Maine Permit Test: Lanes & Passing Practice Questions
Lane use, merging, passing safely and freeway driving.
Question 1
On a road with three or more lanes in your direction, which lane usually has the smoothest flow?
Correct answer: The middle lane
With three or more lanes, the middle lane is usually smoothest; the left is for passing or left turns, the right for slower or exiting traffic.
Source: Section 6: Rules of the Road β Use of Lanes
Question 2
When may you pass another vehicle on the right in Maine?
Correct answer: When it is turning left
You may pass on the right only when the other car is turning left with room for two lanes, or on roads with two or more marked lanes in your direction.
Source: Section 6: Rules of the Road β Use of Lanes
Question 3
How far ahead must you signal before changing lanes in Maine?
Correct answer: At least 100 feet
Always signal what you intend to do at least 100 feet before making a change.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Changing Lanes
Question 4
Before changing lanes, how do you check your blind spot?
Correct answer: Look over your shoulder
Check your mirrors, then turn your head and look over your shoulder; never rely only on mirrors.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Changing Lanes
Question 5
An expressway entrance has no acceleration lane. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop, then merge in a gap
Without an acceleration lane, stop before entering, wait for a break, then speed up and merge; traffic on the expressway doesn't have to yield.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Expressway Driving
Question 6
Where should you start slowing down to exit an expressway?
Correct answer: In the deceleration lane
Don't slow on the main expressway; start slowing once in the deceleration lane and continue on the ramp to the posted speed.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Expressway Driving
Question 7
At 50β55 mph, how long does it take to pass safely on a two-lane road?
Correct answer: 10 to 12 seconds
At highway speeds of 50β55 mph you need 10 to 12 seconds to complete a pass safely.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Passing
Question 8
How much clear road do you need to pass safely with an oncoming car at highway speed?
Correct answer: About one-third of a mile
You and an oncoming car each travel over 800 feet in 10β12 seconds, so you need over 1,600 feet, about a third of a mile.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Passing
Question 9
How should you treat a hill or curve when deciding whether to pass?
Correct answer: As an oncoming car
Assume an oncoming car is just out of sight; don't start a pass within a third of a mile of a hill or curve.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Passing
Question 10
By Maine law, when must you complete a pass?
Correct answer: Before a no-passing zone
Maine law requires you to complete a pass before you reach the beginning of a no-passing zone.
Source: Section 7: General Driving β Passing
Question 11
How large a gap do you need to merge safely with traffic?
Correct answer: Four seconds
Any time you merge, change lanes or enter a freeway, you need a four-second gap.
Source: Section 8: Managing Time and Space β Space to Merge
Question 12
You need to cross several lanes. How should you do it?
Correct answer: One lane at a time
Change lanes one at a time; stopping to wait for every lane to clear ties up traffic and can cause a collision.
Source: Section 8: Managing Time and Space β Space to Merge