The Maine road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can say who is eligible to book the road test and how to do it.
• You can prepare a vehicle that will pass the examiner's checks.
• You can list the skills the examiner assesses, including parallel parking and backing.
• You can explain what happens if you pass or fail.

What you need to know and understand

• The road test is given only after you pass the written and vision tests and meet your permit requirements.
• Under 21 you need 6 months on the permit and a certified 70-hour log. You must be at least 16 with driver education, or 18 without.
• Under 21, you request the test by mailing your driving log. At 21 or older, you mail the request card on the back of your permit.
• You must bring your own registered and inspected vehicle, your permit, your appointment notice and a licensed driver.
• A car with an antique auto registration cannot be used for the test.
• The test includes parallel parking and straight-line backing.
• You will not be asked to do anything illegal or extraordinary.

Getting your car ready

The examiner may refuse to give the test if the vehicle is not up to standard. Common reasons in the manual:

• Inspection sticker expired or the car fails inspection standards.
• Front seats not available for the examiner or not fixed firmly to the floor.
• Any door that does not work.
• Glove compartment door that will not stay closed.
• No suitable tires or chains for winter conditions.
• Pets left in the car.

What the examiner watches

Whether you pass depends on how you handle the traffic, road conditions and situations that come up, plus your general driving habits.

• Smooth control moving forward and backward.
• Correct lane position and safe speed for conditions.
• Left and right turns from the correct position, with signals and mirror and blind-spot checks.
• How you watch for and react to other drivers, pedestrians, signs and signals.
• Parallel parking close to the curb, no more than 18 inches away, without hitting the car behind.
• Backing in a straight line, looking over your shoulder.

On the day and afterwards

If snow or ice is forecast for your test day, you can choose to reschedule at no fee. If state offices close for weather, the test is rescheduled automatically.

1. Arrive early with your permit, appointment notice, registration and a licensed driver.
2. Do a quick check: lights, signals, horn, wipers and seats.
3. Adjust your seat and mirrors and fasten your belt before moving.
4. If you pass, BMV staff issue a temporary license and explain how to get your photo license.
5. If you do not pass, the examiner explains why, and you get a receipt to send in to request your next test.

Common mistakes

• Showing up with an expired inspection sticker.
• Forgetting blind-spot checks when pulling away from the curb.
• Stopping too far from the curb or bumping the car behind when parallel parking.
• Rolling through stop signs or creeping over the stop line.

Test yourself: The Maine road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Maine Road Test
• Avoiding Moose and Deer Collisions in Maine
• Learning to Drive in Maine