Apply for a License (Under 18) in Maine

Applying for a Teen License in Maine

In Maine, you must apply for your first driver's license with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). As a teen driver, you are required to complete all steps of the graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, which has been put in place to ensure you are properly prepared to be behind the wheel.

Maine REAL ID Driver's License

The ME BMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to non-compliant driver’s licenses. As of October 1, 2021, the REAL ID will serve as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—your standard license will no longer be accepted alone, and you'll need to bring additional identification with you.

You can choose to receive either a REAL ID or non-compliant ID upon application—details are outlined below. For more details, visit the BMV's REAL ID overview.

New to Maine?

If you have recently moved to Maine and currently hold an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it within 30 days of becoming a resident. You must be at least 16 years old, and you may be required to show proof that you completed an approved driver's education course.

ME Graduated Licensing Program

If you are under 18 years old, the Maine BMV requires that you complete the graduated licensing program in order to obtain your first ME driver's license.

This program is designed to ensure you gain appropriate driving experience before driving while unsupervised on public roads.

The program consists of 3 stages:

  1. Learner's permit.
  2. Intermediate driver's license.
  3. Unrestricted driver's license.

ME License Age Requirements

  • 15 years old: Eligible for learner's permit.
  • 16 years old: Eligible for intermediate driver's license (if Driver's Ed has been completed).
    • NOTE: If you do not complete Driver's Ed, you must wait until you are 18 years old and apply for a juvenile provisional license.

You can apply for your unrestricted ME driver's license once you have:

  • Held your intermediate license for 270 days without violating any restrictions.
    OR
  • Held your juvenile provisional license for 2 years without receiving any moving violation convictions.

How to Get a Maine Learner's Permit

To apply for a ME instruction permit, you must be at least 15 years old and have successfully completed a BMV-approved Driver's Ed course. You must visit your local Maine BMV office location and pass the:

  • Written test.
    AND
  • Vision exam.

To schedule your written test, gather the following items:

  • A completed Non-Commercial Class C Application (Form MVE-64).
  • Your Driver's Ed certificate of completion.
  • Proof of your identity (2 documents).
  • Your birth certificate.
  • Proof of residency, depending on whether you want your eventual license to be a REAL ID or a standard (non-compliant) driver's license:
    • REAL ID license: 2 documents.
    • Non-compliant license: 1 document.
  • Payment for the $35 fee.

Take the above documents to your local ME BMV office, or send them to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Driver License Services Division
Examination Section
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions

Your Maine learner's permit allows you to drive only while there is a licensed driver with you. They must:

  • Be at least 20 years old.
  • Have held their driver's license for 2 years or longer.

Behind-the-Wheel Training

Before moving on to your intermediate driver's license, you must log 70 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours at night.

Once you've turned 16 years old and have held your instruction permit for 6 months, you can take your Maine DMV driving test and be on your way to a provisional license.

How to Get a Maine Provisional License

Once you turn 16 years old and have held your Maine learner's permit for at least 6 months, you can apply for your intermediate driver's license.

Before scheduling your driving test, make sure you have completed 70 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, including 10 hours at night.

To schedule your driving test, contact the Maine BMV at (207) 624-9000 ext. 52119. You will need to provide proof of your identity when you take your road test.

Once you've successfully passed your DMV road test, bring the following to the ME BMV:

  • Your learner's permit.
    • If you did NOT submit all required identity and residency documents for a REAL ID at your permit application, and you want to upgrade for your license, bring those items with you at this time.
  • A completed Non-Commercial Class C Application (Form MVE-64).
    • Your parent or legal guardian must sign your application.
  • Payment for the $30 fee.

Intermediate Driver License Restrictions

While driving with your Maine provisional license, you CANNOT:

  • Drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
  • Use a cell phone at any time while driving.
  • Drive with passengers other than your immediate family members, UNLESS you have someone with you who:
    • Is at least 20 years old.
    • Has held a valid driver's license for 2 years or more.
    • NOTE: This passenger must be seated in the front passenger seat.

To move on to the next stage of the graduated licensing process and obtain your unrestricted Maine driver's license, you must hold your intermediate license for 270 days.

During this time, you must not violate any of the restrictions listed above. If you do, you must wait an additional 270 days from the date of your violation. Your provisional license will also be suspended.

Full Unrestricted ME Driver License

Once you've held your intermediate Maine driver's license for 270 days without violating any restrictions, you can apply for your full unrestricted new driver's license.

Visit your local Maine BMV office and:

  • Submit a completed Non-Commercial Class C Application (Form MVE-64).
  • Provide your:
    • Provisional license.
    • Required identity and residency documents, if you did NOT previously get a REAL ID and you want to upgrade.
  • Pay the $30 fee.

Our new license checklist allows you to follow and track the major steps towards your first Maine driver's license.

Forms

MVE-64
Non-Commercial Class C Application
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles application for a basic, Class C driver's license.
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