Maine Car / Permit: Traffic Laws Practice Test

Question 1

You have begun overtaking another car and a no passing zone starts ahead. What does Maine law require?

Accepted Answer

The pass must be completed before the zone starts — State law requires that the pass be finished before the driver reaches the point where the no passing zone begins.

Answer

You may finish the pass anywhere inside the zone

Answer

You must brake and drop back the moment you see the sign

Answer

You may continue as long as no car is oncoming

Question 2

A school bus on an undivided highway has stopped with its red lights flashing. What must approaching drivers do?

Accepted Answer

Drivers coming from either direction must come to a complete stop — Drivers coming from either direction have to bring their vehicle to a full stop in front of or behind the bus and wait while children board or get off.

Answer

Only drivers behind the bus must stop

Answer

Drivers must sound the horn and continue past

Answer

Drivers may pass slowly on the left if no children are visible

Question 3

May you drive onto the shoulder to get around a slower vehicle?

Accepted Answer

No, passing off the traveled portion of the road is never allowed — The manual is explicit that a driver must never overtake by leaving the pavement or the main traveled part of the road.

Answer

Yes, if the shoulder is paved

Answer

Yes, as long as you signal first

Answer

Yes, but only outside a business district

Question 4

In Maine, when is passing another vehicle on its right side allowed?

Accepted Answer

When the vehicle ahead is turning left, or is in the left lane of a multilane road — The manual permits it only when the vehicle ahead is turning left and two or more same-direction lanes have room to move, or when that vehicle is in the left lane of a road with two or more marked same-direction lanes.

Answer

Whenever the shoulder is wide enough to drive on

Answer

Any time the driver ahead is traveling under the speed limit

Answer

Only within a posted business district

Question 5

Why should you keep the front wheels straight while waiting to turn left?

Accepted Answer

It keeps a rear-end impact from pushing you into oncoming traffic — If your wheels are already turned and another vehicle strikes you from behind, you can be shoved forward into the path of oncoming traffic.

Answer

It reduces wear on the steering system

Answer

It makes your turn signal cancel automatically

Answer

It shortens the distance needed to complete the turn

Question 6

Besides after dark, when else does Maine law require your headlights to be on?

Accepted Answer

Whenever you cannot see 1000 feet ahead or your wipers are in constant use — Headlights are required whenever visibility drops too low to see 1000 feet ahead, and any time the windshield wipers are running continuously.

Answer

Only when driving through a tunnel

Answer

Only when you are towing a trailer

Answer

Only between October and April

Question 7

How far in advance must a Maine driver signal a turn or lane change?

Accepted Answer

At least 100 feet — The manual instructs drivers to signal no less than 100 feet before any turn or change of lane.

Answer

At least 25 feet

Answer

At least 50 feet

Answer

At least 300 feet

Question 8

Where should a right turn begin and end?

Accepted Answer

Begin from the rightmost part of your lane and finish in the rightmost lane — Start the turn from the rightmost part of your lane, stay near the curb through the turn and finish in the rightmost lane heading your way, without first swinging left.

Answer

Swing left first to give yourself a wider arc

Answer

Begin from the center lane and finish in any open lane

Answer

Begin from the leftmost lane and cut across

Question 9

Maine law sets distances at which high beams must be dimmed. What are they?

Accepted Answer

Within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 300 feet when following — A driver has to switch off the high beams and any auxiliary fog lamp when coming within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or following another vehicle within 300 feet.

Answer

Within 200 feet of oncoming traffic and 100 feet when following

Answer

Within 1000 feet of oncoming traffic and 500 feet when following

Answer

Within 300 feet of oncoming traffic and 500 feet when following

Question 10

You are turning left onto a road that has two lanes running your way. Which lane should you enter?

Accepted Answer

The leftmost lane going your direction — A left turn should finish in the leftmost lane heading your direction, whether you are turning onto a divided highway, a two-way street or a one-way street.

Answer

The rightmost lane, then move left when clear

Answer

The center lane, to keep both options open

Answer

Whichever lane is emptiest

Question 11

On a three-lane stretch of the Maine Turnpike or Interstate 95, which lanes may large trucks use?

Accepted Answer

The two lanes farthest to the right — Where those highways run three lanes in one direction, trucks and truck tractors other than pickups are restricted to the two lanes farthest to the right.

Answer

Any lane, provided they stay at the posted limit

Answer

Only the middle lane

Answer

Only the far right lane

Question 12

May a driver cut through a parking lot to get around a traffic control device?

Accepted Answer

No, driving through a parking area to avoid a traffic control is prohibited — The manual states that a driver may not steer through a parking area in order to escape the requirements of a traffic control device.

Answer

Yes, if the lot is empty at the time

Answer

Yes, if the driver signals both turns

Answer

Yes, provided the driver stays under 10 mph

Maine Car / Permit: Traffic Laws practice test

Study questions with answers

1. You have begun overtaking another car and a no passing zone starts ahead. What does Maine law require?

2. A school bus on an undivided highway has stopped with its red lights flashing. What must approaching drivers do?

3. May you drive onto the shoulder to get around a slower vehicle?

4. In Maine, when is passing another vehicle on its right side allowed?

5. Why should you keep the front wheels straight while waiting to turn left?

6. Besides after dark, when else does Maine law require your headlights to be on?

7. How far in advance must a Maine driver signal a turn or lane change?

8. Where should a right turn begin and end?

9. Maine law sets distances at which high beams must be dimmed. What are they?

10. You are turning left onto a road that has two lanes running your way. Which lane should you enter?

11. On a three-lane stretch of the Maine Turnpike or Interstate 95, which lanes may large trucks use?

12. May a driver cut through a parking lot to get around a traffic control device?

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