Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
Except as provided in section
2, the examination required by 29 MRSA
Section581 to determine a person's qualifications to operate a motor vehicle
must consist of a road sign test, knowledge test, vision test and road
test.
A.
Road Sign Test
1 The road sign test is administered to
applicants to determine their ability to identify and understand highway
signs.
2 The road sign test must
consist of at least 10 questions. The applicant must correctly answer eighty
(80) percent to qualify for a license.
B.
Knowledge Test
The knowledge test is administered to determine whether the
applicant has acquired an understanding and knowledge of the traffic laws and
regulations and safe driving practices established by the Driver Examination
Manual and the Commercial Driver's Manual. Applicants must correctly answer
eighty (80) percent of the questions on each knowledge test to qualify for a
license.
C.
Vision
Test
The vision screening test is administered to determine
whether the applicant's vision is adequate to permit the safe operation of a
motor vehicle. The vision screening test may consist of the following
parts:
1 Visual acuity examination.
Applicants for a motor vehicle operator's license must meet the minimum visual
acuity standards established by Chapter 3, Department of State, Motor Vehicle
Division, Physical, Emotional And Mental Competence To Operate A Motor Vehicle,
Functional Ability Profiles Governing The Physical, Emotional and Mental
Competence To Operate a Motor Vehicle (Functional Ability Profiles). Applicants
for a school bus endorsement may be required to satisfy more stringent
standards.
a Applicants who fail to meet the
minimum standard will be referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a
comprehensive vision examination. An applicant may be issued an operator's
license following such an examination in accordance with the Functional Ability
Profiles.
b If an applicant
referred to a doctor declines to undergo a vision examination, an operator's
license or instruction permit must not be issued.
2 Depth perception examination. The depth
perception examination measures the ability to make a judgment of space,
distance, and relative position of objects.
3 Visual field examination. The field of
vision examination measures the ability to detect objects to the right or left
while looking straight ahead.
D.
Road Test
The road test is administered to determine the applicant's
actual ability safely to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the
operation of a motor vehicle as described in the Driver License Examination
Manual and the Commercial Driver's Manual. The following requirements and
restrictions apply to the road test:
1
The road test must not be given until the applicant has successfully completed
all other required tests.
2 When
appearing for the road test, the applicant must present the following items to
the driver license examiner.
a The appointment
form properly completed;
b A valid
permit. An applicant with a valid operator's license is not required to present
a permit provided the license does not prohibit operation of that
vehicle;
c The accompanying
operator's valid license. An applicant with a valid operator's license to
operate that vehicle is not required to present an accompanying operator's
license;
d The current registration
certificate or registrations of the vehicle or vehicles to be used.
3 Each applicant must furnish a
properly equipped, safe vehicle within the class license for which application
is made.
a If the driver license examiner
finds the vehicle improperly equipped or unsafe for operation, the road test
may be refused and will be rescheduled to a later date.
b If the vehicle is not in the class for
which the application is made, the applicant may either be rescheduled or
submit to the test. If the applicant submits to the test and qualifies, the
license will be endorsed for the class of vehicle used.
i Applicants administered a commercial driver
examination in a vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000
pounds or less will be restricted to operation of vehicles of that weight
rating.
4
Unless authorized by the Secretary of State no passenger other than the driver
and the driver license examiner or examiners are permitted in the vehicle
during the road test.
5 No pets are
permitted in the vehicle during the road test.
6 Driver license examiners are prohibited
from using tricks, asking the applicant to do anything unlawful, or attempting
to confuse or hurry the applicant during the road test.
