Maine · Handbook chapter 5 · 6 min read

Chapter 5: Rules of the road: right of way, signals, signs and markings

Who yields in Maine at four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, circles and driveways; traffic lights, arrows and lane-use lights; warning, work zone, regulatory, railroad and guide signs; pavement markings; lane use and turns.

Why this chapter matters

Rules of the road and the meaning of signs are the two biggest topics on the Maine written test. Expect questions on who goes first, what each light and arrow means, and what a sign's shape and color tell you before you can read it.

Right of way

Right-of-way rules say who must yield; they never give anyone the right to insist. Yield in these cases:

• Four-way stop: the first driver to arrive goes first. If two arrive together side by side, the driver on the right goes first.
• Uncontrolled intersection: if two vehicles arrive at about the same time, yield to the one on your right.
• Yield to vehicles already in the intersection.
• When two cars meet from opposite directions and one is turning, the car going straight has the right of way.
• Coming out of a private drive or road, yield to all vehicles and pedestrians on the public way.
• On an entrance ramp, yield to traffic already on the interstate.
• Pulling out from a parked position, wait for moving traffic to pass.
• In a traffic circle, yield to vehicles already in the circle.
• Turning left, yield to bicyclists and roller skiers coming from the opposite direction.
• Emergency vehicles with siren and flashing lights: pull to the right, clear of intersections, and stop until they pass. Failing to do so is a Class E crime.

Yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk where there is no signal or officer, to pedestrians crossing with the light when you turn, to anyone on a sidewalk you are crossing, and always to schoolchildren. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk.

Traffic signals

When there are several signals, obey the one directly over your lane. Overhead lane-use lights: a steady red X means do not drive in this lane; a steady yellow X means clear the lane; a flashing yellow X means the lane is for left turns only; a green arrow means you may use the lane. You may not cut through a parking lot to avoid a traffic control.

Signs by shape and color

• Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black letters or symbols: curves, intersections, merging traffic, lane ends, signal ahead, stop ahead, deer, bicycles and slippery roads.
• Work zone signs are orange diamonds or rectangles. Obey flaggers. Speeding fines are doubled in work zones.
• Regulatory signs are white squares or rectangles (or special shapes) with black, red or green letters. A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed.
• The STOP sign is a red octagon. Stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk, or, if neither is marked, where you can see cross traffic, before any part of the car enters the intersection.
• The YIELD sign is a red and white down-pointing triangle: slow, and yield to traffic and pedestrians.
• A five-sided sign marks a school zone or school crossing.
• Guide signs are green, brown or blue and give directions, places of interest and services.
• Railroad: a round yellow advance sign with an X and RR, and a white X-shaped crossbuck at the crossing. Never stop on the tracks.

Police directions override signals and signs. It is illegal to remove or deface a sign.

Pavement markings

• Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A broken yellow line on your side means you may pass when safe; a solid line on your side means you may not; a double solid line means no passing either way.
• White lines separate lanes going the same direction. Broken white lines allow careful lane changes; solid white lines discourage them.
• Stop at the stop line, which is set back to leave pedestrians room.
• A shared center left-turn lane is only for left turns from either direction, never for passing or through travel.
• Reversible lanes change direction at set times; check the overhead signals before entering.

Using lanes and turning

On a road with three or more lanes in your direction, the middle lanes usually flow best; the left lane is for passing and left turns and the right lane for slower traffic and turns. Pass on the left. You may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room for two or more lanes, or on a road with two or more marked lanes in your direction. On three-lane sections of the Maine Turnpike and I-95, trucks (not pickups) must use the two right-hand lanes.

Turn from the lane closest to where you want to go, into the closest lane going your way: left turns into the leftmost lane, right turns into the rightmost. Wait to turn left with your wheels straight, so a rear-end crash will not push you into oncoming traffic. If you miss a turn, carry on and come back.

Pedestrians who are blind

A person with a white cane or guide dog always has the right of way. Stop at least 10 feet away until they are safe; failing to yield brings a fine of $50 to $1,000.