Suspended License

You've heard it a million times: Driving in Maine is a privilege, not a right. The state grants you permission to drive on its roads and highways, once you prove through testing that you have the competency to do it safely. But once you get your driver's license, the state still watches you. If you violate enough of Maine's driving laws, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may suspend or revoke your license.

What's the difference between a suspension and a revocation? A suspension is usually temporary―with a set time limit, after which your license is reinstated. A revocation, on the other hand, means your license is taken away. After the revocation period is over, you have to apply for a new license from scratch.

How to Get Your License Suspended

The Maine BMV can and will suspend your right to drive for any of the following:

• Failure to file insurance

• Failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket

• Operating under the influence (OUI) of alcohol or drugs

Also, anyone convicted of any of the following infractions can have their right to drive suspended for specific periods of time:

• 90 days: Eluding a police officer, passing a roadblock, or street racing

• 60 days: Driving with a suspended license

• 30 days:

• Failure to stop for a police officer

• Leaving the scene of an injury accident

• Driving alone with a learner's permit

• Driving without a license (criminal)

• Passing a stopped school bus

• Speeding 30 mph or more over the speed limit

• Altering a license or registration certificate

• Loaning a license

• Unlawful use of license

• Displaying a suspended license

• Falsifying an application for registration or license

• Giving false information to a police officer

Also, if you accumulate enough points in the BMV demerit point accumulation system, your license will be suspended. The BMV can also suspend your right to drive if it believes you have a physical, mental, or emotional impairment that causes you to be a potential danger on the road.

Your license can be suspended without a hearing, but you can appeal and ask for a hearing while your license remains under suspension. A judge can also order a license be suspended as punishment for any offense, including non-motor-vehicle related offenses. Failure to pay child support is a common example.

How to Get Your License Revoked

Revocation means the Maine BMV takes away your license for an indefinite period of time. This can happen automatically if you're convicted of using a motor vehicle and creating substantial risk of injury while committing any of the following crimes: assault, aggravated assault, elevated aggravated assault, criminal threatening, or reckless conduct. License revocations may be for one to three years.

How to Get Your License Reinstated

Once your period of suspension is past, you can apply to the Maine BMV for reinstatement of your license. You can be charged a reinstatement fee for each offense that resulted in the suspension. You can obtain an application at any Maine BMV office.

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may find out more about why, and what to do about it, by writing to:

• Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• Driver License Services Division

• 29 State House Station

• Augusta, ME 04333-0029

To help the BMV identify you, please include your name, current address, and birthday. You may also call the BMV at (207) 624-9000, ext. 52100.

How to Get a Work-Restricted License

The Maine BMV might issue a work-restricted driver's license after a BMV suspension if you can show the following:

• Proof of hardship in getting to school or work

• Valid driver's license for two years prior to suspension

• Suspension was not court-ordered

To find out whether you will be considered for a work-restricted license, contact the BMV hearing section at (207) 624-9000, ext. 52113. If you are eligible, the BMV will grant you a hearing by phone or in person.

Work-restricted licenses, or temporary licenses, also may be issued after a suspension for failure to pay child support. These requests are not handled by the BMV. You will need to contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.