Water covers a road ahead, and you cannot judge its depth or whether pavement remains underneath. What should you do?
Correct answer: Turn back or choose a safe alternate route.
Floodwater can hide washed-out pavement and strong currents. An uncertain flooded crossing should not be treated as an ordinary puddle.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-7, physical PDF page 118: Flooding ↗
The air is near freezing and most pavement looks wet. Why should a bridge ahead receive extra caution?
Correct answer: It can freeze before nearby ground-level pavement.
Bridges are exposed to cold air above and below and may ice sooner. Do not assume the traction matches the approach.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 8-7, physical PDF page 81: Ice and freezing surfaces ↗
You are driving on snow-covered pavement. Which control style is safest?
Correct answer: Use lower speed, more following room, and gentle acceleration, braking and steering.
Reduced traction leaves less margin for sudden demands. Smooth actions and extra space make it easier to retain control.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-4, physical PDF page 115: Winter driving ↗
Fog reduces visibility on your route. Which lighting choice is appropriate while driving cautiously?
Correct answer: Use low-beam headlights and reduce speed to suit the visible distance.
Low beams reduce the reflected glare associated with high beams in fog. If visibility becomes too poor to continue, find a safe place completely off the traveled road.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-6, physical PDF page 117: Fog ↗
An oncoming vehicle's bright headlights interfere with your vision. What should you do?
Correct answer: Avoid staring into the lights, use the right edge of the road as a guide, and adjust speed safely.
Protect your vision and keep a usable reference for your path. Retaliating with bright lights can make the situation worse for both drivers.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 8-16, physical PDF page 90: Headlight glare ↗
Your car has four-wheel antilock brakes. In an emergency stop, the pedal pulses. What should you generally do, consistent with the vehicle instructions?
Correct answer: Maintain firm brake pressure and steer as needed rather than pumping the pedal.
Pedal pulsation can be normal ABS operation. The handbook's winter-braking guidance calls for steady firm pressure with ABS; follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-5, physical PDF page 116: Braking with antilock brakes ↗
The rear of your car begins to skid. What is the better initial response?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer toward the path you want the vehicle to follow.
Look and steer toward a safe path without abrupt inputs. Be prepared to ease the steering as traction returns so you do not create a second skid.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-4, physical PDF page 97: Skids ↗
Your right wheels drop onto a lower shoulder. What should you do first?
Correct answer: Keep control, ease off the accelerator, and slow before returning carefully when safe.
A sudden high-speed return can send the vehicle across the road. Stabilize and reduce speed before making a controlled reentry.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-4, physical PDF page 97: Running off the pavement ↗
A tire suddenly blows out at road speed. What should you do?
Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle as straight as possible, and slow gradually.
A blowout can pull the vehicle sideways. Control its direction and avoid sudden braking until speed is reduced and a safe pull-off is possible.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-5, physical PDF page 98: Tire blowout ↗
The brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor and the normal brakes do not slow the car. Which response fits the handbook's emergency guidance?
Correct answer: Try pumping the pedal, downshift as appropriate, and apply the parking brake gradually while seeking a safe place to stop.
Pumping may restore pressure after a service-brake failure. Use remaining braking and engine resistance carefully; a gradual parking-brake application helps avoid wheel lock.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-5, physical PDF page 98: Brake failure ↗
The accelerator sticks and the car continues gaining speed after you lift your foot. What should you do?
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, brake in a controlled way, and steer to a safe stopping place.
Neutral separates engine power from the drive wheels. Maintain steering control and bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-6, physical PDF page 99: Stuck accelerator ↗
After passing through unavoidable shallow water, you suspect the brakes are wet. Once it is safe, what should you do?
Correct answer: Check them gently at low speed and dry them with light brake application as needed.
Water can reduce braking effectiveness. A cautious low-speed check identifies the problem without depending on full braking in a later emergency.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-5, physical PDF page 98: Wet brakes ↗
Your car begins failing on a high-speed road but can still be moved safely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Signal, get as far off the traveled roadway as practical, and use hazard warning lights.
Move the disabled vehicle away from moving traffic when possible and warn approaching drivers. Avoid placing yourself in a traffic path.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-6, physical PDF page 99: Vehicle breakdown ↗
A crash has brought a power line onto a vehicle. There is no fire or other immediate reason to escape. What is the safer action?
Correct answer: Keep people away, summon emergency help, and warn occupants to stay inside.
A downed line may energize the vehicle and surrounding ground. Keep away and let trained responders handle the electrical hazard.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-4, physical PDF page 97: Downed power lines ↗
Your vehicle becomes stranded during a snowstorm in an isolated area. What is the safer plan when there is no immediate danger inside?
Correct answer: Remain with the vehicle, conserve warmth, and keep the exhaust outlet clear if running the engine intermittently.
The vehicle provides shelter and is easier for rescuers to locate than a person wandering in a storm. Exhaust blockage can create a carbon-monoxide hazard.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-5, physical PDF page 116: Stranded in winter ↗
A moose stands in the road ahead. You have room to slow and stop safely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow or stop at a safe distance and wait in the vehicle for the animal to move.
Large animals can move unpredictably. The handbook advises waiting safely rather than trying to drive around or confront a moose blocking the road.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-8, physical PDF page 119: Moose and deer ↗
Why is relying only on reflected animal eyes especially unreliable for spotting a moose at night?
Correct answer: Its eyes are high enough that the headlights may not produce the familiar reflection.
A moose's height makes it harder to detect by the eye reflection drivers may expect from smaller animals. Watch the road edges and keep a speed that permits a safe response.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-7, physical PDF page 118: Seeing moose at night ↗
A road-work area is quiet and no workers are visible. Should you assume normal full-width pavement and normal conditions have returned?
Correct answer: No; narrowed lanes, rough surfaces, equipment or other work-zone hazards may remain.
Construction hazards can remain when workers are absent. Follow current controls and adjust speed and spacing for the actual roadway.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-2, physical PDF page 113: Work zones ↗
You enter a metal bridge grating and feel a slight wandering sensation. What should you do?
Correct answer: Keep a firm grip and guide the vehicle steadily without abrupt steering or braking.
Unusual surfaces can affect how the tires feel. Smooth steering and controlled speed are safer than sudden corrections.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 11-3, physical PDF page 114: Gravel roads and bridge gratings ↗
At a marked crosswalk with no operating traffic signal, a pedestrian visibly intends to cross. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way rather than requiring the pedestrian to step into danger first.
Maine's marked-crosswalk rule includes a pedestrian showing visible intent to cross. Use care and stop as necessary to allow a safe crossing.
Source: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2056, 4: marked crosswalk without operating traffic controls; current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
