Maine lets teens start with a learner's permit at age 15, and the path to a full license is built around lots of practice and a long probationary stretch. Rules change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (maine.gov/sos/bmv) and the official Maine driver's manual.
Age and the permit test
The minimum age for a learner's permit is 15. You will take a knowledge test based on the Maine driver's manual. Ask the BMV for the current format, since we do not list question counts or passing scores that are not officially confirmed. Maine's rules on signs, snow and ice, and rural roads show up in the manual, so read it with Maine winters in mind.
Practice hours and supervision
- 70 hours of supervised practice are required, and 10 of them must be at night.
- You must hold the permit for 6 months before taking the road test.
- Your supervisor must be at least 20 years old and have held a license for at least 2 years.
Because the supervisor rule has two parts, an older sibling who is 20 but only licensed for a year does not qualify. Check this before you hand over the keys.
Seventy hours across six months is about three hours a week. Put drives on a weekly calendar and log each one right away, including the 10 night hours.
Restrictions after you are licensed
Maine uses a 270-day restricted period for new young drivers. During graduated licensing there is also a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. Other limits, such as passenger rules, are set out by the BMV, so read the current license age restrictions page instead of relying on older advice. These numbers are common test material, so memorize them.
How to prepare
- Read the Maine driver's manual one section at a time and take notes on every number.
- Build a fact card: 15, 70, 10, 6 months, 20, 2 years, midnight to 5 a.m., 270 days.
- Study winter driving, such as stopping distances on ice and snow, since Maine questions reflect local conditions.
- Take practice tests and review each miss before moving on.
- Practice parking and backing in an empty lot so your first road drives feel calmer.
What to bring
Bring the documents listed by the BMV for your age, and expect a parent or guardian to be involved if you are under 18. Fees and acceptable documents change, so confirm them on maine.gov/sos/bmv before you go and do not rely on a number you heard from a friend.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the Maine test covers.