Maine Car / Permit: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

An overhead lane control device displays a steady red X above your lane. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

You must not drive in that lane — A steady red X placed over a lane closes it, so that lane may not be driven in at all.

Answer

The lane is reserved for buses only

Answer

The lane is open but the speed limit is reduced

Answer

The lane may be used only to turn right

Question 2

You face a steady red arrow pointing left. What does it require?

Accepted Answer

Stop and remain stopped until the arrow changes to green — Drivers making the movement the arrow shows must stay stopped until that arrow turns green.

Answer

Turn after stopping, as you would on a red light

Answer

Turn immediately because arrows do not control turns

Answer

Move into the intersection and complete the turn when clear

Question 3

How should you respond to a flashing yellow traffic light?

Accepted Answer

Reduce speed, move ahead carefully and stay ready to stop — A flashing yellow calls for reduced speed and careful movement through the area, with the driver ready to halt for any traffic that appears.

Answer

Stop completely and wait for the light to turn green

Answer

Treat it exactly as you would a stop sign

Answer

Continue at the posted limit because the signal is out of service

Question 4

How do solid white lines differ from broken white lines between lanes going the same way?

Accepted Answer

Solid white lines discourage lane changes while broken white lines allow them — Solid white lines separate same-direction lanes that serve different purposes and discourage moving between them, while broken white lines simply divide same-direction lanes and permit safe lane changes.

Answer

Solid white lines mark the edge of the pavement and broken ones mark parking

Answer

Solid white lines separate opposing traffic and broken ones separate same-direction traffic

Answer

There is no practical difference between them

Question 5

A solid yellow line runs along your side of the centerline while a broken yellow line lies on the other. What does that permit?

Accepted Answer

Only drivers traveling the other way may pass — Yellow lines divide traffic moving opposite ways; drivers may overtake only where the broken line falls on their own side, so in this case only the oncoming direction may pass.

Answer

Drivers in both directions may pass freely

Answer

You may pass but only if you stay under 45 mph

Answer

Neither direction is allowed to pass

Question 6

Where must you halt for a steady red traffic light?

Accepted Answer

Behind the stop line or crosswalk, before entering the intersection — You have to stop short of the intersection and remain behind any painted stop line or crosswalk until the light changes to green.

Answer

Anywhere within the intersection as long as you leave a lane open

Answer

Alongside the signal pole so you can see the lamp change

Answer

Past the crosswalk but short of the far curb

Question 7

A signal shows a red lamp together with a green arrow. What may you do?

Accepted Answer

Proceed cautiously the way the arrow points, yielding to others first — The green arrow lets you move carefully the way it points, but you still have to give way to every other vehicle and to pedestrians before you go.

Answer

Go straight through the intersection at your normal speed

Answer

Stop and wait, because a red lamp overrides any arrow

Answer

Turn in either direction as long as you stop first

Question 8

What does a flashing red traffic light require of you?

Accepted Answer

Stop, then look in both directions before entering the intersection — A flashing red means you must come to a halt and check traffic in both directions before you move into the intersection.

Answer

Slow down but keep rolling if nothing is coming

Answer

Yield only to vehicles approaching from your left

Answer

Wait until the flashing stops before moving at all

Question 9

What does a steady green traffic light permit?

Accepted Answer

Continuing through carefully once the way is clear of vehicles and people on foot — Green allows you to continue through, but the manual adds that you should proceed carefully and only when no traffic or pedestrians are in the way.

Answer

Continuing through without checking for cross traffic

Answer

Turning left ahead of oncoming traffic without yielding

Answer

Parking briefly in the intersection to wait for a gap

Question 10

A steady yellow traffic light comes on as you approach an intersection. What is it telling you?

Accepted Answer

Red is about to appear, so begin slowing down — Yellow is a caution phase warning that red is coming next; it exists to let traffic already in the intersection get clear, so you should start reducing speed.

Answer

The signal has failed and you should treat it as a stop sign

Answer

You may accelerate to clear the intersection first

Answer

You have priority over all cross traffic for ten seconds

Question 11

A lane runs down the middle of the street and is marked for left turns only. How may it be used?

Accepted Answer

By left-turning drivers from either direction, but never for through travel or passing — The shared center turn lane serves left-turning drivers coming from either direction; it is not open to through traffic and it may not be used to overtake.

Answer

Only by drivers traveling in the direction the arrows point

Answer

As a passing lane whenever the opposite direction is clear

Answer

As a travel lane during rush hour and a turn lane at other times

Maine Car / Permit: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test

Study questions with answers

1. An overhead lane control device displays a steady red X above your lane. What does that mean?

2. You face a steady red arrow pointing left. What does it require?

3. What does a flashing yellow X shown above a lane indicate?

4. How should you respond to a flashing yellow traffic light?

5. How do solid white lines differ from broken white lines between lanes going the same way?

6. A solid yellow line runs along your side of the centerline while a broken yellow line lies on the other. What does that permit?

7. Where must you halt for a steady red traffic light?

8. A signal shows a red lamp together with a green arrow. What may you do?

9. What does a flashing red traffic light require of you?

10. What does a steady green traffic light permit?

11. A steady yellow traffic light comes on as you approach an intersection. What is it telling you?

12. A lane runs down the middle of the street and is marked for left turns only. How may it be used?

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