In Maine, a motorcycle license is required of anyone who wishes to operate a motorcycle within the state. This motorbike license will permit holders to operate a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that meets standard motorcycle spec requirements. Before a license may be obtained, you will need to complete several steps in order to first obtain your permit, which allows for the operation of a motorcycle under certain restrictions. These steps include, but are not limited to the completion of a motorcycle safety course, a written exam and a motorcycle skills test.

A license for a DMV motorcycle can be transferred if you are new to Maine and you have an out-of-state endorsement, with one state exempted from this rule. Whether you are transferring an out-of-state license or applying for a new license, you will need to be able to present the Maine DMV with various documentation as well as application fees for the license and endorsement.

What is a Maine motorcycle endorsement?

A Maine motorcycle endorsement can be applied to any Maine-issued driver’s license. With a motorcycle endorsement, you will still retain a normal driver’s license but an endorsement “M” will be listed on the license itself. However, if you do not have a Maine driver’s license, then you will be issued a motorcycle-only license that cannot be used to drive general motor vehicles.

Maine residents are not required to obtain a standard driver’s license before seeking a license for a motorcycle. However, children who are at least 16 but younger than 18 years of age will be required to complete a basic driver education course prior to enrolling in a motorcycle safety course.

Motorcycle Permit Requirements in Maine

Before a motorcycle license can be issued in Maine, applicants must first obtain a permit. The motorcycle permit age is 16, however, teens who are younger than 18 years of age must first complete a basic driver education course before they can enroll in a motorcycle safety course and earn a permit. All Maine residents who are seeking a new permit will be required to successfully complete a motorcycle safety course before a permit can be issued.

Other requirements for a motorcycle permit include:

• You must be a resident of Maine that is able to provide proof of residency.
• You must provide documents proving citizenship or legal presence as well as identity.
• You must be able to pay the appropriate fees for the motorcycle safety course and, after, the fees associated with the issuance of a permit.
• You must be able to pass a vision screening exam.

Required Documents

Maine requirements for a motorcycle permit include a number of documents that must be provided once you are ready to apply for a permit. These documents include:

• Two forms of proof of identity, such as with a Social Security card, passport, military ID card, birth certificate or certificate of marriage.
• Proof of citizenship or legal presence, such as with a U.S. birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, U.S. passport or permanent resident card.
• Proof of Maine residency, such as with Maine vehicle registration, recent utility bill or a mortgage or lease agreement.
• Proof of a Basic Rider Course completion, using a certificate that is provided by your course provider.

Maine Motorcycle Permit Rules and Restrictions

If you are wondering, “What does a motorcycle permit allow you to do in Maine?” then it is worth knowing that you can ride by yourself within the state. However, should you intend to ride outside of the state, you will need to check with that state’s principle law enforcement agency in order to determine if you permit will be valid for operation in that state.

Maine motorcycle permit restrictions include:

• You must wear a helmet at all times while riding a motorcycle.
• You are not permitted to carry passengers on your motorcycle for any reason.

How to Get a Motorcycle Permit in Maine

To obtain a motorcycle permit in Maine, you must first successfully complete a Basic Rider Course. A permit will only be issued if you completed the course and successfully passed the knowledge exam but did not qualify for a road test waiver.

DMV motorcycle permit applicants must visit one of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations in person to apply for a permit. Applicants will be required to provide the necessary documentation and payment as well as pass a vision exam before a permit can be issued. Paper permits are issued during the visit and will remain valid for two years.

If you have not obtained a license before the expiration of your permit, then you will be required to complete an additional Basic Rider Course before another permit can be issued.

Maine Motorcycle License Requirements

The motorcycle license age in Maine is 16. However, regardless of age, you must meet several requirements before a license can be issued to you. To obtain a license in Maine:

• You must complete a Basic Rider Course.
• You must either present a skills test waiver or complete a road test with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• You must be able to provide documentation and fees related to obtaining a license.
• You must be able to pass a vision exam.

Required Documents

The document requirements for a motorcycle license in Maine include:

• Two forms of proof of identity, such as with a Social Security card, passport, military ID card, birth certificate or certificate of marriage.
• Proof of citizenship or legal presence, such as with a U.S. birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, U.S. passport or permanent resident card.
• Proof of Maine residency, such as with Maine vehicle registration, recent utility bill or a mortgage or lease agreement.
• A Basic Rider Course Skills Test Waiver if you will not be taking your road skill exam with the BMV.

How to Get a Motorcycle License in Maine

When asking, “How long does it take to get a motorcycle license in Maine?” it is important to know that the amount of time that it could take will largely depend on your Basic Rider Course and your personal testing scores. At the end of the motorcycle safety course, you will be given two types of exams.

In order to apply for a motorcycle permit, you must successfully pass the course by passing the knowledge exam. If you successfully pass the road skills test at the end of the course, then you can obtain your license immediately rather than obtaining a permit. If you do not qualify for a skills waiver, then you will need to obtain a permit and, ultimately, pass a road skill exam with your local BMV.

If you are wondering where to get a motorcycle license in Maine, then it is important to know that licenses can only be issued by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. You must visit a BMV location in person with your accompanying documentation and fees when applying for a license or a permit.

You will receive your motorcycle license by mail following your visit. If you already have a driver’s license in Maine, you will receive a new license with the endorsement “M” listed on it. If you are not licensed, then you will receive a motorcycle-only license.

Getting a Maine Motorcycle License as a New Resident

When getting a motorcycle license as a new resident of the state, it is important to know that, by law, you must transfer your license to a Maine license within 30 days of establishing residency within the state. With the exception of Alabama, any state license can be transferred over to a Maine one, so long as you can provide the appropriate fees and documentation for the new license.

To get a motorcycle license transferred, you must visit your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles office and provide:

• Your valid out-of-state license.
• Proof of citizenship or legal presence, such as with a U.S. birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, U.S. passport or permanent resident card.
• Proof of Maine residency, such as with Maine vehicle registration, recent utility bill or a mortgage or lease agreement.
• The fees for your new license.

You will also be required to pass a vision screening. Your picture will be taken for your new license. At the end of your visit, you will be issued a temporary license and your new license will be mailed to you.

Required Motorcycle Classes in Maine

Maine motorcycle classes, referred to as the Basic Rider Course, must be successfully completed in order to obtain a license or permit within the state unless you are transferring a valid out-of-state license after establishing residency in Maine. The motorcycle safety course is issued through several third-party companies that have been certified by the Maine BMV and remain in accordance with state law regarding course length, curriculum and testing. Courses are 15-hours in length and combine classroom instruction with hands-on training.

As part of the motorcycle safety course, you can expect to learn about:

• Motorcycles and their controls.
• Motorcycle safety considerations before and during a ride.
• Motorcycle techniques that will provide you with the best level of control over your vehicle.
• Traffic strategies.
• Braking maneuvers.
• Recommended and required protective apparel.
• Motorcycle maintenance.
• How to operate a motorcycle safely.

Motorcycle training fees can vary between instructors. However, the average cost for the course is around $325. Courses cannot be taken online and can only be taken in person. In most cases, a 100 percent attendance is mandatory in order to complete the course.

At the end of the motorcycle license class, you will receive a written test and a road exam. You will only successfully complete the course if you pass the written test, which will include much of the material that was covered throughout the course as well as in the Maine motorcycle handbook. Passing this test will allow you to obtain a permit in Maine.

If you successfully pass both the motorcycle written test and the road exam, then you will also receive a road test waiver. This waiver will allow you to skip obtaining a learner’s permit altogether and obtain your license without having to complete a road skill exam with the BMV.

Maine BMV Motorcycle Test Details

In Maine, the motorcycle permit test is taken at the end of the required Basic Rider Course. These tests include both a knowledge and a road skill exam. However, only the knowledge exam must be passed to successfully complete the course.

If the road motorcycle driving test is not successfully completed, then you may still obtain a permit from your local BMV. This permit will only be valid for a period of two years from the date that it is issued. It cannot be renewed and, should it expire, an additional Basic Rider Course must be completed in order to take the exams a second time.

Motorcycle Written Test

The written BMV motorcycle test is issued by the Basic Rider Course. It must be completed successfully in order to pass the course and obtain a permit within the state. This written test will cover the curriculum that was included within the course, including information about motorcycles and their controls, maintaining control over a motorcycle, traffic strategies, protective apparel and more.

Motorcycle Road Test

The road motorcycle test is also issued at the end of the Basic Rider Course. It is an evaluation of your ability to operate and control a motorcycle while remaining in accordance with Maine traffic laws and regulations. This test includes skill demonstrations such as:

• Maintaining a proper lane position.
• Making turns.
• Reaction to pedestrians and other vehicles.
• The ability to operate a motorcycle while reacting to traffic signs, road conditions and traffic signals.

Motorcycle driving test examiners will typically use two-way radios to conduct the examination. If you do not successfully pass the exam at the end of your Basic Rider Course, then you will be required to obtain a permit before your license from the BMV. A license cannot be issued until you successfully pass this test with the BMV. Should you successfully pass your exam with the BMV on the first attempt, you will not be charged a fee. However, any subsequent attempts will cost $35 each.

Do you need a motorcycle license to drive a scooter in Maine?

A motorcycle license is not required to operate a scooter in Maine, so long as the scooter meets all of the following requirements:

• The scooter is two or three wheels
• Each wheel of the scooter is less than 10 inches in diameter
• The scooters motor is less than 25 CCs or the electric motor does not exceed 750 watts

While a motorbike license is not required, scooter operators are required to have any class of an operator’s license.

Maine Motorcycle License Costs

The total motorcycle license cost in Maine can vary depending on your testing and the Basic Rider Course that you chose to participate in. Fees for a license include:

• The cost of the Basic Rider Course, which has an average fee of $325.
• The cost of a learner’s permit if applicable, which is $35.
• Subsequent road test exam fees, which are $35 each.
• A six-year license will cost $35.

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