Minimum age for a car driving licence in Maine (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A learner's permit is available from 15 and a licence from 16 in Maine, with driver education required under 18. A 16-year-old with an out-of-state learner's permit may drive in Maine with a qualifying supervisor.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | Applicants aged 15 to 17 must complete an approved driver education course. Applicants under 21 must hold the permit six months and log 70 hours of supervised practice (10 at night). Under 18 a licence carries intermediate restrictions and must be held 270 days before it becomes unrestricted. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A 16-year-old with a valid out-of-state learner's permit may drive in Maine if accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 and has held a licence for at least two years, and must follow Maine's traffic and permit rules. [1] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | An applicant under 21 must hold the learner's permit for at least six months and log 70 hours of practice driving, 10 of them after dark, with a supervising driver aged at least 20 who has held a licence for at least two years. [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A licence issued under 18 is an intermediate licence: for the first 270 days the holder may not drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. [1] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For the first 270 days an intermediate licence holder may not carry passengers other than immediate family members (including certain household members such as exchange students) unless accompanied by a qualifying licensed supervising driver. [1] |
Notes
- This is the age for a restricted licence (intermediate or provisional stage). The restrictions are described under driving before the minimum age.
Sources
- Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles: License Age Restrictions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Maine Legislature: Title 29-A, §1304: Learner's permits (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Maine and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 16 (with driver education) | 15 (learner's permit) | Driver education to 18; 70 hours and 6 months under 21 | 16 with home-state permit and a 20+ supervisor |
| New Hampshire | 16 (youth operator licence) | 15½ (learning to drive, accompanied) | From 16 with driver ed; curfew 1-4 a.m.; passenger limit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Maine
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 6 mature, 12 immature plants
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 45 mph
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2 and 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 2 and 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed stores; 21+) · Minimum age to buy: 21
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed 'dangerous' knives barred; folding not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Former "dangerous knife" ban repealed (2015)
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.10 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed, drivers 18+ with full licence
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (a minor is under 21) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (a minor is under 21)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00 (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.