-
Driver Education
Get A Free Quote Online & Save Up To $426 With State Farm®.www.StateFarm.comGEICO could save you over $500. Get an instant insurance quote.www.GEICO.comTo apply for a learner's permit from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) before you turn 18, you must have completed an approved driver's education course. You can't legally drive at all without a permit, and you can't take a road test without one. So unless you want to wait until you're 18 to drive, you'll need to take and pass the course.
To apply for a driver's license when you're under 18, you also must have completed an approved driver's education course. Of course, you have to have a permit to apply for a license, and you must have taken driver's education to get the permit. So this point may be moot. Still, it's a rule and it must be followed.
Under 18 and want to ride a motorcycle? You need to pass a standard driver's education course first. Then you have to pass an approved eight-hour motorcycle-safety classroom course before you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement on your license.
If you're over 18, the initial driver's education requirement for a motorcycle learner's permit is waived. But every applicant for a motorcycle permit must complete the safety course.
Approved Courses
To pass the BMV's licensing requirements, you need to pass a BMV-approved driver's education course. However, driver's education is provided by private businesses. So it's up to teen drivers―and their parents―to find the right driver's education program.
Driving schools are required to provide 30 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. Maine is unique in that the state requires a parent to be in the back seat for half an hour of the 10 hours of driving instruction the teen receives. This is to ensure that parents are involved in their child's training.
There are plenty of ways to find driver's education schools: Search on the Web, thumb through the yellow pages, or ask around. One way to find driver's education schools is to contact the Maine Driver's Education Association (MEDEA), which has listings by county of approved schools.
Whenever you're looking at driver's education schools, MEDEA suggests you do the following:
- Ask acquantances if they can recommend a school they have attended.
- Call and visit several schools.
- Find out how much time the school takes to provide the required classroom and behind-the-wheel intruction.
- Ask to see the cars that students will be learning in.
- Does the instructor collect students at home?
- Check the school's license.
- Ask the school how many properly licensed driving teachers it has.
- Find out whether any complaints have been filed against the school or its teachers.
- Ask how to file a complaint, should you have one, and whether the school has a process for resolving complaints.
- What are the school's policies about refunds or making up missed classes? Will you sign a contract?
- Ask for references, and check them.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
What is the legal driving age in my state?
See the chart below to determine the legal driving age in your state. Keep in mind that most states have additional steps to complete prior to obtaining your drivers license or drivers permit. For example, find out whether your particular state requires a drivers ed class for teen drivers or first time drivers. These drivers education requirements will vary from state-to-state, so refer to your local DMV Web site for specific requirements. Your local DMV Web site will also be a good source for downloading a practice test, any requisite administrative forms, study guides and manuals. These materials will make the quest for a learners permit and drivers license much easier. The following chart specifies the age at which one may be fully privileged to drive in a particular state.
Read more >>What are the age requirements to get a learners permit?
See the chart below for the age requirements in the various states for obtaining your learners permit. Note that most states require teens to complete a driver's ed course before obtaining a learner's permit or drivers license, and several states will allow you to obtain a drivers permit sooner if you take an appropriate driver's ed class.Look to your particular state's DMV Web site to find out about any additional steps necessary for obtaining a permit and eventually your driver's license. The individual state's driver's manual often provides an excellent resource for the various requirements and will provide the information you will need regarding testing, forms, fees, and driver's ed details.The Age Requirements for Getting a Learner's Permit by State...
Read more >>How many questions do I have to get right to pass drivers permit test?
Check the grid below for your state’s requirements. It will tell you how many questions – or, how high a percentage of questions – you must answer correctly in order to pass your drivers permit test.Every state requires applicants to take a written test (or, knowledge test, as it’s often called) at some point, whether it’s to obtain a learners permit, a junior or provisional license, or a full drivers license. The results of this test help examiners determine whether or not you have a sufficient knowledge and understanding of driving-related matters like the rules of the road and traffic signs and markers. In order to make sure you do have that knowledge and understanding – and can prove it to examiners – it’s best to actually prepare for the test. Many states require applicants to complete a driver education or training course, but other ways to get ready for the drivers permit exam include studying your driver handbook and taking a p...
Read more >>How long must I hold a learners permit before I can apply for my license?
The time requirements vary from state to state; check the grid below.Before you commit the grid to memory (or, at least your state’s part of it), keep these factors in mind: States employ graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs, and within these programs many states require more than one kind of learners permit. This grid deals mostly with each state’s first learners permit, but notes other kinds of drivers permits (like provisional licenses) when possible. The majority of states allow drivers 18 years old and older to apply for their drivers license the same day they pass their written exams – or, very soon after. This isn’t always the case, so be sure to get details from your examiner when you go in for the written test. This grid focuses on the amount of time you have to wait between obtaining your learners permit and obtaining your drivers license; it doesn’t focus on any other requirements, such as completing a drivers ed course. Be sure to che...
Read more >>How do I apply for a temporary license?
There are huge differences from state to state about this matter, so it's impossible to give a single answer. You'll need to visit your state's drivers license agency site to get this information, or call the department directly (you can find the number on the site).No matter where you live, you'll need to pass a written exam that will test your driving knowledge. The information on this test varies, but it will likely include questions about driving laws in your state, situational driving, parking requirements, road signs, and other driving safety matters. Additionally, you'll need pass a vision test, and complete a permit application. Your parents or guardians may have to be with you at the license branch office.Your state dictate the minimum age needed to take this test. And, you may need to be enrolled - or have completed - a driver education class to be eligible for the exam.
Read more >>
Find Coverage For Your Teen Online At State Farm & Save Up To 40%.www.StateFarm.comFind the Right Teen Car Insurance Plan Today - Get your Teen Covered.Teen-Car-Insurance.orgSafe New York Drivers Save up to 20% with Allstate. Quote Now.Allstate.comOur content is updated based on input from users like you. Help make it better!
Give your input







