Pro tip: To fully enjoy Maine's scenic drives and coastal towns, it's important to be equipped with comprehensive driving skills. Our guides on handling a stick shift and parallel parking can significantly boost your confidence. Get acquainted with parking in reverse and three-point turns. Ensure your mirrors are adjusted for the best rear view. Try our Online Driving Simulator for additional driving practice, and if you're an international driver, be sure to review Maine's international driver's license requirements.
You can do it in person at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or mail it to
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Driver License Services Division
Examination Section
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0029
If you submit your application by mail, you can send copies of identity documents and show the originals at the exam later.
Once the application is processed, the BMV will send you your appointment time by mail within 3 weeks. The location of the appointment will be the closest to your home. If you have any scheduling restrictions, make sure you mention them in advance in your application. If you can’t make it to the test, find contact information on the scheduling notice and reschedule with no penalty fee up to 48 hours prior to the appointment.
Your learner's permit will be mailed to you together with the road test request card. The permit will expire in 2 years and is not renewable. If you are younger than 21, you will have to hold your permit for at least 6 months before taking the road test. If you are 21+, there's no minimum time requirement for holding the permit.
For the next step, go to how to apply for intermediate license if you are younger than 18.
Go to how to apply for unrestricted (adult) license if you are 18+.
Intermediate license is the second step of a 3-step graduated licensing system for drivers between 16 and 18 years of age. It allows you to drive on your own but with a number of restrictions:
Violations of the rules above or any other moving violations will result in the extension of the intermediate license restrictions and license suspension.
To apply for your driver's license, you must be at least 16 years of age and have completed an approved driver education course.
You must complete 70 hours of practice driving, which include 10 hours of night driving. Drive with a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years. Fill in the driving log which will be certified by your parent, step-parent, guardian or employer.
When ready to take the road test, mail your road test request card (you received it with the learner's permit) together with your driving log to
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0029.
Your road test will be scheduled at the location nearest to your home.
$30.00
Bring your learner's permit and appointment notice with you. You can reschedule the test at no fee due to inclement weather conditions by calling (207) 624-9000, ext. 52119. You will take the test in your own vehicle which is properly registered and inspected. You must come with a licensed driver. If you fail, you will get another receipt to send in, to request another test.
If you pass the road test, the BMV will issue you a temporary license. Your photo license will be mailed within 2-3 weeks.
You will hold your intermediate license for 270 days before you can receive an unrestricted (adult) license. If you violate license restrictions, this period will be extended and your license will be suspended.
Your license will expire on the 20th day after your 21st birthday, unless it is an SB251 license. An SB251 minor license expires on the 20th day after your 21st birthday or in 3 years, whichever comes first. Between your 21st birthday and the expiration of your minor driver license, you must renew your driver license; this time, you will be issued a full adult driver license.
Before applying for your full license for the first time at the age of 18+, you should get the learner's permit. Check how to get the permit here.
Note that your first license is considered juvenile provisional for 2 years if you received it between the ages of 16-20, and it is provisional for one year for applicants 21+. It means that during this period any moving violation conviction will result in license suspension. Moreover, if you are convicted of operating under the influence prior to reaching 21 years of age, your license will be viewed as a juvenile provisional license, even if you have already held the license for two years.
Permit holder? Start with Step 1.
First timer? Start with obtaining a learner's permit.
Intermediate license holder? After holding your intermediate license for 270 days without moving violations, BMV will issue you a full license.
If you are under 21 years of age, you must hold your permit for 6 months before applying for a road test. If you are older than 21, you don't have to hold the permit for any minimum amount of time unless you want to practice more before your road test.
Note that permit holders mustn't use a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone while operating a vehicle.
When ready to take the road test, mail your road test request card (you received it with the learner's permit) together with your driving log ( if under 21) to
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0029.
Your road test will be scheduled at the location nearest to your home.
$30.00 by cash, check (made out to the Secretary of State), money order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover.
Bring your learner’s permit and appointment notice with you. You can reschedule the test at no fee due to inclement weather conditions by calling (207) 624-9000, ext. 52119. You will take the test in your own vehicle which is properly registered and inspected. You must come with a licensed driver. If you fail, you will get another receipt to send in, to request another test.
You should bring the following to the exam:
Note that you must be accompanied by a licensed operator who is in possession of a valid driver's license.
When you arrive, park in the designated area and head inside the office. The BMV employee may check your vision before the road test.
Pre-trip Inspection
The examiner's job here is to check your vehicle overall condition and your knowledge of the vehicle's basic operation.
You will be asked to show how the following car features operate and whether they are in working order:
On the Road
The examiner will give you clear instructions ahead of time and your job is to drive safely and maintain control of the vehicle at all times while following the instructions. You will not be asked to do anything extraordinary or illegal.
The following skills will be assessed:
Maine law defines "resident" as a person who has established Maine as his or her state of domicile, which means you make it your home for a permanent or indefinite period of life. This is the place where you dwell and which is the center of your domestic, social and civic life.
Good news! If either of the following applies to you, you do not require to transfer your driver license.
If you become a resident of Maine, you must transfer your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residence.
Note that in most cases your written and road tests will be waived.
