Maine: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and reversible-lane signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Maine Driver’s License Manual" (Rev 4/24), Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
All 27 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Besides traffic signals, signs and road markings, what else do traffic controls include?
- Instructions from tow truck operators and parking lot attendants
- Directions from law enforcement, highway workers and school crossing guards
- Advice from passengers and from the drivers around you
- Messages on billboards and storefront signs along the road
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Correct answer: Directions from law enforcement, highway workers and school crossing guards
Traffic controls also include directions from law enforcement, highway workers and school crossing guards.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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May a driver go through a parking area to avoid obeying a traffic control device?
- Yes, when the parking area is empty
- Yes, when no police are in sight
- Yes, when the lot is open to the public
- No, it is not allowed
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Correct answer: No, it is not allowed
An operator may not drive a motor vehicle through a parking area to avoid obeying the requirements of a traffic control device.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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In a vertical traffic light, what is the order of the lights from top to bottom?
- Red, yellow, green
- Green, yellow, red
- Yellow, red, green
- Red, green, yellow
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
Traffic lights are red, yellow, and green from top to bottom.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What is the order of the lights, from left to right, in a horizontal traffic light?
- Green on the left, yellow in the middle, red on the right
- Yellow on the left, red in the middle, green on the right
- Red on the left, yellow in the middle, green on the right
- Red on the left, green in the middle, yellow on the right
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Correct answer: Red on the left, yellow in the middle, green on the right
If traffic lights are horizontal, the red light is on the left, the yellow light is in the middle and the green light is on the right.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does a green traffic light mean?
- Go at once, because all other traffic must stop for you
- Go, if the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians
- Speed up to clear the intersection before the light changes
- Slow down, since the light is about to change to red
Show answer
Correct answer: Go, if the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians
A green light means go, with caution if the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does a steady yellow traffic light mean?
- Speed up so you clear the intersection before it turns red
- The light is about to change to green, so get ready to go
- Stop immediately, even if you are in the intersection
- The light is about to change to red, so begin to slow down
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Correct answer: The light is about to change to red, so begin to slow down
A yellow light means caution: the light is about to change to red, so begin to slow down.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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Where must you wait at a red traffic light until it turns green?
- Behind any stop line or crosswalk
- Just past the stop line, at the edge of the intersection
- In the crosswalk, beside the stop line
- In the middle of the intersection
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Correct answer: Behind any stop line or crosswalk
At a red light you must stop before entering the intersection and wait behind any stop line or crosswalk until the light turns green.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What should you do at a flashing yellow traffic light?
- Come to a complete stop and wait for a green light
- Maintain your speed, since you have the right-of-way
- Treat it as a red light
- Slow down and proceed with caution
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
At a flashing yellow light you slow down and proceed with caution.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What must you do at a flashing red traffic light?
- Stop before entering the intersection
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Speed up and clear the intersection
- Treat it as a green light and keep going
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Correct answer: Stop before entering the intersection
At a flashing red light you stop before entering the intersection.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does the color of a lighted arrow mean?
- Something different from the same color in a traffic light
- The same thing it does in a traffic light
- Nothing, only the direction of the arrow matters
- It applies only to the lane next to the curb
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Correct answer: The same thing it does in a traffic light
The color of the lighted arrow means the same thing that it does in a traffic light.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does a red light with a green arrow mean?
- Stop and wait until the red light changes, ignoring the arrow
- Go in the direction of the arrow, and other traffic must yield
- Go straight ahead only if the way is clear of pedestrians
- Go cautiously in the arrow's direction, yielding to other traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Go cautiously in the arrow's direction, yielding to other traffic
A red light with a green arrow means you may go cautiously in the direction of the arrow, yielding to all other vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does a steady yellow arrow do?
- It clears turning traffic before the light turns red
- It tells turning drivers to speed up and make the turn
- It tells turning drivers they may go without yielding
- It tells all drivers to stop where they are
Show answer
Correct answer: It clears turning traffic before the light turns red
A steady yellow arrow clears the turning traffic at an intersection before the light turns red.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does a steady green arrow pointed upwards mean?
- You may turn left when the way is clear
- You may turn right after stopping
- You may go straight ahead
- You must stop and wait for the next green
Show answer
Correct answer: You may go straight ahead
A steady green arrow pointed upwards means you may go straight ahead.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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What does a steady red arrow mean?
- All traffic in every direction must stop until the light changes
- Traffic making the turn it indicates must stop until it changes to green
- The turn it indicates is allowed after yielding to other traffic
- Turning traffic may go if the way is clear
Show answer
Correct answer: Traffic making the turn it indicates must stop until it changes to green
A steady red arrow means traffic making the turn indicated by the arrow must stop until the arrow changes to green.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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When there is more than one traffic light, which one must you obey?
- The one on the right side of the road
- The first one you see
- The one on the far side of the intersection
- The one directly over your lane
Show answer
Correct answer: The one directly over your lane
When there is more than one traffic light, you obey the one that is directly over your lane.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-3)
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On special overhead lane use control lights, what does a steady red "X" over a lane mean?
- Do not drive in this lane.
- This lane is reserved for slow-moving vehicles.
- Stop, then continue if the lane is clear.
- Traffic in this lane must turn right.
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not drive in this lane.
A steady red "X" on a lane use control light means do not drive in that lane.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-4)
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On special overhead lane use control lights, what does a steady yellow "X" over a lane mean?
- Speed up and use the lane before the signal turns red.
- Use the lane only if no other vehicle is behind you.
- Clear this lane, because the signal is about to change to red.
- The lane is now open to oncoming traffic for passing.
Show answer
Correct answer: Clear this lane, because the signal is about to change to red.
A steady yellow "X" warns you to clear the lane because the signal is about to change to red.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-4)
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On special overhead lane use control lights, what does a flashing yellow "X" over a lane mean?
- This lane may only be used for a right turn.
- This lane may only be used for a left turn.
- This lane is closed because of a crash ahead.
- This lane may only be used by emergency vehicles.
Show answer
Correct answer: This lane may only be used for a left turn.
A flashing yellow "X" means the lane may only be used for a left turn.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-4)
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On special overhead lane use control lights, what does a green arrow over a lane mean?
- You must leave this lane at once.
- Use the lane only to turn right.
- Only emergency vehicles may use this lane.
- You may use this lane.
Show answer
Correct answer: You may use this lane.
A green arrow over a lane tells you that you may use that lane.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-4)
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If you see police directing traffic, what should you do?
- Follow the traffic signals and signs instead
- Stop and wait until they leave
- Do as they direct
- Do as they direct only if they are in a marked car
Show answer
Correct answer: Do as they direct
Police have authority to direct all traffic and pedestrians, so you must do as they direct.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-7)
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When police are not present, what authority do traffic signals and signs have?
- No authority unless a driver is nearby
- The authority of law
- Advice only, in light traffic
- Authority only on state highways
Show answer
Correct answer: The authority of law
When police are not present, traffic signals and signs have the authority of law.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-7)
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What is a reversible lane?
- A lane that carries traffic one way at certain times and the opposite way at other times
- A lane used only for left turns by all vehicles
- A lane that is closed to all traffic during rush hours but open at other times
- A lane that is used only by buses and trucks
Show answer
Correct answer: A lane that carries traffic one way at certain times and the opposite way at other times
Some travel lanes are designed to carry traffic in one direction at certain times and in the opposite direction at other times.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-12)
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What shows which reversible lane is safe to travel?
- Painted arrows on the road only
- Signals above the lanes
- A police officer at each end
- The color of the curb
Show answer
Correct answer: Signals above the lanes
Signals above the lanes show which lane is safe to travel.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-12)
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What does a green arrow above a reversible lane mean?
- You must turn into the lane
- You must stop
- You can use the lane only to turn
- You can use the lane
Show answer
Correct answer: You can use the lane
A green arrow above a reversible lane means you can use the lane.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-12)
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What does a red X above a reversible lane mean?
- You can use the lane to pass
- You may use the lane after stopping
- You cannot use the lane
- The lane is closed to trucks only
Show answer
Correct answer: You cannot use the lane
A red X above a reversible lane means you cannot use the lane.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-12)
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What should you do before entering a reversible lane?
- Check to see which lanes can be used at that time
- Slow to a stop in the lane and wait for traffic
- Sound your horn
- Follow the car ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: Check to see which lanes can be used at that time
Before entering a reversible lane, check to see which lanes can be used at that time.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-12)
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When may a reversible lane be used?
- Only at night
- Only on weekends
- During rush hours
- Only during snow
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Correct answer: During rush hours
A reversible lane may be used during rush hours.
Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6-12)