Maine’s Graduated License System*

For everyone’s safety, new drivers must operate under special rules when they obtain their first license. The first license issued to a new applicant under 21 years of age is provisional for a period of 2 years and 1 year for persons at least 21 years of age.

A PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED A DRIVERS LICENSE IS PROHIBITED FROM:

Operating a motor vehicle between the hours of 12AM and 5AM.
Carrying passengers other than immediate family members unless accompanied by a licensed operator who:
- has held a valid driver’s license for the past two years,
- is at least 20 years of age,
- is occupying the seat beside the driver and
- is licensed to operate the class of vehicle being operated by the licensee.Immediate family member means grandparent, step-grandparent, parent, step-parent, spouse, child, step-child, brother, sister, step-brother, or stepsister.
Operating a motor vehicle while using a hand-held device (including a cell phone)

These restrictions are in effect for a period of 180 days from passing the road. Violation of the conditions of these restrictions will result in a 180 day extension of the restrictions noted above and may extend beyond the 18th birthday.

VIOLATIONS

If a driver violates traffic safety laws during the provisional period, his or her license will be suspended:

30 days for the first offense
60 days for the second offense
90 days for the third offense

Longer suspensions are possible depending on the particular violation.

*as of June 2008