Free · 26 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Maine Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Maine Driver's License Manual that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Maine practice test.
26 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Section 1: Your Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Getting a learner's permit and a license
In Maine you can get a learner's permit at 15 and a license at 16 after driver education. Drivers under 21 must hold the permit for 6 months and log 70 hours of practice before the road test.
9 key points · 11 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-2 to 1-6
- Lesson 2Section 1: Your Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Young driver restrictions, points and suspensions
New Maine drivers under 18 face phone, night and passenger limits for 270 days, and first licenses are provisional. Reaching 12 demerit points suspends a license, and three suspensions within three years can bring a further suspension.
10 key points · 11 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-4 to 1-10
- Lesson 3Section 2: State Laws and RulesLaws and paperwork
Title, registration, insurance and inspection
Maine requires a registration within 30 days of becoming a resident, liability insurance for every owner and operator, and an inspection at an official station once a year. Some vehicles need no title, and a passenger vehicle registration costs $35.00 and lasts one year.
10 key points · 12 numbers · Handbook pp. 2-1 to 2-6
- Lesson 4Section 3: Ready to DriveSafe driving
Vision, fatigue and distractions
Drowsiness is tied to as many as 240,000 crashes a year, so schedule a break every two hours or 100 miles and nap if you see danger signs. There are three types of distraction, and drivers under 18 may not use a phone or handheld device while driving.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-1 to 3-5
- Lesson 5Section 3: Ready to DriveAlcohol and DUI
How alcohol affects driving
Alcohol and other drugs are factors in about 40% of fatal crashes, and vision is impacted at .02 BAC for all drivers. Only time sobers you up, and drivers under 21 may not drive after any alcohol.
9 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-5 to 3-13
- Lesson 6Section 3: Ready to DriveAlcohol and DUI
OUI law, implied consent and penalties
In Maine, driving with an alcohol level of 0.08 is the crime of operating under the influence, and your license is suspended right after arrest. Refusing a test brings its own suspension of up to 6 years.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-9 to 3-12
- Lesson 7Section 3: Ready to DriveAlcohol and DUI
Under 21, conditional licenses and open containers
Under Maine's OUI laws, every license held by someone under 21 is provisional, and driving with any amount of alcohol costs at least one year of license. Conditional licensees face their own suspensions, and drivers and passengers may not drink or hold open containers in the passenger area.
9 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-6 to 3-14
- Lesson 8Section 4: Before You DriveSafe driving
Seat position, seat belts and child safety
Maine law requires the driver to wear a safety belt, and children ride in the back seat or in the child safety seat or restraint system their age and weight call for. Leave 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel because of the air bag.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 4-1 to 4-5
- Lesson 9Section 6: Rules of the RoadRight of way
Right of way at intersections and highways
Maine right of way rules say who goes first at 4 way stops, uncontrolled intersections, private drives and interstate entrance ramps. A good driver uses the right of way sensibly and never insists on it.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-1 to 6-2
- Lesson 10Section 6: Rules of the RoadRight of way
Pedestrians, school children and blind pedestrians
Pedestrians in a crosswalk, school children and blind pedestrians always get the right of way in Maine. Failing to yield to a blind pedestrian carries a fine of up to $1,000.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-2 to 6-12
- Lesson 11Section 6: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Traffic signals, arrows and lane lights
Maine traffic lights run red, yellow and green from top to bottom, and arrows mean the same as the colored lights. Lane control lights overhead tell you which lanes you may use.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-3 to 6-4
- Lesson 12Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Warning, railroad and work zone signs
Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds, a round yellow RR sign means slow down and be ready to stop for a train, and orange signs mark work zones. You must do as a flagger directs, and fines for speeding in a work zone are doubled.
9 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-4 to 8-3
- Lesson 13Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Stop, yield, regulatory and guide signs
A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters, and a red circle with a red slash across a symbol means you cannot do that action. Guide signs are square or rectangular and green, brown or blue.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-6 to 6-7
- Lesson 14Section 6: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Lane markings, lane use and special lanes
Solid white lines discourage lane changes, broken white lines allow safe ones, and at a stop sign or signal you stop behind the stop line or crosswalk. A shared center lane is only for left turns, and overhead arrows and X signals show whether you may use a lane.
7 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-7 to 6-12
- Lesson 15Section 7: General DrivingSignals and markings
Passing and no passing zones
Passing at 50 to 55 mph takes 10 to 12 seconds and over 1600 feet of road, so do not start a pass within a third of a mile of a hill or curve. Center lines, pennant signs and Maine law tell you where you may not pass.
9 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 7-6 to 7-8
- Lesson 16Section 7: General DrivingRight of way
Turns, traffic circles and roundabouts
Maine drivers must yield to traffic already in a traffic circle or roundabout and to oncoming traffic when turning left. Turn right from the rightmost part of your lane, turn left from the leftmost part, and go counterclockwise around a circle.
7 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 7-1 to 7-3
- Lesson 17Section 7: General DrivingSafe driving
Intersections, lane changes, expressways and school buses
Before moving after a stop, look left, then right, then left again, and signal at least 100 feet before a lane change. When stopped for a school bus, do not go until it moves or the driver signals, unless a solid divider separates you from it.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 7-2 to 7-9
- Lesson 18Section 8: Managing Time and SpaceSpeed limits
Speed limits and school zones
Posted limits do not tell you what speed you must drive, only that you cannot go faster, and you must slow down when conditions make them unsafe. Maine sets limits of 45, 25 and 15 mph unless posted otherwise and doubles fines for speeding in school zones.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 8-7 to 8-10
- Lesson 19Section 8: Managing Time and SpaceSafe driving
Scanning, stopping distance and road conditions
Look 20 to 30 seconds ahead, and remember that perception and reaction time nearly double the 158 foot braking distance at 50 mph. Wet roads call for 5 to 10 mph slower, packed snow for half speed and ice for a crawl.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 8-2 to 8-8
- Lesson 20Section 8: Managing Time and SpaceSafe driving
Following distance, headlights and signals
Keep at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead and look for a 4 second gap to merge. Turn on headlights from sunset to sunrise and when you cannot see 1000 feet ahead, and signal at least 100 feet before any change or turn.
9 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 8-11 to 8-18
- Lesson 21Section 9: Avoiding CrashesEmergencies
Collisions, crash reports and first aid
If you are in a crash, stop, help the injured and stay until police arrive. Maine requires a report for any injury or damage of $2,000 or more.
9 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 9-1 to 9-6
- Lesson 22Section 9: Avoiding CrashesEmergencies
Brake failure, blowouts and other vehicle problems
If your brakes fail, pump the pedal and then apply the parking brake slowly, and after a blowout grip the wheel, steer straight and let the car slow by itself. For a stuck gas pedal shift to neutral, and if your car plunges into water, escape through a window.
9 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 9-5 to 9-7
- Lesson 23Section 10: Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and large vehicles
Yield to all pedestrians even on a green light, leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist and stay at least 4 seconds behind a motorcycle. A loaded truck needs at least 335 feet to stop at 55 mph and has blind spots up to 200 feet behind it.
10 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 10-1 to 10-7
- Lesson 24Section 10: Sharing the RoadEmergencies
Emergency vehicles, move over and traffic stops
Maine requires you to pull over and stop for emergency vehicles with lights and sirens and to move over for ones stopped on the roadside. Failing to yield is a Class E crime.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-2 to 10-10
- Lesson 25Section 11: Special Driving ChallengesSafe driving
Night, rural, winter and wet weather driving
At night add at least a second of following distance, on gravel slow down and leave more room, and on snow or ice expect three to twelve times the stopping distance. Hydroplaning may begin at 30 to 40 mph, and as little as six inches of water can float some small cars.
9 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 11-1 to 11-7
- Lesson 26Section 11: Special Driving ChallengesEmergencies
Moose and deer
Deer collisions peak in November, moose collisions peak in May and June, and both animals are most active between dusk and dawn. For a moose in the road, slow down and stay in your vehicle, and if a crash is unavoidable, brake and steer straight.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 11-7 to 11-8
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Maine practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Maine cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual (Rev 4/24). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.