Maine. Easy Guide NEW. 5 th Edition. The Ultimate Resource For All Driver License Related Services. Licensed by: Drivers-Licenses.

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1 5 th Edition NEW Bonus Features Inside! Maine Easy Guide The Ultimate Resource For All Driver License Related Services Direct Links To Essential Forms Step-by-Step Guides Of All Driver Services Accurate Prices, Business Hours & Locations Time-Saving Checklists & Much More Licensed by:

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4 Table of Contents Starting the Journey Page 5 Getting Your First Maine License Page 12 Renewing Your License Page 17 Updating Your License Page 20 Replacing Your License Page 22 Reinstating Your Driver License Page 26 Getting a Maine ID Card Page 28 Vehicle Safety Tips Page 30 Official Forms Page 33 BMV Hours and Locations Page 34 is a privately owned website that is not owned or operated by any government agency.

5 Starting the Journey Welcome to the world of driving in Maine! Obtaining your license is one of the most gratifying moments in your life. Our purpose through this guide is to make sure you get to that moment with as little stress or complications as possible. Getting your driver license in Maine is a smooth sailing process that only requires that you prepare slightly before embarking on the adventure. That is where we come in, we are here to help you know exactly what it is you need to prepare and how to prepare it properly. This is a process that will only take a small amount of your time; in fact, the guide is specifically organized towards ensuring that you get through things as quickly as possible. Jam packed with information regarding everything from obtaining your learner permit, driver license, or ID card, all the way to how to renew, replace, or change these items. We will make getting ready to drive on the friendly Maine roads fast and easy. So, enjoy as we make life a bit less complicated. ALL DRIVERS You must also remember that the roads aren t always safe; therefore, it is in your best interest to fully prepare for whatever may come your way before you begin driving. When you begin driving, you not only take on the responsibility for your safety, but you also take on the responsibility of the safety of your passengers and all passengers in the vehicles around you. So, in order to best prepare yourself to take on that responsibility, it is always wise to first obtain your learner s permit to be able to learn to drive properly. In Maine, you can obtain your learner s permit by mail, however if you have not completed a driver s education course you have to apply for your learner s permit in person. You are not required to take a driver s education course in order to obtain your learner s permit if you are 18 years or older. If you would like to understand how to obtain your learner s permit in person, please read the steps below: Visit the BMV office. Fill out the Non-Commercial Class C Application Form (MVE 64 Form) here. Provide ONE proof of your driver education certificate of completion. o This is optional if you are 18 years or older. 5

6 Your birth certificate. o Either the original or a certified copy with an embossed seal or stamp. o Will not be required for those 22 years or older. Pay the fee of $10. You can pay with check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State. Mail all of these documents and fee to the following address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver License Services Division Examination Section 29 State House Station Augusta, ME Make an appointment with the BMV office to take your written and vision exam. Visit the BMV office. Take the vision test. Take the written test. If you are 18 years old or older and have not completed a driver s education course, you have to go to the BMV office in person in order to apply for your learner s permit. Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. After you have obtained your learner s permit you need to get your juvenile provisional license if you are still under 21 years old or your adult provisional license if you are 21 years or older. Vision Exam Getting your vision checked before you obtain your learner s permit or driver s license is essential to ensure that you are physically capable of driving. The exam is very straight forward and will only be required if you are obtaining your first Maine driver s license, you are changing your license classification, or in certain cases, if you are older than 40 years old. 6

7 When you turn 40 years old, you will be required to take the vision test when you go to renew your license, and you have to retake the test every other time you go to renew your license. Once you reach 62 years old though, you must take the vision test every time you renew your license. The vision test is free of charge and you are able to take it when you go to take your written or driven examination. If you would like further information regarding the standards necessary to meet when taking the vision screening test, please click here or if you would like you can also request information by mailing the BMV at the following address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles Medical Section 29 State House Station Augusta, Maine Written Exam When it comes to obtaining your permit at first it may seem intimidating to take the exam, but once you understand how the process goes it will be less frightening to you. You have the option to take the test in eleven different languages, depending on what you require. In order to prepare for the written exam you need to review all information regarding driver safety, traffic laws, and all Maine laws. All the information you need to study to prepare for the test can be found in the Maine Driver s Manual, which you can read here. TEEN DRIVERS If you re a teenager on the brink of entering adulthood, chances are you re currently dreaming of obtaining your driver s license. Well, we are here to help you to make that dream a reality! In each step moving towards obtaining your license, we will outline and help you to better understand each procedure you must complete. As a new driver, it is important that you carefully read through each step and fully understand how everything operates. This is to ensure that you avoid any complications, but also to be sure that you are well prepared to take on your responsibilities on the road. So let s begin the journey! Step 1: Learner s permit The first step you must take after you ve finished your driver s education is to obtain your learner s permit. This permit will allow you to practice driving behind the wheel until you are officially ready to get your limited provisional driver s license and, afterwards, your full provisional driver s license. This process is fairly simple and will take only a small amount of preparation on your part. 7

8 To begin, you first need to be at least 15 years old in order to obtain your learner s permit. Along with being a certain age, you must have completed a driver s education course, as well as have taken your written and vision test before you are given your learner s permit. If you are older than 18 years old, you will not be required to complete a driver s education course to obtain your learner s permit. If you would like to find the driving school nearest to you, please take a look at all the driver s education schools organized by county in the state of Maine here. In most cases your driver s education school will fill out and submit all of your necessary forms to the Maine BMV in order for you to obtain your learner s permit. However, in the chance that your driver s education school does not offer such service and requires that you do it yourself, you can apply my mail following steps: Fill out the Non-Commercial Class C Application Form (MVE 64 Form) here. ONE proof proof of your driver education certificate of completion. ONE proof proof of your birth certificate. o Either the original or a certified copy with an embossed seal or stamp. o Will not be required for those 22 years or older. Pay the fee of $10. o You can pay with check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State. Mail all of these documents and fee to the following address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver License Services Division Examination Section 29 State House Station Augusta, ME Make an appointment with the BMV office to take your written and vision exam. Visit the BMV office. Take the vision test. Take the written test. Or, you can go directly to a BMV office in person to apply for your learner s permit. Once you have completed these steps, you will be given your learner s permit and will have to wait six months before you can apply for your intermediate driver license. If your 8

9 learner s permit expires, you have to renew it, but you won t have to wait six months before applying for your license. Step 2: Driver License The next step will be towards obtaining your intermediate driver s license. This license will allow you to continue practicing to drive behind the wheel until you are officially ready to obtain your unrestricted driver s license once you fulfill the necessary requirements. This process is fairly simple and will take only a small amount of preparation on your part. There are two paths you can take depending on your age; if you are under 18 years old, you need to obtain an intermediate driver license and, if you are 18 year or older, you need to obtain a juvenile provisional driver license. Follow the steps below based on what best fits your situation. Intermediate Driver License If you are under 18 years old, you may apply for an intermediate license, but you first need to meet these requirements: Be 16 years of age or older. Completed 70 hours of behind the wheel practice and fill out the Driving Log here. o Including ten hours of driving at night. o Practice must be completed with a driving supervisor, 20 years or older, who holds a valid driver s license for a minimum of two years. Held your learner s permit for a minimum of six months. After you meet the above requirements, you will be eligible to apply for an intermediate driver license, which you need to hold for a minimum of 270 days before you are able to obtain an unrestricted driver s license. You have to make an appointment with the BMV office to take your driving test. You have to pass the driving test in order to obtain your intermediate driver s license. While you hold your intermediate driver license, you will have specific restrictions regarding what you are allowed to do while you drive. These restrictions include the following: You may only carry immediate family members in the vehicle, including: o Any foreign exchange student staying with your family. o An individual who is under a court appointed guardianship of you or an immediate family member. 9

10 o Any child whose parent(s) is deployed due to military service under the guardianship of your immediate family member. You may not operate a vehicle during the hours of 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. You may not use your phone while operating a vehicle. If you are caught violating any of these, your restriction period will be extended by another 270 days from the day of your infraction onwards. You may also have your intermediate driver license suspended for a certain amount of time depending on the type of offense, for example: First offense will result in a 60 day suspension. Second offense will result in a 180 day suspension. Third or more offense will result in a one year suspension each. This might lead your restriction period to continue even after you have turned 18 years old. But once you have complete this term, you may also obtain your unrestricted driver license in which you will no longer have to abide by the above restrictions. Juvenile Provisional License If you are 18 years or older, you may apply to obtain a juvenile provisional license, but you first need to meet these requirements: Be 18 years of age or older. Have completed 70 hours of behind the wheel practice and filled out the Driving Log here. o Including ten hours of driving at night. o Practice must be completed with a driving supervisor 20 years or older who has held a valid driver s license for a minimum of two years. Held your learner s permit for a minimum of six months. After you meet the above requirements, you will be eligible to apply for a juvenile provisional license, which will be valid for two years or until you turn 21 years old, depending on which happens first. You have to make an appointment with the BMV office to take your driving test. You have to pass the driving test in order to obtain your intermediate driver s license. Once you have completed the period of restriction, you may apply for your unrestricted driver. 10

11 Tip Make sure you read through the Maine Driver s Manual in order to best prepare for the written, traffic signs, and driving test. If you would like to read the handbook, you can read the handbook here. 11

12 Getting Your First Maine License Congratulations! If you have gone through the steps of getting your Driver s Permit in Maine, then you are now only one step closer to of obtaining your driver license. Now it s only a matter of mastering the art of driving. All that is required now is that you follow the steps below that best fit your situation to officially hold that brand new license. DRIVING TEST Taking a driving test is necessary in order for the BMV to determine your driving skills level. The first part of the exam, which includes a safety check, will show the examiner that you have an acceptable level regarding your vehicle. When you go to take your driving test, you are required to provide a vehicle that is both insured, and passes the safety requirements. Continue to read the points below to understand better what will happen during your test from start to finish! If you are a new resident to Maine and hold a valid out of state driver license, you will not be required to take a driving test in order to obtain your Maine driver license. In the case that you are still required to take your driving test however, you must begin by scheduling your road test with the Indiana BMV. You are able to schedule your road test to the nearest BMV office to you by calling the BMV office at, extension 52119, or you can request a road test request card which you need to fill out and send to the following BMV office address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles 29 State House Station Augusta, Maine Once the road test begins, the examiner will judge and grade you based on your ability to obey instructions and perform the tasks, such as: Being able to properly adjust your seat, mirror, seatbelts, before driving. Obeying Traffic Signs and Signals Leaving Appropriate Distance Between Vehicles Using Your Turn Signals Going In Reverse Parallel Parking 12

13 Observing the Intersection Yielding to Right of Way Responding Appropriately to Emergency Vehicles Making Appropriate Turns The road test will not be very long and won t require that you know anything beyond the standard knowledge and skill on how to operate a vehicle. This test is relatively simple if you study and prepare yourself in these concepts and information. To better prepare yourself, you can find all information regarding the driving test and basic driving skills in the Maine Driver s Manual. ADULT DRIVERS: NEVER HAD A DRIVER LICENSE If you are 18 years old or older, have never had a license and are now looking to obtaining one then, you have come to the right place. Getting a license for first-time drivers is a very simple process through the state of Maine by first following the steps on how to apply. Adult Provisional License If you are 21 years or older and have finished obtaining your learner s permit, you need to obtain your adult provisional license before you can obtain your unrestricted driver s license. While you hold your provisional license, you must abide by all the rules of the road in place for the state of Maine. If you are convicted of a moving motor vehicle violation, your license will be suspended during the following terms: First offense will result in a 30 day suspension. Second offense will result in a 180 day suspension. Third offense will result in a one year suspension. You will be required to hold onto your adult provisional license for one year before you are allowed to switch to an unrestricted driver s license. Regardless, the process to apply for a driver s license in main includes the following steps: Visit the BMV office. Fill out the Non-Commercial Class C Application Form (MVE 64 Form) Here. Provide ONE proof of your driver education certificate of completion. o This is optional if you are 18 years or older. 13

14 Provide ONE proof of your Social Security Number. Provide ONE proof of your legal presence. o Valid U.S. Passport o Birth Certificate Provide ONE proof of your Maine residency. o Utility Bill o Tax Bill Provide ONE proof of your birth certificate. o Either the original or a certified copy with an embossed seal or stamp. o Will not be required for those 22 years or older. Provide ONE proof of any name changes. o Marriage Certificate o Court Order o Divorce Decree Pay the fee of $10 for your written exam. Make an appointment with the BMV office to take your written and vision exam. Visit the BMV office. Take the vision test. Take the written test. Take the driving test. Pay the fee of $30 for your driver s license. o If you are 65 years or older you will only need to pay $21. Once you complete the above steps the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks. If you do not receive your license within those 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension

15 Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. ADULT DRIVERS: NEW RESIDENT If you already hold a license from another state and have become a new resident of Maine, you will need to obtain a Maine license within 30 days. It is very important to make sure that you obtain a valid driver s license within this term; let s begin so you can obtain your Maine license as soon as possible! To better understand how to obtain your driver s license, please read the steps below: Visit the BMV office. Fill out the Non-Commercial Class C Application Form (MVE 64 Form) here. Provide proof of your driver education certificate of completion. o This is optional if you are 18 years or older. Provide proof of your Social Security Number. Provide proof of your legal presence. o Valid U.S. Passport o Birth Certificate Provide proof of your Maine residency. o Utility Bill o Tax Bill Provide proof of your birth certificate. o Either the original or a certified copy with an embossed seal or stamp. o Will not be required for those 22 years or older. Provide proof of any name changes. o Marriage Certificate o Court Order o Divorce Decree 15

16 Pay the fee of $10 for your written exam. Make an appointment with the BMV office to take your written and vision exam. Visit the BMV office. Take the vision test. Take the written test. Take the driving test. Pay the fee of $30 for your driver s license. o If you are 65 years or older you only need to pay $21. Once you complete the above steps, the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within or less than two weeks. If you do not receive your license within those 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. Tip Remember to plan ahead of time how you will be paying any fees to the BMV. At the Maine state driver license offices, you can pay with check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State. You are also allowed to pay with debit cards that have the Visa or MasterCard logo on it. 16

17 Renewing Your License Oh no, my license has expired! That is something no one ever wants to have to say, as it means you no longer hold a legal license to drive. This means a loss of freedom and the risk of getting a ticket. So, it is best to renew your license as soon as you notice the expiration date creeping up on you. But, before you renew your license, it is best that you thoroughly comprehend the process so that you can avoid any error or issues that may occur. To begin, you must remember that a Maine driver s license expires every six years if you are younger than 65 years old, however if you are 65 years or older, your license will expire every four years. Regardless though, you may renew your license as early as six months before the expiration date. Thankfully, Maine allows you to renew your license either in person or online. You must take a vision test when you go to renew your license after you turn 40 years old, and every other time you go to renew your license until you turn 62 years old, at which point you have to take a vision test every time you renew. The vision test is given for free at the BMV office, if necessary though, you are also welcome to take the test with a physician at your own expense. RENEWING IN PERSON One of the easiest ways to renew your license is to go directly to the BMV office in person to renew it. This method is easier because it requires no qualifications to do so, all it requires is that you bring along a few documents to show one proof of your identity, residency, and lawful presence. To better understand how to renew your driver s license in person, please read the steps below: Visit the BMV office. ONE proof proof of your legal presence. o Valid U.S. Passport o Birth Certificate Provide ONE proof of your Maine residency. 17

18 o Utility Bill o Tax Bill Provide your Social Security Number. o Only required if the BMV office does not already have it on file. Pay the fee of $30 for your license. o If you are 65 years or older, you will only need to pay $21. Once you complete the above steps the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks, if you do not receive your license within 60 days please contact the BMV office at extension Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. RENEWING ONLINE The state of Maine allows that you renew your driver s license online as well, but you will have to meet certain requirements before you are eligible. If you do not meet the qualifications needed, please look into renewing your driver s license in person. The requirements to renew your license online include: Your driver s license must be valid. Your driver s license must not be commercial. You must have provided ONE proof of your legal presence to the BMV office. You must have provided ONE proof of your Maine residency to the BMV office. Your address must not be from out of state. You do not need to make any changes to the information displayed. You do not have a medical condition that has developed or changed since the last renewal. You do not need to take a vision test. You have a printer capable of printing your temporary driver s license. If you do not meet the above requirements, you must renew your license in person at the DVM office. 18

19 However, if you meet these requirements, you can take the following steps to renew your license online: Visit the Maine BMV site and read the instructions. Click on Go at the bottom. Fill out your information. o You will be required to provide your Social Security Number. Pay the fee of $30. Print out your temporary driver s license. Once you complete the above steps, the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks. If you do not receive your license within those 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. Tip You will not be allowed to renew or obtain a new license if your license in Maine or any other state is currently suspended. Instead, you must first reinstate your license and then, you can continue with the process of renewing or obtaining your license. 19

20 Updating Your License Information Now your life may be coming to a turning point, which can mean changes as big as changing your name to more subtle changes, such as moving neighborhoods. Either way, this information is essential to your identification, which includes your driver licenses. So, how can you ensure that these changes are made to your driver license should you ever need them to be made? Well, naturally you only need to inform the Maine BMV. To better understand the process and steps you have to take, you must follow the steps that best fit your situation below. CHANGING YOUR NAME Making the decision to change your name is not only a big personal decision, but it will also greatly affect your documents and general information in regards to your identity. If you have officially changed your name, then, you will surely be required to change your name on all of your identification documents and cards, including your driver license. Now, all you must do is follow the steps below that best apply to your situation: Change your name with the Social Security Administration office. Wait at least 48 hours after making the change. Visit the BMV office. Fill out the form they provide you. Provide ONE proof of your driver s license. Provide ONE proof of your name change: o Marriage License o Court Order o Divorce Decree o Modified Birth Certificate Provide ONE proof of your Social Security Card. o Must have your new name on it. Pay the fee of $5. 20

21 Once you complete the above steps, the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks. If you do not receive your license within 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS In the case that you may have recently moved to a new address, it is essential that you update the address on your driver license. You will be required to notify the Indian BMV of any change in address within ten days of the change. All you must do is, follow the steps below that outline the process. And once you have completed every step properly, you are going to receive an update card to carry along with your driver s license to ensure that if it is ever needed you may be able to show that your address has been changed. Now simply follow the steps that best apply to you below: Visit the BMV office. Provide your Social Security Number. Provide ONE proof of your new Maine residency: o Utility Bill o Tax Return Once you complete the above steps, the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks. If you do not receive your license within those 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension Tip Before you go to the BMV to change your name on your license, permit or ID card, you should make sure that the Social Security office has updated your file with your new name. Otherwise, the BMV office will not allow you to change your name. It takes a minimum of 48 hours for the Social Security Office to update information in files, so make sure to plan ahead. 21

22 Replacing Your License Oh my, something s happened to your license! What can you do now? Well the Maine BMV will help you in obtaining a new driver license as soon as possible in the case that your license may have been lost, stolen, destroyed, or if you never even received your license in the first place. In any case, you will be able to effortlessly replace it with a new duplicate license. All it requires of you is to do a few things. REPLACING IN PERSON The most common way to replace your driver s license is to go directly to the BMV office in person and apply for a new one. This method is straightforward and fairly easy, requiring only that you prepare certain documents to bring along when you visit the BMV office. These standards are very basic, and you most likely will be able to provide the needed information without much worry. To better understand how to renew your driver s license in person, please read the steps below: Visit the BMV office. Provide two proofs of your identity. o Birth Certificate o Social Security Card Pay the fee of $5. Once you complete the above steps, the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks. If you do not receive your license within those 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. REPLACING ONLINE Being able to replace your driver s license online is only slightly more complicated because it requires that you meet certain qualifications before you are allowed to renew 22

23 online. However, these are very basic requirements that most Maine residents are able to meet, therefore the process won t become any more stressful than if you had decided to replace in person. The requirements to renew your license online include: Your driver s license must be valid. Your driver s license must not be commercial. You must have provided proof of your legal presence to the BMV office. You must have provided proof of your Maine residency to the BMV office. Your address must not be from out of state. Your name or address has not changed since your last renewal You do not need to make any changes to the information displayed. You do not have a medical condition that has developed or changed since the last renewal. You do not need to take a vision test. You have a printer capable of printing your temporary driver s license. If you do not meet the above requirements, you will be required to replace your license in person at them BMV office. However, if you do meet these requirements, you can then take the following steps to renew your license online: Visit the Maine BMV site and read the instructions. Click on Go at the bottom. Fill out your information. o You must provide your Social Security Number. Pay the fee of $5. Print out your temporary driver s license. Once you complete the above steps, the BMV office will give you a temporary driver s license which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within two weeks, if you do not receive your license within 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. 23

24 REPLACING BY MAIL If you are unable to visit the BMV office in person due to being out of state, if you are medically incapable, or you don t have the time to visit the BMV office you have the option of replacing your driver s license through the mail. However, you have to make sure that you mail in the form and fee before your expiration date or you will be subjected to an additional $25 fee for any late renewals. It is best to send your form and fee in first class through the mail at least ten days before the expiration date. If you send it through overnight delivery, you must also include a self-addressed pre-paid envelope. Take these steps to replace your driver s license through the mail: Write a letter to the BMV office stating your information, including the following: o Full Name o Date of Birth o Current Address Explain in the letter the reason why you need to replace your driver s license and what happened to the original license. OR Fill out the Request for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Operator s License or Identification Card form. Pay the fee of $5 with a check payable to the Secretary of State. Mail the letter and fee to the following address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles License Information Unit 29 State House Station Augusta, ME Your permanent driver s license should arrive in the mail within three weeks, if you do not receive your license within those three weeks please contact the BMV office at extension

25 Tip Remember that if you are 65 years or older, your driver s license will only be valid for four years, but this also means that you are going to save money on your license fees by paying only $21 when you go to obtain, renew, or replace your driver s license. 25

26 Reinstating Your License In order to qualify to reinstate your license, you have must have completed all of the required time for your restraining order. The BMV department will only reinstate your driver s license if you complete all of the necessary requirements to remove any restraining orders from your license. To begin, you will be required to pay all of your fees, fines, as well as any court fees. To do this you can visit a branch BMV office and pay in person, pay through the phone, or online through the PayTixx service. Paying online however, will often require that you wait approximately a minimum of ten days before your violation shows up on the system. There are many reasons why you might have a suspended driver s license which, therefore, means there are multiple ways to reinstate your driver s license, it all depends on the situation. This is why the BMV office will mail you a suspension notice explaining the reason and duration of your suspension as well as your eligibility for an administrative hearing to reinstate your driver s license, and it may take up to two business days before your suspension is lifted after making the payments. If you need any further information or clarification regarding your suspended license, or you would like to request a copy of the suspension notice please contact the BMV at during its regular business hours of Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can do the above, as well as schedule an administrative hearing by sending a letter to the BMV office with your full name, date of birth, and address, stating what you require to the following address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver License Services Division 29 State House Station Augusta, ME However, if you are requesting a copy of the suspension notice, you will be required to include the date the suspension occurred as well as a fee of $10, or if you wish the copy to be faxed the fee will be $2. A certified copy of the suspension notice will cost an extra $1. If you would like to see all rules regarding administrative hearings, you can obtain them either by requesting one by mail or online. You can also obtain your driving record by mail or online, which will display all records of your driving violations, suspensions, revocations and/or general driving history during the 26

27 last three years for $5 or the last ten years for $10 by clicking here. All it will require is that provide your license number or your name, date of birth, a valid Visa or MasterCard credit card. You can also need to have a printer to be able to print your record. Tip There are many reasons you might have a suspended driver s license which, therefore, means there are multiple ways your driver s license can be suspended, it all depends on the situation. For more information on what to do in order to reinstate your driver s license please contact the Maine BMV at

28 Getting a Maine ID Card If you are not able to or not interested in obtaining a driver s license, it is then important that you consider getting an ID card instead. An ID card is essential because it is the easiest way in which someone else can identify you when necessary, whether it be an authority figure, such as the police, or if you simply need to provide proof of your identity, such as at the BMV office. Getting your first ID card is a very important part of life that does not require any exams, or extensive waiting periods. It s a simple process that takes no more than these few steps: Visit the BMV office. Fill out the Application for State of Maine Identification Card form. ProvideTWO proofs of your identity: o Birth Certificate o Valid U.S. Passport Provide ONE proof of your legal presence. o Valid U.S. Passport o Birth Certificate Provide ONE proof of your Maine residency. o Utility Bill o Tax Bill Provide ONE proof of your Social Security Number. Pay the fee of $5. Once you complete the above steps the BMV office will give you a temporary ID card which will be valid for 60 days. Your permanent ID card should arrive in the mail within two weeks. If you do not receive your ID card within those 60 days, please contact the BMV office at extension

29 Click to see all acceptable documents you can use to provide proof of your residency, proof of your identity, and for your legal presence. If you would like to take a look at the steps to take in order to renew or replace your ID card, please refer to the Renew Your License section and the Replace Your License section. Tip Making an appointment for any BMV visit is always advised in order to avoid long lines and the stress of waiting. 29

30 Vehicle Safety Tips Before getting behind the wheel, it s important that the vehicle is prepared for any trip. This means checking the safety features and making any needed changes to your vehicle to guarantee a safe drive. EMERGENCY KIT One of the essentials to safe driving is having a basic emergency kit available in your vehicle at all times. This kit should include items such as water, extra batteries, rope, First Aid kit, matches and a whistle. During the winter months, it is also important to carry items such as blankets, non-perishable foods, extra gloves and socks, and a shovel. WINTER DRIVING One of the most dangerous times to drive is during the winter, especially if you live in an area that snows or is prone to ice. Consider these tips below to drive safely during the winter. Don t Rush! Roads are often covered in snow and ice after it snows. Instead of driving fast and risking an accident as you hurry to get to your destination, try leaving a few minutes earlier than usual. This will allow you to drive slower and avoid other dangerous drivers without being late for your appointment. Don t Panic If You Skid or Slip In the event that your vehicle does skid or slip while driving, make sure you do not panic and slam down on your brakes. Instead, apply slow and even pressure on your brakes until you stop. This will prevent you from spinning further out of control. Check Your Vehicle Before you leave your house make sure your vehicle s controls, brakes, tank, tires, antifreeze, and exhaust are all in working order. It is also important that you remove any ice and snow from your car before you begin driving; this prevents the snow from blocking your view while you drive, or worse, flying off and hitting someone while in motion! 30

31 DRINKING AND DRIVING Every year thousands are killed as a result of drinking and driving. These events can be prevented; it only requires that you plan ahead of time by taking certain steps. Before you begin drinking, arrange for someone else to be the designated driver. If they also become intoxicated, it is important that you take a taxi. Never allow someone drunk to drive, instead take away their keys and call for alternative transportation. If you see someone who you suspect is drunk and showing signs of intoxication while driving such as making wide turns, weaving, swerving, braking erratically or turning abruptly call and contact authorities immediately. Also make sure to avoid them on the road to ensure your own safety. This could mean you pulling over until they are at a safe distance from your car. USING YOUR PHONE Driving while using your cell phone is one of the most dangerous things you can do. During those few seconds that your attention is diverted to your phone, a major accident could occur. Make sure you don t text, use the internet on your phone, or receive calls while you drive to prevent accidents as best as possible. THINGS TO AVOID Driving isn t always a relaxing experience. There are certain actions that can be both an annoyance and dangerous to you while driving on the road. These things are often avoidable if you make sure to take the necessary steps towards preventing them, as well as stopping them after you discover them to be occurring. Car Accidents One way to avoid car accidents is to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and will not cause you any problems. To do this, regularly check that your brakes are functioning properly, your tires are inflated and not worn out, and that the steering and suspensions are checked by a mechanic. Wasting Gas If you drive often, start looking for ways to save on those expensive trips to the pump. Saving on gas is something that is possible if you take a few steps towards ensuring you save some money in the long run. Some of the ways that you can start saving gas are turning off the air conditioning, not leaving your engine running or speeding above 60 mph. These things are preventable 31

32 and not necessary for you to drive, therefore you can quickly reduce the amount of gas you waste. Another way to save on gas is to make sure that your vehicle is functioning properly. You can do this by checking that your tires are properly inflated, your engine is well-tuned, and that your octane level is the correct amount to your vehicle s needs. Aggressive Driving Aggressive driving and drivers are both things that should be avoided to prevent onroad aggression or accidents. Aggressive driving is categorized as exhibiting behaviors such as aggressive tailgating, verbal or physical harassment towards another driver, or preventing another driver from merging or passing. If you are an aggressive driver, you are putting others at risk every time you do any of the above behaviors. When you encounter a frustrating situation on the road, instead of becoming aggressive, take a moment, breathe, and continue moving. 32

33 Official Forms Non-Commercial Class C Application Form (MVE 64 Form) Driving Log Request for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Operator s License or Identification Card Application for State of Maine Identification Card 33

34 BMV Hours and Locations If you ever need to visit a BMV office in person, it is essential that you find the office nearest to you to avoid having to travel too far. Since there are so many BMV offices in Maine its easier if you search for a BMV office based either by the nearest location or the service you need from the BMV office. In order to find the BMV closest to your location, along with driving instructions and contact information, please click here. All the Maine BMV offices are open during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, except on holidays. If you would like to contact the Maine BMV, you can call these numbers during their hours of operation to talk to a representative: Phone Number: Fax: TTY Number Relay: 711 In the case that you may need it, you are able to mail the Maine BMV offices through these address: Bureau of Motor Vehicles Patty Morneault, Deputy Secretary of State 29 State House Station Augusta, Maine Or if you would like to visit the main BMV office in person you simply need to go to this address: 101 Hospital Street Augusta, Maine

35 All BMV offices in Maine are closed during the following holidays: New Year s Day January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 18 President s Day February 15 Patriot s Day April 18 Memorial Day May 30 Independence Day July 4 Labor Day September 5 Columbus Day October 10 Veteran s Day November 11 Thanksgiving Day November 24 Thanksgiving Friday November 25 Christmas Day December 26 35

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