Maine driver's examination

Check your mirrors for traffic behind you every six to eight seconds. It is important to know if someone is following your vehicle too closely or coming up too fast. It is also important to know how much space you have behind your car.

It is illegal to cross the centerline to pass when driving on hills, in curves, and in other locations where you cannot see ahead far enough to pass safely. You may not pass at street crossings, at railroad crossings, where signs indicate no passing zones, or where a solid yellow line is next to your lane. You may not pass when the vehicle in front of you has stopped for a pedestrian or when driving in work zones where passing would be hazardous.

A stop sign is always red with white letters and shaped like an octagon. When approaching a stop sign, come to a complete stop before the crosswalk or stop line and proceed when the way is clear.

The more distance between your vehicle and others, the more time you have to react to the movements of other drivers. Keep a minimum following distance of three to four seconds when driving behind a motorcycle. If the cyclist should fall, you will need extra distance to avoid striking the rider.

Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped with black markings on a yellow background. They alert drivers to upcoming hazards. This warning sign indicates that drivers are about to encounter a divided highway.

When being passed, you must yield to the passing vehicle and not increase your speed. Allow the vehicle to safely merge back into your lane.

If you are stopped at a railroad crossing with more than one track, do not start moving as soon as a train passes. Wait until you have a clear view down all tracks before you start across. Even where there is only one track, do not start across immediately after a train passes; check again for another train that may be approaching.

Warning signs are used to warn drivers about upcoming hazardous conditions and are usually yellow with black markings. This sign warns drivers that the road ahead curves to the right and then to the left.