A train passes over one of several tracks. Before proceeding when the crossing controls permit it, what should you check?
Correct answer: Look and listen for another train that may be hidden by the first.
One train can hide another approaching on a different track. Do not let the first train's departure replace a check of the full crossing.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 8-3, physical PDF page 77: More than one railroad track ↗
Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is approaching. What should you do first?
Correct answer: Get everyone out immediately and move away from the tracks toward the approaching train at an angle; call for help from safety.
Leave the vehicle and tracks immediately. Moving away at an angle toward the approaching train helps avoid the direction in which impact may throw the vehicle; use the crossing's emergency contact information from a safe place.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 9-6, physical PDF page 99: Vehicle stalled on railroad tracks ↗
An adult passenger has a usable seat belt in the rear of an ordinary passenger car and no exemption applies. Does sitting in the rear make belt use optional?
Correct answer: No; the adult passenger must be properly secured by the belt.
The ordinary adult seat-belt requirement is not limited to the front seat. Rear seating, low speed and the driver's belt do not replace the passenger's restraint.
Source: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2081, 3-A: adult passengers and operators; current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
You start an allergy medicine labeled as causing drowsiness. What should you do before driving?
Correct answer: Read the warnings and ask a doctor or pharmacist if unsure whether it is safe to drive; do not drive impaired.
Prescription and nonprescription medicines can affect driving. A legal purchase does not establish that a medicine is safe for the driving task.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 3-11, physical PDF page 33: Other impairing drugs and driving ↗
A railroad gate is lowered across your approach and no officer or flagger is directing you through. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail and do not drive around the lowered gate.
The lowered-gate condition requires a stop within the statutory distance and prohibits proceeding. A lack of immediately visible trains does not justify driving around the gate.
Source: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2076, 2(B): lowered railroad gate and stopping position; current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
After safely stopping for a police officer, what should you do while the officer approaches?
Correct answer: Stay in the vehicle with your belt on and hands visible; ask before reaching for items.
The handbook advises remaining seated, keeping hands visible and avoiding unexpected movements. At night, an interior light can help the officer see the occupants.
Source: Maine Driver License Manual, Rev 4/24, printed 10-10, physical PDF page 110: Being stopped by law enforcement ↗
You reach the sign shown at a quiet intersection. What does it require even when no traffic is visible?
Correct answer: A complete stop before proceeding when safe.
STOP requires a full stop, not merely a reduction in speed. Use the stop line, or the appropriate crosswalk or intersection stopping position, then yield before proceeding.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_01; sign R1-1: Stop; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What instruction does this triangular sign give as you approach crossing traffic?
Correct answer: Slow down and give way, stopping if necessary.
YIELD means give the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or road you are entering. Slow enough to assess the situation and stop when needed.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_01; sign R1-2: Yield; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
This sign faces you at a roadway opening. Which action follows its instruction?
Correct answer: Do not use that opening to enter the roadway.
DO NOT ENTER prohibits entry from the direction you are approaching. An empty roadway does not cancel the restriction; find a lawful entrance.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_11; sign R5-1: Do Not Enter; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You see this sign facing your vehicle after a turn. What danger does it identify?
Correct answer: You are traveling toward opposing traffic in the wrong direction.
WRONG WAY warns that you have entered against the permitted traffic direction. Correct the mistake as quickly and safely as possible; do not continue farther into oncoming traffic.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_11; sign R5-1a: Wrong Way; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Which maneuver is ruled out by this symbol?
Correct answer: Turning left.
The red slash cancels the left-turn movement shown by the arrow. It does not itself prohibit going straight or establish priority over pedestrians.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-2: No Left Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A driver wants to turn in the direction crossed out on this sign. What should the driver do?
Correct answer: Continue by a permitted movement instead of turning right.
This is a NO RIGHT TURN regulatory sign. The crossed-out arrow prohibits the maneuver; it is not a yellow warning sign about the road bending.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-1: No Right Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What movement does this sign prohibit?
Correct answer: Turning around to travel in the opposite direction.
The U-shaped arrow identifies a U-turn. The sign prohibits that reversal of direction, rather than every possible movement involving a leftward steer.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-4: No U-Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
This sign stands at a roadway obstruction. On which side should traffic pass it?
Correct answer: On the right side of the obstruction.
KEEP RIGHT directs you around the indicated obstruction or road feature on its right. It is not an instruction to leave the roadway.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_10; sign R4-7: Keep Right; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
This sign applies to the lane you are using at the intersection. Which movement is permitted from that lane?
Correct answer: A left turn only.
The left arrow with ONLY restricts the lane to a left turn. Select a different lawful lane in advance if you need to continue straight.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-5: Lane Control; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What must a driver in the lane governed by this sign plan to do?
Correct answer: Continue straight through the intersection.
The straight arrow and ONLY identify a through-only lane. A turn signal does not create permission to turn from it.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-5a: Lane Control; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
How does this yellow sign differ from the red sign it pictures?
Correct answer: It warns that a stop sign is ahead.
STOP AHEAD gives advance notice so you can prepare to stop at the upcoming controlled location. The yellow warning sign itself is not the intersection stop sign.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_06; sign W3-1: Stop Ahead; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What should you expect beyond this warning sign?
Correct answer: A traffic signal that may require you to stop.
The pictured signal warns of traffic lights ahead. It does not display the current signal phase or grant permission to proceed.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_06; sign W3-3: Signal Ahead; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What traffic change does the joining branch on this sign warn about?
Correct answer: Traffic entering from another road will merge into the roadway.
The joining branch represents merging traffic. Watch for vehicles entering and allow room for a safe merge; do not confuse it with the added-lane symbol.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_08; sign W4-1: Merge; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What does this sign tell you about traffic arriving from the right?
Correct answer: It enters a separate added lane rather than immediately merging into yours.
An added lane continues beside the through lane. This is different from a merge, although drivers must still check traffic before making any later lane change.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_08; sign W4-3: Added Lane; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
