The Maine permit test is a 30-question written exam, and you need at least 24 correct answers, or 80%, to pass. It is given by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), part of the Secretary of State's office, on a digital testing system at BMV branch offices.
Maine permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (maine.gov/sos/bmv) |
| Minimum age | 15 |
| Questions | 30 |
| Pass mark | 24 correct (80%) |
| Where | One of the BMV's 13 branches with the digital testing system. The BMV schedules you and mails an appointment notice |
| Online test | No. The exam is taken in person |
| Fee | $35 for the Class C permit examination (written test) |
| Languages | Arabic, Canadian French, English, French, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. Since February 1, 2026, a free interpreter is available for other languages |
How many questions are on the Maine permit test?
The BMV says the written exam has 30 questions and you must answer at least 24 correctly. That means you can miss no more than six.
You may see "maine permit test 50 questions" in Google searches. The BMV's own exam page says 30, so trust that number and not a guess from another site.
What's on the Maine permit test
The BMV lists five topics: rules of the road, road signs, pedestrian and bicycle safety, Maine's operating under the influence (OUI) laws, and distracted driving. The Maine Driver's License Manual has practice questions at the end of each chapter, which are a good first check.
- OUI: 0.08 is the limit for adults. Drivers under 21 may not drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.
- Phones: using a handheld phone or electronic device while driving is against the law in Maine. Drivers under 18 may not use these devices at all while driving.
- School buses: passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing can cost you a 30-day suspension.
- Your supervising driver must be over 20 and have held a valid license for at least two years.
- Teens need 70 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night, and must hold the permit 6 months before the road test.
- A permit lasts two years and cannot be renewed. If it expires, you apply again and retake the vision and written exams.
Why so many people use apps for Maine
Several of the top search results for the Maine test are practice apps, not the BMV. Apps are fine for drilling, but the exam is written from the Maine manual. Use the manual for the rules and a practice test to find what you do not know yet.
The supervisor rule has two parts. An older sibling who is 21 but has only been licensed for a year does not qualify yet.
How to study for the Maine permit test
- Download the free Maine Driver's License Manual from maine.gov/sos/bmv and read one chapter a day.
- Answer the practice questions at the end of each chapter before moving on.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Make a one-page sheet of Maine numbers: 15, 70 hours, 10 at night, 6 months, over 20 with 2 years licensed, 0.08.
- Take Maine permit test practice quizzes until you score well above 24 out of 30.
What to bring and how to book
Maine works a little differently. You send in your application and documents first, at a BMV branch or by mail to the Examination Section in Augusta. The BMV then schedules your exam at the location closest to your mailing address and mails you a notice, usually within three weeks. You can reschedule without penalty if you do it at least 48 hours ahead.
The BMV asks for:
- The Learner's Permit application form, from the BMV Forms and Applications page.
- Two forms of identification.
- Proof of Maine residency.
- A driver education certificate, if you are under 18.
- A birth certificate, if you are under 23. A photocopy with the issuing agency's embossed stamp is accepted. A notarized copy is not.
- The $35 fee.
- Your appointment notice on exam day. Copies of ID can be mailed, but bring the originals to the exam.
The vision screening is free at the exam, or your own eye doctor can fill out the BMV's form. Questions go to the BMV exam section at 207-624-9000, ext. 52119.
Can you take the Maine permit test online?
No. The BMV gives the written exam in person at a branch on its digital system. The only online part is studying: the manual and its practice questions are free on maine.gov.
What happens if you fail the Maine permit test?
The BMV does not publish a retake waiting period or a retake fee on its exam pages. Contact the exam section by phone or at Examinations.BMV@maine.gov to set up another exam, and use the time to study the topics you missed.
Maine permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Maine permit test?
30 questions. You need at least 24 correct to pass.
Is the Maine permit test 50 questions?
No. The Maine BMV says the written exam has 30 questions.
How many can you miss on the Maine permit test?
Six. Missing seven or more means you did not reach 24 correct.
How much is the Maine permit test?
The BMV lists $35 for the permit examination (written test).
Can you take the Maine permit test online?
No. It is taken in person at a BMV branch.
