An emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from behind. You should:

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

A school bus on a two-lane road has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must:

Stop, whether you are behind it or approaching from the front

Your car starts to skid on a slippery road. You should:

Ease off the gas and steer where you want to go

Turn the wheel sharply the other way

Maine BMV Permit Practice Test

The Maine BMV knowledge test has 30 questions; to pass you need 24 correct answers (80%). Practice free with questions based on the official Maine driver handbook, with every answer explained.

Updated on 2026-11-06 · Ver en español

DMVPermitUSA is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Secretary of State) or any other government agency. Requirements were checked against official Maine sources (listed below) and can change: always confirm with the BMV before your test.

Start a free practice test · Take a full mock exam

Maine permit test at a glance

Agency	Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Secretary of State) (BMV)
Test questions	30
Passing score	24 correct answers (80%)
Minimum permit age	15 years old
Permit holding period	6 months
Supervised driving	70 hours, including 10 at night (for all applicants under 21)
Provisional license from	age 16
Test languages	Offered in English, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Arabic, Portuguese, Somali, Swahili and Lingala; since February 1, 2026, free professional interpreters are available for other languages.
Official handbook	Maine Driver's License Manual

Try 5 Maine permit test questions

How many questions are on the Maine BMV knowledge test? 20 / 40 / 50 / 30. Answer: 30. Topics include rules of the road, signs, pedestrian and bicycle safety, OUI laws and distracted driving. To pass: 24 correct answers (80%).
In Maine, what is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and over? 0.02% / 0.05% / 0.08% / 0.10%. Answer: 0.08%. As in almost every state, the limit in Maine is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over; 0.04% for commercial drivers, and zero tolerance under 21.
An emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from behind. You should: Speed up to clear the way / Pull to the right edge of the road and stop / Stop in your lane immediately / Keep driving at the same speed. Answer: Pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
A school bus on a two-lane road has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must: Pass slowly on the left / Stop, whether you are behind it or approaching from the front / Stop only if you are behind it / Honk to warn the children. Answer: Stop, whether you are behind it or approaching from the front. On an undivided road, traffic in both directions stops until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted. Rules for divided highways vary by state.
Your car starts to skid on a slippery road. You should: Slam on the brakes / Ease off the gas and steer where you want to go / Turn the wheel sharply the other way / Accelerate out of the skid. Answer: Ease off the gas and steer where you want to go. Take your foot off the accelerator, avoid hard braking and steer smoothly in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

How the Maine BMV permit test works

The Maine knowledge test (the learner's permit test) has 30 multiple-choice questions, and to pass you need 24 correct answers (80%). Every question comes from the official BMV handbook, the Maine Driver's License Manual.

Topics include rules of the road, signs, pedestrian and bicycle safety, OUI laws and distracted driving.

The knowledge test is taken on the BMV's digital testing system, and passing it is required for the learner's permit.

Offered in English, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Arabic, Portuguese, Somali, Swahili and Lingala; since February 1, 2026, free professional interpreters are available for other languages.

Maine learner's permit requirements

In Maine you can apply for a learner's permit at 15. Applicants under 18 usually need a parent or guardian's consent.

Applicants under 18 must complete an approved driver education course, with 30 hours in the classroom and at least 10 hours behind the wheel, before getting the permit.

Before the road test, teen drivers must hold the permit for at least 6 months. Supervised driving required: 70 hours, including 10 at night (for all applicants under 21).

Proof of identity and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or passport).
Your Social Security number, if you have one.
Proof of Maine residency.
A vision screening and the knowledge test.

The BMV publishes the exact document list: check it before your appointment, especially if you want a REAL ID-compliant card.

Maine graduated driver licensing (GDL)

After the learner stage and the road test, teens can get a provisional (intermediate) license from age 16.

For the first 270 days, drivers under 18 may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or carry passengers other than immediate family unless a licensed driver who is at least 20 and has held a license for 2 years sits beside them.

Maine rules worth knowing for the test

Signs and most rules are the same nationwide, but each state has its own laws — and the BMV test asks about them.

The 6-month permit and 70-hour practice rules apply to everyone under 21, not only to teens under 18.
New drivers under 21 have a provisional license for 2 years (1 year if licensed at 21 or older), and a traffic violation during that period leads to a suspension.
A 15-year-old can hold a learner's permit, but the road test cannot be taken before the 16th birthday.
Violating the 270-day restrictions extends them by another 270 days.

What the Maine knowledge test covers

Topics follow the chapters of the BMV handbook. These are the ones asked most often:

Road signs by shape and color (federal MUTCD standard): see the road signs guide.
Right-of-way at 4-way stops, left turns, crosswalks and for emergency vehicles: right-of-way rules.
Speed limits in mph and the 3-second following rule: speed guide.
Alcohol and drugs: the 0.08% BAC limit, zero tolerance under 21 and implied consent.
Traffic signals and pavement markings, parking, passing, and sharing the road with cyclists, motorcycles and trucks.

How to study for the Maine permit test

Read the official BMV handbook once cover to cover, then take practice tests by topic to find your weak spots. Once you consistently score above 90%, take a full timed mock exam.

Drill the numbers — ages, distances, speed and BAC limits — they are the most-missed questions. More tips in how to pass the permit test.

How to get your learner's permit in Maine

Check the minimum age In Maine, you can apply for a learner's permit at 15.
Complete the required course Applicants under 18 must complete an approved driver education course, with 30 hours in the classroom and at least 10 hours behind the wheel, before getting the permit.
Study the handbook and practice Read the official BMV handbook and take practice tests until you pass comfortably.
Gather your documents Proof of identity, Social Security number and Maine residency; parental consent if under 18.
Pass the vision and knowledge tests To pass you need 24 correct answers (80%).
Drive supervised Hold the permit for at least 6 months. Supervised driving: 70 hours, including 10 at night (for all applicants under 21).
Take the road test From age 16 you can get a provisional license.

Maine permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the Maine permit test?

The Maine knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions. Topics include rules of the road, signs, pedestrian and bicycle safety, OUI laws and distracted driving.

What score do you need to pass the Maine permit test?

You need 24 correct answers (80%).

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Maine?

You can apply at 15. Applicants under 18 usually need a parent or guardian's consent.

How long do you have to hold your permit in Maine?

At least 6 months for teen drivers. Supervised driving required: 70 hours, including 10 at night (for all applicants under 21).

Can I take the Maine permit test in Spanish?