Maine driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Maine Driver’s License Manual and, where the manual is silent, the Maine Revised Statutes: Title 29-A, Chapter 1: General Provisions, Title 29-A, Chapter 5 (§§ 351–526): Vehicle Registration, Title 29-A, Chapter 11 (except § 1253): Driver's License, Title 29-A, Chapter 13 (§§ 1551–1653): Financial Responsibility and Insurance, Title 29-A, Chapter 15 (§§ 1751–1760, 1766, 1768, 1770, 1851–1862): Inspection and Abandoned Vehicles, Title 29-A, Chapter 17: Equipment, Title 29-A, Chapter 19: Operation, Title 29-A, Chapter 20: Bicycle and Roller Skis Safety Education Act, Title 29-A, Chapter 21 (§§ 2385, 2396, 2397): Protection of Ways, Title 29-A, Chapter 23 (except § 2523): Major Offenses -- Suspension and Revocation, Title 28-A, Chapter 81: Prohibited Acts by Minors, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 4 October 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
Maine's manual says municipal ordinances commonly ban parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. Firefighters lose minutes when a car blocks the hydrant their hose needs.
Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 4 Oct 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
Maine's manual says municipal ordinances commonly ban parking within 15 feet of a crosswalk. A car parked at the crosswalk hides a child stepping out from drivers coming up.
Within 15 feet of a crosswalk.
As of 4 Oct 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
Maine's manual says municipal ordinances commonly ban parking within 15 feet of a driveway entrance to a fire station, or directly across from the entrance. A fire truck pulling out needs room to swing wide into the road.
Within 15 feet of a driveway entrance to a fire station or directly across from the entrance.
As of 4 Oct 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
When done parking, you should be about 6 inches from the curb, and not more than 18 inches away. A car parked far from the curb sticks out into the lane where cars pass.
You should be about 6 inches from the curb but not more than 18 inches away from the curb when done parking.
As of 4 Oct 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
In Maine, if you approach a stopped school bus with red lights flashing from either direction, you must stop to the front or rear of the bus and wait while children get on or off. A child crossing in front of the bus steps into the lane of a driver who thought only cars behind must stop.
If you are approaching a stopped school bus from either direction, with its red lights flashing, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop to the front or to the rear of the school bus and wait while children are getting on or off the bus.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
Under Maine's move-over law, when you come upon an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, you must slow, yield, and if possible move over to the next lane. Police and rescue crews standing beside a stopped car are hit by drivers who stay in the near lane.
When you encounter an emergency vehicle that is stopped on the roadside you must slow and yield the right-of-way.
As of 4 Oct 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
In Maine, it is unlawful to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck responding to a fire alarm. A car riding behind a fire truck can block other rescue vehicles and get in the way at the fire.
It is unlawful to follow within 500 feet of any fire truck responding to a fire alarm.
As of 4 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
By Maine law, you must turn on your headlights whenever visibility is too dim to see 1,000 feet ahead. On a gray day a car without lights blends into the road and is seen too late.
By Maine law whenever visibility is too dim for you to see 1000 feet ahead or at any time when windshield wipers are in constant use you must turn on the headlights
As of 4 Oct 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
In Maine you must dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle comes within 500 feet. High beams in an oncoming driver's eyes leave that driver blind as you pass.
When a vehicle equipped with multiple beam road lights approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet or follows a vehicle within 300 feet, the operator shall dim the headlights or switch to a low beam and shall turn off a fog auxiliary light.
As of 4 Oct 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
In Maine, passengers 18 and older must be properly secured in a seat belt, and so must the operator. An adult passenger with no belt can be thrown into the driver and others in a crash.
When a person 18 years of age or older is a passenger in a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts that passenger must be properly secured in a seat belt.
As of 4 Oct 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
Under Maine law, a child who weighs less than 55 pounds must be properly secured in a child safety seat. An adult belt on a small child rides up on the neck and belly instead of the bones.
When a child who weighs less than 55 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with safety belts, the operator must have the child properly secured in a child safety seat.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
In Maine, driving with an alcohol level of 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath is the criminal offense of operating under the influence (OUI). Below that level you can still be impaired, but at it the law no longer weighs how you drove.
If you are the operator of a motor vehicle and are driving with an alcohol level of 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath, you are guilty of a criminal offense of operating under the influence (see description below).
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A driver under 21 found driving with any amount of alcohol in their blood, or refusing the test, loses their license for at least 1 year. One beer at a party can cost a teen a full year of rides from parents.
If you are ever found to be operating a motor vehicle with any amount of alcohol in your blood (or refuse to submit to the blood or breath test) you will lose your driver's license for at least one year, and if convicted of OUI, receive a fine and possibly a jail sentence.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
If you refuse an alcohol test, your license is immediately suspended by the Secretary of State for up to 6 years. If refusing cost less than failing, every drunk driver would refuse.
The suspension will be for a period of up to six years by the Secretary of State.
As of 4 Oct 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
1. Prohibition. A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a public way while using, manipulating, talking into or otherwise interacting with a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone, including but not limited to the use of a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone while the vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or a stop sign, unless:
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2121(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
May you text while driving?
2. Prohibition. A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a public way while engaging in text messaging, including but not limited to when the motor vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or a stop sign. A person may engage in text messaging while in the operator's seat of a motor vehicle if the person has pulled the motor vehicle over to the side of, or off, a public way and has halted in a location where the motor vehicle can safely remain stationary. Nothing in this section prohibits a person employed as a commercial driver or a school bus driver from using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone within the scope of the person's employment as permitted under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2119(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
Signal at least 100 feet before any turn or lane change, and as early as you can. A blinker that starts as you brake gives the car behind almost no warning.
Signal as early as you can-at least 100 feet before any change or turn.
As of 4 Oct 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
In Maine, a right turn on a red light is allowed after stopping, unless a sign says otherwise. A driver who thinks right on red is never allowed blocks the lane, and one who turns without stopping hits a walker.
A right turn at a red light is permitted, after stopping, unless posted otherwise.
As of 4 Oct 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
An operator may not turn a vehicle to proceed in the opposite direction on a curve or on the approach to or near the crest of a grade, where the vehicle can not be seen by the operator of another vehicle approaching in either direction within 500 feet.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2072
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed in a Maine business district, residential district or built-up area is 25 mph. Houses, driveways and children close to the street leave no time to stop at higher speeds.
25 Miles per hour in a business district, residential district, or built-up area of the state.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
Unless posted otherwise, the maximum speed in Maine outside a business, residential or built-up area is 45 mph. Without a default limit, an unsigned country road would have no limit at all.
45 Miles per hour outside any business or residential or built-up area of Maine.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
In a Maine school zone you must slow to 15 mph during recess, when children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours, or when the school speed signs are flashing. A child darting out after the bell can be stopped for at 15 mph, not at 30.
A 5-sided sign means you are in a school zone and must slow to 15 mph during recess, or when children are going to or leaving school, during school opening or closing hours (½ hour before the start of the school day to ½ hour after the end of the school day), or when school speed limit signs are flashing during school opening or closing hours.
As of 4 Oct 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
You may pass on the right when the car you are passing is making a left turn and there is room for two or more lanes to move the same way. A driver stuck behind a left-turner with room to go around holds up a whole line for no reason.
When the car you are passing is making a left turn and there is room for two or more lanes to move in the same direction.
As of 4 Oct 2026
May you wear headphones while driving?
Maine's manual says to keep the radio turned down and not to wear headsets or ear buds while driving. Your ears can catch a siren or a car in your blind spot that your eyes have not found yet.
Keep the radio turned down and do not wear headsets or ear buds while driving.
As of 4 Oct 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
On a public way, the driver breaks the law if the driver or a passenger in the passenger area drinks alcohol or has an open alcohol container. An open can passed around the car is a short step from the driver taking a sip.
The operator of a vehicle on a public way is in violation of law if the operator or a passenger in the passenger area of the vehicle consumes alcohol or possesses an open alcoholic container.
As of 4 Oct 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
In Maine you must be at least 15 years old to get a learner's permit. A child too young to judge speed and distance would be learning in live traffic.
You must be at least 15 years of age.
As of 4 Oct 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
In Maine, an applicant under 21 must hold a learner's permit for 6 months before applying for a road test. A learner who rushes to the test has not yet met snow, rain and dark roads with a coach beside them.
Before a person under 21 years of age can apply for a road test, that person must have held a learner's permit for 6 months from the date of issue of the learner's permit and must complete a minimum of 70 hours of driving, including 10 hours of night driving, while accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years of age and has held a valid license for 2 years.
As of 4 Oct 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
In Maine, a learner's permit holder may drive only with a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old. A teenage friend in the passenger seat has too little experience to catch a learner's mistake.
Any resident who has a valid learner's permit may drive if they are accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years of age and has held a valid license for a minimum of 2 years.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
A Maine driver under 18 may not drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Late-night roads have more tired and drunk drivers, and a new driver is least able to cope with them.
A person under 18 years of age who has been issued a Maine driver's license may not:
As of 4 Oct 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
A Maine driver under 18 may not carry passengers other than immediate family unless a licensed driver at least 20 years old, licensed 2 years, sits beside them. A car full of friends pulls a new driver's eyes and mind off the road.
A person under 18 years of age who has been issued a Maine driver's license may not:
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first OUI conviction with an alcohol level of 0.08 to 0.14 carries a mandatory fine of at least $500, or $600 with a refusal. A fine that size makes the cab fare home look cheap.
1st Court Conviction If you are convicted of OUI and your alcohol level is 0.08 to 0.14 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath:
As of 4 Oct 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
For a driver 21 or older, a first OUI conviction costs you your license for at least 150 days. Five months without a license means rides to school and work every day.
1st Court Conviction If you are convicted of OUI and your alcohol level is 0.08 to 0.14 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath:
As of 4 Oct 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
A-1. The license of a person with one OUI offense may be reinstated after 30 days of the suspension period has been served if the person has installed for the length of time remaining for the suspension an ignition interlock device approved by the Secretary of State in the motor vehicle the person operates.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2508(1)(A-1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
Tougher first-offense OUI penalties apply if your alcohol level is 0.15 or more, you are going 30 mph or more over the limit, you try to elude an officer, you refuse the test, or you carry a passenger under 21. Each of these makes a drunk driver more dangerous, so each raises the price.
If you are convicted of OUI and your alcohol level is 0.15 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath or more; or you are traveling 30 mph or more over the speed limit; or you attempt to elude an officer of the law; or you refuse to take an alcohol level test; or you have a passenger under the age of 21 in the vehicle:
As of 4 Oct 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
For purposes of this chapter, a prior conviction or action has occurred within the 10-year period if the date of the action or the date the sentence is imposed is 10 years or less from the date of the new conduct.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2402
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
Under the Maine point system, a driver's license is suspended when the point total reaches 12 or more. A driver racking up ticket after ticket would never face a stop without a ceiling.
Once certain point levels are reached (currently 6 points), a warning is issued by the Secretary of State, and if the point total reaches 12 points or more the driver's license will be suspended.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the fine for texting while driving?
A. A person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $250 may be adjudged.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2119(3)(A)
As of 8 Oct 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
1. Requirement. The following persons must wear protective headgear: A. If under 18 years of age, a passenger on a motorcycle or moped or in an attached side car; B. If under 18 years of age, an operator of a motorcycle or moped; C. An operator of a motorcycle or moped, operating under a learner's permit or within one year of successfully completing a driving test; and D. A passenger of an operator required to wear headgear. This subsection does not apply to the operation of an autocycle.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2083(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
C. A side window or rear window is composed of, covered by or treated with a material that allows a light transmittance of less than 35% net of glass and material; or
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 1916(1)(C)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
When passing a bicyclist in Maine, leave at least 3 feet between the right side of your vehicle and the bicyclist. A mirror passing inches from a handlebar can knock a rider into the curb.
Leave at least three feet of passing space between the right side of your vehicle and a bicyclist as you overtake them.
As of 4 Oct 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
On a road with three or more lanes one way, the left lane is for passing or turning left, and the right lane is for slower drivers and those entering or turning off. A slow car in the left lane makes passing drivers weave around it on the right.
The right lane is used by drivers who go slower or who are entering or turning off the road.
As of 4 Oct 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
C. Be in the amount or limit of at least: (1) For damage to property, $25,000; (2) For injury to or death of any one person, $50,000; (3) For one accident resulting in injury to or death of more than one person, $100,000; (4) For medical payments pursuant to section 1605‑A, $2,000; and (5) For towing and storage charges pursuant to section 1605‑B, $500.
Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 1605(1)(C)
As of 8 Oct 2026
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