Maine Online Driver Education and Maine Licensing Procedures

So you've taken your first step towards becoming a new driver in Maine? Congratulations!

As you probably already know, driving is a valuable skill, but can also be extremely dangerous. Therefore, to help new teen drivers develop safe driving habits during their first few years behind the wheel, the State of Maine has implemented a graduated driver license program for Iowa drivers who are under the age of 18.

We’ve summarized a few things you’ll need to know as you begin the process of becoming a licensed driver in Maine.

Maine Instruction Permit (aka--Learners Permit)

You need to be at least 15 years old and have completed a state-approved drivers education course before applying for an instruction permit in Maine. When you're ready to get your instruction permit, make an appointment with your local Maine BMV office and take the following items with your to your appointment:

• Completed Application
• Completion Certificate of your Driver's Ed Course
• 2 forms of ID (for a list of acceptable ID forms, please visit the Maine BMV website)
• $10 to cover the processing fee

You will need to first pass a vision screening test, and then a written (knowledge) test. If you're successful, you will be issued an instruction permit, which is valid for 18 months.

With an instruction permit, you may begin to practice driving, but there are some restriction(s):

• You must be accompanied by a licensed driver who's at least 20 years old and has been licensed for at least 2 years to supervise you while you drive

Maine Intermediate License

To be eligible to apply for a Maine intermediate license, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• Have held your instruction permit in good standing for at least 6 months
• Completed at least 35 hours of supervised driving practice, 5 of which must have been at night (keep a log of when you drive and make sure your parents/guardians sign off on it)

When you're ready to upgrade to an intermediate license, head back down to your local Maine BMV office and bring your instruction permit along with the other documents you took the last time you went.

You will need to pass a road test to get your intermediate license. After you receive your intermediate license, there are still some restrictions which you must follow:

• No non-family passengers unless you are accompanied by a supervising driver (i.e.--a licensed driver at least 20 years old who's been licensed for at least 3 years).
• No driving between 12am and 5am
• No cell phone use or text-messaging while you are driving

After 180 days, if you've kept a clean driving record, your intermediate license will convert to a full Maine driver's license.

Maine Auto Insurance & Financial Responsibility Laws

State law requires that you have at least a certain amount of auto insurance/liability coverage on any vehicle you drive. The minimum amount of liability coverage required in Maine is as follows:

• $50,000--personal injury (1 person)
• $100,000--personal injury (2 or more persons)
• $25,000--property damage
• $2,000--mandatory coverage for medical payments

Driving without auto insurance coverage is a crime. If you are found to be driving while uninsured, you risk losing your license and paying a hefty fine.

Maine Drunk Driving Laws

First off, please know that Maine has a Zero Tolerance Law for drunk driving. If you are under 21 and you caught driving with an alcohol content level of just .02, you will face stiff fines plus suspension of your driver's license, even though the regular DUI level in Maine is .08.

If you drive under the influence of alcohol in Maine--assuming you're not first killed in an accident--you will suffer severe consequences. Upon your FIRST conviction of a Maine DUI, this is what you will face:

• 30 days in jail
• A $500 fine
• 90-day suspension of your drivers license

Further DUI violations will result in even more severe penalties including extended time in jail, fines, and the revocation of your Maine driver's license.

Maine Cell Phone & Text-Messaging Laws

Maine currently prohibits teen-agers who hold an instruction permit or intermediate license from using a cell phone or any other wireless communication device while they are driving.

Maine Drivers Education

For a list of approved drivers education courses offered in Maine, please visit the Maine BMV website.