About the two-wheeler licence
To ride a motorcycle or scooter on a public road in India you need a valid driving licence for that class of vehicle (Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act). Your licence lists each class separately: motorcycle without gear (MCWOG), which covers most scooters, and motorcycle with gear (MCWG). A scooter-only licence does not cover a geared bike, and a car licence does not cover any motorcycle.
The minimum age is 16 for a gearless motorcycle of up to 50 cc, with a parent's written consent, and 18 for every other motorcycle. First you pass the learner's licence test on road rules and signs. The learner's licence is valid for six months, and after 30 days you can take the riding test. In many States the riding test includes riding a figure of eight, so practise slow-speed balance in an open space first.
What the written test asks riders
Most of the written test is about road signs and the general rules of the road. But some rules are special to two-wheelers, and these are the ones that protect you most on the road:
- Helmets: a BIS-certified (ISI-marked) helmet for the rider and the pillion, with the chin strap fastened (Section 129). Riding without one costs ₹1,000 and three months' disqualification from holding a licence.
- One pillion only: just one person besides the rider, on a proper seat (Section 128).
- Children: for children from 9 months to 4 years, a fitted helmet, a safety harness and a maximum of 40 km/h.
- Be seen: dipped headlight on in daytime too, and stay out of the blind spots of trucks and buses.
- Filtering: only on urban roads with a limit of 40 km/h or less, where signs allow it, and slowly.
- Never: ride on footpaths, use a hand-held phone, or hold on to or tow another vehicle.
Read the full rule Ride a two-wheeler safely, then Learning to drive & your licence and Road signs in India. To see what each offence costs, look at traffic fines in India.
Bike licence written test questions and answers
28 questions on riding a two-wheeler, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Cover the answers to test yourself. For road sign questions, see the learner licence questions and answers.
1. Who must wear a helmet on a motorcycle or scooter?
- Only the rider
- The rider and any pillion, including children above four years ✓
- Only on highways
- Only riders under 18
Answer B. Every person driving or riding on a motorcycle, including the pillion and children above four, must wear a BIS-certified helmet (turban-wearing Sikhs are exempt). The fine is ₹1,000 plus three months' licence disqualification.
2. How many pillion passengers may a motorcycle carry?
- One ✓
- Two, if one is a child
- Three on short trips
- Any number that fits
Answer A. A motorcycle may carry only one person besides the rider, on a proper seat. Breaking this rule carries a ₹1,000 fine and licence disqualification.
3. A child aged 3 is travelling on a motorcycle. What does the law require?
- A fitted crash helmet, a safety harness attaching the child to the rider, and a maximum speed of 40 km/h ✓
- Nothing; children under 4 are exempt
- The child must sit on the fuel tank
- Only a helmet for the rider
Answer A. Rule 138(7) of the CMV Rules (in force from 15 February 2023) applies to children from 9 months to 4 years.
4. What must a helmet for two-wheeler riders carry to be legal for sale?
- Any brand label
- The BIS ISI mark (IS 4151:2015) ✓
- A sticker of the dealer
- A visor
Answer B. Since 1 June 2021, helmets must meet IS 4151:2015 and carry the BIS ISI mark.
5. What is the penalty for riding without a helmet?
- A warning only
- ₹100 fine
- ₹1,000 fine and disqualification from holding a licence for three months ✓
- Confiscation of the motorcycle
Answer C. Section 194D sets a fine of ₹1,000 and a three-month licence disqualification.
6. When must two-wheeler riders use dipped headlights?
- Only at night
- Only on highways
- Only in fog
- In the daytime as well as at night ✓
Answer D. Regulation 31(1) requires two-wheeler riders to use dipped headlights in daytime too, which helps others see them.
7. Your helmet fell hard onto a concrete floor, but looks undamaged. What should you do?
- Replace it; it may have hidden damage ✓
- Keep using it
- Paint over any marks
- Use it only for short trips
Answer A. A helmet that has been in a crash or dropped hard may be damaged inside and should be replaced, even if it looks fine.
8. Where is it safest to brake hard on a motorcycle?
- While leaning in a bend
- With the motorcycle upright, using both brakes smoothly ✓
- Using only the front brake suddenly
- Using only the rear brake
Answer B. Use both brakes together, smoothly and progressively, mostly while upright. Slow down before bends, not in them.
9. A bus ahead of you is about to turn left at a junction. What should you, on a motorcycle, do?
- Ride up on its left side
- Overtake it on the left quickly
- Stay behind it until it has turned ✓
- Sound the horn and pass on the left
Answer C. Never ride up the left side of a bus or truck at a junction, or undertake a vehicle that is turning left.
10. A pillion passenger is riding side-saddle in a saree. What precaution is essential?
- None
- The passenger need not hold on
- Ride faster to finish quickly
- Keep loose clothing clear of the wheel and chain, with the saree guard fitted ✓
Answer D. Loose clothing caught in the wheel or chain causes serious injuries. The saree guard must be fitted and the passenger must hold on firmly.
11. What is the minimum age for a learner's licence for a gearless motorcycle with an engine of up to 50 cc?
- 14 years
- 16 years, with written consent from a parent or guardian ✓
- 18 years only
- 20 years
Answer B. Section 4 allows a person of 16 to get a licence for a motorcycle of up to 50 cc; a learner under 18 needs written consent from a parent or guardian. For other motorcycles the minimum age is 18.
12. Your licence covers only a "motorcycle without gear". May you ride a geared motorcycle?
- Yes, any two-wheeler is the same class
- Yes, but only in your own city
- No, you need the "motorcycle with gear" class on your licence ✓
- Yes, if a friend with a car licence sits behind you
Answer C. A driving licence is valid only for the classes of vehicle shown on it. A geared motorcycle needs the "motorcycle with gear" (MCWG) class.
13. When may a two-wheeler rider filter between lanes of slower cars?
- Only in urban areas on roads with a limit of 40 km/h or less, where signs permit, and no more than 15 km/h faster than the traffic ✓
- Anywhere, at any speed
- Only on highways and expressways
- Never, under any circumstances
Answer A. Regulation 33 allows lane filtering only in urban areas on roads with a speed limit of 40 km/h or less, where signs permit it, and when you are no more than 15 km/h faster than the traffic you pass.
14. How should you hold the handlebar while riding?
- With one hand, so the other is free for a phone
- With no hands on a straight road
- With one hand while carrying a bag in the other
- With both hands, except briefly when giving a hand signal ✓
Answer D. Regulation 5 requires riders to hold the handlebar with both hands except when signalling, and to keep their feet on the footrests.
15. The road is jammed and the footpath beside it is empty. May you ride your scooter along the footpath?
- Yes, if you ride slowly
- No. Riding on footpaths and cycle tracks is prohibited ✓
- Yes, if you sound the horn
- Yes, but only for a short distance
Answer B. Regulation 39 forbids driving or riding on footpaths and cycle tracks. Footpaths are for pedestrians, and riding there endangers them.
16. What does Indian law say about using a hand-held mobile phone while riding?
- It is allowed at traffic lights only
- It is allowed if the call is short
- It is prohibited, and can be treated as dangerous driving ✓
- It is allowed if the phone is tucked into the helmet
Answer C. Regulation 37 prohibits hand-held phone use while driving or riding, and Section 184 treats it as dangerous driving. Stop safely before using the phone.
17. Where should a small child never sit or stand on a motorcycle?
- On the fuel tank or standing in front of the rider ✓
- On the pillion seat with a fitted helmet and harness
- Behind the rider, holding on firmly
- With both feet on the footrests
Answer A. A child in front of the rider blocks the handlebar and is thrown first in any crash. Children belong behind the rider, with a fitted helmet, and under four with a safety harness.
18. It is raining. Which parts of the road are especially slippery for a two-wheeler?
- Rough, dry tarmac
- The middle of a clean lane
- Fresh concrete with grooves
- Painted road markings and metal manhole covers ✓
Answer D. Painted lines, metal covers, oil and gravel give very little grip, especially in the rain. Slow down, brake earlier and more gently, and avoid riding over them while leaning.
19. You are riding close behind a truck and cannot see the driver's mirrors. What does this mean?
- The driver can see you clearly
- The driver probably cannot see you, so drop back or move to where you can see the mirror ✓
- You are at a safe distance
- You should sound the horn and stay there
Answer B. If you cannot see the driver's mirror, the driver cannot see you. Stay out of the blind spots beside and behind trucks and buses.
20. A car is waiting to pull out of a side road ahead of you. What should you assume?
- The driver has seen you and will wait
- You have right of way, so keep your speed
- The driver may not have seen you; slow down and be ready to brake ✓
- The driver will flash the headlights to warn you
Answer C. The most common crash for riders is a driver who says "I didn't see the motorcycle". At junctions, assume you have not been seen.
21. You are carrying a pillion passenger for the first time. How should you ride?
- More gently, braking earlier and leaving more distance ✓
- Exactly as you ride alone
- Faster, so the trip is shorter
- Leaning further in bends to balance the extra weight
Answer A. A passenger changes how the motorcycle brakes and handles. Ride more gently and leave more distance.
22. Why must the helmet chin strap always be fastened?
- Only to avoid a fine
- So the helmet is easier to carry
- It keeps the visor clean
- An unfastened helmet can come off in a crash before your head hits the road ✓
Answer D. A helmet protects only if it stays on. Fasten the chin strap on every trip, however short.
23. Which footwear is safest for riding a motorcycle or scooter?
- Slippers
- Closed shoes that cover the ankle ✓
- Sandals
- Bare feet
Answer B. Slippers and sandals give no protection and slip off the footrests. Closed shoes, gloves and a jacket reduce injuries in a fall.
24. Your friend's scooter has broken down. May you tow it home behind your motorcycle with a rope?
- Yes, at up to 25 km/h
- Yes, if the rope is short
- No. A two-wheeler must not be towed, and riders must not hold on to or tow another vehicle ✓
- Yes, at night only
Answer C. Regulation 30 forbids towing two-wheelers, and Regulation 5 forbids holding on to or pushing another vehicle while riding. Use a recovery service or carry the scooter on a vehicle.
25. A rider has removed both mirrors to fit through traffic more easily. What is the problem?
- The rider loses the view behind, needed before every turn and lane change ✓
- There is no problem
- It only matters at night
- It only matters on highways
Answer A. Mirrors show what is behind before you turn, change lane or slow down. Keep both mirrors fitted and adjusted, and look over your shoulder as well.
26. What is the penalty for riding a motorcycle without a driving licence?
- A warning for the first time
- ₹500
- ₹1,000
- Up to 3 months in prison, a fine of ₹5,000, or both ✓
Answer D. Section 181 punishes driving without a valid licence with up to 3 months in prison, a ₹5,000 fine, or both.
27. A 15-year-old rides the family scooter and is stopped by the police. Who is held responsible?
- Nobody, because the rider is a child
- The parent or owner, who faces a ₹25,000 fine and up to 3 years in prison ✓
- Only the child, with a warning
- The scooter dealer
Answer B. Under Section 199A the guardian or owner is deemed guilty: ₹25,000 and up to 3 years in prison, the vehicle's registration is cancelled for 12 months, and the child cannot get a licence until 25.
28. You hold a learner's licence for a motorcycle. What must you display while riding?
- Nothing
- Your learner's licence number on the helmet
- A red "L" on a white background on the front and rear ✓
- A yellow flag
Answer C. Learners must display a red "L" on a white background on the front and rear of the vehicle. India Drive Safe recommends carrying no passengers while learning.
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