Getting Your License


Getting your driver's license gives you freedom and a lot of responsibility.

General Information 

According to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV), there are certain requirements that you must meet in order to get a driver's license. You need to be a Maine resident and a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and you must have a social security number. If your name has changed, you must provide proper documentation. In order to acquire a driver’s license, you must pass written, driving, and vision exams. A list of acceptable documents is available on the Maine BMV website (www.maine.gov/sos/bmv).

You must be at least 16 years of age in order to receive your license in the state of Maine. If you are under 18 then you must complete a driver's education course.

Once you receive your license and if you are under the age of 18, you are prohibited from the following for 270 days:

  • Carrying passengers other than immediate family members.
  • Operating a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 am and 5 am.
  • Operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone.

You can find more information on the consequences of a violation of these rules at the Maine BMV website.

If you are under the age of 21 you must:

  • Complete 70 hours of practice driving (10 hours of night driving), supervised by someone who is at least 20 years old and who has had their license for at least 2 years.
  • You need to have your permit for at least six months before going for your license.

Youth Transition Policy

Youth in foster care may have additional requirements for obtaining a license beyond the above. As stated in the Child and Family Services Policy (Section V.T. Youth Transition Policy), the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides support for youth under the age of 18 trying to get their license Youth in foster care under the age of 18 are unable to own a vehicle in their name, but they can drive a vehicle insured and registered by a responsible adult. DHHS may contribute to the cost of the driver's education program. If youth are unable to find people to supervise driving hours, the state will pay for an instructor. If under the age of 18, the department can deny a request for driver's education. If you have a Voluntary Extended Support Agreement (V-9) you may also get help from DHHS. For more information contact your caseworker.

Resources

For more information about your driver's license or to find a driver’s education course near you, please visit the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv.

Review information about help you can receive from DHHS at www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/policy/.