20 questions from the Maine driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What action must a driver take when crossing a sidewalk?
Answer: Yield to all pedestrians or bicyclists on the sidewalk. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists when crossing sidewalks.
Maine driver handbook, page 101: “When crossing a sidewalk, you must yield to all pedestrians or bicyclists on the sidewalk.”
2. What is the maximum number of violation free credit points a driver is permitted to accumulate?
Answer: Four points. The handbook specifies that the limit for accumulating violation free credit points is four.
Maine driver handbook, page 14: “One is permitted to accumulate up to four violation free credit points.”
3. What action should a bicyclist take when the road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride safely side by side?
Answer: Take the travel lane by riding in or near the center of the lane. The handbook states that bicyclists should occupy the center of the lane when the road width prevents safe side-by-side travel.
Maine driver handbook, page 102: “When a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride safely side by side, bicycles should "take the travel lane," which means riding in or near the center of the lane.”
4. What is the maximum speed limit in Maine outside any business or residential or built-up area, unless posted otherwise?
Answer: 45 Miles per hour. The handbook specifies 45 mph as the default maximum speed for areas outside business or residential districts.
Maine driver handbook, page 81: “45 Miles per hour outside any business or residential or built-up area of Maine.”
5. What action does the handbook recommend if visibility is poor due to heavy rain, snow, or thick fog?
Answer: Pull off the road and wait until conditions improve. The handbook advises pulling off the road and waiting when visibility is severely compromised by weather.
Maine driver handbook, page 82: “If this happens, pull off the road and wait until the conditions improve.”
6. What is the minimum space required between your vehicle and a bicyclist when passing them?
Answer: At least three feet. The handbook clearly mandates a minimum gap of three feet between the vehicle and the bicycle during the passing maneuver.
Maine driver handbook, page 68: “Maine law requires that there be at least three feet of space between the right side of your vehicle and the bicycle as you pass.”
7. When performing a reverse two-point turnaround, which shoulder should you look over while backing into the driveway?
Answer: Right shoulder. The handbook instructs the driver to look over the right shoulder when reversing into the driveway during this maneuver.
Maine driver handbook, page 73: “put your right arm on the passenger seat, look back over your right shoulder and back into the driveway.”
8. What should you do with your headlights when following a large vehicle at night?
Answer: Dim your headlights. The handbook instructs drivers to dim headlights to prevent reflection off the truck's mirrors, which hinders the driver's visibility.
Maine driver handbook, page 109: “Always dim your headlights when following a large vehicle at night.”
9. When making a turn that is located beyond a side street, when should you activate your turn signal?
Answer: Immediately after passing the side street. The handbook instructs drivers to wait until after passing the side street to signal, ensuring other drivers understand the intended destination.
Maine driver handbook, page 91: “When making a turn that is beyond a side street, do not put your turn signal on until after passing the side street.”
10. According to the Maine Driving Dynamics Course guidelines, how many points are deducted from a driver's point total upon successful completion of the course?
Answer: Three points. The handbook states that completing the approved course results in a deduction of three points from the driver's total.
Maine driver handbook, page 14: “Successful completion of a Maine Driving Dynamics Course or other approved driver improvement course will deduct three points from a driver's point total.”
11. If your name or address changes from that given on your license, within how many days must you notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles?
Answer: Within 30 days of the change. The handbook states that Maine law requires notification to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of any name or address change.
Maine driver handbook, page 11: “If your name or address changes from that given on your license, Maine law requires that you notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of the change.”
12. What should you do if you feel drowsy while driving for long distances on straight roads?
Answer: Pull over at the nearest rest stop or service area. The handbook advises pulling over at a rest stop or service area to stretch, nap, or change drivers when experiencing drowsiness.
Maine driver handbook, page 66: “Pull over at the nearest rest stop or service area and either walk around and stretch, take a nap, or if possible, change drivers.”
13. What is the legal requirement regarding lending your driver's license to another person?
Answer: It is illegal to lend your license to anyone else. The handbook states directly that lending a driver's license to another person is illegal.
Maine driver handbook, page 11: “It is illegal to lend your license to anyone else.”
14. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure if your right wheels unexpectedly run off onto the shoulder of the road?
Answer: Ease up on the gas pedal, slow down gradually, check traffic, then steer back onto the road. The handbook instructs drivers to ease off the gas, slow down gently, check traffic, and then steer back onto the road.
Maine driver handbook, page 98: “Ease up on the gas pedal. Don't hit the brake pedal suddenly and hard. Step on the brakes gently. After you've slowed down, you can steer back onto the road. Before doing so, check the road for traffic ahead and behind, then turn your wheels to reenter the road.”
15. Why should you wait before turning if an approaching vehicle has its turn signal on?
Answer: Because the signal may have been left on from an earlier turn. The handbook notes that signals, especially on motorcycles, may not cancel automatically, so one should verify the driver's intent.
Maine driver handbook, page 89: “Or their signal may have been left on from an earlier turn.”
16. How far behind your vehicle should you place emergency flares if your vehicle breaks down?
Answer: 200 to 300 feet. The handbook specifies placing emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind the disabled vehicle to warn other drivers.
Maine driver handbook, page 99: “Put emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle.”
17. What is the minimum age required to obtain a learner's permit in Maine?
Answer: 15 years of age. The handbook states that applicants must be at least 15 years old to obtain a permit.
Maine driver handbook, page 7: “You must be at least 15 years of age.”
18. When overtaking a bicyclist, what is the minimum passing space required between the right side of your vehicle and the bicyclist?
Answer: Three feet. The handbook states that a minimum of three feet of space must be left when passing a bicyclist.
Maine driver handbook, page 102: “Leave at least three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist as you overtake them.”
19. Why does the handbook recommend using low beams instead of high beams in fog, snow, or heavy rain?
Answer: Light from high beams reflects back on the driver causing glare. The handbook explains that high beams reflect off precipitation like fog or rain, creating glare that impairs the driver's vision.
Maine driver handbook, page 90: “Use low beams in fog, snow, or heavy rain as light from your own high beams will reflect back on you from such precipitation and cause a glare that will affect your vision.”
20. What is the maximum speed limit when passing a school during recess or when children are going to/from school?
Answer: 15 Miles per hour. The handbook lists 15 mph as the specific speed limit for school zones during active times.
Maine driver handbook, page 81: “15 Miles per hour when passing a school during recess, or when children are going to or from school during the school's opening or closing hours.”