State Guide
Maine BMV Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Maine learner's permit — from eligibility and mandatory driver education to the written knowledge test, the 9-month holding period, and the substantial 70-hour supervised driving requirement. Maine's GDL program is among the most thorough in New England. Ready to start practicing? Take a free Maine BMV practice test.
Who Can Get a Learner's Permit
To apply for a learner's permit in Maine, you must be at least 15 years old. Maine allows 15-year-olds to begin supervised driving earlier than most states, giving teens more time to accumulate the required practice hours before turning 16.
Adults of any age who have never held a license can apply for a Maine learner's permit through the same process, though many of the teen-specific requirements (holding period, supervised hours, driver's ed) do not apply to adults.
Parental consent: If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application. In Maine, the parent or guardian is accepting legal liability for any damages you cause while driving as a minor. This consent can be revoked at any time before you turn 18, which would cancel your permit.
Residency: You must be a Maine resident. Proof of your Maine address is required at the BMV. New residents from another state should transfer their license and obtain a Maine license as soon as practicable after establishing residency.
Driver Education Requirement (Teens)
Maine requires all applicants under 18 to complete an approved driver education program before receiving a learner's permit. The program has two components:
Classroom instruction — 30 hours
Covers Maine traffic laws, road signs, defensive driving techniques, and the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. This instruction prepares you for the written knowledge test. Online classroom instruction is accepted.
Behind-the-wheel instruction — 10 hours
Professional in-car instruction with a licensed driving school instructor. This must be completed with a state-approved driving school. These 10 hours are in addition to — not a substitute for — the 70 hours of supervised practice you'll need before the road test.
Upon completing both components, your driving school will issue a certificate of completion. You must bring this certificate when applying for your permit at the BMV.
Adults (18+): Driver education is not required. Adults can apply directly for a learner's permit without any prior coursework, though thorough self-study of the Maine Driver Manual is essential for passing the knowledge test.
Fees and What You Pay For
The learner's permit fee in Maine is $35. This covers your permit application and the written knowledge test.
Retest fee: If you fail the knowledge test and need to retake it, there may be a nominal retest fee. Check with your local BMV office for the current amount. You must wait at least one day before your next attempt.
Payment methods: Maine BMV offices accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Payment is made at the BMV office in person.
Documents You Need at the BMV
Maine requires you to prove your identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and Maine residency. All documents must be originals — photocopies are not accepted.
1. Proof of identity and date of birth
U.S. birth certificate (certified copy), U.S. passport or passport card, Certificate of Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card, or other government-issued document that establishes your identity and date of birth.
2. Social Security number
Your Social Security card, W-2 form, or other document displaying your full SSN. Maine requires your SSN for the permit application.
3. Proof of Maine residency
Utility bill, bank statement, mortgage or lease agreement, tax correspondence, or other official mail showing your name and Maine address. Must be dated within the past 90 days.
4. Parental consent (under 18 only)
A parent or legal guardian must sign the application in person at the BMV or on a notarized consent form. Bring a parent ID as well.
5. Driver education certificate (under 18 only)
Certificate of completion from your approved driver education program. Without this, you cannot receive a learner's permit if you are under 18.
Verify the most current requirements on the Maine BMV website before your visit, as specific document rules can be updated.
BMV Offices
Maine's Bureau of Motor Vehicles is operated under the Secretary of State's office. BMV branch offices are located throughout the state, with major offices in Augusta, Bangor, Portland, Presque Isle, and other cities. Find your nearest location on the BMV office directory.
Appointments vs. walk-ins: Maine BMV offices generally accept walk-ins for the written knowledge test. However, wait times vary by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits.
The behind-the-wheel road test is separate and must be scheduled as an appointment after your 9-month holding period (for teens) is complete. You will not take the road test on the same day as the knowledge test.
What Happens at the BMV
Here's what a typical first-time permit visit looks like:
1. Submit your application and documents
Present your identity, SSN, and residency documents at the counter. Teens must also submit their driver education certificate and parental consent.
2. Pay the $35 fee
Pay the learner's permit fee at the service window. Cash, check, and credit/debit cards are accepted.
3. Vision screening
A basic vision test is conducted at the service window. Wear your glasses or contacts if you use them. Maine requires 20/40 visual acuity in at least one eye.
4. Photo
Your photo is taken as part of the application and will appear on your learner's permit card.
5. Written knowledge test
After processing, you'll take the 30-question knowledge test on a computer terminal at the BMV office.
6. Receive your permit
If you pass, you'll receive a temporary document and your permit card will be mailed within a few weeks.
The entire visit typically takes 1 to 2 hours. The knowledge test itself takes most people 20 to 30 minutes.
The Vision Screening
Maine requires a vision screening before issuing a learner's permit. The minimum standard is 20/40 visual acuity in at least one eye, tested with or without corrective lenses.
If you wear glasses or contacts and only meet the standard with them on, your permit will carry a corrective lenses restriction. You must wear them every time you drive.
If you don't meet the vision standard, the BMV will provide a form for your eye doctor to complete. Bring the completed form back to continue your application.
The Written Knowledge Test
The Maine knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions. All questions are based on the Maine Driver Manual. Topics include Maine traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, safe driving practices, and alcohol and drug laws. There is no time limit.
Road sign questions are included throughout the exam — Maine does not conduct a separate road signs test. Questions are multiple choice with typically three or four answer options.
The test is taken on a computer terminal at the BMV office. You must answer each question before advancing to the next.
Is an online test available? No. Maine does not currently offer a remote or online knowledge test. The test must be taken in person at a Maine BMV office.
Passing Score and Results
To pass the Maine knowledge test, you must answer at least 24 out of 30 questions correctly — an 80% passing threshold. You can miss up to 6 questions.
Questions
30 questions
Same for teens and adults.
To Pass
24 correct (80%)
You may miss up to 6 questions.
Your results are displayed on screen immediately when you complete the test. If you pass, the BMV clerk will process your permit. If you don't pass, you can review the topic areas where you missed questions to guide your studying before your next attempt.
Teens vs. Adults: How the Process Differs
The knowledge test is the same for all applicants, but Maine has some of the most demanding teen-specific requirements in the country:
| Under 18 | 18 and Over | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum permit age | 15 | 18 |
| Parent consent | Required | Not required |
| Driver's ed | Required (30 hrs + 10 hrs BTW) | Not required |
| Test questions | 30 | 30 |
| Passing score | 24 correct (80%) | 24 correct (80%) |
| Permit validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Min. hold period | 9 months | None |
| Supervised driving | 70 hrs (10 at night) | No formal requirement |
| GDL restrictions | Yes (curfew, passengers) | None |
Maine's 9-month holding period and 70-hour supervised driving requirement are among the highest in the nation. The goal is to ensure teens have substantial real-world driving experience in Maine's varied and sometimes challenging road conditions before driving independently.
After You Pass
After passing the knowledge test, the BMV will issue your learner's permit. You may receive a temporary document immediately, with your permanent permit card mailed to your address within a few weeks. Carry your permit whenever you drive.
Can you drive right away? Yes — but only with a qualified supervising driver in the front passenger seat. Your supervisor must be a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old. You cannot drive alone under any circumstances with a learner's permit.
The 9-month clock starts now. For teens, the mandatory 9-month holding period begins on the date your permit is issued. You cannot take the behind-the-wheel road test until those 9 months have passed, regardless of how many practice hours you accumulate.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait at least one daybefore retaking it. Same-day retakes are not permitted.
What happens on a retest? You return to the BMV for another attempt. You do not need to redo the document verification or vision screening, though a nominal retest fee may apply — confirm the amount with your local office.
Maine allows up to 3 attempts per application. If you fail all three times, you must reapply and pay the $35 fee again before attempting the test again.
Focus your studying on the areas where you missed questions. Read through the relevant sections of the Maine Driver Manual again and take practice tests until you're consistently passing by a comfortable margin before your next BMV visit.
Learner's Permit Rules
While driving with a Maine learner's permit, you must:
Have a licensed supervising driver (age 20 or older) in the front passenger seat at all times.
Carry your learner's permit whenever you drive.
Not use a handheld cell phone or any mobile device while driving.
GDL restrictions after getting a license (teens/young drivers): Once you pass the road test and receive your Maine operator's license, the following restrictions apply for the first 180 days (6 months):
Nighttime curfew: No driving between 12 AM (midnight) and 5 AM during the first 180 days of licensure, unless accompanied by a licensed adult 20 or older or driving for work or an emergency.
Passenger restriction: During the first 180 days, you may not carry any passengers under 20 who are not immediate family members unless a licensed adult 20 or older is also in the vehicle.
Cell phone: No handheld phone use while driving. Drivers under 18 (and those under 21 with restrictions in effect) may not use any mobile device while driving, even hands-free.
International License Holders
Visitors to Maine with a valid foreign driver license may drive in the state as tourists. Maine generally recognizes foreign licenses for non-residents. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not legally required but is recommended if your license is not in English.
If you become a Maine resident, you must apply for a Maine license. Your foreign license will not transfer — you must complete the full process: application, documents, fee, vision screening, knowledge test, and road test. There is no exemption from the knowledge test for holders of foreign licenses.
Adults (18+) applying for a first Maine license do not need to hold a permit for any minimum period before scheduling the road test.
Out-of-State Transfers
If you move to Maine with a valid license from another U.S. state, visit a Maine BMV office with your identity, SSN, and residency documents. You will need to pass a vision screening and have your photo taken.
Knowledge test: Maine may waive the written knowledge test for applicants with a valid out-of-state license in good standing. Confirm with the BMV whether a test is required in your situation.
The behind-the-wheel road test is typically waived for out-of-state license holders. You will surrender your old license and receive a Maine license once all requirements are satisfied.
The Driver Manual
The Maine Driver Manual is the official study guide for the knowledge test. All exam questions are based on this manual. It covers Maine traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, alcohol and drug laws, defensive driving, and special road conditions you may encounter in Maine.
The manual is available free online as a downloadable PDF from the Maine BMV website. You can also pick up a printed copy at any BMV office. It is currently available in English.
Maine's roads present unique challenges — ice, snow, fog, and rural conditions that are less common in other states. The manual addresses these, and understanding them helps both on the test and when you begin supervised driving.
Practice Tests
Practice tests are one of the most reliable ways to prepare for the Maine knowledge test. They expose knowledge gaps before your real exam and help you get comfortable with the question format.
DMV Question Bank practice tests: Take Maine BMV practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the Maine Driver Manual with the same question format and instant feedback you'll experience at the BMV. Aim to score above 90% consistently before your test.
A recommended approach: read the full manual, take a practice test to find weak spots, review those sections in the manual, and then test again. Repeat this cycle until you're passing every time by a comfortable margin.
Behind-the-Wheel Requirements
Maine has one of the most extensive supervised driving requirements in the country for teen permit holders. Plan ahead — 70 hours of practice takes time to accumulate.
Teens (Under 18)
Hold your permit for at least 9 months before you can take the behind-the-wheel road test. This is mandatory — no exceptions. The 9-month clock begins on the date your permit is issued.
Complete at least 70 hours of supervised driving practice, including a minimum of 10 hours at night. This is separate from the 10 hours of professional in-car instruction completed during driver's ed.
Your supervising driver must be a licensed driver at least 20 years old, seated in the front passenger seat during all practice sessions.
Keep a driving practice log signed by your supervising driver documenting all hours. Bring it to your road test appointment.
Adults (18 and Over)
There is no mandatory holding period for adults. You can schedule your road test as soon as you feel ready.
There is no minimum practice hours requirement. Practice until you're comfortable with all road test maneuvers: turns, parking, lane changes, right-of-way, and rural road conditions common in Maine.
GDL restrictions after getting a license (teens/young drivers): Once you pass the road test and receive your Maine license, the following restrictions apply for the first 180 days:
Nighttime curfew: No driving between 12 AM and 5 AM during the first 180 days (exceptions for work, emergencies, or when accompanied by a licensed adult 20 or older).
Passenger restriction: No passengers under 20 who are not immediate family members during the first 180 days (unless a licensed adult 20 or older is present).
Cell phone: No handheld phone use while driving. Drivers under 18 may not use any mobile device while driving, even hands-free.
Quick Reference
| Minimum permit age | 15 years old |
| Application fee | $35 |
| Where to apply | Maine BMV office |
| Driver's ed required | Yes (under 18) — 30 hrs classroom + 10 hrs BTW |
| Written test | 30 questions, 24 to pass (80%) |
| Test format | Computer terminal, multiple choice |
| Online test available | No — in-person only |
| Max attempts per application | 3 |
| Wait between attempts | 1 day |
| Permit validity | 2 years |
| Min. holding period (teens) | 9 months |
| Supervised practice (teens) | 70 hours total, 10 at night |
| Supervising driver age | 20+ (licensed) |
| Driving log required | Yes (teens) |
| GDL nighttime curfew | 12am–5am (first 180 days with license) |
| Passenger restriction | No non-family passengers under 20 (first 180 days) |
| Appointment required | No (walk-ins accepted for knowledge test) |