Maine DMV Cheat Sheet
A condensed study guide for the Maine BMV written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the Maine-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official Maine driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just Maine? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.
30Questions
80%To Pass
The manual doesn't print a specific permit or license application fee.Fee
- Test length varies: The manual doesn't print an exact written-test question count or passing score -- this site uses 30 questions at 80% to pass, matching Maine's published exam format, as its own practice test length.
- Fee: Confirm current fees with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles directly before your appointment.
- Documents required:
- Two forms of identification
- A birth certificate or passport (required from applicants up to and including age 22, to prove date of birth)
- Parent or legal guardian signature if under 18 (or an 18+ spouse's signature)
- If you don't pass: The manual doesn't state a specific retry limit or waiting period for the written or road test.
- Online testing: Road test requests are mailed to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' main office in Augusta, then scheduled at the testing location nearest the applicant's residence.
Maine-Specific Rules
Minor & Provisional Licensing
- A learner's permit requires being at least 15; anyone under 18 must complete an approved driver education course. The permit is generally valid 2 years and requires a licensed driver 20+ with 2 years of experience.
- Before a road test, a driver under 21 must hold the permit 6 months and log at least 70 hours of driving (10 hours at night), certified by a parent, stepparent, guardian, or spouse.
- A driver under 18: no phone/device use while driving, no driving 12 a.m.-5 a.m., limited non-family passengers -- for 270 days from passing the road test.
- Violating the 270-day restrictions adds another 270-day extension, which can push past the driver's 18th birthday.
- A first license under 21 is provisional 2 years (1 year if 21+); a moving violation while provisional brings a 30-day suspension.
- Under-21 zero tolerance: no consuming, purchasing, or transporting any alcohol -- driving after any amount is illegal.
- A minor's license/permit application needs a parent/guardian/18+-spouse signature; that signer can later request the license be suspended.
- A non-resident 16+ with a valid home-state license or permit doesn't need a Maine license to drive here.
- A Maine resident may drive on just a permit if accompanied by a licensed driver 20+ with 2 years of experience.
- Illegal transport, possession, or consumption of liquor by a minor in a vehicle: minimum suspension of 30 days.
Licensing Procedure & Documents
- Two forms of ID are required; a birth certificate or passport is required up to and including age 22 to prove date of birth.
- New residents have 30 days after establishing residency to surrender their out-of-state license and apply for a Maine license.
- A valid out-of-state license waives the written and road tests, though a 16- or 17-year-old may still need proof of driver's ed.
- A picture license is valid until the sixth birthday after issuance (fourth if 65+ at issuance).
- A renewal notice is mailed about 45 days before expiration -- but driving expired is unlawful regardless.
- A name or address change must be reported to the BMV within 30 days.
- Vehicular manslaughter: revocation at least 5 years (permanent if alcohol involved). Habitual Offender: revocation at least 1 year.
- A school bus license needs age 21+, 1 year of licensed experience, and no O.U.I. conviction in the past 10 years.
- A road test scheduled during snow/icy conditions can be rescheduled for free.
Rules of the Road
- Speed limits: 45 mph outside business/residential areas, 25 mph within them, 15 mph passing a school (double fine for speeding there).
- It's illegal to pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, except on a divided highway with a solid barrier.
- Park no more than 18 inches from the curb, with at least 2 feet between your car and others.
- Everyone in the vehicle must be belted; children 12 or under must ride in the back seat.
- Under 55 lbs: child safety seat. 55-80 lbs and under 8: federally approved child restraint. Under 18 and over 8 or over 4 feet 9 inches tall: seat belt.
- Vehicles need a current annual inspection; the horn must be audible from 200 feet.
DUI & Alcohol Laws
- OUI threshold is 0.08 BAC; vision is affected by alcohol starting at just 0.02 BAC.
- The Secretary of State suspends a license immediately after an OUI arrest, based on the police report and test -- before court.
- Implied consent: refusing a test brings an administrative suspension of up to six years, no court needed.
- First OUI at 0.08-0.14: $500+ fine ($600 with refusal), license loss of at least 150 days.
- First OUI at 0.15+ (or 30+ mph over, eluding, refusal, or passenger under 21): 48 hours jail (96 hours if refused), 150-day suspension.
- A passenger under 21 in the vehicle adds 275 days to an OUI or refusal suspension.
- Conditional (zero-alcohol) license: one year after a first OUI, ten years after a second or later; violating it means a one-year suspension with no hearing.
- Second and subsequent OUI offenders must show proof of liability insurance before reinstatement; an ignition interlock program is available.
Crashes, Insurance & License Actions
- Liability insurance is mandatory; failing to show proof can mean suspension and a required SR-22 filing.
- An uninsured driver causing $1,000+ in damage/injury can't drive until proof of insurance is shown or a judgment is satisfied.
- Every Maine auto liability policy automatically includes uninsured motorist coverage.
- 6 demerit points bring a warning; 12+ points bring suspension. Points expire after one year.
- A driver improvement course deducts 3 points (once a year); a violation-free year earns 1 credit point, up to 4.
- Three suspensions within three years can trigger a further suspension of up to 120 days.
- Failing to appear in court for a traffic summons brings mandatory suspension until the appearance is made or the fine is paid.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with Maine BMV before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-08-07.