Obtaining an instruction permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in Maine. You are eligible to apply for an instruction permit if you are at least 15 years old and:

• you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
• you are a new resident of Maine who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than six months

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL INSTRUCTION PERMIT

1. Download a copy of the Maine Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local Motor Vehicle Branch Office.
2. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have successfully completed an approved driver education course to obtain a permit.
3. In most cases the driver education provider will process the permit application for you. If you are doing it yourself, you can mail the documents listed below to:

   Bureau of Motor Vehicles,
   Driver License Services Division,
   
   Examination Section,
   
   29 State House Station,
   
   Augusta, ME 0433-0029    

   You must mail:

4. The completed application (form MVE-64).
5. Driver education completion certificate (not required if 18 years or older).
6. Birth certificate. Must be original or certified photocopy. The document will be returned to you. (Notarized copies are not accepted).
7. Check or money order payable to the Secretary of State for $10.
8. You will be scheduled a date and time for a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the Motor Vehicle Branch Office. Two forms of identification will be required. If you pass these tests, you will be issued an instruction permit, which is valid for 18 months.

When driving with an instruction permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 20 or older who has held a valid license for two consecutive years. This person must sit beside you.

THE INTERMEDIATE LICENSE

If you are under 18, you must wait at least six months after being issued your instruction permit, and complete a minimum of 35 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, five of which is at night (under direct supervision of an experienced adult driver) before taking the driver's license road test. If you pass the road test, you will be issued an intermediate license. The intermediate driver's license in Maine includes the following restrictions:

1. Intermediate drivers are not permitted to drive between 12 midnight and 5 am.
2. You cannot carry passengers other than immediate family members unless accompanied by a licensed driver age of 20 or older who has held a valid license for two years. This person must sit beside you.
3. You cannot operate a cell phone while driving.

THE UNRESTRICTED LICENSE

A full, unrestricted license may be issued when you are at least 16 years old. An intermediate driver's license may be changed to a regular, non-commercial driver's license, provided you meet all of the following requirements:

1. You have held an intermediate driver's license for at least 180 days.
2. You have not violated any of the three restrictions mentioned above. If you violate any of the three restrictions for the intermediate license, you will have to wait another 180 days before you can get a full license.

If you have an instruction permit and are less than 21 years old, you need to wait 180 days and complete a minimum of 35 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, five of which is at night (under direct supervision of an experienced adult driver) before taking the road test to become a fully licensed driver. If you are over 21 and have an instruction permit, you can take a road test immediately.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• For more information, see our Beginner Drivers section.
• See also Applying for a Drivers License.
• See also Driver's Education, Driving Schools and Practice Tests.
• Bear in mind that in order to drive legally in the state of Maine, you must have valid auto insurance. See our Auto Insurance section for more information, or to obtain a competitive quote on car insurance.