Maine BMV Learner's Permit: 30-Question Test, $35 Fee, and 7-Step Process (2026)

The Maine learner's permit costs $35 for most applicants. This page covers every fee, what it includes, and where hidden costs show up.

What Are the Steps to Get a Learner's Permit at a Maine BMV Office?

Submit the learner's permit application (MVE-64), provide required ID and residency documents, pay the $35 application/exam fee, take a vision screening, and complete the written test. Maine learner's permit guide

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Applicants under 18 must complete an approved driver education course before receiving a license.
• If under 18, have a parent or legal guardian accompany you for the signing of your license application and awarding of your license.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Provide two identity documents as required by the BMV; ensure one shows your date of birth and follow the Maine BMV ID checklist for acceptable documents.
• Proof of Maine residency.
• If you are under 23, present your birth certificate as one of the identity documents, or follow the BMV's listed alternatives.
• Driver education certificate if under 18.
• $35 application fee.

Step 3: Complete the MVE-64 Application Form

• Use the official MVE-64 form on the Maine BMV Forms and Applications page (maine.gov/sos/bmv/bmv-forms-and-applications) and submit per BMV instructions. Download forms only from maine.gov - third-party sites often serve outdated versions.
• Mail the completed form to Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Driver License Services Division, Examination Section, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029.
• If under 18, ensure a parent/guardian signs the form.

Step 4: Schedule Your BMV Appointment

• After processing, the BMV schedules your written test at the nearest location and mails the appointment notice. Processing timeframes vary - check the BMV "How to Obtain a License" page for current details.
• Use the contact information on the mailed notice for rescheduling. The examination section number is 207-624-9000, ext. 52119.
• Walk-ins are allowed, and wait times may exceed three hours during peak periods in some locations.

Step 5: Study for the Written Test

• Review the Maine Driver's Handbook.
• Practice with online tests covering road rules, signs, and state laws.
• The written knowledge test has 30 questions; you must correctly answer 24 of 30 to pass.

Step 6: Visit the BMV and Take the Test

1. Arrive early with all original documents and copies.
2. Present your appointment notice.
3. Submit your MVE-64 form and documents.
4. Pay the $35 fee.
5. Complete the vision screening.
6. Take the 30-question computer-based knowledge exam.

Step 7: Pass the Test and Receive Your Permit

• You need 24 correct answers to pass.
• If a test needs to be rescheduled, use the contact information on the notice mailed to you. The BMV allows rescheduling without penalty if done at least 48 hours before the exam start time; follow the instructions on your mailed notice for the specific contact.
• Learner's permits are valid for two years. Bring originals for identity, residency, and any medical or vision documents - copies sent by mail do not substitute at the exam window. Permits are not renewable; reapply after expiration.
• You must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a valid license for at least two years. The supervising driver must sit beside the permit holder. Under 21? You must log 70 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours after dark, before you are eligible for the road test.

What Goes Wrong at Maine BMV Offices

At the Biddeford office, a library-printed Form MVE-64 was two revisions out of date. The BMV rejected it on the spot; the clerk printed the current version at the front desk and the applicant resubmitted the same day. Maine tip: library computers cache old files - always download fresh from maine.gov/sos/bmv.

Failing for residency proof is more common than you'd think. In Biddeford, a medical bill was 97 days old - 7 days past Maine's 90-day window. The BMV enforces that cutoff with no exceptions for close calls; a current bill had to be obtained within 5 days and the appointment was forfeited.

Maine's rule that consent must be signed in front of the clerk caught one Auburn applicant off guard. The parent had signed at home; the clerk voided the form. The parent had to appear at the counter in person, and the next available slot was 4 days out.

Application Timeline and Common Mistakes

Common Application Errors:

• Missing Parental Signature: A Lewiston applicant arrived at the BMV on Mollison Way with their completed MVE-64 form, but their parent had only signed in pen, not with the required blue ink as mistakenly believed. The clerk could not accept it, and the teen had to reschedule for a week later when their parent could return.
• Incorrect Residency Proof: A student in Portland tried to use a cell phone bill as proof of Maine residency. The bill was under their parent's name but did not include the student's name. The South Portland BMV office rejected it, requiring a bank statement or utility bill with the applicant's name, causing a two-week delay.
• Outdated Form Version: An applicant in Bangor downloaded the MVE-64 form from an unofficial website months in advance. At their Airport Mall appointment, the BMV staff identified it as an old version. They had to fill out the new form on-site, missing their scheduled test time and having to wait for a walk-in slot later that afternoon.

Which Maine BMV Locations Process Learner's Permit Applications?

Major Maine BMV Locations

• Portland Area: Portland BMV (125 Presumpscot St., Unit 4).
• Bangor Region: Bangor BMV (396 Griffin Road, Suite 202), Ellsworth BMV (24 Church St).
• Augusta/Central Maine: Augusta BMV (285 State St), Lewiston BMV (36 Mollison Way), Waterville BMV.
• Other Cities: Rockland (212 New County Rd), Biddeford, Auburn, Presque Isle.

How to Find and Choose an Office

1. Visit maine.gov/sos/bmv and use the 'Visit Your BMV Branch' tool.
2. Search by ZIP code for nearby offices and verify they offer learner's permit testing.
3. Check for real-time wait times and available appointments.

You can apply at any full-service BMV branch in Maine, regardless of your town of residence.

What to Expect at the Office

Practical Tips for the Application Process

• Use the contact information on the notice mailed to you if a test needs to be rescheduled to avoid showing up for a test that was never scheduled. Applicants in Augusta have avoided wasted trips by calling ext. 52119 a week before their expected appointment date.