Maine Driver's License

Class A License

A Class A license is a commercial driver's license (CDL) required for operating any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or registered weight of 26,001 pounds or more where the towed vehicle(s) has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 10,000 pounds.

Class A CDL holders are authorized to operate vehicles in Class B and Class C categories, provided they have the appropriate endorsements.

Class B License

A Maine Class B driver's license is also a CDL allowing the holder to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR.

This type of license is typically required for driving large trucks or buses. Holders can operate vehicles in the Class C category with appropriate endorsements.

Class C License

Class C is the standard license classification issued to most motor vehicle operators. It covers any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not fall under Class A or B definitions. It is considered a non-commercial license. However, it can become a commercial license if the vehicle carries hazardous materials or requires tanker and/or passenger (bus) endorsements.

Special Restricted License

As per the Maine Statute Title 29-A, Chapter 11, Section 1256, individuals aged 15 years old may be eligible for a special restricted driver's license, provided they have completed the following as outlined in Section 1301 of the same chapter:

• An approved driver education course
• Passed the required examination for operating a motor vehicle

Issuing this restricted license is contingent upon demonstrating an educational, employment, or medical necessity for driving.

Basic Requirements

To obtain a driver's license in Maine, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• The individual has to be at least 16 and accomplished a driver education course (approved), or at least 18 if they have yet completed the course.
• For individuals younger than 21, before applying for a road test, they must have:
• Held a learner's permit for six months
• Completed at least 70 hours of practice driving with a driver who is at least 20 years old and has a valid license for at least two years. Note: The required hours must include 10 hours of night driving, and it must begin after the permit is issued.
• The parent, stepparent, spouse, guardian, or employer must certify the person's driving time (through a form from the Secretary of State).
• Accomplish the Non-Commercial Class Application form.
• Pass the written and vision test to receive a learner's permit.

Take and Pass the Necessary Tests

Individuals aiming for a driver's license in Maine must take and pass the following tests:

Written Test

The written test evaluates the individual's comprehension of traffic laws, regulations, driving skills, vehicle handling, and ability to recognize and interpret highway signs. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding Maine's laws regarding drinking and driving.

Individuals can access the information they must learn from the Maine Driver's License Manual and the Motorist Handbook and Study Guide. Individuals can also access the Moped Operator Manual as an additional resource. The fee for the written text is $35.

Vision Screening

The vision screening assesses the individual's visual acuity (clarity) and peripheral vision (how far one can see to the sides while looking straight ahead). If the individual needs contact lenses or glasses, they must wear them during the test.

Individuals can take the vision test for free when they take their written test. They may also have a doctor provide the exam at their own expense. It will require the individual to fill out an Eye Examination Form and give the form to the license examiner as they take their road test.

Road test

During the road test, the license examiner will assess the individual's ability to maintain control of their vehicle, whether driving forward or backward, maintaining proper lane position, turning left or right, or driving straight ahead.

They will also be evaluated on their observation and reaction skills regarding other road users, pedestrians, traffic signs, signals, and road conditions. The examiner will not require the individual to perform extraordinary or illegal maneuvers during the test.

Individuals cannot take the road test without completing the written and vision test. They will be issued a learner's permit after the two tests required for the road test.

To complete a road test, individuals must do the following:

• Mail the road test request card to the BMV Main Office at 29 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0029 to schedule an appointment. Note: If the individual is under 21, they must submit a completed driving log in place of the request card.
• Bring the learner's permit and exam appointment notice.
• Provide a properly registered and inspected vehicle for the road test.
• Be accompanied by a licensed operator with a valid driver's license.

If an individual passes the road test, the BMV staff will issue them a temporary license and provide all the necessary information about being a first-time license holder and instructions on how to obtain their photo license.

However, if the individual does not qualify for the license, they will be informed about the reasons for failure and what areas to practice before their next test attempt. The BMV staff will also provide a receipt for the individual to submit when requesting their next test.

The department's driver's license examination process rules are available online or upon request. To obtain a copy, individuals can contact the BMV by phone at 207-624-9000 ext. 52119 or by email at Examinations.BMV@maine.gov.

Exception

If the individual has a valid out-of-state driver's license, they may waive the written and roast tests. However, they must register for a new Maine driver's license within 30 days of being a Maine resident. Check the "Can a Foreigner Get a Driver's License in Maine" section in this guide.

Pay the License Fee

After passing the tests, individuals must pay the license fee based on age and whether the license is a REAL ID or a standard ID.

Typically, individuals aged under 65 years old will have to pay $30 for a regular Class C non-commercial license and $55 for a REAL ID version. This license is valid for six years.

Individuals aged 65 or older must pay $20 for a regular license and $40 for a REAL ID version. This license is valid for four years only.

For more information on the different license fees, check this License and Examination Fees table. The table also includes the renewal fees.

Receive the License

After completing the registration, individuals can expect to receive their new driver's license in the mail within three weeks. However, most licenses are typically mailed out in less than two weeks.

The temporary license issued to the individual will remain effective for 60 days. If an individual does not receive their new license within those 60 days, they should contact the BMV by calling 624-9000, extension 52114, to inquire about their license status.

Reminders

For individuals under 18 years of age who have been issued a driver's license, they may not:

• Operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone.
• Operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• Carry passengers other than immediate family members

The individual may carry other passengers if accompanied by a licensed operator aged 20 or older with a valid license for at least two years. The operator must also be seated beside the driver.

License Renewal

A Maine driver's license usually expires every 6 or 4 years, depending on the holder's age. Individuals under 65 years old can renew their license every six years. However, if the individual is 65 or older, they can renew their license every four years.

About 45 days before the expiry date, individuals will receive a notice from the BMV by mail to their registered address. Hence, individuals must keep their registered addresses updated.

After receiving the notice, individuals must renew their licenses before expiration. However, they also don't have to wait for the notice and renew their licenses as early as six months before the expiration. Individuals can opt for online or in-person renewal.

Online Renewal

Note that only individuals who meet the following criteria can renew their driver's license online:

• The individual is a Maine resident renewing a non-commercial standard Maine driver's license.
• The renewal is not for a REAL ID license.
• The license is not suspended or revoked.
• The individual has not changed their name since their last renewal.
• The individual does not need to update any personal information.
• The individual does not need to take a vision test.
• The individual already submitted proof of legal presence in Maine to the BMV.

To renew their license online, the individual will need the following:

• Their Social Security number
• A credit card. Note: A debit card may be accepted as long as it is a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
• A printer

If all the requirements above are met, individuals can do their online renewal through the Driver's License Renewal portal on the Maine BMV official website.

In-Person Renewal

An in-person renewal is required if the individual meets the following requirements:

• The individual has an out-of-state driver's license.
• The individual wishes to renew an existing REAL ID driver's license or apply for a REAL ID driver's license in Maine.
• The individual holds a commercial license.
• The individual has changed their name since their last renewal.
• The individual has a new medical condition, and their existing one has changed since their last renewal.
• The individual wishes to remove a restriction for corrective lenses.
• The individual is not a citizen of the United States.
• The individual requires a vision screening. Note: To know when an individual may need a vision screening, they can check for more information on this "Vision Screening" page.

For in-person renewal, individuals must visit their nearest BMV branch and seek assistance.

License Replacement

Suppose an individual loses or damages their driver's license or it is stolen. In that case, they can get a replacement online at the Driver's License Renewal portal (see the "Online Renewal" section above).

Individuals can also opt to get a replacement at a BMB branch near them, where they must accomplish the following:

• Submit the following documents:
• Proof of Maine residency
• Proof of legal U.S. presence or citizenship
• Current license ID
• Pay the replacement fee based on the type of license ID.

Receiving the Renewed or Replacement License

Like newly registered licenses, individuals can expect to receive their renewed licenses or replacements within two to three weeks. While waiting, they will receive temporary licenses valid for 60 days.