Navigating Driver Education in Maine: A Comprehensive Guide

For individuals seeking to obtain a driver's license in Maine, understanding the state's driver education requirements is crucial. Maine employs a graduated driver licensing system, particularly for new drivers under 18, with specific restrictions also applicable to those under 21. This guide provides a detailed overview of these requirements, covering everything from initial permits to full licensure.

Who Needs Driver's Education?

In Maine, if you are under 18 years old, you are generally required to take a driver's education course to obtain a driver's license. This requirement ensures that young drivers receive adequate training and are prepared for the responsibilities of driving.

Obtaining a Learner's Permit

The first step towards obtaining a driver's license in Maine is acquiring a learner's permit. To be eligible, applicants must:

Be at least 15 years of age.
Successfully complete an approved driver education course (if under 18).
Pass a written knowledge examination.
Pass a vision screening.
Submit the application, fee, two forms of identification, proof of residency, a driver education completion certificate (if under 18), and a birth certificate (if under the age of 23) to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Once issued, a learner's permit allows the teen 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 years. The learner's permit expires after two years.

Driver Education Course Details

A standard driver education course in Maine consists of:

30 hours of classroom instruction.
10 hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction.

Some courses, like the blended AAA version, allow students to rewatch and redo the material as many times as needed.

Course Enrollment and Fees

To enroll in a driver education course, individuals can register for an upcoming class. For instance, Merrymeeting Adult Education requires a full payment of \$575 at the time of registration. If a student withdraws from the course, \$75 is withheld from the refund to cover program costs.

Attendance and Make-Up Policies

All students must attend at least 30 hours of classroom instruction.
Missing the classroom portion of the class may result in a fee of \$40/hr to make up the class.
An unexcused absence from the individually scheduled driving time may require an additional payment of \$80/hr. A 24-hour notice is typically required to change driving times.
A \$75 re-enrollment fee may be assessed if a student needs to withdraw to attend the next session.

Parental Involvement

Parental involvement is a key component of driver education in Maine. A parent or legal guardian must accompany their student during behind-the-wheel driving for one of their driving hours, arranged by the instructor and parent. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must attend the last forty-five minutes of the first class.

Course Completion Requirements

Successful completion of a driver's education course requires:

Completing 30 hours of classroom and 10 hours of driving instruction.
Passing the final exam with a score of 80% or better.

Upon successful completion, students are awarded an instructional permit. A successful course completion certificate may be issued if the course meets the standards adopted by the Secretary of State. A certificate may not be issued to a person who was not at least 15 years of age when beginning the course. The certificate may be used as a temporary learner's permit for the operation of a noncommercial Class C motor vehicle for 60 days from the course completion date displayed on the front of the certificate.

Read also: Comprehensive Driver Education

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) for 15-17 Year Olds

Maine's graduated driver licensing (GDL) program introduces driving privileges in stages, allowing young drivers to gain experience under controlled conditions.

Permit Phase

Must hold a learner's permit for at least six months before applying for a road test.
Prohibited from using a cellular phone while operating with a permit.
Must log 70 hours of driving, including 10 hours after dark.
If a permit expires, the person must take an exam for a new permit but will not be required to wait before applying for a road test. The restriction from using a cellular phone still applies.

Intermediate License Phase

To apply for a driver's license, you must be at least 16 years of age and have completed an approved driver education course. You must successfully complete a road test. You are required to complete 70 hours of practice driving, which must include 10 hours of night driving, and have held your learner's permit for at least six months. The 70 hours of practice driving must begin after you have been issued a learner's permit. You must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years.

A license issued to a person under the age of 18 is an intermediate license, which prohibits the licensee from the following:

Carrying passengers other than immediate family members unless accompanied by a licensed operator who meets specific requirements. "Immediate family member" includes grandparents, step-grandparents, parents, stepparents, spouses, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, and stepsisters when living with the immediate family. It also extends to foreign exchange students, individuals under court-appointed guardianship of an immediate family member, and children whose parent is deployed for military service and is under guardianship of an immediate family member. "Deployed for military service" means assigned to active military duty with the state military forces or the United States Armed Forces when the duty assignment is in a combat theater, in an area where armed conflict is taking place, or in an area away from a person's normal duty station.
Operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone.

A person must hold an intermediate license for 270 days from the date the license was originally issued before they can receive an unrestricted license. During the intermediate license period, violation of these license restrictions will result in the extension of the intermediate license restrictions and license suspension. An operator's license is considered a provisional license for two years following initial issuance. The intermediate restrictions do not apply after 270 days, but a conviction for any moving violation during the two-year provisional license term will still result in license suspension.

Licensing for 18-20 Year Olds

If a permit is issued to a person under 21 years of age, that person must hold the permit for 6 months before applying for a road test and are prohibited from using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone while operating with a permit.If a permit is issued to a person under 21 years of age, they must log 70 hours of driving and 10 of the hours must be done after dark.If a permit expires, the person must take an exam for a new permit, but will not be required to wait before applying for a road test. The restriction from using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone still applies.

Read also: Do I Need Driver's Ed?

If you are 18 years of age or older, you are not required to complete driver education.

You must successfully complete a road test. If you are under 21 years of age, you are required to complete 70 hours of practice driving , which must include 10 hours of night driving, and have held your learner's permit for at least six months. The 70 hours of practice driving must begin after you have been issued a learner's permit. You must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years.

The first license issued to a new applicant who is between the ages of 16-20 is a juvenile provisional license for a period of two years. The provisional license is in effect for a full 2-year period as long as the first license that was issued occurred prior to the 21st birthday. The provisional phase does not end when a person turns 21. If you are a juvenile provisional license holder and are within the first two years of your license, a conviction for any moving violation will result in the suspensions listed below. Additionally, if you are convicted of operating under the influence prior to reaching 21 years of age, your license will be viewed as a juvenile provisional license for law enforcement purposes, even if you have already held the license for two years.

Licensing for 21+ Year Olds

If you are 21 years of age or older, you are not required to complete a driver education course or log driving hours.

If a permit is issued to a person 21 years of age and over, that person does not have to wait 6 months before applying for a road test, however, they are prohibited from using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone while operating with a permit.

The first license issued to a new applicant 21 years of age or older is a provisional license for a period of one year.

Driver Education School Licensing

The State of Maine also regulates driver education schools, ensuring they meet specific standards. There are several types of Driver Education School Licenses:

Class A driver education school license: Entitles a school to employ Class A or Class B instructors to teach both the classroom and behind-the-wheel phases of driver education for passenger type vehicles (Class C vehicles). A Class A driver education school must employ at least one Class A instructor.
Class B driver education school license: Entitles a school to employ Class A or Class B instructors to teach only behind-the-wheel instruction for passenger type vehicles (Class C vehicles) to individuals who hold a valid learner's permit, temporary license, or driver's license.
Class A commercial motor vehicle driver education school license: Entitles a school to employ Class A commercial vehicle instructors to teach classroom, behind-the-wheel, and range (off-street) driver education for commercial motor vehicles (Class A and/or Class B vehicles). This license also entitles you to employ Class B commercial vehicle instructors to teach range and behind-the-wheel only, but at least one Class A commercial vehicle instructor must be employed. The off-street range area must measure at least 20,000 square feet for Class A vehicles and at least 15,000 square feet for Class B vehicles.
Class B commercial motor vehicle driver education school license: Entitles a school to employ Class A or Class B commercial vehicle instructors to teach behind-the-wheel and range (off-street) driver education for commercial motor vehicles (Class A and/or Class B vehicles) to individuals who hold a valid commercial learner's permit. The off-street range area must measure at least 20,000 square feet for Class A vehicles and at least 15,000 square feet for Class B vehicles.

Application Requirements

Applicants must license each school location where driver education will be conducted and submit a license application and fee of \$150 for each location. Applicants for a Class A license must license each school classroom location. Applicants for a Class B license must license each record keeping location for operation of the school. Applicants for a truck endorsement must license each school location to include one classroom and one range for Class A schools and one range for Class B schools.

To apply for a license, you must complete a driver education school license application form and meet the following requirements:

Training vehicle requirement: Complete a vehicle list form, which is provided with the school license application. List each vehicle by year, make, registration plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Training vehicles must be equipped with an operable dual-control foot brake. Dual clutch pedals are required for vehicles with a standard transmission. The vehicle must also be equipped with an inside mirror that is available for use and provides the driver education instructor with unobstructed vision to the rear of the vehicle. When engaged in instruction, each vehicle must be equipped with an identification sign stating the name of the school as well as a student driver sign. (Commercial vehicles are exempt from dual brake/clutch and the inside mirror.)
Vehicle insurance: Submit a certificate of insurance from an insurance company showing that each vehicle has coverage by an automobile bodily injury and property damage liability insurance policy. A school must meet the limits of insurance described in Title 29-A, 1354, subsection 3A. The limits are: \$100,000 property damage; \$100,000 personal injury or death of any one person; and \$300,000 for personal injury or death of a number of persons. Combined single limit is \$400,000. The certificate must contain the driving school name or if it's in an individual's name it must state the vehicle is insured for driver education use.
Compliance with land use regulations: Provide a letter from your local fire department showing the school premises comply with state and municipal statutory requirements regarding public health, safety, and access (101 Life Safety Codes). Also, a certificate of occupancy from the code enforcement officer or other town official that shows proof of compliance with state and municipal land use regulations and ordinances or a letter giving the driving school permission to use the location for driver education.
Surety bond: A Class A driver education school must file a surety bond of at least \$10,000 and a Class B driver education school must file a surety bond of at least \$2,500.
Harassment prevention: Submit copy of harassment prevention policy. This policy is intended to prevent any form of harassment to students and instructors.
Refund and cancellation policy: Submit copy of the refund and cancellation policy. A driver education school must have a written refund and cancellation policy which must be furnished to the student at the time of enrollment in a driver education course. All fees related to the course must be disclosed in this policy. This policy must include a notice that driver education is regulated by the Secretary of State.
Pass an inspection: All vehicles, required materials, and the school premises must pass inspection by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Record Keeping and Reporting

Driver education schools must adhere to strict record-keeping and reporting requirements:

New Course Report: A driver education new course report must be submitted to the Secretary of State on an approved form at least seven days prior to the start of the driver education course. The Secretary of State must be notified, prior to the changes or as quickly as possible thereafter, of any changes made to the schedule indicated on the originally submitted report, including cancellations due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Course Completion Report: Classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed before the student is issued a course completion certificate and added to a course completion report. Course completion reports must be submitted to the Secretary of State within 30 days of the final classroom session. Any students who have not completed the course by the 30-day due date must be listed on a separate report. Only the name of the instructor(s) directly involved in any portion of the instruction of the course shall be listed on the course completion report.
Student Record Sheet: All student record sheets must be kept for each student and maintained in a secure location by the school for a period of at least two years from the date driver education was completed. Upon expiration of the retention period all student record sheets must be disposed of in a secure manner. All schools are required to keep student record sheets; this includes private behind-the-wheel instruction. A driver education student record sheet must show each student successfully completed the required course curriculum and be retained by the school. Student record sheets must contain the: studentâs identity, studentâs visual acuity, number of classroom and behind the wheel hours provided to the student, instructor name and location, parental involvement, and signature of student certifying the student received all required components of the course. A copy of the student record sheet shall be provided if requested by the student, parent, or guardian.
Final Examination: A driver education school must administer a final examination to students who have completed all the requirements provided in these rules and any additional requirements imposed by the driver education school. The examination must consist of a minimum of 50 questions and the student must correctly answer 80% of the questions to pass the examination. The Secretary of State shall provide the questions for the final examination.
Inspection of records: The Secretary of State may, with or without notice to the driver education school, inspect all school records. The school must make such records available to the Secretary of State for inspection.

Other Obligations

Location: The location and address of the school. The school owner must immediately advise the Secretary of State, in writing, whenever the location or address of the school changes.
Employees: The school shall provide the names and addresses of persons employed by the school. The school must immediately advise the Secretary of State, in writing, whenever a driver education instructor is hired or leaves the school's employ.
Training Vehicles: Prior to use for instruction, the vehicle must be examined and approved as a training vehicle by the Secretary of State. A new certificate of insurance or bond must be submitted to the Secretary of State any time a vehicle is added or deleted.
Sale or closure of driver education school: A driver education school owner must immediately advise the Secretary of State, in writing, of its sale or closure. If a driver education school has any students who have not completed the course, a written plan must be submitted to the Secretary of State detailing what arrangements will be made to enable the student to complete the course. A driver education school that is closed or sold must immediately return all documents, forms, and other related material issued by the Secretary of State and its license, if unexpired, to the Secretary of State.
Loss or destruction of records: The loss, mutilation or destruction of any records required to be filed or maintained in accordance with these rules must be reported immediately to the Secretary of State.

Exemption from License Fees

A "noncommercial" driver education school is exempt from paying the license fee. The license issued will be termed a "noncommercial" driver education school license which authorizes the school to employ both "noncommercial" and "commercial" driver education instructors. To claim an exemption, no fee can be charged to your students and your students must be given course credit toward graduation. If not exempt from fee, the license issued will be termed a "commercial" driver education school license which authorizes the school to employ only "commercial" driver education instructors.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Operating a driver education school without a valid license is a Class E crime. Once a Driver Education School license is issued, it is the school's responsibility to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in writing of any change in information on the original license application (e.g., school name or ownership, address, phone number, driving or criminal record, employee health, training vehicles, and instructors employed by the school). All correspondence and renewal notices will be sent to the licensee's last known address on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

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