REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN MAINE

There are a variety of reasons why your Maine driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Maine driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Maine operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 12 or more points on your current driver record, your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your Maine driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If your blood alcohol content is more than 0.08% then your license will be suspended for 1 year. If you refuse to take the test, your license will be suspended for at least 18 months. If your co-passenger is under 21 years of age, an additional 180 days will be added to your suspension period. For a 1st time offense, your license will be suspended for 90 days, for a 2nd, 18 months. A 3rd offense, 4 years and a 4th offense will result in your license being taken away for 6 years. You may have to serve time in jail in addition to this and pay fines. If you refuse to take the test, your license will be automatically suspended for 6 years without a hearing.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving. Your license will be suspended for 60 days for this offense.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Maine must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Maine driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Bureau of Motor Vehicles can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.
• Evading a Police Officer: If you are found guilty, your license will be suspended for 90 days.
• 30-day Suspension Period: The following traffic violations will result in your license being suspended for a month: not stopping for a police officer, fleeing from the scene of an accident and not giving aid, driving along without a learner’s permit, passing a school bus that has stopped, going more than 30mph over the speed limit, lending your license, making changes to your license or registration certificate, illegal use of your license, giving untrue/incorrect information to a police officer, giving incorrect information while applying for your license.
• License Revocation: Your license will be automatically revoked if while using a motor vehicle, you are committing crimes that include an offensive attack, aggravated attack, criminal or reckless behavior. Revocations can last for 1 to 3 years.

For specific information about your suspended license, refer to your suspension notice or contact the Maine BMV at (207) 624-9000.

ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR MAINE DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

Having your Maine driver’s license suspended is a serious matter, and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. The most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. You can surrender your license in person at a BMV office, or mail it to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Driver License Services Division

29 State House Station

Augusta, Maine 04333-0029

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Maine BMV.
• You may apply for a hardship license if you are able to establish:
  • You are unable to get to work or school.
  • You held a valid driver’s license for 2 years before your suspension.
  • Your suspension was not ordered by a court.

If your license was suspended because you defaulted on child support payments, you will need to contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for a hardship license.

CHECK YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

OBTAIN A RESTRICTED MAINE DRIVERS LICENSE

Depending on the circumstances of your suspension, you may be eligible for a restricted license, which allows you to drive to and from authorized locations, including: Work, School, Medical appointments. To request a restricted driver’s license:

• Complete a Work-Restricted Driver’s License Petition (Form DI-28).
• Mail your request to the address on the form.

NOTE: You may need to satisfy your reinstatement requirements before you can obtain a restricted license. For more information, please contact the Maine BMV at (207) 624-9000 or TTY: Maine relay 711.

MAINE SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If you receive a notice of suspension from the BMV and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. An administrative law judge or the BMV representative will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended or not. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes 3 points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. It is also a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.

To request a Maine DMV administrative hearing for Driving Record Point Suspensions, you can either: Call: (207) 624-9000 ext. 52113. TTY: Maine relay 711. OR visit the Augusta DMV office on Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1:00-3:30 p.m. (located at the address listed below.)

To request an administrative hearing for Other Suspensions:

• Make a written request that includes: your full name, birth date, phone number, mailing address, driver license number, and brief reason for your request.
• Mail your request to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Division of Legal Affairs Adjudications & Hearings

29 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333

NOTE: Maine BMV administrative hearings have no effect on court decisions.

REINSTATE YOUR MAINE DRIVER’S LICENSE

You will receive a notice from the BMV after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. Generally, you will need to:

• Pay reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License” below.) The fee can be paid in person at a BMV office. You can also mail a check or money order payable to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Driver License Services Division

29 State House Station

Augusta, Maine 04333-0029

• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.
• Satisfy all your court requirements, if applicable.
• Submit a SR22 or proof of insurance with the ME BMV, if necessary.
• Complete an alcohol education program, if necessary.
• Retake the driving knowledge and skills tests.

Refer to your suspension notice or contact your local Maine DMV office for specific reinstatement information.

Note that after your license is restored, you may be subject to a probation period during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Maine driver’s license.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR SUSPENDED MAINE LICENSE

Your reinstatement fees will vary depending on the reason for your driver’s license suspension. Below are reinstatement fees that may apply.

• Alcohol-related suspensions: $100.
• Other suspensions: $50.

NOTE: You may also need to pay additional court fines and fees, depending on your offense. You can pay your Maine BMV reinstatement fees: In person at your local Maine BMV office OR By calling: (207) 624-9000. TTY: Maine relay 711.

For specific fees to reinstate your suspended driver’s license, refer to your suspension notice, or contact the Maine BMV.

Acceptable Forms of Payment:

The Maine BMV accepts the following methods of payment for your suspended license reinstatement:

• In person: Contact your local Maine BMV office.
• By phone: VISA and MasterCard credit/debit card.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN MAINE

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. If your commercial driver’s license (CDL) was disqualified or suspended by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), you’ll need to satisfy your disqualification requirements to have it reinstated. By law, you must notify your employer within 30 days of committing a traffic offense or by the end of the next business day after receiving a disqualification notice.

Your CDL may be disqualified for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. The duration of your CDL suspension and reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your offense and whether or not your non-commercial driving privileges are also suspended. Disqualifying violations include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
• Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.
• Reckless driving and excessive speeding.
• Violating out-of-service orders.
• Driving without the proper endorsements.
• Driving a commercial vehicle without your CDL in your possession.

NOTE: If you were convicted of a crime for your violation, you may face court penalties and fines in addition to your Maine BMV disqualification.

The Maine BMV will mail you a suspension/disqualification notice when your CDL is suspended or pending suspension. For specific information about your suspended license, refer to your suspension notice or contact the Maine BMV at (207) 624-9000.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) PENALTIES IN MAINE

Your CDL and commercial driving privileges are subject to state and federal regulations, including disqualifications lasting:

• 1 year for a 1st violation of a major offense, such as:
  • DUI or drug-related offenses.
  • Refusing to submit to a BAC test.
  • Hit and runs and leaving the scene of a truck accident.
  • Using your commercial vehicle to commit a felony.
• 3 years for a 1st violation of a major offense, while transporting hazardous materials.
• A lifetime for a 2nd violation of a major offense.
• 60 to 120 days for multiple serious traffic violations within 3 years.
• 60 to 120 days for railroad highway grade crossing violations.

NOTE: You will be charged with a DUI if you are caught driving your commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. For a complete list of penalties and reasons for suspensions, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

CHECK YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

MAINE CDL SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If you want to contest your CDL disqualification, you may be able to request an administrative hearing. Your Maine BMV disqualification notice will inform you whether or not you are eligible to request one. To request an administrative hearing for suspensions caused by excessive driving record points, you can either call: (207) 624-9000 ext. 52113. TTY: Maine relay 711. OR visit the Augusta DMV office on Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1:00-3:30 p.m. (located at the address below.)

To request an administrative hearing for all other disqualifications/suspensions:

• Make a written request that includes: your full name, date of birth, phone number, mailing address, driver’s license number, and reason for your request.
• Mail your request to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Division of Legal Affairs

Adjudications & Hearings

29 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333

NOTE: Administrative hearings have no effect on court decisions.

REINSTATE YOUR MAINE CDL 

The requirements to reinstate your CDL will vary depending on the reason for your disqualification and whether or not your non-commercial driving privileges are also suspended. To reinstate your commercial driver’s license, you may need to:

• Satisfy your court requirements, if applicable.
• Complete an alcohol education program, if required.
• Retake and pass the commercial driver knowledge and skills tests.
• Pay a reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your CDL in Maine” below.)

Refer to your suspension notice or contact the Maine BMV for specific reinstatement requirements for your situation.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR MAINE CDL 

CDL reinstatement fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your offense. General Maine BMV reinstatement fees include:

• DUI and BAC test refusal suspensions: $100.
• Other suspensions/disqualifications: $50.

Refer to your suspension notice or contact the Maine BMV for specific fees you need to pay to reinstate your CDL. Additional fees may apply. You may also need to pay additional court penalties and fees if you were convicted of a crime.

Maine BMV reinstatement fees can be paid in person at your local Maine BMV office or by phone: (207) 624-9000. TTY: Maine relay 711.

You can pay your reinstatement fees in person: Contact your local Maine BMV office for accepted forms of payment; or by phone: VISA, MasterCard credit/debit cards.