New Zealand Motorbike Driving Test NZ Motorbike Driving Core 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A motorcyclist in New Zealand wishes to change lanes on a motorway. What should they do FIRST?
- Signal and move immediately
- Check mirrors and blind spots, then signal (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn to alert other drivers
- Flash headlight before signalling
Correct answer: Check mirrors and blind spots, then signal
Always check mirrors and blind spots before signalling and changing lanes to ensure the lane is clear.
Question 2: Which of the following is a legal requirement for a motorcycle helmet in New Zealand?
- It must be a full-face design only
- It must meet an approved safety standard such as AS/NZS 1698 (Correct answer)
- It must be brightly coloured
- It must be purchased from a NZ retailer
Correct answer: It must meet an approved safety standard such as AS/NZS 1698
Helmets must comply with an approved standard such as AS/NZS 1698 or equivalent to be legal in New Zealand.
Question 3: When riding in wet conditions in New Zealand, a motorcyclist should PRIMARILY:
- Increase following distance and reduce speed (Correct answer)
- Maintain normal speed but brake earlier
- Switch to high beam headlights
- Avoid using the rear brake entirely
Correct answer: Increase following distance and reduce speed
Wet roads reduce tyre grip and increase braking distances, so motorcyclists must increase following distance and reduce speed.
Question 4: What is the correct hand signal for a right turn on a motorcycle in New Zealand?
- Left arm extended horizontally
- Right arm extended horizontally (Correct answer)
- Left arm bent upward at elbow
- Right arm bent downward at elbow
Correct answer: Right arm extended horizontally
Extending the right arm horizontally indicates a right turn; this is used when the indicator is faulty or not visible.
Question 5: In New Zealand, motorcyclists are prohibited from riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. This is commonly called:
- Filtering
- Lane splitting (Correct answer)
- Slipstreaming
- Undertaking
Correct answer: Lane splitting
Lane splitting — riding between lanes of moving or stopped traffic — is illegal in New Zealand.
Question 6: You are riding at 60 km/h and need to make an emergency stop. You should:
- Apply the front brake only to avoid rear wheel lift
- Apply only the rear brake to maintain steering control
- Apply both brakes progressively, with more pressure on the front (Correct answer)
- Release the throttle and coast to a stop without braking
Correct answer: Apply both brakes progressively, with more pressure on the front
Applying both brakes progressively with more force on the front brake achieves the shortest, most controlled stop.
Question 7: A solid white line along the centre of the road in New Zealand means:
- Overtaking is permitted with care
- No overtaking is permitted from either side (Correct answer)
- The road is one-way traffic only
- Parking is allowed on the right side
Correct answer: No overtaking is permitted from either side
A solid white centre line means no vehicle may cross or straddle it to overtake.
A motorcyclist in New Zealand wishes to change lanes on a motorway.
What should they do FIRST?