I'm a new resident in Maine: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Maine. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Maine

Each rule comes from the Maine driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  30 days from becoming a Maine resident; you must surrender your out-of-state license.

  What the manual says

  • 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.

  • 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] [2]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  A vision screening is included; the written and road tests may be waived with a valid out-of-state license.

  What the manual says

  • 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] [3] [2]

• Liability insurance

  Every owner and operator must keep vehicle liability insurance; any vehicle you drive must be insured, even if not yours.

  What the manual says

  • Every owner and operator of a motor vehicle must maintain motor vehicle liability insurance.
  • Any vehicle you are operating must be insured even though you are not the owner.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 2-3

• Change of address

  Notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of a change of name or address.

  What the manual says

  • Maine law requires you to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of a change of name or address.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 1-6

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Licensed drivers under 18 may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.; these restrictions last 270 days.

  What the manual says

  • A person under 18 may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.

  • 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: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 1-4

  Source: [1] [4] [5]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Licensed under-18 drivers: immediate family passengers only, unless a driver licensed 2 years for that class sits beside them.

  What the manual says

  • Other passengers are allowed only with a licensed operator who has held a license for 2 years, sits beside the driver and is licensed for the vehicle's class.

  • 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: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 1-4

  Source: [4] [6] [7]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance: no one under 21 may drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.

  What the manual says

  • Because drinking is illegal under 21, the manual says a driver under 21 may not drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.

  • No alcohol under 21

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

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 3-6

  Source: [7]

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving means you consent to a test; refusing means immediate license suspension, up to six years.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says that when you operate a motor vehicle in Maine you automatically consent to a test at any time the authorities wish to administer it.
  • The manual says you will not be forced to take the test, but your driver's license will be immediately suspended if you refuse.
  • The manual says the suspension for refusing a test will be for a period of up to six years.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 3-9

• Seat belts

  Everyone must have a fastened safety belt or child seat; passengers 18 and older must wear a belt.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that in Maine it is against the law to drive without wearing a safety belt.
  • Everyone in the vehicle must have a fastened safety belt or child safety seat.
  • A passenger 18 or older in a vehicle required to have seat belts must be properly secured in a seat belt.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 4-2, 4-5

• Child safety seats

  Under 18, older than 8 or over 4 ft 9 in: seat belt unless a restraint is required.

  What the manual says

  • The operator must ensure a child who is less than 18 but more than 8 years of age is secured in a seat belt, unless a child restraint system or child safety seat is required.
  • The operator must ensure a child under 18 who is more than 4 feet, 9 inches in height is secured in a seat belt, unless a child restraint system or child safety seat is required.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 4-5

• Phone use while driving

  Drivers under 18 and learner's permit holders may not use a mobile phone or handheld device while driving.

  What the manual says

  • The restrictions for a licensed driver under 18 include no use of a mobile telephone or handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.

  • 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: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 1-4

  Source: [1] [4]

• School buses

  Stop for any school bus flashing red, except across a solid divider; wait until it moves or its driver signals.

  What the manual says

  • You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop to the front or to the rear of the school bus.
  • You must not proceed until the bus resumes motion or until signaled by the school bus driver to do so.
  • If the roadway has a solid divider between you and the bus, you do not have to stop.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 7-8, 7-9

• Move Over law

  Slow down and yield; move over to the next lane if possible, otherwise slow down and use caution.

  What the manual says

  • When you encounter an emergency vehicle that is stopped on the roadside you must slow and yield the right-of-way.
  • If possible, move over to the next lane; if a lane change is not safe, slow down and use caution as you drive by the emergency vehicle.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 10-10

• Headlights

  Headlights are required whenever you cannot see 1000 feet ahead, or whenever windshield wipers are in constant use.

  What the manual says

  • By Maine law headlights must be on whenever visibility is too dim to see 1000 feet ahead, or whenever windshield wipers are in constant use.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 8-16

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after stopping unless posted otherwise; yield to pedestrians and all vehicle traffic.

  What the manual says

  • A right turn at a red light is permitted, after stopping, unless posted otherwise.
  • Vehicles making a right turn on red must yield to pedestrians and all vehicle traffic.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 6-3

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: 25 mph in business or residential areas, 45 outside, 15 passing a school at recess.

  What the manual says

  • Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed in a business district, residential district or built-up area is 25 miles per hour.
  • Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed outside any business, residential or built-up area of Maine is 45 miles per hour.
  • Maine sets a maximum of 15 miles per hour when passing a school during recess, unless posted otherwise.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 8-7

• Left lane and keeping right

  Expressway: right lane unless passing. With 3+ lanes each way, left lane is for passing or left turns.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you should always be in the right-hand lane on an expressway unless you are passing.
  • The left lane is for drivers who want to pass or turn left.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 7-5, 6-9

• Points and suspension

  Warning at 6 demerit points; license suspended at 12 points or more; points erased after one year.

  What the manual says

  • A warning is issued once a driver reaches the point level of 6 points.
  • If the point total reaches 12 points or more, the driver's license will be suspended.
  • Points are erased from a driver's record when they become one year old.

  Source: Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24), page 1-9

Official steps for moving to Maine

• 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] [2]

• 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: [2]

• 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: [2]

• 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] [3] [2]

• 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] [4]

• 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: [2]

• 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: [2]

Sources

1. Maine Driver’s License Manual (Rev 4/24) (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
2. I Moved to/from a Different State (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
3. Drivers License Exam (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
4. License Age Restrictions (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
5. Intermediate/Provisional License Suspensions (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
6. Graduated Drivers License (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
7. Family Resources (maine.gov) — Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles