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Maine

Study the Maine driver's handbook to learn the rules, but take practice tests to pass the written exam. Practice tests like the Maine new-to-state driver's license test and the Maine teen permit practice test really show you what you've learned.

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Maine BMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Maine License
  • Preparing For Your ME Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your ME Permit Test
  • Renewing Your ME License
  • Taking Your ME Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your ME Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Maine or Just Visiting?
When should my teen get car insurance?

Your teen should be insured once they're licensed and begin driving on their own (i.e., without another supervising licensed driver). Teens with learner's permits don't yet require insurance while they're driving under the supervision of a licensed adult.

If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

If you have a Maine learner's permit, you may only drive with a licensed supervising driver at least 20 years, who has been licensed themselves for at least 2 years, seated next to you. You may NOT use any sort of handheld communication device while driving. If you're under 21 years old, you must hold your permit for at least 6 months before applying for a license.

If you have a provisional license, there are age-based restrictions and requirements that you must adhere to:

  • Under 18 years old:
    • You may NOT:
      • Carry any passengers other than immediate family members unless you're accompanied by your parent, guardian, or a licensed driver at least 20 years old who has held their license for at least 2 years.
      • Drive between 12 AM or 5 AM
      • Use your cell phone while driving
    • You MUST hold your license for at least 270 days with no traffic violations before the above restrictions fall off. If you incur any violations during the 2-year provisional period, your license will be suspended.
  • 18 to 20 years old:
    • There are no driving restrictions; however, you must remain violation-free for the full 2-year provisional period or risk suspension.
  • 21 years old and up:
    • There are no driving restrictions; however, you must remain violation-free for the full 1-year provisional period or risk suspension.

What happens after I pass my ME road test?

Once you pass your road test, you'll have your photo taken and receive either your official driver's license or a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

You may drive only when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 20 years old sitting in the front seat at all times, who has held their own license for at least 2 years.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No, your photo will be taken at the licensing office where you apply.

Once I get my ME permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

How To Get A Maine Driver’s License

Learning to drive is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) requires potential drivers to complete training and demonstrate knowledge and skills behind the wheel before allowing them the privilege of driving with no restrictions. This is required for all new drivers, as well as those moving to Maine whose licenses have expired before arrival.

The requirements to obtain a ME driver’s license will vary slightly based on whether you are a minor or adult, as well as whether you’re applying for a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license.

Learner’s Permit Requirements for Maine Drivers

All first-time driver’s license applicants in Maine, regardless of age, must first earn a learner’s permit before moving on to obtaining a provisional driver’s license. You must be at least 15 years old to apply. 

If you’re under 18 years old, you must also have first completed a state-approved Driver’s Ed course—applicants 18 years old and up aren’t required to take driver education for their permit.

The Maine BMV schedules your permit test as part of the application process. You can either mail in your documents to the address listed on the application form or submit them to your local driver license office. The BMV will process your documents and schedule you for your written exam.

Either way, you’ll need:

  • A completed Non-Commercial Class C Application (form MVE-64).
    • If you’re under 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
  • Proofs of your:
  • Your Social Security number.
    • If it’s not currently on file with the BMV and you’re submitting your documents by mail, you’ll need proof of your SSN.
  • Your driver education completion certificate, if you’re under 18 years old.
  • Payment for the $35 permit application/exam fee.

Once the BMV has scheduled your appointment, visit your driver license office to take and pass the appropriate exams:

  • Vision test: All applicants.
    • You can alternatively have your doctor complete an Eye Examination Form (MD-FR-103/MVE-103) and mail that in with your documents listed above.
  • Written knowledge exam: Applicants who have NOT taken a driver education course.
    • This means applicants under 18 years old should not have to retest, while applicants 18 and older will need to take the written exam.

In addition to your permit, you will also receive a road test request card. You will need this to schedule your road test when it’s time to do so.

With your Maine permit, you may only drive with a licensed supervising driver at least 20 years, who has been licensed themselves for at least 2 years, seated next to you. You may NOT use any sort of handheld communication device while driving.

If you’re under 21 years old, you must also complete at least 70 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, with at least 10 hours driven at night. Your parent/guardian can record these on the Certification of Driving Time (form MVE-21). You’ll also need to hold your ME learner’s permit for at least 6 months and be at least 16 years old before you can move on to earning your intermediate license. Drivers who are 21 years old and up are exempt from these requirements.

Maine Provisional License Requirements

To apply for your Maine intermediate driver’s license, you must be at least 16 years old. If you’re under 21 years old, you must also have:

  • Held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • Completed your required practice driving hours—70 total, with 10 hours driven at night.

This is the step in which you’ll also need to pass your road test. You’ll need a safe vehicle in which to take your test, along with its registration and insurance. You’ll also need the road test request card that you received either from a BMV agent or by mail.

Send your request card to the main Augusta BMV headquarters—the address will be listed on your card. Once the BMV schedules your road test, visit your appointed driver license office with:

  • Your learner’s permit and appointment notice.
  • A completed:
  • Registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
  • Proof of your:
  • Payment for the applicable license fee:
    • REAL ID license:
      • Under 65 years old: $55
      • 65 years old and up: $40
    • Non-REAL ID license:
      • Under 65 years old: $30
      • 65 years old and up: $20

Your provisional license will be considered “provisional” for a specific period of time based on your age:

  • Drivers under 21 years old: 2 years
  • Drivers 21 and up: 1 year

Additionally, there are age-based restrictions and requirements that you must adhere to:

  • Under 18 years old:
    • You may NOT:
      • Carry any passengers other than immediate family members unless you’re accompanied by your parent, guardian, or a licensed driver at least 20 years old who has held their license for at least 2 years.
      • Drive between 12 AM or 5 AM
      • Use your cell phone while driving
    • You MUST hold your license for at least 270 days with no traffic violations before the above restrictions fall off. If you incur any violations during the 2-year provisional period, your license will be suspended.
  • 18 to 20 years old:
    • There are no driving restrictions; however, you must remain violation-free for the full 2-year provisional period or risk suspension.
  • 21 years old and up:
    • There are no driving restrictions; however, you must remain violation-free for the full 1-year provisional period or risk suspension.

Once the provisional period ends, you can apply for your full driver’s license. Bring your license plus your identity/residency documents, and be prepared to pay a duplicate license fee.

Driver’s License Requirements for New Maine Residents

If you hold an out-of-state license and move to Maine, you must apply for your ME driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. Teens can transfer an out-of-state provisional license or learner’s permit with their parent/guardian’s written consent on the application form. If you’re under 18 years old, you will need to provide proof that you’ve completed an out-of-state Driver’s Ed course in order to convert your license to a Maine provisional license.

To transfer your license to Maine, you’ll need to visit your local driver license office and:

  • Hand in your out-of-state license.
  • Pass a vision test.
    • If your out-of-state license is still valid, you won’t have to take a written test or road skills exam.
  • Submit your:
  • Provide your Social Security number.
  • Pay the applicable license conversion fees:
    • Application fee: $35
    • License fee: $30

Maine BMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

All motorcycle license applicants in Maine must first complete a rider education program before earning a full ME motorcycle license. Depending on your testing results during your program, you may be required to first hold a permit before taking a road test or you may receive a motorcycle endorsement immediately.

If you’re under 18 years old, you must also first go through the graduated licensing process outlined above for standard driver’s licenses.

Maine Motorcycle Safety Course

All new ME motorcycle riders must first complete a Basic Rider Course (BRC) approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This course takes approximately 15 hours and gives you the practice and mastery you need to successfully pass your motorcycle skills test.

The course includes a written knowledge test and on-cycle skills exam. If you successfully pass both, you’ll be able to apply for your Maine motorcycle permit without needing to retake either of these exams through the BMV. If you pass the written exam but not the road test, you’ll still be able to earn your permit without retaking the knowledge test, but you’ll need to take your road test through the BMV.

Applying for a ME Motorcycle Permit or Endorsement

Once you’ve completed your BRC, mail or bring in the following items to the BMV:

  • Your BRC completion certificate.
  • A completed Motorcycle or Moped Application (form MVE-64M).
    • If you’re under 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
  • Proofs of your:
  • Your Social Security number.
    • If it’s not currently on file with the BMV and you’re submitting your documents by mail, you’ll need proof of your SSN.
  • Your driver education completion certificate, if you’re under 18 years old.
  • Payment for the $35 permit application/exam fee.

Once you’ve sent in your required documents listed above, the BMV will process your documents and either schedule you for your written and vision exams, if necessary, or simply issue your permit and a road testing card to use when you’re ready for your road exam. You may not carry any passengers while practicing with your permit.

If you passed the road test during your BRC and qualified for a waiver, you will instead receive an endorsement on your Maine driver’s license. You’ll receive instructions on whether you need to visit a BMV office to supply any additional documents. You may not carry any passengers during the first 60 days of holding your new motorcycle endorsement.

Otherwise, when you’re ready to apply for your motorcycle license in Maine, send in the testing card you received along with your permit. The BMV will schedule you for an on-cycle skills exam at a local examining office. You’ll need a safe motorcycle on which to test, and bring your:

  • Appointment card.
  • ME driver’s license and motorcycle permit.
  • Testing motorcycle’s registration and insurance.

There are no additional fees for your road test, unless you fail your first attempt, in which case you’ll need to pay another $35 fee for each subsequent test.

Maine CDL Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in Maine, you must be at least 16 years old. To drive across state lines or to carry hazardous materials you must be at least 21 years old.

Regardless of age, to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must first:

  1. Have a valid Maine driver’s license.
  2. Obtain and hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 2 weeks.

If you’re an out-of-state CDL holder looking to convert your license to Maine, you should be exempt from the permit/road testing portion of the process; however, you’ll still need to mail in all of the documents listed under the Permit process below.

Getting Your ME Commercial Learner’s Permit

To get your CLP, mail in the following documents to the August BMV CDL Examination Section:

If you’re under 18 years old, you must also meet all of the graduated licensing requirements outlined above.

After mailing in the documents and fees to the address listed on your application form, you’ll receive an appointment notice for your written commercial permit exam. Visit the specified examination station with your appointment card, plus all of your identity documents, to take the written knowledge test and a vision exam. In addition to your permit, you’ll also receive a skills test card that you’ll need to mail in when you’re ready to take your CDL skills exam, unless you already hold an out-of-state CDL—in this case, your road test should be waived and you’ll receive a Maine CDL in place of a CLP.

Your CLP will be valid for 180 days, during which time you can practice for your commercial driver’s license road test. You can only drive when accompanied by another CDL holder in the front seat next to you, who is at least 20 years old (22 years old if you’re driving a school bus) and has their own CDL of the appropriate class and proper endorsements for the vehicle you’re practicing in. They must have been licensed for at least 2 years.

Applying for a ME Commercial Driver’s License

After practicing with your CLP and holding it for at least 2 weeks, you are eligible to apply for your full Maine commercial driver’s license. Mail in the skills test appointment request card to the address listed; the BMV will notify you of your scheduled exam date and location.

At your test, bring:

  • Your CLP and Maine driver’s license, OR your out-of-state CDL if you need to test for a different class of commercial vehicle.
  • The completed and signed appointment notice.
  • The driver’s license of your accompanying driver.
  • A vehicle representative of the class and type you’ll be driving, which meets all safety standards, plus its registration and insurance.

Maine BMV Handbooks

Maine CDL Handbook

Maine CDL Handbook

Maine CDL Handbook
Maine Driver's License Handbook

Maine Driver's License Handbook

Maine Driver's License Handbook
Maine Motorcycle Handbook

Maine Motorcycle Handbook

Maine Motorcycle Handbook