A Maine learners permit is a very important requirement for both adults and teenaged first-time drivers wishing to get a full drivers license. This is because Maine participates in a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for applicants younger than 18 years of age, and the first step of that program is obtaining a learning license and holding it for at least six months.

This permit allows applicants to practice driving a car and build up driving experience before actually getting a license. However, is must be noted that the permit has specific rules and restrictions that must be followed once it is obtained.

To obtain a learning license, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements first. This includes being at least 15 years of age and able to pass the written and vision tests or being able to provide proof of drivers ed completion. However, you must also note that the eligibility requirements vary slightly depending on your age when you apply for the BMV learners permit so it is very important that you understand what the requirements are that you specifically must follow.

NOTE: Feel confident on test day when you prepare for the DMV written exam by taking one of our DMV practice tests.

Maine Learners Permit Eligibility Guidelines

You must be eligible for a Maine driving permit before you can obtain one. To prove your eligibility, you must meet certain drivers permit requirements that are set in place for a Maine permit.

Most notably, you must be at least 15 years of age or older and a Maine resident in order to qualify. Also, if you are younger than 18 years of age, you must have successfully completed a driver education course.

If you are 18 years of age or older, you do not need to complete drivers ed. Instead, you must pass both a vision and a knowledge exam at the BMV in order to be eligible for your permit.

How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Maine

The process for how to apply for a learners permit is not very complicated as long as you are prepared ahead of time. Getting a learners permit involves following a series of necessary steps and providing important documentation to the BMV. Then, once that is completed, a permit will be presented to you.

First of all, you must understand where to get a learners permit. You have two options in the state of Maine, you can either take your application and documentation into a BMV office in person, or you may mail it into the BMV.

If you are curious about how to get your driving permit online, understand that there is not an online option available. You may either apply in-person or through the mail.

To apply for a learner permit in person at a BMV location you must do the following:

1. Submit an application form. It must be signed by a parent or guardian if you are younger than 18.
2. Have your parent or guardian present with his or her ID if you are younger than 18.
3. Submit a certificate of driver education completion if you are younger than 18.
4. Present two forms of identification. This must include an original birth certificate with an embossed seal or stamp if you are younger than 23.
5. Provide proof of Maine residency.
6. Pass both a vision and a written knowledge test if you are older than 18 and have not completed drivers ed.
7. Pay any applicable fees.

To apply for a driving permit through the mail you must submit the following:

1. A completed application form. It must be signed by a parent or guardian if you are younger than 18 years of age.
2. A certificate of driver education completion if you are younger than 18.
3. Two forms of identification. This must include an original birth certificate with an embossed seal or stamp if you are younger than 23.
4. Proof of Maine residency.
5. Payment for the applicable fees.

The application, documents and payment must be mailed to the following address:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Driver License Services Division
Examination Section
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0029

Then, once the drivers learners permit application has been processed, the BMV will schedule an appointment for a written and vision test if you are over the age of 18 and have not completed drivers education. You may include any scheduling restrictions on your application, and those requests will be accommodated if possible.

Contact information will be provided on the scheduling notice and you may reschedule the exams with no penalty fee up to 48 hours prior.

The Maine Drivers Permit Test

Passing a BMV permit test is a necessary requirement for everyone interested in getting a permit in the state of Maine. However, taking the learners permit test in-person at a BMV office is only necessary for applicants 18 years of age or older who have not successfully completed drivers education. This is because a written drivers permit test is already a requirement for completing the drivers education course, so if you have completed drivers education, you have already fulfilled this requirement and will not need to take the exam again.

The online drivers permit test is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of traffic laws, regulations, driving skills and vehicle handling. In addition, you will also be tested on your ability to identify and understand various highway signs. Also, special emphasis is placed on understanding Maine’s strict drinking and driving laws.

If you are wondering what to bring to the permit test, understand that everything that you need to complete the test at the center will be provided to you.

You must get a passing score in order to get your permit, so it is highly recommended that you study for the exam beforehand. A great resource for doing so is studying with a BMV practice permit test in addition to studying the driver’s manual. A practice is a great way to study the information that you will be tested on and it also helps you to get used to the formatting of the test.

By taking a practice test and reading through the driver’s manual, you can greatly increase your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt. Therefore, a practice exam can be a great resource.

Maine Driving Permit Rules and Restrictions

If you are wondering, “With whom can you drive with a permit?” the answer is that you may start practicing driving with a supervising driver who is at least 20 years of age and has held a license for at least two years. The supervising driver must be occupying a seat beside you and he or she must be licensed to operate the same class of vehicle being operated by you.

In addition, there are other learners permit rules that you must abide by when you obtain your permit. One of these drivers permit rules includes that you cannot use any handheld electronic device or mobile phone when driving the vehicle regardless of how old you are. Also, there are no specific permit driving hours assigned for the permit, so you may drive at any time as long as you are accompanied by the supervising driver.

You may also be wondering, “How long does a learner’s permit last?” and the answer to that question is that a Maine permit is valid for two years from the date of issuance.

Permits cannot be renewed, although an additional two-year permit may be applied for once your other permit has expired.

Maine Learner Permit Fees

The price of a learner’s permit in Maine is $35.

California Privacy R. Request

California Opt-Out