The Maine permit test has 30 questions, and you need 24 correct (80%) to pass. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-27.
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Key Maine DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the Maine handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free Maine DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the Maine handbook (last verified 2026-09-07).
Speed limits
- Maine sets a 15 mile per hour maximum when a driver passes a school during recess, or when children are traveling to or from school during opening or closing hours. (Handbook, 8-7)
- On a wet road, Maine's guideline is to slow down 5 to 10 mph. (Handbook, 8-6)
- Maine lists speeding by 30 miles per hour or more over the speed limit among the convictions that may bring a 30 day suspension. (Handbook, 1-8)
- Maine's default maximum is 45 miles per hour outside business, residential, or built-up areas, unless a different limit is posted. (Handbook, 8-7)
- Unless a sign posts something different, Maine's top speed in a business district, residential district, or built-up area is 25 miles per hour. (Handbook, 8-7)
Right of way
- A driver who sees a person in the roadway using a white cane or guide dog must stop at least 10 feet away and wait until that person is out of danger. (Handbook, 6-12)
- A driver who fails to yield to a visually impaired pedestrian commits a traffic infraction with a fine of at least $50 and up to $1,000. (Handbook, 6-12)
- When two vehicles approach an intersection from opposite directions at the same time and one driver signals a turn, Maine gives the right-of-way to the vehicle going straight. (Handbook, 6-1)
- Approaching traffic must yield to vehicles already in the traffic circle or roundabout unless an officer or traffic control device directs otherwise. (Handbook, 7-2)
- Traffic already traveling on the interstate has the right-of-way over a vehicle coming from the entrance ramp. (Handbook, 6-2)
Alcohol and DUI
- The first license for a new applicant younger than 21 is provisional for two years. (Handbook, 1-4)
- The manual identifies 0.02 BAC as a level at which vision is impacted for all drivers. (Handbook, 3-6)
- Maine adds 275 days to the OUI or refusal suspension when a passenger under the age of 21 was in the vehicle. (Handbook, 3-11)
- Maine lists at least 48 hours in jail when a first OUI conviction includes an aggravating circumstance. (Handbook, 3-10)
- The manual says a person under 21 may not drive after consuming any amount of alcohol. (Handbook, 3-6)
Signals and markings
- Maine advises signaling as early as possible, with at least 100 feet before a change or turn. (Handbook, 8-18)
- On three-lane sections of the Maine Turnpike or Interstate 95, a truck tractor or other truck may operate only in the two farthest right-hand lanes. (Handbook, 6-9)
- A flashing yellow light calls for caution rather than the complete stop required by a flashing red signal. (Handbook, 6-3)
- Maine permits a right turn on red only after the driver has stopped, and the turn is not allowed when a sign prohibits it. (Handbook, 6-3)
- Maine's right-of-way rules say that when two cars enter an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time, the driver must yield to the car on the right. (Handbook, 6-2)
Parking
- Parking in an access aisle next to a disability parking space is prohibited, and misuse of an access aisle is a traffic infraction subject to a fine of not less than $200. (Handbook, 7-10)
- The handbook lists parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant as not allowed. (Handbook, 7-10)
- Parking within 15 feet of a crosswalk is not allowed. (Handbook, 7-10)
- When a curb borders the parking space, Maine says to park as close to it as you can, with 18 inches as the outer limit. (Handbook, 7-9)
- Maine lists a fire station driveway as a place to keep clear: do not park within 15 feet of the entrance, and do not park directly across from it. (Handbook, 7-10)
Safe driving
- Maine's child safety guidance says infants under age 2 should always ride in the back seat facing the rear. (Handbook, 4-4)
- Maine requires a child who is younger than 8, weighs less than 80 pounds and is shorter than 57 inches to be secured in a belt positioning seat or other child restraint system, following the seat and vehicle instructions. (Handbook)
- Maine directs the operator to secure a child younger than 12 in the rear seat of a vehicle when that is possible. (Handbook)
- Maintaining your vehicle with frequent oil changes, every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and periodic engine tune ups prevents many common vehicle problems and maximizes performance. (Handbook, 2-6)
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that each year as many as 240,000 accidents are related to sleepiness at the wheel. (Handbook, 3-2)
Road signs
- A Maine stop sign requires the vehicle to stop behind the stop line or crosswalk when one is present. (Handbook, 6-6)
- A yield sign tells the driver to slow and wait for traffic to clear on the road being entered or crossed. (Handbook, 6-6)
- A red circle with a red slash means the activity shown by the symbol is not allowed. (Handbook, 6-6)
- On a one-way street, vehicles must travel in the direction shown by the arrow. (Handbook, 6-7)
- When making a left turn from a one-way street, Maine says you must set up close to the left curb or edge of the roadway. (Handbook, 6-10)
Laws and paperwork
- Applicants younger than 18 must complete an approved driver education course before obtaining a Maine learner's permit. (Handbook, 1-2)
- Birth certificates or passports are required from applicants up to and including age 22 to determine date of birth. (Handbook, 1-2)
- Any person whose license has been suspended three times within a three year period by the Secretary of State or by a court may be subject to a further suspension for a period of up to 120 days. (Handbook, 1-10)
- Maine requires a certificate of title for most vehicles, but vehicles more than 25 years old, motorcycles with an engine size less than 300 cc, and trailers with an unloaded weight of 3,000 pounds or less are exempt. (Handbook, 2-1)
- A Maine learner's permit applicant must be at least 15 years of age. (Handbook, 1-2)
Emergencies
- The fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle marks a slow moving vehicle traveling less than 25 miles per hour. (Handbook, 10-10)
- Maine makes it unlawful to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck that is responding to a fire alarm. (Handbook, 10-9)
- For a breakdown, Maine advises placing emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle. (Handbook, 9-6)
- The manual identifies May and June as the peak months for moose collisions. (Handbook, 11-7)
- The manual calls for extreme caution, slower speed, remaining in the vehicle, and allowing the moose room and time to wander away. (Handbook, 11-8)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 26 short lessons quoted from the Maine manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Maine DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Maine DMV facts and fees before test day.