Maine CAR DMV Practice Test 1

Every time you have to stop quickly, it takes time and fuel to accelerate and get your vehicle back up to the speed of traffic. Drivers who look far ahead of their vehicles can slow down gradually or change lanes to avoid unnecessary braking, leading to better gas mileage.

If an oncoming driver fails to dim their high beams, you should avoid looking directly at the headlights. Instead, look toward the right edge of your lane and watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye.

Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. This sign indicates that a divided highway is beginning and cars should keep to the right.

To avoid the dangers of fatigued driving, take breaks every hour or so during a long trip. If possible, share driving responsibilities with another person so you can each sleep while the other person drives.

This sign warns of two-way traffic.

The more distance between your vehicle and others, the more time you have to react to the movements of other drivers. Keep a minimum following distance of two seconds under normal weather and traffic conditions. Increase your following distance under unusual weather or traffic conditions.

Check your mirrors for quickly approaching vehicles when you are driving down hills or mountains. Vehicles often build up speed while traveling down a steep grade. Be alert to large trucks and buses that may be going too fast.

You must yield to pedestrians at all times. If the pedestrians are jaywalking or crossing the street where they should not be, you must still stop for them.

Use your low beams when driving in fog, snow, rain, or mist. Light from high beams will reflect off of precipitation, causing a glare and making it even more difficult to see. Some vehicles are equipped with fog lights that should be used in addition to low beam headlights.

One situation where it is appropriate to use your horn is if you lose control of your vehicle. In this case, sound your horn to alert other drivers.

In Maine, fines for moving traffic violations are doubled within a school zone. Drive with extra care when driving through a school zone.

Pennant-shaped warning signs like this are only used to indicate a no passing zone.

Crossbuck signs tell drivers to yield to trains at a railroad crossing. Drivers should not try to outdrive a train.

When turning, you should reduce to a speed that allows you to maintain control of your vehicle, stay in your lane, and react to unexpected situations.

Crashes often happen when some drivers go faster or slower than other vehicles on the road. Always try to drive with the flow of traffic, within the posted speed limit.

Alcohol dulls the parts of your brain that control inhibition, judgment, and self-control. As a result, you may feel stimulated, lively, and a bit giddy or foolish after consuming alcohol. Alcohol also impairs your reaction time, coordination, and balance. Your vision and ability to judge distance suffers after alcohol consumption, making it difficult to react to your surroundings.

When intending to back up, always check behind your vehicle before getting in. Children and small objects are difficult to see from the driver’s seat. While backing, turn your head so you can see through the rear window. Do not depend only on your mirrors or sensors.

Circular traffic signs indicate upcoming railroad crossings. This sign tells drivers that they are approaching a railroad crossing and should be looking for signs of an oncoming train.

Bicycles are considered vehicles when used on roadways. Bicyclists and motorists are expected to follow the same rules of the road.

This sign warns of the presence of a hill ahead.

Being fatigued while driving is similar in danger to driving under the influence of alcohol. If you begin to feel tired while driving, the best thing to do is to stop driving.

Diamond-shaped signs are used to warn of actual or possible hazards. The color orange is used for warning signs usually found in construction or maintenance areas.

If you see an emergency vehicle approaching while using its flashing lights, pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. Position yourself parallel to the curb. On one-way streets, drive toward the road edge nearest you.

You must never turn around while on or near any curve or hill. You may not be able to see oncoming traffic or pedestrians and may cause a collision.

A flashing yellow light at an intersection indicates that drivers should slow to a safe and reasonable speed and proceed with caution.

Allow for extra space when driving behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles can stop more quickly than other vehicles can and you must have adequate room to stop if the motorcyclist brakes or falls off. Also, remember that motorcycles are difficult to see at night because they only have one tail light.

When parallel parking, your vehicle should be 18 inches or less from the curb. Always park in a safe and legal location that is visible to drivers coming from both directions.

A flashing yellow light warns of a hazard. Slow down and proceed with caution.

If your vehicle’s accelerator sticks open, your vehicle will continue to maintain its speed or accelerate, even if you remove your foot from the gas pedal. Turn off the ignition, using care to move the ignition switch only far enough to stop the engine and not engage the steering wheel locking mechanism. Apply your brakes and move off the road to a safe area.

Before changing lanes, you should identify a four-second gap in traffic. This space should give both you and the car behind you a two-second following distance when you merge into the lane.

When turning left at an intersection, you must yield to oncoming bicycles in the same manner that you would yield to oncoming motor vehicles. Keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn and proceed when the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians.

You should never pass if there is an oncoming vehicle in the passing lane, if your view is blocked by a curve or hill, at an intersection, before or on a railroad crossing or bridge, or in any other no passing zone. Unless you are on the opposite side of a multilane roadway with a median or shared center turn lane, you may not pass a stopped school bus that has its flashing red lights activated.

This sign (with the arrow below) indicates the location of a bicycle crossing/path. Drive with caution around this sign because bicycles likely regularly cross or ride beside traffic in the area.

Double solid yellow lines in the center of the road mean that passing is not allowed from either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn or passing pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters or skateboards when the opposite lane is clear and you can pass safely.

Your ability to stop is greatly affected by the condition of the road. You need to reduce your speed when road conditions are poor in order to maintain control of your vehicle. You will be at risk if you are driving too quickly on roads that are slippery and you need to stop.

When leaving an alley, driveway, or parking lot to enter a roadway, you must stop before driving onto a sidewalk or sidewalk area. Pedestrians and existing traffic have the right-of-way.

This sign warns that two lanes of traffic going the same direction will soon merge into one lane.

Make room for vehicles entering interstate highways. Whenever possible, change lanes to allow those entering to do so smoothly and safely.

Consuming even a small amount of alcohol will impair your vision, judgment, concentration, and coordination.

You should avoid passing other vehicles on two-lane roads. Every time you pass a vehicle, your odds of being in a collision increase.