Who Can Supervise a Maine Learner's Permit Driver: Age 20, 2-Year License, Front Seat Required (2026)

Who can supervise me when I drive with a learner's permit in Maine?

Your supervising driver must be at least 20 years old and must have held a valid Maine driver's license for the required continuous period - confirm the exact years required with the BMV. Maine learner's permit guide

The supervisor must occupy the front passenger seat beside the learner while the vehicle is in motion.

• ✓ Age 20 or older
• ✓ Valid license held continuously for 2+ years
• ✓ Seated in front passenger seat
• ✓ Sober and alert at all times
• ✓ No handheld phone use while supervising
• ✗ Must not hold a suspended or revoked license
• ✗ Out-of-state license acceptable only if it meets Maine requirements

Supervisor Requirements

• Age: At least 20 years old.
• License: A valid Maine driver's license held for 2+ years.
• Seating: Front passenger seat only.
• Condition: Must be sober and alert.
• Vehicle Class: Licensed to operate the class of vehicle you are driving.

Who Qualifies as a Supervising Driver

There is no specific relationship requirement. Any adult who meets the age, license, and seating rules can be your qualified supervising driver.

Supervisor Responsibilities and Violations

The supervisor is legally responsible during your practice drive. They must watch your driving closely, ensure you follow all traffic laws and permit restrictions, and be ready to intervene.

• They face fines if they allow you to drive outside permit conditions.
• They are accountable if you violate traffic laws.
• Using a phone or being distracted while supervising is a violation.

Examples of supervisor violations:

• Maine's supervisor-license rule caught a Portland family off guard - the parent's DL had expired during a hospitalization and was never renewed. The teen was turned away at intake; an expired parent DL hard-blocks the teen's intake screen at every Maine BMV location. The parent had to renew first, and the next joint slot was about 9 days out.
• A supervisor must be at least 20 years old and hold a valid license. An Augusta teen whose log was certified by a 19-year-old supervisor had the entire 70-hour log rejected by the BMV, causing a 6-month delay in scheduling the road test.
• A Portland parent whose license was under suspension supervised a practice drive. The drive was illegal; the permit holder's road test appointment was canceled and the hours from that session could not be counted.

What Happens with an Unqualified Supervisor

Practice hours logged while supervised by someone who does not meet statutory supervisor requirements will not count toward the required total and may lead to penalties.

• Any logged practice time with an unqualified person will not count toward required hours.
• You and the supervisor can be fined.
• Your learner's permit could be suspended.
• Your road test application may be rejected if BMV staff in Lewiston or Augusta discover invalid supervision during a log review.

Special Rules for Teen Drivers Under 18

• Must complete a driver education course.
• Teen permit holders must complete the statutorily required total supervised driving hours, including the specified night hours. The log must be certified on the official BMV form by a parent or guardian.
• Must hold the permit for 6 months before the road test.
• A legal guardian must provide court documents with the DL Residency Affidavit.

Out-of-State and Professional Supervisors

• Out-of-State: A supervisor with a valid out-of-state license can qualify if they are 20+ and have held that license for 2+ years.
• Professional Instructors: Certified instructors from Maine-approved schools meet all requirements. Their lessons count toward practice hours.

Practical Tips

• Verify your supervisor's license status online with the Maine BMV before logging hours to avoid rejection of your practice log and road test delay.
• Bring your certified 70-hour practice log and guardian affidavit to your road test appointment at the Portland BMV to prevent immediate cancellation due to missing documents.
• Schedule driving school lessons early, especially in rural areas like Ellsworth to secure appointments and complete required hours before your 6-month permit hold period ends.

Additional Notes: Supervisors must not be impaired by alcohol or drugs - that is a Class E crime. The practice log must be certified by a parent, guardian, spouse, or employer on a BMV form, with the name and address of the licensed driver who accompanied the teen for the majority of hours. An out-of-state supervising driver must hold a valid license from their home state and meet Maine's age and license-duration requirements.

Confirm acceptance with the BMV before logging hours.