Maine safe driving practice questions
5 questions below test Maine’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Maine permit knowledge test has 30 questions in total and needs 24 correct (80%) to pass.
Maine law
5 questions on Maine’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. A person under 18 who has been issued a Maine driver’s license may not operate a motor vehicle between:
- A9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
- C1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
- D10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Answer: 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.. The Maine Driver’s License Manual states a person under 18 may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. (among other restrictions lasting 270 days from when the road test was passed).
Source: Maine Driver's License Manual — Under-18 License Restrictions
2. Unless accompanied by a qualified supervising licensed operator, a Maine driver under 18 may carry passengers other than immediate family members:
- AOnly after midnight
- BFreely
- Not at all during the restriction period
- DOnly two friends
Answer: Not at all during the restriction period. The Maine Driver’s License Manual states a person under 18 may not carry passengers other than immediate family members unless accompanied by a licensed operator who has held a valid license for 2 years, is at least 20, and is seated beside the driver.
Source: Maine Driver's License Manual — Under-18 License Restrictions
3. Maine law on mobile telephones and handheld electronic devices while driving is that they are:
- AAllowed for adults only
- Prohibited by law when driving in Maine
- CAllowed under 25 mph
- DAllowed if parked at a red light
Answer: Prohibited by law when driving in Maine. The Maine Driver’s License Manual states use of a mobile telephone or handheld electronic devices are prohibited by law when driving in Maine, and separately notes that a person under 18 is specifically prohibited from operating while using a mobile telephone or handheld electronic device.
Source: Maine Driver's License Manual — Learner’s Permit / Distracted Driving
4. In Maine, when a child who weighs less than 55 pounds is transported in a vehicle required to have safety belts, the child must be:
- AIn a lap belt only
- BIn a seat belt alone
- Properly secured in a child safety seat
- DUnrestrained if in the back seat
Answer: Properly secured in a child safety seat. The Maine Driver’s License Manual states that when a child who weighs less than 55 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle required to be equipped with safety belts, the operator must have the child properly secured in a child safety seat.
Source: Maine Driver's License Manual — Keeping Children Safe
5. Maine requires a federally approved child restraint system for a child who weighs at least 55 pounds but less than 80 pounds and is:
- Less than 8 years of age
- BLess than 12 years of age only
- CAny age
- DOver 18 only
Answer: Less than 8 years of age. The Maine Driver’s License Manual states the operator shall ensure that a child who weighs at least 55 pounds but less than 80 pounds and who is less than 8 years of age is properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system.
Source: Maine Driver's License Manual — Passengers less than 18 years of age
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Maine items above for 15 questions in total.
1. When must low-beam headlights be turned on in most jurisdictions?
- AWhenever driving above 45 mph
- BOnly during heavy snowfall
- From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
- DOnly when driving on dark rural roads
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Lighting requirements — headlights
2. What is the best way to set a safe following distance?
- AFollow closely so other drivers cannot merge
- BMatch the vehicle ahead bumper-to-bumper
- CStay one car length behind at every speed
- Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions
Answer: Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions. A time-based gap adapts to speed. Increase it for rain, darkness, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, or limited visibility.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
3. To reduce glare from an oncoming vehicle's headlights at night, you should look:
- AInto your rear-view mirror
- BDirectly at the oncoming headlights
- Toward the right edge of your lane
- DDown at your dashboard
Answer: Toward the right edge of your lane. Shifting your gaze to the right edge line keeps you oriented in your lane while the bright lights pass out of your direct vision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Night driving — glare
More Maine topics
Other Maine rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current Maine rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for Maine safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Maine Bureau of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About Maine safe driving rules and this practice set.