ME 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. When you pass three sets in a row at 80 percent or better, book the real test.

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

Printable ME practice test with answer key

All 30 questions, ME exam length

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. By how much do properly used lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury, according to the Maine handbook?

   1. 40 to 55 percent
   2. 100 percent
   3. 5 percent
   4. 10 percent
   Show answer

   40 to 55 percent. When used properly, lap and shoulder belts can reduce the risk of a serious or fatal injury by 40 to 55 percent. Full explanation in Test 1

2. 2. What maximum speed applies when passing a Maine school during recess or during school opening and closing hours?

   1. 20 miles per hour
   2. 15 mph
   3. 25 miles per hour
   4. 10 miles per hour
   Show answer

   15 mph. The maximum near a school is 15 miles per hour during recess or while children are going to or from school during the school's opening or cl Full explanation in Test 2

3. 3. What does the number on this SPEED LIMIT sign represent?

   
   1. A suggested speed that may always be exceeded safely
   2. The legal speed when conditions are ideal
   3. The minimum speed required in every weather condition
   4. A speed reserved for trucks and buses
   Show answer

   The legal speed when conditions are ideal. Maine describes black and white speed limit signs as indicating the legal speed when conditions are ideal. Full explanation in Test 3

4. 4. During the minimum suspension period for an OUI conviction, can a Maine driver get a work or limited license?

   1. No, there is no work or limited license during that period
   2. Yes, for driving to and from work only
   3. Yes, after the first 30 days
   4. Yes, if an employer signs a request
   Show answer

   No, there is no work or limited license during that period. Maine makes no provision at all for a work or limited license during the minimum suspension for an OUI conviction, so offenders are at first Full explanation in Test 4

5. 5. 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

6. 6. After seeing a Maine warning sign, what should a driver do?

   
   1. Reduce speed and leave time to react
   2. Accelerate before the hazard
   3. Ignore it unless a police officer repeats it
   4. Cross the center line for a better view
   Show answer

   Reduce speed and leave time to react. Maine advises drivers to reduce speed when warning signs identify danger ahead, giving them time to react if trouble develops. Full explanation in Test 6

7. 7. A 17 year old Maine driver, with no job duty or parent's request as a reason, is caught transporting liquor in a car. What license suspension does the handbook list?

   1. At least 30 days
   2. At least 7 days
   3. At least 90 days
   4. None on a first offense
   Show answer

   At least 30 days. Illegal transportation, possession, or consumption of liquor by a minor in a motor vehicle carries a mandatory suspension of at least 30 day Full explanation in Test 7

8. 8. What should a driver watch for at night because a moose's eyes may not reflect headlights like a deer's eyes?

   1. A reflective orange triangle
   2. A pair of bright eye reflections
   3. A flashing red light on its body
   4. The moose's dark silhouette
   Show answer

   The moose's dark silhouette. Because moose are taller, their eyes usually do not reflect headlight beams in the same way deer eyes do. Full explanation in Test 8

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. According to the Maine handbook's cost example, what could one drink over the legal limit end up costing a driver?

    1. About $500, the minimum fine
    2. About $1,500
    3. Well over $7,000
    4. Under $1,000 once insurance is counted
    Show answer

    Well over $7,000. The handbook adds up towing, bail, a lawyer, the fine, an alcohol education course, a three year insurance surcharge, lost work time, and th Full explanation in Test 10

11. 11. A Maine driver is convicted of street racing. What license suspension does the handbook list for this conviction?

    1. Up to 90 days
    2. Exactly 60 days
    3. Up to 120 days
    4. Permanent revocation
    Show answer

    Up to 90 days. Eluding a police officer, passing a roadblock, and street racing are grouped together, and a conviction for any of them may bring a suspensi Full explanation in Test 1

12. 12. When approaching an intersection, what must you do if another vehicle has already entered it?

    1. Enter first if your vehicle is traveling faster
    2. Yield the right-of-way to that vehicle
    3. Sound the horn and force the other vehicle to stop
    4. Turn across its path if you have a larger vehicle
    Show answer

    Yield the right-of-way to that vehicle. A vehicle already inside the intersection has begun its movement through the conflict area. Full explanation in Test 2

13. 13. What shape and color identify most Maine warning signs?

    1. Blue circle
    2. Yellow diamond
    3. Green rectangle
    4. White octagon
    Show answer

    Yellow diamond. Most Maine warning signs are yellow and shaped like a diamond. Full explanation in Test 3

14. 14. What tire tread does Maine's inspection require for cars and for 10,000 pound commercial vehicles?

    1. 1/32 inch for both
    2. 6/32 inch for both
    3. 2/32 inch for cars and 4/32 inch for commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds
    4. Any tread without cuts
    Show answer

    2/32 inch for cars and 4/32 inch for commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds. Tires must have 2/32 of an inch of tread and be free of cuts, tears or other dangerous conditions, and for commercial vehicles of 10,000 pou Full explanation in Test 4

15. 15. How far ahead do headlights let you see clearly, according to the Maine handbook?

    1. About one mile
    2. About 1,000 feet
    3. About 50 feet
    4. Only about 250 feet
    Show answer

    Only about 250 feet. Headlights will let you see clearly only about 250 feet ahead, so at night you must drive slowly enough to stop within that distance. Full explanation in Test 5

16. 16. What license consequence does the Maine manual describe for a person under 21 found operating with any amount of alcohol?

    1. Loss of the driver's license for at least one year
    2. A 30 day suspension only
    3. No action unless the level reaches 0.08
    4. A required warning with no license loss
    Show answer

    Loss of the driver's license for at least one year. For a driver under 21, the manual says operating with any amount of alcohol results in losing the driver's license for at least one year. Full explanation in Test 6

17. 17. In a Maine school zone, how does the handbook define school opening and closing hours for the 15 mph limit?

    1. One hour before the school day starts to one hour after it ends
    2. Only while a crossing guard is present
    3. The whole school day, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    4. Half an hour before the school day starts to half an hour after it ends
    Show answer

    Half an hour before the school day starts to half an hour after it ends. A five sided school sign means you must slow to 15 mph during recess, when children are going to or leaving school, and during opening or cl Full explanation in Test 7

18. 18. Unless posted otherwise, what is the maximum speed outside any business, residential, or built-up area in Maine?

    1. 25 mph
    2. 45 mph
    3. 55 mph
    4. 65 mph
    Show answer

    45 mph. Maine's default maximum is 45 miles per hour outside business, residential, or built-up areas, unless a different limit is posted. Full explanation in Test 8

19. 19. How should a driver approach an intersection where buildings or trees block the view of the cross street?

    1. Maintain speed because the obstruction protects the vehicle
    2. Edge forward slowly until the cross street can be seen
    3. Drive into the cross street before looking to save time
    4. Use the horn as a substitute for checking both directions
    Show answer

    Edge forward slowly until the cross street can be seen. A blocked view requires a controlled approach. Full explanation in Test 9

20. 20. A Maine driver with a conditional license after an OUI is found driving with a small amount of alcohol, below 0.08. What happens?

    1. Nothing, because the level is below 0.08
    2. A one year suspension without a preliminary hearing
    3. A warning letter only
    4. A 30 day suspension after a court hearing
    Show answer

    A one year suspension without a preliminary hearing. The reinstated license after an OUI is conditioned on driving with no alcohol at all. Full explanation in Test 10

21. 21. Under Maine's violation free credit system, what is the most credit points a driver can build up?

    1. Two
    2. Six
    3. Ten
    4. Four
    Show answer

    Four. Maine awards one violation free credit point for each calendar year with no convictions or suspensions, and a driver may accumulate up to fo Full explanation in Test 1

22. 22. What color and markings do Maine warning signs usually have?

    1. Green with red lettering
    2. Blue with white lettering
    3. Yellow with black lettering or symbols
    4. White with black lettering only
    Show answer

    Yellow with black lettering or symbols. Maine describes warning signs as usually yellow with black lettering or symbols. Full explanation in Test 2

23. 23. 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 3

24. 24. What criminal consequence does Maine identify for failing to yield to an active emergency vehicle?

    1. A Class E crime
    2. A warning with no possible charge
    3. A mandatory parking citation
    4. A license renewal delay only
    Show answer

    A Class E crime. Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle with an active siren and flashing light is a Class E crime under the Maine manual. Full explanation in Test 4

25. 25. What must a Maine driver do when an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren and flashing light on?

    
    1. Stop in the middle of the intersection so it can go around
    2. Continue through the intersection before stopping in the next lane
    3. Follow the emergency vehicle closely to use its cleared path
    4. Pull to the road edge, stop, and avoid blocking an intersection
    Show answer

    Pull to the road edge, stop, and avoid blocking an intersection. An emergency vehicle needs a clear path, so move to the edge of the road and stop. Full explanation in Test 5

26. 26. Who has the right-of-way when a driver is entering an interstate from an entrance ramp?

    
    1. The vehicle that activates its signal first
    2. The vehicle on the entrance ramp
    3. The vehicle traveling fastest
    4. Drivers already on the interstate
    Show answer

    Drivers already on the interstate. Traffic already traveling on the interstate has the right-of-way over a vehicle coming from the entrance ramp. Full explanation in Test 6

27. 27. When must drivers in Maine report a crash to the police or local sheriff?

    1. Only when property damage is over $5,000
    2. When property damage is $500 or more
    3. When anyone is injured or property damage is $2,000 or more
    4. Only when a vehicle has to be towed
    Show answer

    When anyone is injured or property damage is $2,000 or more. Maine requires drivers to report a crash to the police or local sheriff when anyone is injured or property damage reaches $2,000 or more. Full explanation in Test 7

28. 28. Which shape identifies a Maine stop sign?

    1. Down-pointing triangle
    2. Five-sided pentagon
    3. Four-sided rectangle
    4. Eight-sided octagon
    Show answer

    Eight-sided octagon. A stop sign has eight sides, making it an octagon, and it is red with white letters. Full explanation in Test 8

29. 29. What shapes may Maine regulatory signs have?

    1. Only red octagons
    2. Only yellow diamonds
    3. Only green circles
    4. Square, rectangular, or a special shape
    Show answer

    Square, rectangular, or a special shape. Maine regulatory signs can be square, rectangular, or a special shape. Full explanation in Test 9

30. 30. What should a Maine driver do when a moose is standing in or near the roadway?

    1. Get out and chase the moose away
    2. Drive around the moose on the shoulder
    3. Slow down, stay in the vehicle, and give the moose room and time to leave
    4. Honk repeatedly and pass at normal speed
    Show answer

    Slow down, stay in the vehicle, and give the moose room and time to leave. The manual calls for extreme caution, slower speed, remaining in the vehicle, and allowing the moose room and time to wander away. Full explanation in Test 10