Maine motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 26 Maine numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

12 questions a round from the 16 number questions in our Maine bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.

Free and unlimited. Your answers count toward your readiness and mistake review.

Numbers flashcards

16 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.

Each deck starts with 20 free cards. Swipe right if you knew it, left to see it again.

See 3 of the cards

Every Maine motorcycle number, by topic

Official Maine laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

6 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driverslegislature.maine.gov
Quote
While having an alcohol level of 0.08 grams or more of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath
0%BAC limit for drivers under 21legislature.maine.gov
Quote
A license of a person who has not yet attained 21 years of age includes the condition that the person not operate a motor vehicle with an alcohol level of more than 0.00 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath.
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehiclelegislature.maine.gov
Quote
The Secretary of State shall suspend, without preliminary hearing, the commercial license of a person who has operated or attempted to operate a commercial motor vehicle while having an alcohol level of 0.04 grams or more
275-dayDrunk driving (DUI)Refusing a test means a 275-day suspension for a first refusallegislature.maine.gov
Quote
the suspension is for a period of 275 days for the first refusal, 18 months for a 2nd refusal, 4 years for a 3rd refusal and 6 years for a 4th refusal.
six yearsUnder Maine's implied consent law, how long can the Secretary of State suspend your license for refusing an alcohol test?Answer: Up to six yearsMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 61
Quote
your driver’s license will be immediately suspended if you refuse. The suspension will be for a period of up to six years by the Secretary of State.
two hoursOn a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hoursMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 45
Quote
Take frequent rest breaks — Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Fines, points & penalties

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$35What is the Maine BMV fee for the motorcycle permit examination (written test)?Answer: $35Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Department of the Secretary of State) website
Quote
Class C and Motorcycle Permit Examination (Written Test) $35

Distances & following gaps

5 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
one secondIn a staggered group formation, where does the second rider ride?Answer: Right side of the lane, at least one second backMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 39
Quote
The group leader rides in the left side of the lane, and the second rider stays at least one second back and rides in the right side of the lane.
100 feetAccording to the Maine motorcycle manual, how far ahead should you signal before a turn or lane change?Answer: At least 100 feetMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 25
Quote
Signal as early as you can - at least 100 feet before any change or turn
Two secondsUnder normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?Answer: Two secondsMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 16
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
Three secondsYou are following a large van you cannot see through, in heavy traffic. What following distance should you use?Answer: Three seconds or moreMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 16
Quote
If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy and someone may squeeze in front of you, open up a three-second or more following distance.
12 secondsExperienced riders search well ahead for hazards. About how far ahead in time is that outer search area?Answer: About 12 secondsMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 20
Quote
experienced riders search for hazards that are further out, looking ahead to an area it would take about 12 seconds to reach.

Ages, permits & the test

9 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$35Feemaine.gov
Quote
Class C and Motorcycle Permit Examination (Written Test) $35
2 yearsMotorcycle permitIf you have not passed the road test within 2 years, you must retake the rider education course before another permit is issuedlegislature.maine.gov
Quote
If the holder of a learner's permit fails to complete the driving test within 2 years from the date of issuance of a learner's permit the holder must retake the motorcycle rider education course
60 daysMotorcycle permitA course completion certificate can serve as a temporary permit for 60 dayslegislature.maine.gov
Quote
An endorsement issued pursuant to this paragraph prohibits the holder from carrying a passenger for a period of 60 days following the date of issuance of the endorsement.
at least 16Motorcycle permitTo get a Maine motorcycle learner's permit you must be at least 16, pass vision and knowledge tests, and first complete a state-approved rider education courselegislature.maine.gov
Quote
A person must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a motorcycle or moped learner's permit.
Two yearsAfter you pass the Maine motorcycle written test, how long is the Learner's Permit you receive valid?Answer: Two yearsMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 59
Quote
After passing the written test, a Learner’s Permit will be issued which is valid for two years.
60 daysAfter you complete an approved Maine motorcycle rider education course, how long can your completion certificate be used as a temporary motorcycle permit?Answer: 60 daysMaine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Department of the Secretary of State) website
Quote
The certificate may be used as a temporary motorcycle permit for the operation of a motorcycle for 60 days from the course completion date displayed on the front of the certificate.
60 daysYour Maine motorcycle road test was waived because you completed the Basic Rider Course. What restriction applies to your new endorsement?Answer: No passengers for 60 days after it is issuedMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 59
Quote
If the road examination is waived the motorcycle endorsement prohibits the holder from carrying a passenger for a period of 60 days following the date of issuance of the endorsement.
one yearHow long after passing the driving test must a new Maine motorcycle operator keep wearing a helmet?Answer: For one yearMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 60
Quote
For one year following successful completion of the driving test every operator must wear protective headgear.
at least 45You need to cross a pavement seam that runs parallel to your path. How should you cross it?Answer: Move away and cross at an angle of at least 45 degreesMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 32
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚. Then, make a deliberate turn.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

4 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 18HelmetsProtective headgear is required for: operators and passengers under 18legislature.maine.gov
Quote
If under 18 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle or moped or in an attached side car
one yearHelmetsOperators on a learner's permit or within one year of passing the driving testlegislature.maine.gov
Quote
An operator of a motorcycle or moped, operating under a learner's permit or within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and
under 18A 17-year-old is riding as a passenger with a 45-year-old fully licensed rider in Maine. Must the 17-year-old wear a helmet?Answer: Yes, everyone under 18 must wear one, rider or passengerMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 60
Quote
Every person under the age of 18 years who operates or rides as a passenger must wear protective headgear.
200 feetMaine requires a motorcycle's rearview mirror to give a clear view of the road behind for at least how far?Answer: 200 feetMaine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 60
Quote
All motorcycles shall be equipped with a rearview mirror which affords the operator a clear view of the highway in the rear for a distance of at least 200 feet.

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%About how much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can the front brake provide?Answer: At least 70%Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), page 13
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least 70% of your total stopping power.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Maine motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 26 of them for Maine, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual (With Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles), Maine statutes or BMV pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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