Maine CAR DMV Practice Test 13

When driving too quickly in wet conditions, your tires may lose all contact with the road surface. Loss of traction will cause the vehicle to ride on top of the water, which is called "hydroplaning." The best way to prevent this from happening is to drive more slowly in rainy or wet conditions than you would when driving during ideal weather conditions.

Double solid yellow lines are used to mark roadways where passing is prohibited from both directions. You may cross these lines only to make a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.

Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. This sign warns drivers that the upcoming road will curve right, followed by a curve to the left. Drivers should adjust their speed to safely continue on the road.

A yield sign means that you must slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or roadway you are entering.

Even if your light is green, you must not enter an intersection unless you can get completely through the intersection before the light turns red. If you block the intersection, you can be cited.

A red flashing traffic signal has the same meaning as a stop sign. When approaching a red flashing signal, come to a complete stop and proceed when it is safe to do so. A stop sign may sometimes also be posted where this signal is located.

An octagonal (eight-sided) sign always means "Stop." Come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians that have the right-of-way, and proceed when the way is clear.

Before you return to the driving lane when completing a pass, be sure there is a safe gap between your vehicle and the passed vehicle. When you can see both headlights of the vehicle in your rearview mirror, it is safe to return to the driving lane.

It is unlawful for anyone to drink from or possess an open container of alcohol while in a motor vehicle that is on a public road. Failure to adhere to this law will result in negative consequences for the driver.

Warning signs advise drivers of potentially hazardous conditions. For your own safety, obey warning signs. Disregarding the information provided by a warning sign may result in an accident due to your negligence.

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.

As you approach a left turn, signal your intentions three to five seconds in advance. Continually check your rearview mirror as you gradually slow down. On a multilane road, move into the left lane before reaching the intersection where you plan to turn. Yield to traffic and pedestrians and turn when your path is clear.

If multiple vehicles arrive at the same time to an intersection that is not controlled by signs or signals, the driver on the right has the right-of-way. Drivers should then proceed in the order that they arrive to the intersection.

This sign indicates that there is a sharp right turn ahead.

You must always bring your vehicle to a complete stop and yield to approaching traffic before proceeding past a stop sign. Don't feel pressured by surrounding traffic to avoid making a complete stop.

Consuming both alcohol and another drug may enhance the effects of both. For example, taking one drink when you are also using a cold remedy could affect you as if you have had several drinks.

Drivers must obey special signs or instructions given by flaggers. They are in place to keep drivers and workers safe.

Low beam headlights should be used in fog, rain, and snow. The light from high beams will reflect back to the driver under these weather conditions, causing a glare that will make it difficult to see ahead.

A truck's blind spots are much larger than a smaller car’s blind spots. The driver cannot see your car behind their vehicle and you can't see what’s happening in traffic ahead if you're driving too closely behind the truck. Whether you are driving behind or to the side of the truck, if you can’t see the driver’s face in their side view mirror, then they can’t see you.

As driving speeds increase, the chance of a fatality in the case of a collision increases. If you are going faster than 80 miles per hour, you have almost no chance of living through a crash. The speed you drive affects your stopping distance, so you should increase your following distance as you increase your speed.

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.

This sign is posted on one-way streets and other roadways where a driver is not allowed to enter. A driver may see this sign if attempting to enter an expressway ramp in the wrong direction.

Wet roads can be as dangerous as icy roads, so lower your driving speed in wet weather. You will need more distance to stop and you may skid on quick turns. Roads are more dangerous at the start of a light rain than they are after it has been raining for a while because the water forms a greasy film when mixed with oils on the road surface that have not yet washed away.

Your blood alcohol content (BAC) depends on how much alcohol you drink, how much time passes between drinks, and your weight. It is not affected by the type of alcoholic beverages you drink, your level of physical fitness, or how well you can "hold your liquor."

Children on bicycles are sometimes unpredictable. Young bicyclists are especially likely to make surprising changes in direction. Remember that children and bicycles are both small in stature and may become difficult to see.

When changing lanes or turning, signal your intentions well in advance. The law requires that you signal for at least 100 feet before you move your vehicle to the right or left. Before pulling away from a curb, always signal to inform passing drivers of your intentions.

When on the road, drivers should not use cell phones, computers, or other distracting devices, except to report a crash or emergency. Your full attention should be devoted to driving.

Using a phone while driving is a distraction that increases your risk of being involved in a crash.

Because your tires will not grip the road under wet, snowy, or icy conditions as well as they will under dry conditions, you should slow down if the roadway is wet or icy.

If you are going to be turning from a rotary circle, you should be in the right lane. This applies unless otherwise indicated by road markings on the pavement or traffic signs specifying a different lane to be used.

When being passed, you must yield to the passing vehicle and not increase your speed. Allow the vehicle to safely merge back into your lane.

If your vehicle is hit from the rear while you are in forward motion, your body will be thrown backward. Press yourself against the back of your seat and put your head against the head restraint to prevent whiplash. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and be ready to apply your brakes to avoid being pushed into another vehicle.

Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped with black markings on a yellow background. They alert drivers to upcoming hazards. This sign warns drivers that the right lane is ending or that the road is narrowing ahead.

If the weather changes suddenly, you will need to adjust your driving to adapt. Always slow down when driving in rainy or foggy conditions. Be especially aware of vehicles behind you that may be going too fast for conditions.

The posted maximum speed limit is the fastest legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions. It is safest to drive at the same speed as surrounding traffic, up to the maximum speed limit. Maintaining a safe speed at all times is a responsibility shared by all motorists.

When a protected turn arrow changes from green to yellow, drivers must prepare to yield to oncoming traffic. A yellow arrow indicates that the protected left turn is ending.

Work zone signs are orange and indicate that some type of work is being performed on or alongside the roadway. Be extremely careful when you see these signs.

Use low beam headlights when driving in rain, snow, sleet, or fog. High beam headlights in adverse weather conditions lower visibility by reflecting off the precipitation and back into the driver's eyes.

Lane use control signals are used when the direction of the flow of traffic in a specific lane changes throughout the day. They are used to show which lanes of traffic are open and closed, as well as to show if toll booths are open or closed. When a lane control signal contains a green arrow, drivers may drive normally in the indicated lane.

The only way to avoid the risks of drinking and driving is to decide before you start drinking that you are not going to drive. Because alcohol affects your judgement, it will be harder for you to make safe decisions after you have started drinking.