Maine BMV Permit Practice Test 1: 50 Questions
Practice Test 1 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Maine driving rules, including snow and ice speed reduction, Maine adult BAC limit, Maine Under-21 BAC and icy bridge warning. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Maine Practice Tests
What Practice Test 1 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Snow and Ice Speed Reduction
- Maine Adult BAC Limit
- Maine Under-21 BAC
- Icy Bridge Warning
- Brake Failure Response
- Red X Over Lane
- Flashing Red Signal
- Solid Yellow on Your Side
- Uncontrolled Intersection
- Flashing Yellow Signal
- School Bus Flashing Red
- 4-Second Following Distance
- Advisory Speed Curve
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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When driving on snow or ice, how should you reduce speed?
Show answer
B. Slow down gradually
Gradual speed reduction helps prevent skidding on slippery roads.
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What is the legal BAC limit for drivers age 21 or older?
Show answer
B. 0.08%
Drivers are legally impaired at a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
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You are approaching a Maine intersection where several traffic lights hang over different lanes, and they show different colors. Which light should you obey?
Show answer
B. The one directly over your lane
When there is more than one traffic light, obey the one that is directly over your lane.
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What should drivers do on icy bridges?
Show answer
C. Slow down before reaching the bridge
Bridges freeze faster than roadways.
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You are stopping for a red light at a Maine intersection that has a stop line painted before the crosswalk. Where must you stop?
Show answer
C. At the stop line
In Maine, if there is a stop line before the crosswalk, you must stop at the stop line.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 1, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. You are approaching an intersection with a flashing red signal. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop completely and proceed when safe
Why: A flashing red signal has the same meaning as a stop sign and requires a full stop.
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Q2. What does a solid yellow line on your side of the road mean?
Correct answer: Passing is not allowed
Why: A solid yellow line on your side means you may not pass.
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Q3. At an uncontrolled intersection, who has the right-of-way?
Correct answer: The driver on the right
Why: Drivers must yield to traffic approaching from the right.
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Q4. What does a flashing yellow traffic signal warn drivers to do?
Correct answer: Proceed with caution
Why: A flashing yellow signal means slow down and be alert.
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Q5. When driving on snow or ice, how should you reduce speed?
Correct answer: Slow down gradually
Why: Gradual speed reduction helps prevent skidding on slippery roads.
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Q6. What does a broken white line between lanes indicate?
Correct answer: Lane changes are allowed
Why: Broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction.
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Q7. When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, what must you do?
Correct answer: Stop
Why: Drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights.
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Q8. What is the safest following distance under ideal conditions?
Correct answer: At least four seconds
Why: Maine’s driver handbook says to keep at least 4 seconds between your car and the vehicle in front, and more at night or in bad weather.
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Q9. What does a round yellow sign warn of?
Correct answer: Railroad crossing ahead
Why: Round yellow signs warn drivers of railroad crossings.
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Q10. What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?
Correct answer: Steer in the direction you want the front to go
Why: Steering toward the intended path helps regain control.
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Q11. What does a red octagon-shaped sign require?
Correct answer: A complete stop
Why: Octagon-shaped signs are used only for stop signs.
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Q12. When visibility is reduced by fog, which headlights should you use?
Correct answer: Low beams
Why: Low beams reduce glare and improve visibility in fog.
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Q13. What does a steady green traffic signal mean?
Correct answer: Go if the intersection is clear
Why: A green signal allows traffic to proceed when safe.
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Q14. What does a solid double yellow line indicate?
Correct answer: No passing in either direction
Why: Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions.
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Q15. What should you do when approaching a yield sign?
Correct answer: Slow down and give right-of-way
Why: Yield signs require drivers to give the right-of-way when necessary.
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Q16. What does a pentagon-shaped sign indicate?
Correct answer: School zone or crossing
Why: Pentagon-shaped signs warn of school zones or crossings.
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Q17. What does a steady red traffic signal require?
Correct answer: Stop until the signal changes
Why: A steady red light requires a complete stop.
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Q18. When driving in heavy rain, what should you do?
Correct answer: Reduce speed
Why: Reducing speed improves control and visibility.
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Q19. What does a broken yellow line mean?
Correct answer: Passing allowed when safe
Why: Broken yellow lines allow passing when it is safe.
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Q20. Who has the right-of-way at a four-way stop when two vehicles arrive at the same time?
Correct answer: The driver on the right
Why: When vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first.
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Q21. What should you do if traffic signals are not working?
Correct answer: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop
Why: All drivers must stop and take turns when signals are out.
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Q22. What does a flashing red traffic signal require?
Correct answer: Stop then proceed when safe
Why: Flashing red signals have the same meaning as stop signs.
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Q23. What does an orange diamond-shaped sign warn of?
Correct answer: Construction or maintenance
Why: Orange signs warn of temporary traffic control zones.
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Q24. What should you do when approaching a railroad crossing with flashing lights?
Correct answer: Stop and wait
Why: Flashing lights indicate an approaching train.
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Q25. What is hydroplaning?
Correct answer: Loss of traction on wet pavement
Why: Hydroplaning occurs when tires lose contact with wet pavement.
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Q26. You are driving at night in Maine with your high beams on and come up behind another car. At what distance behind it must you switch to low beams?
Correct answer: 300 feet
Why: Maine requires you to dim your headlights when you approach an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet or follow a vehicle within 300 feet.
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Q27. What should drivers do when an emergency vehicle approaches using lights and sirens?
Correct answer: Pull to the right and stop
Why: Drivers must pull over and stop for emergency vehicles.
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Q28. What does a white rectangular sign usually indicate?
Correct answer: Traffic laws or regulations
Why: White rectangular signs are used for regulatory information.
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Q29. What should you do if you miss your exit on a highway?
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit
Why: Continuing to the next exit is the safest option.
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Q30. What does a green arrow indicate?
Correct answer: A protected turn
Why: A green arrow gives the right-of-way for the indicated turn.
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Q31. What does a solid white line indicate?
Correct answer: Discourage lane changes
Why: Solid white lines discourage changing lanes.
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Q32. What is the safest action if you feel drowsy while driving?
Correct answer: Stop and rest
Why: Rest is the only effective way to combat fatigue.
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Q33. What does a yellow warning sign with black symbols indicate?
Correct answer: Potential hazards ahead
Why: Yellow signs warn drivers of possible hazards.
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Q34. When must headlights be used?
Correct answer: Between sunset and sunrise
Why: Headlights are required at night and when visibility is reduced.
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Q35. What should drivers do before changing lanes?
Correct answer: Signal and check traffic
Why: Signaling and checking traffic helps prevent collisions.
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Q36. What does a no passing zone sign indicate?
Correct answer: Passing is prohibited
Why: No passing zones mark areas where passing is unsafe.
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Q37. What should you do when driving through a construction zone?
Correct answer: Reduce speed and obey signs
Why: Construction zones require extra caution.
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Q38. What does a blue sign usually provide?
Correct answer: Motorist services
Why: Blue signs give information about services such as fuel or lodging.
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Q39. You see a brown rectangular sign beside a Maine road. What kind of sign is it?
Correct answer: A guide sign
Why: Guide signs are square or rectangular and are green, brown, or blue. Warning signs are usually yellow, and regulatory signs are white with black, red, or green letters.
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Q40. What is the legal BAC limit for drivers age 21 or older?
Correct answer: 0.08%
Why: Drivers are legally impaired at a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
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Q41. What BAC level applies to drivers under age 21?
Correct answer: Any amount (zero tolerance)
Why: Maine law says drivers under 21 may not drive after consuming any amount of alcohol. The 0.08% limit applies to drivers 21 and older.
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Q42. What should you do when approaching a curve with a reduced speed advisory sign?
Correct answer: Slow to the advisory speed
Why: Advisory speeds warn drivers to slow for safety.
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Q43. What does a keep right sign instruct drivers to do?
Correct answer: Stay to the right of an obstruction
Why: Keep right signs direct traffic safely.
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Q44. What should drivers do when pedestrians are in a crosswalk?
Correct answer: Yield and stop if necessary
Why: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
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Q45. What does a red X above a lane indicate?
Correct answer: Lane closed
Why: A red X means the lane may not be used.
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Q46. What should you do if your brakes fail?
Correct answer: Downshift and pump the brakes
Why: Downshifting and pumping brakes can help slow the vehicle.
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Q47. You are stopping for a red light at a Maine intersection that has a stop line painted before the crosswalk. Where must you stop?
Correct answer: At the stop line
Why: In Maine, if there is a stop line before the crosswalk, you must stop at the stop line.
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Q48. You are approaching a Maine intersection where several traffic lights hang over different lanes, and they show different colors. Which light should you obey?
Correct answer: The one directly over your lane
Why: When there is more than one traffic light, obey the one that is directly over your lane.
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Q49. What should drivers do on icy bridges?
Correct answer: Slow down before reaching the bridge
Why: Bridges freeze faster than roadways.
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Q50. What is the main purpose of traffic control devices?
Correct answer: Regulate, warn, and guide traffic
Why: Traffic control devices provide rules, warnings, and guidance.