Maine motor vehicle laws and rules of the road
Core operating rules
Maine's rules-of-the-road questions test whether you can predict who goes first and where you may legally drive. At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle already in the intersection or approaching from your right. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first; if two arrive together, the driver on the right has the right of way. A stop sign requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before creeping forward for visibility.
Pass on the left when safe and permitted; return only when you can see the passed vehicle in your mirror. Passing is prohibited where signs or solid yellow markings say so, and you must not cross a solid yellow line to pass. Keep right except when passing or preparing for a left turn. Signal before every turn or lane change and cancel the signal afterward. Obey posted speed limits and the basic speed law: never drive faster than is reasonable for conditions. In Maine, right turns on red are allowed after a full stop and yield unless a sign prohibits them.
Worked example
You reach a four-way stop at the same moment as a car on your right. You both want to go straight. The other driver goes first because the tie goes to the right. If you were turning left instead, you would still yield to that car and to any oncoming traffic.
Traps
A rolling stop fails; stop behind the line. Do not assume a green light means the intersection is clear-yield to pedestrians and vehicles still clearing. A center two-way left-turn lane is not a passing or travel lane.