Maine DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: Visual, manual, and cognitive

The three types of distraction are visual (looking away from the road), manual (taking a hand off the wheel), and cognitive (thoughts and feelings that divert your attention). Nearly all crashes involve a combination of them.

Correct answer: 30 days

Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing is among the offenses that may result in a 30-day license suspension. Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit carries the same 30-day suspension.

Correct answer: A period of 60 days

Any person convicted of operating after suspension may have their license suspended for a period of 60 days. Eluding a police officer, passing a roadblock, or street racing may bring a suspension of up to 90 days.

Correct answer: Only after the learner’s permit has been issued

The 70 hours of practice driving must begin after issuance of the permit. A parent, stepparent, guardian, or spouse must certify the driving time on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State.

Correct answer: A parent, stepparent, guardian, or spouse

The parent, stepparent, guardian, or spouse must certify the person’s driving time on the prescribed form. When a person has no parent, a stepparent, guardian, spouse, or employer may certify it.

Correct answer: 270 days from when the road test was passed

The restrictions are in effect for 270 days from when the road test was passed. Any violation results in a license suspension and a 270-day extension of the restrictions, which may extend beyond the 18th birthday.

Correct answer: 12 points or more

Once 6 points are reached, a warning is issued; if the point total reaches 12 or more the license will be suspended. Points are erased from a driver’s record when they become one year old.

Correct answer: To the right, so the car is stopped by the curb if it rolls

Turn your wheels to the right when parking downhill (or uphill without a curb) so that if the car moves, the wheels are stopped by the curb or roll off the road rather than into traffic. Turn wheels to the left when parking uphill with a curb.

Correct answer: Within 10 feet

Under municipal ordinances you may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. You also may not park within 15 feet of a crosswalk or a fire-station driveway entrance.

Correct answer: About 6 inches, and not more than 18 inches away

After parallel parking, straighten your wheels (unless on a hill). You should be about 6 inches from the curb but not more than 18 inches away when finished.

Correct answer: Bicycle and roller-ski operators

Motor vehicle operators turning left must yield to bicycle and roller-ski operators approaching from the opposite direction, and may not turn left unless they can do so safely without interfering.

Correct answer: Do not have to stop, but should watch for children

If the roadway has a solid divider between you and the bus, you do not have to stop. On all other roads you must stop for a bus with red lights flashing and/or a stop arm extended.

Correct answer: Clear the intersection first, then pull over and stop

Make room for emergency vehicles by pulling over to the side of the road and stopping. If you are at an intersection, get out of it before you pull over, and avoid blocking intersections.

Correct answer: You may not follow within 500 feet of it

It is unlawful to follow within 500 feet of any fire truck responding to a fire alarm.

Correct answer: Stop before the sidewalk and yield to pedestrians and traffic

Cars coming out of a driveway or alley must stop before the sidewalk and yield to all pedestrians or bicyclists on the sidewalk, then wait for traffic before entering the roadway.

Correct answer: At the start of a light rain, when road oil and water form a greasy film

Roads are more dangerous at the start of a light rain, when road oil and water mix to form a greasy film on the road surface. Always reduce your speed on wet roads.

Correct answer: A moose is so tall that its eyes usually do not reflect your headlights

Deer eyes reflect headlights well, but because moose are so much taller, drivers typically will not see their eyes reflected. Watch for the reflective eyes of deer and the silhouette of a moose.

Correct answer: May be used only for a left turn

A flashing yellow "X" means the lane may be used only for a left turn. Lane-use control lights indicate which lanes of a highway may be used at certain times.

Correct answer: White with black, red, or green letters; they tell you what the law requires

Regulatory signs are square, rectangular, or specially shaped, and are white with black, red, or green letters. They tell you about traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, and parking.

Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for a train, and be prepared to stop

The round yellow "RR" crossing sign cautions you to slow down, look and listen for a train or railroad vehicle, and be prepared to stop. The white X-shaped "Railroad Crossing" sign marks the crossing itself.

Correct answer: Green, brown, or blue

Guide signs are square or rectangular and are green, brown, or blue. They advise you of intersecting roads and help direct you to cities, towns, points of interest, and services.

Correct answer: Make left turns by traffic traveling in either direction

A shared center left-turn lane is only for left-turning vehicles and may be used by traffic traveling in either direction. It is not for through traffic or for passing.

Correct answer: Obey the police officer, even if it differs from the signal

If police are directing traffic, do as they direct — police have authority to direct all traffic and pedestrians. It is illegal to refuse or fail to obey police orders. Only when police are not present do signals and signs have the authority of law.

Correct answer: On the right side

A truck’s largest blind spot is on the right side. It starts behind the cab and runs the length of the truck. Do not drive alongside a large vehicle any longer than you must.

Correct answer: Much greater stopping distance — at least 335 feet

Because they are so big and heavy, larger vehicles take longer to stop than cars. A loaded truck at 55 mph takes at least 335 feet to stop — more than 1½ times the distance a car would need.