Maine Permit Test key terms

The legal priority to go first at an intersection or other meeting point. It is never taken by force; a driver may only yield it, and must yield whenever another driver already has it.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. The first vehicle to stop proceeds first; if two stop at the same time, the one on the right goes first.

Any intersection where traffic is directed by signs, signals, or a police officer rather than by default rules alone. Drivers must obey the control device before applying general right-of-way rules.

In Maine, a driver may turn left onto a one-way street from a one-way street while the light is red, after stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it. A left turn from a two-way street on red is not allowed.

Turning right while the signal is red is allowed after a complete stop, when no sign forbids it and the driver yields to pedestrians and cross traffic. It is treated like a stop sign.

A stretch of road where a broken yellow line or a designated passing lane permits a driver to overtake slower traffic. Passing is prohibited where lines are solid or signs forbid it.

A section marked by a solid yellow line on the driver's side, a double solid line, or a sign, where overtaking another vehicle traveling the same direction is not permitted because sight distance or space is limited.

A dashed yellow centerline marking that separates traffic moving in opposite directions and shows that passing is permitted when it is safe. Yellow lines always divide opposing traffic flows.

A solid white or yellow line at the outer edge of the travel lane. A white edge line marks the right edge; a yellow edge line marks the left edge of a divided highway or one-way road.

The line down the middle of a two-way road that separates opposing traffic. A solid yellow centerline means no passing; a broken yellow centerline means passing is allowed when safe.

Painted lines that divide lanes and guide traffic: white lines separate lanes moving the same direction, yellow lines separate opposing directions, and arrows show required turn or travel directions.

A center lane marked on both sides by solid and broken yellow lines, used by traffic from either direction to make or prepare for a left turn. It is not a through-travel or passing lane.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangle meaning a driver must slow or stop and let cross traffic and pedestrians go first, then proceed only when the way is clear.

An eight-sided red sign with white letters requiring a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk, or before entering the intersection if neither exists, followed by yielding to traffic with the right of way.

A signal that works like a stop sign: come to a full stop, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then continue when safe. A flashing yellow light instead means slow down and proceed with caution.

A signal warning drivers to slow down and proceed carefully, often at a hazardous intersection where cross traffic is controlled by a flashing red light or stop sign.

The part of the roadway set aside for pedestrians to cross, marked with white lines or shown by a sign. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked.

The legal priority pedestrians have in crosswalks and at corners. Drivers must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing, and must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

An area near a school where speed limits are reduced, often posted with flashing lights during arrival and dismissal hours. Drivers must slow to the posted limit and watch for children.

The maximum lawful speed on a road under good conditions. Driving faster than the posted limit, or faster than is safe for weather, traffic, or road conditions, is unlawful.

The rule that a driver must never travel faster than is reasonable and prudent for the actual conditions, even if that means driving below the posted limit in rain, fog, ice, or heavy traffic.

The gap a driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead. A minimum of three seconds is recommended in good conditions, with more space in rain, snow, darkness, or when following large trucks.

Following another vehicle too closely to stop safely if it slows suddenly. It is a common cause of rear-end crashes and is especially dangerous behind large trucks with limited rear visibility.

The areas around a large truck or bus where the driver cannot see other vehicles, including directly behind, alongside the cab, and in wide blind spots on both sides. Avoid lingering in these spaces.

Losing tire contact with the road because a layer of water lifts the tires. It causes steering and braking to fail. Slow down in heavy rain and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns.

The rule that by driving on Maine roads a person agrees to submit to a chemical test of breath or blood when lawfully arrested for operating under the influence. Refusal can lead to license suspension.

Driving or operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination. In Maine a person 21 or older is over the limit at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.

The rule that a driver under 21 with any measurable blood alcohol content, set at 0.02 or higher in Maine, commits an OUI offense. Any amount of alcohol is illegal for these drivers.

A restricted license that lets a new driver practice while supervised. In Maine a permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years.

Driving by a permit holder only while a qualified licensed adult sits in the front passenger seat. The supervisor must be able to take control of the vehicle at any time.

The provisional license a teen earns after holding a permit and completing required practice. It carries restrictions on night driving and on passengers, which are lifted when the driver meets age and clean-record requirements.

A staged system that moves new drivers from a learner's permit to an intermediate license to a full license, adding privileges as the driver gains experience and maintains a clean driving record.

The official history of a driver's license status, convictions, suspensions, and crashes kept by the state. Points and suspensions accumulate on it, and it affects insurance and license privileges.

A temporary loss of driving privileges ordered by the state for offenses such as OUI, refusal to test, or too many points. Driving while suspended is a separate criminal offense.

Maine law requiring all occupants of a moving vehicle to wear a seat belt, with children held in approved child safety seats. Enforcement applies to drivers and passengers, including rear-seat riders.

A federally approved restraint required for young children, used rear-facing for infants and forward-facing with a harness for older children, until they fit the vehicle's seat belt properly.

A rule requiring drivers to change lanes, or slow down if a lane change is unsafe, when approaching stopped emergency, tow, or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights on the roadside.

A circular intersection where traffic flows one way around a center island. Entering drivers yield to traffic already in the circle, travel counterclockwise, and use turn signals when exiting.