How to get your license back after a DUI in Maine
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Department of the Secretary of State) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the suspension (the greater of the administrative and court suspensions)
The BMV lists a 150-day administrative suspension for a first OUI (which could be reduced to 30 days with an ignition interlock device), 275 days for a first refusal, 3 years for a second OUI (reducible to 9 months with an interlock), 6 years for a third and 8 years for a fourth or subsequent. The BMV states the administrative suspension could be longer than the court suspension and the greater of the two must be served.
What the source says
“Note: Your administrative suspension could be longer than the suspension ordered by the court. You will be required to serve the greater of the two.”
- 2
Complete the Driver Education Evaluation Program (DEEP) if required
The BMV states that for all administrative suspensions (with some refusal exceptions) the person may be required to complete a driver education evaluation program (DEEP). 29-A M.R.S. §2504 provides that after the suspension period and on written notice of satisfactory completion of the alcohol and drug program required by 5 M.R.S. §20073-B, the Secretary of State may issue a license subject to conditions.
What the source says
“In addition, for all administrative suspensions (there are some refusal exceptions) you may be required to complete a driver education evaluation program (DEEP).”
- 3
For early reinstatement with an ignition interlock: file the petition, obtain written approval, then install
The BMV states that a person who qualifies for restoration with an ignition interlock device must file a petition with the Secretary of State and receive written approval before having the device installed; there is a $50 application fee. The BMV describes installation as voluntary for early restoration; a first offender may be reinstated after 30 days of the 150-day suspension with the device for the remaining term.
What the source says
“A person who qualifies for restoration with an ignition interlock device must file a petition (see the form below) with the Secretary of State and receive written approval prior to having the device installed. There is a $50 application fee to apply for ignition interlock.”
- 4
Repeat offenders: give proof of financial responsibility
Under 29-A M.R.S. §1603(2), when the court record shows an OUI conviction and the person was previously convicted of OUI within a 10-year period, the Secretary of State may not reinstate the license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility; §1603(3) requires it to be maintained for at least 3 years. The BMV Motorist Handbook states the same rule for 2nd and subsequent OUI offenders. A first OUI is not a listed trigger.
What the source says
“On receipt of an attested copy of the court record of an OUI conviction when the person has been previously convicted within a 10-year period of OUI, the Secretary of State may not reinstate the person's license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility.”
- 5
Pay all reinstatement fees, fines and court fees
The BMV states all reinstatement fees, fines and court fees must be paid before the license can be reinstated, payable at any branch office, by phone, or online (a $5 processing fee applies online). Under 29-A M.R.S. §2486(1-A) the OUI reinstatement fee is $50; under §2508(1) a person reinstated with an ignition interlock pays an additional $50 administrative fee.
What the source says
“All reinstatement fees, fines and court fees must be paid before your driver's license can be reinstated. No reinstatement fees apply to medical suspensions.”
Official reinstatement page: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Department of the Secretary of State)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $50 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Repeat offenses only · 3 years — Maine SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | Maine interlock rule |
| Required program | Driver Education Evaluation Program (DEEP) — the alcohol and other drug program of the Department of Health and Human Services (5 M.R.S. §20073-B) |
| Driving during the suspension | Work-restricted license (29-A M.R.S. §2503) |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: not addressed by the agency · road test: not addressed by the agency |
Required program: Driver Education Evaluation Program (DEEP) — the alcohol and other drug program of the Department of Health and Human Services (5 M.R.S. §20073-B)
The BMV OUI page states that for all administrative suspensions (with some refusal exceptions) the person may be required to complete a driver education evaluation program (DEEP). 29-A M.R.S. §2411(5)(D) directs the court to order a person sentenced for OUI to participate in the alcohol and other drug program of the Department of Health and Human Services (the court may waive it if the defendant completed treatment after the offense); §2504 allows the Secretary of State to issue a conditional or restricted license after the suspension on written notice of completion of the program required by 5 M.R.S. §20073-B; §2503(2)(C) suspends a work-restricted license if the program is not completed by the end of the statutory suspension period.
“In addition, for all administrative suspensions (there are some refusal exceptions) you may be required to complete a driver education evaluation program (DEEP).”
Driving during the suspension: Work-restricted license (29-A M.R.S. §2503)
Under 29-A M.R.S. §2503(1), on a petition from a person under administrative suspension under §2453, §2453-A, or §2472(3)(B) or (C) for a first offense, the Secretary of State may stay the suspension and issue a work-restricted license if the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that a license is necessary between the residence and a place of employment or in the scope of employment (or to an educational facility for §2472 suspensions), that no alternative means of transportation is available, and that the petitioner has not within 10 years been under suspension for an OUI offense or under §2453 or §2453-A. Under §2503(2), the Secretary of State suspends the work-restricted license for a violation of Title 29-A during its term, a violation of its conditions, or failure to complete the alcohol and drug program by the end of the statutory suspension period. The BMV lists 'Issuance of Work Restricted Licenses for persons convicted of OUI' under its OUI/HO section.
“On receipt of a petition for a work-restricted license ... for a first offense, the Secretary of State may stay a suspension during the statutory suspension period and issue a work-restricted license”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Work-restricted license
When the interlock can be removed
No compliance-based or early-removal provision was found. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1), the device is installed 'for the length of time remaining for the suspension' (first offense: after 30 days of the suspension; second: after 9 months; third: after 3 years; fourth or more: after 4 years), so the interlock period ends with the statutory suspension period. The BMV states the device is maintained for the remaining term of suspension for a first offender and for two years for a second offender. Under §2508(4), the Secretary of State suspends the license of a person reinstated under the section who is adjudicated of the traffic infraction in §2508(3) or who the Secretary of State determines violated any condition of reinstatement. No official source names a removal authorization procedure or removal fee cap; the BMV refers to separate rules governing ignition interlock devices available on request.
Compliance period: none stated; device required for the time remaining on the suspension
“The license of a person with one OUI offense may be reinstated after 30 days of the suspension period has been served if the person has installed for the length of time remaining for the suspension an ignition interlock device approved by the Secretary of State”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Maine
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Not addressed by the agency The Bureau of Motor Vehicles' suspension and OUI pages condition reinstatement on paying the reinstatement fees, fines and court fees and say nothing about a written exam. A revocation is different: the BMV states a revoked license may not be restored or renewed and is regained only by a new application, and its exam page states that anyone applying for a first license or changing classification takes the exams, without saying how an application after a revocation is treated. What the source says“All reinstatement fees, fines and court fees must be paid before your driver's license can be reinstated. No reinstatement fees apply to medical suspensions.” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Not addressed by the agency No BMV suspension, OUI or revocation page mentions a road test. On the exam page the road test is described for new drivers, and the written test and road test may be waived for a holder of a valid out-of-state license. What the source says“Anyone applying for a first license, or anyone changing their license classification must take the exams, but the written test and road test may be waived if you currently hold a valid out-of-state license.” |
| Vision screening | Not addressed by the agency The reinstatement pages do not mention vision. Separately, the BMV requires a vision test of all license applicants, and at renewal an eye test for applicants aged 40 to 45, 52 to 57 and 62 and older, which can be done at no fee at a branch office. What the source says“A vision test is required of all applicants.” |
What triggers a re-test
The BMV distinguishes a suspension, the temporary withdrawal of the license, from a revocation, which terminates it: a revoked license may not be restored or renewed and may only be regained by a new application. No BMV page ties the written test, the road test or the vision screening to either action or to an expiry.
“Revocation of a driver's license means the termination of a license or privilege to operate by formal action of the bureau or court. A revoked license may not be restored or renewed. It may only be regained by a new application.”- Testing fee
- $35 — the Class C permit examination (written test) fee; the Class C license itself is $30 for a 6-year license under age 65, and reinstatement fees are separate
What the source says
“Class C and Motorcycle Permit Examination (Written Test) $35”
- Where to take it
- maine.gov — the written exam and vision screening are taken at a BMV branch office; the road test is requested by mailing the road test request card to the main office in Augusta and is not given until the other tests are passed
- Official driver manual
- Maine Driver's License Manual (Motorist Handbook and Study Guide)
- The rule
- 29-A M.R.S. §1309
“The Secretary of State, having good cause to believe that a licensed operator is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, may require, on at least 5 days prior written notice, that operator to submit to an examination.”
Questions about re-testing in Maine
- Does a Maine OUI suspension mean retaking the written or road test?
- The BMV does not say so. Its suspension and OUI pages state that all reinstatement fees, fines and court fees must be paid before the license is reinstated, and they do not mention a test.
- What changes if the license was revoked rather than suspended?
- The BMV states that a suspension is a temporary withdrawal, while a revocation terminates the license: a revoked license may not be restored or renewed and may only be regained by a new application. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2554 a habitual offender may petition for relief after three years and the Secretary of State may restore the license on appropriate terms and conditions.
- Can the BMV order a re-examination?
- Yes. Under 29-A M.R.S. §1309 the Secretary of State, having good cause to believe a licensed operator is incompetent or otherwise not qualified, may require the operator to submit to an examination on at least five days' written notice, and refusal is ground for suspension.
- Is there a vision test at renewal?
- The BMV's renewal FAQ states that applicants aged 40 to 45, 52 to 57 and 62 and older must have an eye test (29-A M.R.S. §1303), which can be done at no fee at any branch office or mobile unit or at the applicant's own eye care specialist.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Maine
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in Maine
- What has to happen before a Maine license is reinstated after an OUI?
- The Maine BMV states that the greater of the administrative and court suspensions must be served, that a driver education evaluation program (DEEP) may be required for administrative suspensions, and that all reinstatement fees, fines and court fees must be paid before reinstatement. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2486(1-A) the OUI reinstatement fee is $50; §1603(2) adds proof of financial responsibility for a person with a prior OUI within 10 years.
- Can a first offender get a work-restricted license in Maine?
- Under 29-A M.R.S. §2503(1), the Secretary of State may stay a first-offense administrative suspension and issue a work-restricted license if the petitioner shows by clear and convincing evidence that a license is necessary between the residence and employment, that no alternative transportation is available, and that the petitioner has not been under an OUI-related suspension within 10 years. The license is suspended for any violation of its conditions or failure to complete the alcohol and drug program.
- When does the Maine ignition interlock requirement end?
- Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1), the device is installed 'for the length of time remaining for the suspension': a first offender may be reinstated after 30 days of the suspension, a second offender after 9 months, a third after 3 years, and a fourth or subsequent after 4 years. The BMV states the device is kept for the remaining term of suspension (first offense) or two years (second offense). No early-removal rule is stated.
Sources
- Maine BMV: Operating Under the Influence Information (suspension periods, DEEP, greater-of-two rule)
- Maine BMV: Ignition Interlock Device Information (petition, $50 fee, restoration eligibility)
- Maine BMV: License Suspensions & Revocations (fees must be paid; work-restricted licenses for OUI listed)
- 29-A M.R.S. §2508 Ignition interlock device (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §2503 Work-restricted license (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §2504 Conditional or restricted license upon completion of alcohol and drug program (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §2506 Conditional license (0.00 alcohol condition after OUI reinstatement) (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §2411 Criminal OUI (court-ordered alcohol and other drug program) (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §1603 Suspension; proof of financial responsibility after repeat OUI (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §2486 Reinstatement fee (Maine Legislature)