Maine Permit Practice Test

How to use this ME practice test

1. Take the 30 question exam-length practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the Maine Driver's License Manual, which is what the examiners use.
4. Come back on a later day and retake the questions you missed. A score on questions you have not seen before tells you more than a repeat.

ME practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9
10. Test 10
11. Test 11
12. Test 12
13. Test 13
14. Test 14
15. Test 15
16. Test 16
17. Test 17
18. Test 18
19. Test 19
20. Test 20
21. Test 21
22. Test 22
23. Test 23
24. Test 24
25. Test 25

Printable ME practice test with answer key

30 sample practice questions from the ME bank

Every question below comes from the Maine question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. What does this yellow warning sign with two opposing arrows tell you?

   
   1. Two lanes ahead merge into one
   2. Two-way traffic is ahead
   3. A one-way street begins ahead
   4. The divided highway begins ahead
   Show answer

   Two-way traffic is ahead. In Maine's list of common warning signs, the sign with two arrows pointing in opposite directions means there is two-way traffic. Full explanation in Test 1

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and school zones

2. 2. Your road is wet from rain. By about how much does the Maine manual say you should slow down?

   1. To half your normal speed
   2. 5 to 10 mph
   3. To a crawl
   4. 15 to 20 mph
   Show answer

   5 to 10 mph. On a wet road, Maine's guideline is to slow down 5 to 10 mph. Full explanation in Test 2

   Study this in the handbook: Scanning, stopping distance and road conditions

3. 3. Besides rules and hazards, what information can traffic signs provide?

   
   1. Highway directions and road services
   2. The mechanical condition of every nearby vehicle
   3. The driver's license status of approaching motorists
   4. A guarantee that all lanes are free of traffic
   Show answer

   Highway directions and road services. Traffic signs do more than regulate movement or warn about hazards. Full explanation in Test 3

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals, arrows and lane lights

4. 4. At what demerit point level does the Maine Secretary of State issue a warning to a driver?

   1. 3 points
   2. 6 points
   3. 8 points
   4. 12 points
   Show answer

   6 points. Under the Maine point system, a driver who reaches 6 points receives a warning from the Secretary of State. Full explanation in Test 4

   Study this in the handbook: Young driver restrictions, points and suspensions

5. 5. About how many bicycles are there in Maine, according to the handbook?

   1. Nearly 900,000
   2. About 10,000
   3. About 50,000
   4. About 5 million
   Show answer

   Nearly 900,000. There are nearly 900,000 bicycles in Maine and most bicycling is done on the roadways, so drivers should expect bicyclists on every kind of Full explanation in Test 5

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and large vehicles

6. 6. If a driver is later found innocent of OUI, what happens to the administrative suspension issued by the Secretary of State?

   1. It changes to a warning only
   2. It is automatically erased
   3. It remains in effect
   4. It applies only after a second OUI
   Show answer

   It remains in effect. The Maine manual says the administrative suspension issued by the Secretary of State remains in effect even if the driver is later found inn Full explanation in Test 6

   Study this in the handbook: OUI law, implied consent and penalties

7. 7. Red lights are flashing at a Maine railroad crossing. How far from the crossing must you stop?

   1. At least 5 feet
   2. At least 10 feet
   3. At least 15 feet
   4. At least 50 feet
   Show answer

   At least 15 feet. When railroad crossing lights are flashing, stop at least 15 feet from the crossing and wait until they go out or the way is clear in both d Full explanation in Test 7

   Study this in the handbook: Warning, railroad and work zone signs

8. 8. What must a Maine applicant under 18 complete to obtain a learner's permit?

   1. A two year driving record
   2. A commercial driver course
   3. A motorcycle endorsement exam
   4. An approved driver education course
   Show answer

   An approved driver education course. Applicants younger than 18 must complete an approved driver education course before obtaining a Maine learner's permit. Full explanation in Test 8

   Study this in the handbook: Getting a learner's permit and a license

9. 9. In Maine, who can ask the Secretary of State to suspend a minor's license or instruction permit by filing a notarized written request?

   1. The minor's driver education instructor
   2. The minor's auto insurance company
   3. Only a juvenile court judge
   4. A person who signed the minor's license or permit application
   Show answer

   A person who signed the minor's license or permit application. Whoever signed a minor's application for a license or instruction permit, usually a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 18, may late Full explanation in Test 9

10. 10. Under Maine's under-21 alcohol rule, may a driver drive after consuming any amount of alcohol?

    1. Yes, if the driver stays below 0.08 BAC
    2. No, driving after any amount is prohibited
    3. Yes, if the alcohol was consumed with food
    4. Yes, if the trip is less than five miles
    Show answer

    No, driving after any amount is prohibited. The manual says a person under 21 may not drive after consuming any amount of alcohol. The 0. Full explanation in Test 10

    Study this in the handbook: Under 21, conditional licenses and open containers

11. 11. Your car stalls on railroad tracks, a train approaches, and the car will not move. What should you do?

    1. Keep trying the starter
    2. Stop trying, get away
    3. Push the car alone
    4. Stay belted inside
    Show answer

    Stop trying, get away. Trains cannot swerve, stop quickly, or forgive delay. Full explanation in Test 11

    Study this in the handbook: Collisions, crash reports and first aid

12. 12. You are driving on a gravel or dirt road. Why should you slow down and add following distance?

    1. The loose surface may cause a skid when stopping
    2. Loose gravel gives tires better braking grip
    3. Gravel roads stay dry while paved roads stay wet
    4. Following distance matters less on loose gravel
    Show answer

    The loose surface may cause a skid when stopping. Loose surfaces betray tires that trusted pavement. Full explanation in Test 12

    Study this in the handbook: Night, rural, winter and wet weather driving

13. 13. What does this five-sided sign identify?

    
    1. A school zone where special caution is required
    2. A public park with no school activity
    3. An adult pedestrian crossing only
    4. A hospital entrance with emergency traffic
    Show answer

    A school zone where special caution is required. Maine uses a five-sided sign to identify a school zone. Drivers should slow and watch for children, school traffic, and crossing activity. Full explanation in Test 13

    Study this in the handbook: Warning, railroad and work zone signs

14. 14. Passing on a two lane road requires entering which lane, and why does that raise the stakes?

    1. Your own lane, staying fully right
    2. A lane belonging to oncoming cars
    3. A paved shoulder lane
    4. A turning lane for both ways
    Show answer

    A lane belonging to oncoming cars. Two lane passing borrows the opposing direction road. Full explanation in Test 14

    Study this in the handbook: Passing and no passing zones

15. 15. A moose stands in the roadway ahead and will not move. Which maneuver must you avoid?

    1. Slowing down for it
    2. Trying to drive around the moose
    3. Staying in your vehicle
    4. Giving it room and time
    Show answer

    Trying to drive around the moose. A moose owns any standoff by size and temperament. Full explanation in Test 15

    Study this in the handbook: Moose and deer

16. 16. A horse and rider are traveling along the road ahead. How should you approach and pass them?

    1. Use the horn to make the horse move.
    2. Pass at normal speed before the rider can react.
    3. Slow down and proceed cautiously.
    4. Rev the engine to warn the rider.
    Show answer

    Slow down and proceed cautiously.. Horses can rear, swerve, or stop when startled, so Maine tells drivers to anticipate the danger, slow down, and proceed cautiously when appr Full explanation in Test 16

17. 17. A tire goes flat where the only shoulder puts you beside a traffic lane. What does Maine guidance say about changing it there?

    1. Change it quickly facing traffic
    2. Use the lane briefly with flashers
    3. Skip it if you would stand in a lane
    4. Let a passenger stand as a shield
    Show answer

    Skip it if you would stand in a lane. Some repairs must wait for a safer stage. Do not change a tire if it means you must stand in a traffic lane, because passing drivers need on Full explanation in Test 17

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, headlights and signals

18. 18. Sleep needs vary widely by person. At the high end, how much sleep might someone require each night?

    1. Exactly 8 hours for everyone
    2. As much as 10 hours
    3. As little as 4 hours
    4. No more than 6 hours
    Show answer

    As much as 10 hours. Bodies keep individual sleep budgets. While some people manage on less, you could be someone who requires as much as 10 hours of sleep, and Full explanation in Test 18

    Study this in the handbook: Vision, fatigue and distractions

19. 19. How do illegal drugs affect a driver compared with alcohol?

    1. Reflexes, judgment, vision, alertness, like alcohol
    2. They improve alertness on long drives
    3. They affect only eyesight
    4. They matter only when mixed with alcohol
    Show answer

    Reflexes, judgment, vision, alertness, like alcohol. Illegal drugs impair through familiar channels. Full explanation in Test 19

    Study this in the handbook: OUI law, implied consent and penalties

20. 20. On a flat roadway, fourth gear is intended for driving above what speed?

    1. Above 20 mph
    2. Above 35 mph
    3. Above 50 mph
    4. Above 65 mph
    Show answer

    Above 35 mph. Top gears trade pulling power for efficient cruising. Full explanation in Test 20

21. 21. You have parked at a curb and are about to get out of the car. Which side should you use if you can?

    1. The street side, after checking traffic behind you
    2. Either side, since the car is fully parked
    3. The side facing the nearest shop entrance
    4. The curb side, away from passing traffic
    Show answer

    The curb side, away from passing traffic. A parked car should empty away from moving traffic. Full explanation in Test 21

22. 22. You will be out of sight of your parked car for a while. What does the manual advise?

    1. Leave the key inside the ignition
    2. Lock the car and take the key
    3. Leave a window partly open for air
    4. Keep the engine running while away
    Show answer

    Lock the car and take the key. Once you leave a car, Maine advises shutting off the engine and taking the key with you. Full explanation in Test 22

23. 23. How can drivers recognize and obey a flagger controlling traffic in a work zone?

    1. Flaggers stand in plain clothes waving arms
    2. High visibility dress, paddle signals
    3. Any worker shout is a signal
    4. Flaggers only work at night
    Show answer

    High visibility dress, paddle signals. One person owns traffic flow where lanes vanish in a work zone. Full explanation in Test 23

    Study this in the handbook: Night, rural, winter and wet weather driving

24. 24. Compared with automobiles, how do large vehicles handle speeding up, stopping, and turning?

    1. They do all three quicker
    2. More space to speed, stop, turn
    3. They turn tighter than cars
    4. They stop in shorter distances
    Show answer

    More space to speed, stop, turn. Mass rewrites every maneuver timeline for heavy vehicles. Full explanation in Test 24

25. 25. Where must a rear-facing child safety seat never be placed?

    1. In front of an active passenger air bag.
    2. In the rear seat with the belt secured.
    3. Behind the driver in the rear seat.
    4. In a rear seat without an air bag.
    Show answer

    In front of an active passenger air bag.. Maine prohibits placing a rear-facing child safety seat in front of an active passenger air bag. Full explanation in Test 25

    Study this in the handbook: Seat position, seat belts and child safety

26. 26. When changing lanes is unsafe near a stopped emergency vehicle, what must the driver do?

    
    1. Slow down and use caution while passing
    2. Maintain normal speed to avoid delay
    3. Stop in the travel lane beside the vehicle
    4. Pass on the shoulder without reducing speed
    Show answer

    Slow down and use caution while passing. The move-over rule does not make an unsafe lane change acceptable. Full explanation in Test 1

    Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, move over and traffic stops

27. 27. At what alcohol level does Maine identify operation of a motor vehicle as a criminal OUI offense?

    1. 0.05 grams per 100 milliliters of blood only
    2. 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath
    3. 0.10 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 150 liters of breath
    4. 0.15 grams per 100 milliliters of blood only
    Show answer

    0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath. Maine identifies 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath as the alcohol level for the criminal OUI offense described Full explanation in Test 2

    Study this in the handbook: OUI law, implied consent and penalties

28. 28. What does this yellow warning sign showing a small STOP sign and an arrow tell you?

    
    1. You must stop right at this sign
    2. A traffic signal is ahead
    3. The road ends ahead
    4. A stop sign is ahead
    Show answer

    A stop sign is ahead. In Maine's list of common warning signs, this one means there is a stop sign ahead. Full explanation in Test 3

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and school zones

29. 29. How should you respond when this skidding-car sign warns of a slippery road?

    
    1. Maintain the posted limit because the sign is advisory only
    2. Accelerate sharply to cross the slick area quickly
    3. Brake hard while turning to test the pavement
    4. Slow down and avoid hard braking or abrupt steering
    Show answer

    Slow down and avoid hard braking or abrupt steering. A slippery-road warning means the pavement may not provide enough tire grip for normal speed and abrupt control inputs. Full explanation in Test 4

    Study this in the handbook: Scanning, stopping distance and road conditions

30. 30. What is unlawful when following a fire truck responding to a fire alarm?

    1. Following within 500 feet of it
    2. Remaining more than 500 feet behind it
    3. Pulling to the right and stopping for it
    4. Clearing an intersection before pulling over
    Show answer

    Following within 500 feet of it. Maine makes it unlawful to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck that is responding to a fire alarm. Full explanation in Test 5

    Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, move over and traffic stops