Under 18:
In Maine, if you are under 18 years old, you must take a BMV-approved drivers education course in order to be eligible for your instruction permit and ultimately your drivers license. Online courses do not satisfy this requirement.

18 or Older:
If you are 18 or older, drivers education is not mandatory in Maine. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take a Maine drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

• Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
• Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
• Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the DriversEd.com Maine drivers education course online at your own pace and on your own schedule.

In order to get the instruction permit and eventually the Maine drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the instruction permit test with our Maine BMV practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests can be purchased separately or are free when you purchase our online Maine drivers education course.

Apply for your instruction permit at a BMV near you.
In order to be eligible for the instruction permit, you must:

1. Be at least 15 years old.
2. Submit a completed application.
3. Present an approved drivers education certification of completion (if under 18).
4. Present two forms of ID.
5. Present your birth certificate if you are under 23. It must be an original or a photocopy with an embossedseal or stamp of issuing agency. Notarized copies are not acceptable.This document will be returned to you.
6. Pay a $10 fee by check or money order (subject to change).
7. Pass a vision test.
8. Pass a written knowledge test.

Once you pass the test, you will be issued an instruction permit. This permit allows the individual to operate a vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years of age and has held a valid license for two consecutive years. The permit is generally valid for 18 months.

Practice driving under supervision.
If you are under 21, you must:

Schedule a driving test at a BMV near you. In order to be eligible for the Maine drivers license, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Present acceptable ID.
3. Have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months (if under 21).
4. Submit a Driving Log certifying that you completed 35 hrs (5 at night) of practice driving (if you are under 21).
5. Pay the applicable fee.
6. Pass the driving test.

Upon passing the driving test, you will be issued a drivers license. All the licenses issued to a new applicant under 21 years of age are provisional for a period of 2 years.

Intermediate License
If you are under 18 you will be issued an intermediate license with the following restrictions:

• You may not carry passengers, except immediate family (i.e. grandparent, parent, stepparent, spouse, child, brother, sister) unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years of age, has held a valid license for the past 2 years and is occupying the seat beside the driver.
• You may not operate a motor vehicle from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• You may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cellular phone. Your first license will be provisional for a period of one year. If you are convicted of a moving violation that occurred while operating with a provisional license, the license will be suspended for 30 days.
• Second and third offenses involve more severe penalties.