Maine Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Maine learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official BMV pages and linked to the source.
MaineBMVMaine BMV — Driver License and Examination FeesChecked 2026-08-12Official source
MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: Maine BMV — How to Obtain a License ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Maine licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what BMV itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where BMV publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Maine learner's permit applicants must be at least 15 years old
2Documents
BMV lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Learner's Permit application form
- $35 permit examination fee
- Two forms of identification
- Proof of Maine residency
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence
- Driver education completion certificate if under 18
- Birth certificate if younger than 23
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
3Required education
Maine's own published steps name a training requirement:
- If you are under 18, complete an approved driver education course before applying for the permit
MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
4Application
Permit fee$35MaineBMVMaine BMV — Driver License and Examination FeesChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Class C and Motorcycle Permit Examination (written test) fee
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retakeBMV does not publish a verified retake waitMaineBMVME official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Question count and threshold were supported by the cited agency source.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validity24 monthsMaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Learner's permits are not renewable and last for 2 years
Restrictions Maine puts on a new driver:
- Permit supervision: You must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least 2 years
- Permit device rule: If a permit is issued to a person under 21 years of age, that person is prohibited from using a cellular phone, handheld electronic device, or mobile telephone while operating with a permit
- Intermediate passenger rule: Intermediate license holders under 18 may not carry passengers other than immediate family members unless accompanied by a licensed operator who meets the supervising-driver requirements
- Intermediate curfew: Intermediate license holders under 18 may not drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
- Intermediate cell phone: Intermediate license holders under 18 may not operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone
MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 2170 hours (10 at night)MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Applicants under 21 must log 70 practice hours, including 10 after dark, beginning after permit issuance. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 21 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsMaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16MaineBMVMaine BMV — How to Obtain a LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Applicants ages 15-17 may apply for a driver's license at 16 after driver education, permit-hold, supervised-hours, and road-test requirements are met
How to get your permit in Maine
- At 15+, submit the learner's permit application with identification, Maine residency, citizenship or legal-presence proof, and the $35 fee
- If you are under 18, complete an approved driver education course before applying for the permit
- Pass the vision screening and the 30-question written knowledge test
- Drive only with a supervising driver age 20+ who has held a license at least 2 years, and log 70 practice hours including 10 at night
- Hold the permit at least 6 months, then pass the road test and apply for the Class C license at 16+
What is different about Maine
Rules that are set by Maine rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Permit validity: 24 months here. The most common permit validity is 12 months (9 of 19 states we have verified).
- Supervised-driving requirement: 70 hours here. The most common supervised-driving requirement is 50 hours (29 of 49 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Maine?
You can get a learner's permit in Maine at 15. Maine learner's permit applicants must be at least 15 years old.
How much does a Maine permit cost?
The Maine permit fee is $35. Class C and Motorcycle Permit Examination (written test) fee.
How long do you have to hold your permit in Maine?
You must hold your Maine permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Maine require?
Maine requires 70 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 21, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 21 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Maine permit test?
Right here — take a free Maine practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
