Slow or stop
  2. Left turn
  3. Right turn ✓
  4. Backing up

Answer: C. Right turn

Official handbook: Official handbook
2. What does this hand signal mean?
  1. Slow or stop ✓
  2. Left turn
  3. Right turn
  4. Backing up

Answer: A. Slow or stop

Official handbook: Official handbook
3. What is often found in the center portion of the lane?
  1. A landing strip
  2. An oily or greasy strip ✓
  3. Lane markings
  4. Ice

Answer: B. An oily or greasy strip

The center portion of the lane often contains an oily or greasy strip. The manual describes the center third of the lane as the place where oil drippings and debris from cars collect, forming a grease strip. It says the typical center strip usually gives enough traction when the road is dry, and you can ride to either side of the grease buildup while staying within that center third. It also warns against riding on large oil and grease buildups, such as those at busy intersections or tollbooths. That makes the oily or greasy strip the thing often found in the center portion.
Official handbook: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), p. 15
4. If in a no passing zone:
  1. A motorcycle may still pass another vehicle.
  2. A motorcycle is not allowed to pass another vehicle. ✓
  3. A motorcycle may pass another vehicle if the pass can be completed before another vehicle approaches.
  4. A motorcycle may pass on the shoulder.

Answer: B. A motorcycle is not allowed to pass another vehicle.

Official handbook: Official handbook
5. When riding in a group, what does it mean when the lead rider raises their left arm and extends their index finger, as shown in the image?
  1. Speed up.
  2. Slow down.
  3. Ride in a single-file formation. ✓
  4. The group will pull off at the next exit.

Answer: C. Ride in a single-file formation.

Official handbook: Official handbook
6. Which of the following surfaces provides the best traction for a motorcycle?
  1. A gravel road
  2. Dry pavement ✓
  3. Mud
  4. Lane markings

Answer: B. Dry pavement

Dry pavement provides the best traction for a motorcycle. The manual says motorcycles handle better on surfaces that allow good traction, and it identifies wet pavement and gravel roads as surfaces with poor traction. Dry pavement is the option that fits the good-traction side of that contrast, while gravel is specifically listed as a poor-traction surface. The passage does not mention mud or lane markings as traction surfaces.
Official handbook: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), p. 29
7. When an operator's left arm is bent at the elbow and pointing upward, it means the operator:
  1. Plans to turn left.
  2. Is about to stop.
  3. Plans to turn right. ✓
  4. Is about to slow down.

Answer: C. Plans to turn right.

Official handbook: Official handbook
8. When an operator's left arm is extended straight out to the left, it means the operator:
  1. Plans to turn left. ✓
  2. Is about to stop.
  3. Plans to turn right.
  4. Is about to slow down.

Answer: A. Plans to turn left.

Official handbook: Official handbook
9. When approaching a blind intersection with a stop sign, riders should:
  1. Stop at the stop sign then proceed through the intersection.
  2. Ignore the stop sign and move forward to get a better look.
  3. Stop at the stop sign before moving forward to improve their view of cross traffic. ✓
  4. Proceed through the intersection without stopping.

Answer: C. Stop at the stop sign before moving forward to improve their view of cross traffic.

Stop at the stop sign first, then move forward to get a better view of cross traffic before entering. The manual's blind-intersection guidance says that if there is a stop sign or stop line, you stop there first. After that, you ease forward and stop again just short of where cross traffic passes, then lean and look around buildings, parked cars, or bushes. That matches stopping at the sign and then improving your view before going on. It does not mean skipping the sign or rolling straight through.
Official handbook: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), p. 5
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Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Verified from official source

Updated: · Based on the official driver handbook