Maine driver's license
Get your first license in Maine after moving to the US.
The short answer
Maine asks new drivers to pass a written exam and a vision screening before the road test.1 A six-year noncommercial license costs $30.2 The vision test costs nothing when you take it at your written examination.3 For the road test you furnish your own registered and inspected vehicle, and a licensed driver must come with you.4, 5
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Maine and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
If you just arrived in the US
If your license from another state has expired
If you have not been licensed to drive in Maine or another jurisdiction within the past 5 years, you must pass a complete examination: a vision test, a written test, and a road test.6
If you have no license to transfer
The ordinary transfer route covers a current, or expired within the past 5 years, license from another US state or Canadian province. If you have not held a license in Maine or another jurisdiction within the past 5 years, you must pass the complete examination: vision, written, and road test.6
An out-of-state license that is suspended or revoked because of a violation cannot be transferred until that suspension or revocation has ended.7
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validDocuments must be legible, valid, and unexpired or of a type with no expiration date; the published list is not complete, and additional documents can be required in some cases, including for a REAL ID credential.8
- An expired US visa, an expired document issued by a foreign country, or a foreign passport showing a departure date that has already passed cannot be accepted as identification.9
- A document presented as proof of legal presence must be legible, valid, and unexpired, unless it is a kind of document that has no expiration date.10
- Every document you present must be legible, unexpired or without an expiration date, and valid, meaning not suspended, revoked, canceled or otherwise voided by the agency that issued it.11
- A legal presence document must be unexpired or have no expiration date, and must be valid, meaning not suspended, revoked, canceled or otherwise voided by the issuing agency.12
Tests you take
Eye test
A vision test is required of all applicants, and it is free when you take it at your written examination. Or a doctor, optometrist, registered nurse, or other approved professional can complete the BMV eye examination form, at your expense, within one year of your application date; give the completed form to the examiner at your driver's examination.3
Drive test
New drivers must complete the written exam, a vision screening, and the road test to earn a driver's license.1
You must pass an examination by actually demonstrating your ability to operate a motor vehicle.13
Tries you get on the written test
If you do not pass, the examiner tells you why and gives you a receipt to send in to request your next test; a reexamination costs $35, and Maine publishes no cap on attempts and no waiting period between tries.14
Practice questions for the written test
The Motorist Handbook and Study Guide is available online at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv for Class C license and motorcycle applicants.15
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
Unless you are driving a motorcycle or moped, the licensed driver with you must be at least 20 years old, must have held a valid license for at least 2 years, must sit in the seat beside you, and must be licensed for the class of vehicle you are driving; that driver must also follow all restrictions on their own license.16
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
You must present the accompanying driver's valid license at the road test, unless you already hold a valid license to operate that vehicle.17
You must be accompanied to the road test by a licensed driver who carries a valid driver's license.5
No pets are allowed in the vehicle during the road test.18
Only you and the driver license examiner or examiners may be in the vehicle during the road test, unless authorized by the Secretary of State.19
The car and its insurance
The examiner also checks the vehicle, and the test will not be given if the vehicle fails the regular examination criteria, if any door does not work, if the seats are not securely fastened to the floor, or if the glove compartment door does not stay securely closed.20
A vehicle with an antique automobile registration cannot be used for the road test.21
You bring your own vehicle for the road test. It must be properly registered and inspected, and you must bring the registration with you.4
If the vehicle you bring is not in the class you applied for, you may reschedule or take the test anyway. If you take it and pass, your license is endorsed for the class of the vehicle you used.22
You must bring a safe, properly equipped vehicle of the license class you are applying for; if the examiner finds it unsafe or improperly equipped, the test can be refused and rescheduled.23
Where to go
Who gives the tests
A Bureau of Motor Vehicles driver's license examiner conducts the road test and assesses your driving ability.24
Booking an appointment
Maine takes appointments online at https://mainebmvappt.cxmflow.com/Appointment/Index/2c052fc7-571f-4b76-9790-7e91f103c408.25
Office locations
Find your local BMV branch at https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/visit-your-bmv-branch/find-your-local-branch.26
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“New drivers earn their driver's license by completing the written exam, a vision screening, and the road test.”
maine.gov/…/drivers-license-examChecked July 26, 2026
- 2
“The fee for the 6-year noncommercial driver's license is $30.”
legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach11.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 3
“A vision test is required of all applicants. You may take a vision test at no fee when you appear for your written examination. Alternatively, you may have a doctor of your choice provide the exam at your expense and fill out the exam form (PDF). You will need to give the completed form to the driver's license examiner at the time of your driver's examination.”
maine.gov/…/drivers-license-examChecked August 1, 2026
- 4
“Drivers must furnish their own vehicle, properly registered (bring registration) and inspected, for the road test.”
maine.gov/…/motoristhandbook.pdfChecked July 31, 2026
- 5
“You must be accompanied by a licensed operator who is in possession of a valid driver's license.”
maine.gov/…/motoristhandbook.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 6
“An applicant for a license who has not been licensed to operate a motor vehicle in this State or in another jurisdiction within the past 5 years must successfully pass a complete examination consisting of a vision, written and road test.”
legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach11.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 7
“License suspended. The applicant has held such a license, but the same has been suspended by reason, in whole or in part, of a violation and if such suspension period has not terminated; [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).] Generated 10.20.2025 Chapter 11. DRIVER'S LICENSE | 45 MRS Title 29-A, Chapter 11. DRIVER'S LICENSE 2. License revoked. The applicant has held such a license, but the same has been revoked by reason, in whole or in part, of a violation and if such revocation has not terminated, except that after the expiration of one year from the date the license was revoked, such person may make application for a new license if permitted by law. The licensing authority may refuse to issue a license to any such applicant if, after investigation, the licensing authority determines that it will not be safe to grant to such person the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways; or [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).] 3. Surrender of license. The applicant is the holder of a license to drive issued by another party state and currently in force unless the applicant surrenders such license.”
maine.gov/…/i-moved-to-from-a-different-stateChecked August 1, 2026
- 8
“Documents must be legible, valid, and unexpired or have no expiration date. This is not an all-inclusive list. Additional documents may be required in certain circumstances, including but not limited to the issuance of a REAL ID credential.”
maine.gov/…/legal-presence-non-us-citizen.htmlChecked August 14, 2026
- 9
“10. Expired documents. The Secretary of State may not accept the following documents as identification for the purpose of issuing a nondriver identification card or driver's license: A. An expired visa granted by the authority of the United States; [PL 2005, c. 469, §1 (NEW).] B. An expired document issued by a foreign country; or [PL 2005, c. 469, §1 (NEW).] C. A foreign passport showing an elapsed departure date.”
legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach11.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 10
“Documents must be legible, valid, and unexpired or have no expiration date.”
maine.gov/…/how-to-prove-legal-presence-for-a-non-united-states-citizenChecked July 26, 2026
- 11
“All documents described in these rules must be: A. Legible; B. Unexpired or having no expiration date; and C. Valid, i.e., not suspended, revoked, canceled or otherwise voided by the issuing agency.”
maine.gov/…/Legal_Presence_Rules.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 12
“Unexpired or having no expiration date; and”
maine.gov/…/Legal_Presence_Rules.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 13
“4. Examination. An applicant must pass a physical examination by actual demonstration of ability”
legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach11.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 14
“We will also give you a receipt to send in, to request your next test.”
maine.gov/…/drivers-license-examChecked August 2, 2026
- 15
“The Motorist Handbook and Study Guide (PDF) is for Class C licenses and motorcycles.”
maine.gov/…/i-moved-to-from-a-different-stateChecked August 6, 2026
- 16
“Unless the permittee is operating a motorcycle or moped, the learner's permit requires the permittee to be accompanied by a licensed operator who: (1) Has held a valid license for at least 2 years; (2) Is at least 20 years of age; (3) Is occupying a seat beside the driver; and (4) Is licensed to operate the class vehicle operated by the permittee.”
legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach11.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 17
“The accompanying operator's valid license. An applicant with a valid operator's license to operate that vehicle is not required to present an accompanying operator's license;”
maine.gov/…/250c004%20LUP%2012.14.2000%20ACK.docxChecked August 1, 2026
- 18
“No pets are permitted in the vehicle during the road test.”
maine.gov/…/250c004%20LUP%2012.14.2000%20ACK.docxChecked August 1, 2026
- 19
“Unless authorized by the Secretary of State no passenger other than the driver and the driver license examiner or examiners are permitted in the vehicle during the road test.”
maine.gov/…/250c004%20LUP%2012.14.2000%20ACK.docxChecked August 1, 2026
- 20
“Note: A motor vehicle safety check is also part of the driver examination. Examinations will not be given if vehicles do not pass the regular examination criteria, or if any doors are inoperative, seats are not securely fastened to the floor of the vehicle, or if the glove compartment door is not securely fastened in a closed position.”
maine.gov/…/motoristhandbook.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 21
“an antique automobile registration is not an acceptable vehicle to use for your road test.”
maine.gov/…/drivers-license-examChecked July 26, 2026
- 22
“If the vehicle is not in the class for which the application is made, the applicant may either be rescheduled or submit to the test. If the applicant submits to the test and qualifies, the license will be endorsed for the class of vehicle used.”
maine.gov/…/250c004%20LUP%2012.14.2000%20ACK.docxChecked August 1, 2026
- 23
“Each applicant must furnish a properly equipped, safe vehicle within the class license for which application is made.”
maine.gov/…/250c004%20LUP%2012.14.2000%20ACK.docxChecked August 1, 2026
- 24
“driving. The practice questions at the end of each chapter of the study guide will aid you in your preparation for the written examination. Road Test Information What Is A Road Test? A driver's license examiner will assess your ability to maintain control of your vehicle at all times, whether it be driving forward or backward, maintaining your proper lane position, turning left or right or driving straight ahead during your road test. You will also be judged on how well you observe and react to other drivers and pedestrians, as well as traffic signs, signals, and conditions. The test includes a parallel parking and straight-line backing up requirement. Note : The road test will not be given until all other tests have been successfully completed and permit requirements met. Per Title 29-A, §101, subsection 3(D) an antique automobile registration is not an acceptable vehicle to use for your road test. Please bring the appropriate vehicle to complete the testing process. How Do I Schedule A Road Test? When you are ready to take the road test, mail the road test request card, which can be located on the reverse side of your learner’s permit, to the main office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029.”
maine.gov/…/drivers-license-examChecked July 26, 2026
- 25
“https://mainebmvappt.cxmflow.com/Appointment/Index/2c052fc7-571f-4b76-9790-7e91f103c408”
maine.gov/sos/bmv/driver-licenses-and-ids/real-idChecked July 26, 2026
- 26
“https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/visit-your-bmv-branch/find-your-local-branch”
maine.gov/sos/bmvChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Maine?
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