Driving Test Practice

How to get a driver's license in Maine

This page explains, step by step, how to get a Maine driver’s license for a regular car and which documents to bring. In Maine, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), part of the Secretary of State, issues licenses and publishes the Maine Driver’s License Manual. This guide is based on the BMV’s website pages and on the Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), as read in October 2026. Where those sources do not say the same thing, this guide leaves the point out or tells you to check the BMV’s page. Requirements change, so check the BMV website before you go. This site is independent and is not a government agency.

Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV

Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-19. Requirements can change: always confirm with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles before you go.

How it works

  • Who does what

    In Maine, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) qualifies and licenses drivers and keeps driver history records. BMV branch offices issue driver’s licenses. A new resident who holds a valid driver’s license from another state must surrender it and apply for a Maine driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency.

    Source: [1] [2]

  • What this guide covers

    This guide covers the Class C license, which is the standard classification issued to most motor vehicle operators, and the learner’s permit that comes before it. Classes A and B are commercial licenses. School buses, passenger buses and motorcycles are not a separate class, but using them requires a special endorsement and an examination for those specific vehicles.

    Source: [1]

  • Find the steps for your age

    Maine has three groups of drivers, with different requirements and restrictions: ages 15 to 17, ages 18 to 20, and ages 21 and older. Maine law requires a three-step graduated licensing system for new drivers younger than 18, with restrictions for drivers under 21. If you are 18 or older, you do not have to complete driver education. See “If you are under 18” and “If you are 18 or older”.

    Source: [2] [3] [4]

  • The three parts of earning a license

    New drivers earn their driver’s license by completing the written exam, a vision screening and the road test. Getting a learner’s permit is the first step in the licensing process. See “The tests” for what each part involves.

    Source: [2] [5]

  • Study the manual

    The Maine Driver’s License Manual and the Motorist Handbook and Study Guide are available in various formats and languages. The BMV’s manual page lists Arabic, French, Portuguese, Somali and Spanish. The practice questions at the end of each chapter of the study guide help you prepare for the written exam. The manual and the study guide are linked below.

    Source: [5] [23]

  • Fees

    A fee applies when you get a license. Licensing fees vary with the age of the applicant and the type of license. Amounts change, so see the BMV’s driver license and examination fees page, which is linked below, before you go.

    Source: [2]

If you are under 18: permit, practice, license

  1. Know the three steps

    Maine law requires a three-step graduated licensing system for new drivers who are younger than 18, with restrictions for drivers under 21. Getting a learner’s permit is the first step. A license issued to a person under 18 is an intermediate license. “Rules for young drivers” lists what the restrictions are.

    Source: [2] [3] [4]

  2. Complete driver education

    If you are under 18, you must complete an approved driver education course to get a learner’s permit. To get a license you must be at least 16 and have completed an approved driver education course. The permit application asks for the driver education completion certificate, which is required only for applicants under 18. The BMV publishes a list of approved driver education schools, which you can find through the student information page linked below.

    Source: [1] [2] [20]

  3. Get a parent or guardian signature

    The Secretary of State does not accept the application of a minor under 18 for a license or instruction permit unless it is signed by a parent or legal guardian who has custody of the minor, or by the minor’s spouse if the spouse is at least 18. For applicants younger than 18, a parent or legal guardian must also go with you for the signing of the license application and the awarding of the license.

    Source: [1] [2]

  4. Get your learner’s permit (age 15)

    You must be at least 15 years old to get a learner’s permit, and a written driving exam is required. You can bring the documents for a permit to a BMV branch office or mail them to the Examination Section in Augusta. A fee applies to the permit; see the fees page linked below. Copies of identity documents may be mailed, but you must show the originals at the time of an examination. Once your application is processed, the BMV schedules the written test at the closest location to your mailing address, and the appointment notice comes through the mail within three weeks. Written exams and vision screenings are offered on a scheduled basis at all BMV branch offices, and two forms of identification are required. There is no penalty fee if a test is rescheduled up to 48 hours before it starts. See “The tests”.

    Source: [1] [2]

  5. Practice with your permit

    Before a person under 21 can apply for a road test, the learner’s permit must have been held for 6 months from its date of issue, and the person must have completed at least 70 hours of driving, including 10 hours of night driving. The 70 hours must begin after the permit is issued, and you must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years. The driving time must be certified on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State. The BMV’s driving log form asks for at least 70 hours of practice, 10 of them after dark. Falsifying the driving log is a Class E crime.

    Source: [1] [3] [24]

  6. How long a permit lasts

    A learner’s permit is valid for two years and is not renewable. When it expires, you file a new application and retake the vision screening and the written exam. The logged driving hours carry over from your first permit to any following permits, and there is no additional wait before you apply to take the road test on a later permit.

    Source: [1] [2]

  7. Schedule the road test

    To schedule the road test, mail the road test request card, which is on the back of your learner’s permit, to the main office of the BMV. If you are under 21, you submit a completed driving log instead of the road test request card. You are scheduled at the testing location nearest to you, and you bring your learner’s permit and the exam appointment notice. The road test is not given until all other tests have been successfully completed and the permit requirements are met. See “The tests”.

    Source: [5]

  8. Get the intermediate license

    To get a license you must be at least 16 and have completed an approved driver education course. A license issued to a person under 18 is an intermediate license. The first license issued to a new applicant between the ages of 16 and 20 is a juvenile provisional license for a period of two years.

    Source: [1] [3]

Rules for young drivers

  • Learner’s permit rules

    If you hold a learner’s permit:

    • you may drive only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a valid license for 2 years;
    • that licensed driver must sit in the seat next to you;
    • you may not use a mobile phone or handheld electronic device while driving;
    • if you are under 21, you must hold the permit for 6 months and complete at least 70 hours of driving, including 10 hours of night driving, before you can apply for a road test.

    Source: [1] [3]

  • Intermediate license restrictions

    A license issued to a person under 18 is an intermediate license. If you hold one, you may not:

    • operate a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.;
    • operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile phone or handheld electronic device;
    • carry passengers other than immediate family members unless you are accompanied by a licensed operator who meets the requirements of Maine law. The BMV’s graduated drivers license page, linked below, lists who counts as an immediate family member.

    Source: [3] [4] [7]

  • How long the restrictions last

    The under-18 restrictions are in effect for 270 days. If the holder of an intermediate license is convicted of violating one of the restrictions, the restrictions are extended for an additional 270 days and a license suspension is imposed. The BMV’s page on intermediate and provisional license suspensions, linked below, has the details.

    Source: [1] [3] [19]

  • The provisional license period

    The first license issued to a new applicant under 21 is provisional for two years, and for a new applicant who is 21 or older it is provisional for one year. A conviction for a moving violation during the provisional period brings a license suspension, even after the 270-day restrictions end.

    Source: [1] [3]

  • No alcohol under 21

    No one under 21 may drive after consuming any amount of alcohol. Maine has zero tolerance.

    Source: [7]

If you are 18 or older

  • If you are 18 to 20

    If you are 18 years of age or older, you are not required to complete driver education. If you have not completed an approved driver education course, you must be at least 18 to get a license. If you are under 21, you must hold your learner’s permit for at least six months before you apply for a road test and complete 70 hours of practice driving, which must include 10 hours of night driving. While you drive with the permit, you may not use a handheld electronic device or mobile phone. The first license issued to a new applicant between the ages of 16 and 20 is a juvenile provisional license for a period of two years.

    Source: [1] [3]

  • If you are 21 or older

    If you are 21 or older, you are not required to complete a driver education course or log driving hours, and you do not have to wait 6 months before you apply for a road test. While you drive with a learner’s permit, you may not use a handheld electronic device or mobile phone. The first license issued to a new applicant who is 21 or older is a provisional license for a period of one year, and a conviction for a moving violation during that year brings a license suspension.

    Source: [3]

  • Birth certificate

    If you are younger than 23, bring your birth certificate to prove your date of birth. See “Documents to bring”.

    Source: [1] [2]

  • Changing your license class

    Anyone applying for a first license must take the exams. Anyone changing their license classification must also take all required examinations.

    Source: [1] [5]

Moving to Maine

New Resident Guide →

  • Get a Maine license within 30 days

    You must obtain a new Maine license within 30 days of becoming a resident of Maine. A new resident who holds a valid driver’s license from another state must surrender that license and apply for a Maine driver’s license within that time. Any out-of-state license must be surrendered when the Maine license is issued.

    Source: [1] [6]

  • Who can convert a license

    If you hold a valid (not suspended or revoked) driver’s license issued by another U.S. state or by a Canadian province, and it is current or expired within the past 5 years, you can obtain a Maine Class C license, including a REAL ID license, at a BMV office.

    Source: [6]

  • What to bring when you convert

    You need:

    • your out-of-state license or, if it is no longer in your possession, a certified driving record less than 30 days old that verifies the details of the license;
    • your Social Security number (if you believe you are ineligible for one, you may be required to present documentation of ineligibility);
    • proof of legal presence and proof of residency (see “Documents to bring”);
    • supporting documents, such as a marriage license, court order or divorce decree, if your name differs from one document to another;
    • payment of the exam and license fees, which differ by license class;
    • a vision screening.

    Source: [6]

  • Tests when you convert

    Converting a license includes a vision screening. The written test and the road test may be waived, or may not be required, if you hold a valid out-of-state license.

    Source: [1] [5] [6]

  • If you are 16 or 17

    You must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a Maine license by transferring an out-of-state license. If you are 16 or 17 and hold a valid out-of-state license, you may be required to provide evidence of completion of an approved driver education course before a Maine license is issued. A 16-year-old with a valid out-of-state learner’s permit is allowed to drive in Maine if accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years.

    Source: [1] [3]

  • REAL ID when you move

    Additional requirements apply for a REAL ID license, even if your out-of-state license is already a REAL ID. See “REAL ID”.

    Source: [6]

  • Visiting Maine

    A non-resident who is at least 16 years of age and has a valid operator’s license or learner’s permit issued by his or her home state does not need a Maine license to drive in Maine.

    Source: [1]

  • If you are leaving Maine

    A clearance or verification letter may be issued to a person who once held a Maine license and needs to show its status when applying in another state. Not all states accept these letters.

    Source: [6]

Documents to bring

  • What you need for a first license

    For a first license you need:

    • proof of Maine residency;
    • proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence in the U.S.;
    • two different forms that prove your identity: one must show your date of birth and the other must bear your written signature;
    • your Social Security number.

    Source: [2]

  • Proving your identity

    Bring two identity documents. One must indicate your date of birth and the other must bear your written signature. The accepted documents include a passport, certified school records or transcripts, a Social Security card and an unemployment card, and the list on the BMV’s page is not all-inclusive. Only the documents marked with an asterisk on the BMV’s list are acceptable for a REAL ID. If you are younger than 23, bring your birth certificate to prove your date of birth. A photocopy with an embossed stamp of the issuing agency is acceptable, but a notarized copy is not. If your name has been legally changed, you will need to show documentation of the change.

    Source: [1] [2] [14]

  • Your Social Security number

    If your Social Security number is not on file, you must know it and provide it. If you believe you are ineligible for one, you must instead submit an unexpired immigration document, such as an I-94.

    Source: [2]

  • Proof of Maine residency

    Your application needs proof that you live in Maine. A post office box or other mail drop address is not sufficient. For a standard license or ID card you need one document that proves your residence, and for a REAL ID you need two. The documents include, but are not limited to:

    • a Maine resident hunting or fishing license;
    • a Maine vehicle registration;
    • a paycheck stub;
    • a recent Maine driver’s license with your physical address;
    • a tax bill or a tax return;
    • a utility bill or a W-2.

    Source: [1] [15]

  • If you cannot show a residency document

    If you are unable to provide proof of residency but you do live in Maine, you can submit affidavits from two individuals who have knowledge of you and your residence within the state. If you are younger than 18, only one is required if it is signed by your parent or guardian. For a standard license or State ID only, some people do not have to prove Maine residency: a non-Maine resident on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who lives in Maine, the spouse or child of such a person, and an out-of-state student enrolled at a university, college or school in Maine.

    Source: [15]

  • Proof of legal presence

    You must provide proof of legal presence in the United States to obtain or renew a driver’s license or state ID. Documents must be legible, valid and unexpired or without an expiration date. Examples include:

    • a Permanent Resident Card or Resident Alien Card;
    • an Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
    • for U.S. citizens, a U.S. passport or passport card.

    Source: [16] [17]

  • If you are not a U.S. citizen

    A credential will not be issued if the authorized period of admission is less than 120 days. A driver’s license or non-driver identification card issued to a non-citizen may be issued for a period of time shorter than the usual terms.

    Source: [1] [16]

REAL ID

  • What a REAL ID is

    The BMV began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and State identification cards on July 1, 2019. A REAL ID is a choice, not a requirement. A REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is marked with a gold star on the face of the card. You can have only one REAL ID credential, either a license or an ID card.

    Source: [13]

  • Documents for a REAL ID

    For a REAL ID you need:

    • one document that establishes your identity, date of birth and proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence or other lawful status in the U.S.;
    • two documents that prove you live in Maine (a P.O. Box is not acceptable);
    • your Social Security number (the card is not required) or evidence that you are not eligible for one.

    Source: [13]

  • Original documents and name changes

    Only original documents, or documents certified by the issuing agency, are accepted. If your name has changed, the documents must show a clear trail of name changes from the name on your identity document to your current name, such as a marriage license, divorce decree or court order.

    Source: [13]

  • Where to apply

    Your initial application for a REAL ID license or ID card must be made in person at a BMV branch office or mobile unit. You can upgrade a standard license to a REAL ID by visiting a BMV branch office, either when you renew it or by buying a duplicate at any time. The BMV’s REAL ID page says that, effective November 13, 2025, you may be able to renew an existing REAL ID online or at a local AAA branch office.

    Source: [13]

At the office

  • Branches and appointments

    You can schedule a branch location appointment to skip the line. Branch locations may limit walk-in traffic when capacity is reached. When this guide was checked, some branch offices were closing at 4:00 p.m. because of high demand for REAL ID; closing times vary by branch. All branch locations are closed on holidays. The Mobile Unit is a walk-up service only and does not schedule appointments.

    Source: [18]

  • Finding a branch

    There are 13 BMV branch offices across the state. The BMV’s page for finding your local branch, linked below, helps you locate them.

    Source: [5]

  • Tests are scheduled

    Written exams and vision screenings are offered on a scheduled basis at all branch offices, and the appointment notice for a written test comes through the mail. The digital knowledge test is taken at one of the 13 branches across the state.

    Source: [1] [2] [5]

  • What AAA locations can do

    AAA locations can only perform limited transactions. They can renew and replace State ID cards and Class C non-commercial licenses.

    Source: [18]

  • Online services

    If a transaction cannot be completed online, or you prefer in-person service, you can book an appointment at a branch through the BMV’s online services page. The online services include driver’s license and ID card renewal and replacement. The online services page is linked below.

    Source: [21]

The tests

  • Which tests you take

    Anyone applying for a first license, or changing their license classification, must take the exams. New drivers earn their driver’s license by completing the written exam, a vision screening and the road test. The road test is not given until all other tests have been successfully completed and the permit requirements are met.

    Source: [5]

  • Vision screening

    The vision screening measures your visual acuity and your peripheral vision. It is free when you appear for your driver’s exam. If you prefer, you can have it done at your own expense by an eye care specialist. A vision screening is required for:

    • anyone applying for an initial license;
    • applicants with a valid out-of-state license;
    • anyone changing their license classification;
    • applicants between the ages of 40 and 45, between 52 and 57, and 62 and older.

    Source: [8]

  • The knowledge test

    The knowledge test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. The questions cover several topic areas, including the rules of the road, the meaning of signs, pedestrian and bicycle safety, Maine’s operating-under-the-influence laws and the dangers of distracted driving. Special emphasis is placed on understanding Maine’s drinking and driving laws. The digital knowledge test is taken at one of the 13 BMV branches. The practice questions at the end of each chapter of the study guide help you prepare.

    Source: [1] [5]

  • Test languages and interpreters

    The BMV’s digital testing system offers the basic knowledge test in several languages. Effective February 1, 2026, the BMV provides free professional interpreter services to applicants for written exams. If you speak a language that the testing system does not provide, the BMV provides a free interpreter, but scheduling may take 4 weeks or more. Tell the BMV which language services you need on the exam application form.

    Source: [5]

  • Rescheduling a test

    There is no penalty fee if a test is rescheduled up to 48 hours before it starts. Applicants scheduled for a road test on a day with snow or icy conditions can choose to be rescheduled at no fee. When state offices are closed for severe weather, written and road exams scheduled for that period are automatically rescheduled at no fee.

    Source: [1] [2] [5]

  • The road test

    A driver’s license examiner assesses your ability to maintain control of your vehicle at all times. The test includes a parallel parking requirement and a straight-line backing up requirement. The examiner’s duty is to render an impartial decision covering all phases of the road test. Bring your learner’s permit and your exam appointment notice.

    Source: [1] [5]

  • Your vehicle for the road test

    You must furnish your own vehicle, properly registered (bring the registration) and inspected. An antique automobile registration is not acceptable for the road test vehicle. The examiner may refuse to give the road test if:

    • the inspection sticker has expired;
    • the front seats are not available for the examiner or are not properly secured to the floor of the vehicle;
    • the vehicle is improperly equipped for the climate, for example without snow treads or chains;
    • the glove compartment is not properly secured;
    • you refuse to remove pets from the vehicle.

    Source: [1] [5]

  • If you do not pass

    If you do not qualify for your license, the BMV tells you why you were not successful and gives you a receipt to send in to request your next test.

    Source: [5]

After you pass

  • Your temporary license

    If you pass your road test, BMV staff issue you a temporary license. When ordered, licenses take 3 to 4 weeks to arrive.

    Source: [2] [5]

  • How long a license lasts

    A photo license is valid until your sixth birthday after the date it was issued, or until your fourth birthday after the date it was issued if you are 65 or older.

    Source: [1]

  • Carry your license

    You should carry your license with you at all times when driving. You must show it to any police officer who asks to see it. It is illegal to lend your license to anyone else.

    Source: [1]

Keeping your license

  • Renewing a license

    About 45 days before a license expires, a renewal notice is mailed to the most recent address on file with the BMV. It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle with an expired license. You can renew as early as six months before your license expires. You may be able to renew online, or in person at any branch. Renewal does not require an appointment, and all 13 BMV branch offices accept walk-ins. Your license will not be renewed while it is suspended in Maine or in any other state, until your right to have a license is restored. A fee applies; see the fees page linked below. Renewal needs:

    • proof of your physical address in Maine, if your current address is not already on file;
    • a Social Security number on file;
    • proof of legal presence in the United States;
    • a vision screening, if you are between the ages of 40 and 45, between 52 and 57, or 62 and older (it is free at any branch or mobile unit, or you can have it done at your own expense by an eye care specialist). Even with a favorable vision form in your record, you cannot renew your license using the online service.

    Source: [1] [8] [9] [10] [16]

  • After you renew

    Your license may take up to four weeks to arrive in the mail, but most are mailed in less than three weeks. A temporary license is effective for 60 days.

    Source: [10]

  • Replacing a lost or damaged license

    If your license is lost or destroyed, you must notify the BMV and apply for a duplicate. There are three ways to get a duplicate driver’s license or identification card: online, at a branch or mobile unit, or by written request. At a branch or mobile unit, bring two identity documents, one that indicates your date of birth and one that bears your written signature, and complete a form stating that the license or ID card is not in your possession. The online service needs your Social Security number, a valid Visa or MasterCard credit card and a printer. By mail, your written request includes a brief statement certifying that the original is not in your possession; the BMV’s duplicate page, linked below, lists everything a written request must include. If your license is suspended, you cannot get a duplicate until the suspension requirements are completed.

    Source: [1] [11]

  • Changing your address or name

    Maine law requires you to notify the BMV within 30 days of a change of name or address. You cannot change your address using the online system; the BMV’s update page, linked below, says how to do it by phone, e-mail or its Contact Us form. Changing the address on your car registration does not change the address on your license. If your name has been legally changed, you will need to show documentation of the change, such as court documents, a divorce decree or a marriage certificate. Changing information on a driver’s license carries severe penalties, which may include the loss of your license.

    Source: [1] [2] [10] [22]

The Maine ID card

  • Who can get one

    A person who can prove legal presence in the United States and a physical Maine address may apply for a state non-driver identification card. All branch offices and mobile unit locations issue State Identification Cards.

    Source: [12]

  • Documents and timing

    If your Social Security number is not on file with the Secretary of State, you must provide it. If you believe you are ineligible for one, you must present an unexpired immigration document, such as an I-94. For a standard ID card you need one document that proves your residence, and for a REAL ID card you need two. The initial REAL ID license or ID card must be completed in person. ID cards are mailed within two to three weeks from the date ordered, and renewal of an ID card follows the same process as renewal of a driver’s license.

    Source: [12] [15]

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Sources

  1. Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  2. How to Obtain a License — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  3. License Age Restrictions — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  4. Graduated Drivers License — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  5. Drivers License Exam — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  6. I Moved to/from a Different State — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  7. Family Resources — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  8. Vision Screening — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  9. I Need to Renew My License — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  10. Frequently Asked Questions About Driver License Renewals — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  11. I Need a Replacement (Duplicate) License/Identification Card — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  12. ID: Obtaining an Identification Card — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  13. Real ID — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  14. How to Prove Your Identity — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  15. How to Prove Maine Residency — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  16. How to Prove Legal Presence for a Non United States Citizen — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  17. How to Prove United States Citizenship — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  18. Find Your Local Branch — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  19. Intermediate/Provisional License Suspensions — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  20. Driver and Motorcycle Rider Student Information — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  21. Online Services — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  22. I Need to Update My Current License — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  23. Driver License Manual and Maine Motorist Handbook and Study Guide — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  24. Permittee Driving Log (MVE-21 Rev. 5/22) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles