Young driver restrictions, points and suspensions

Key points

1. A licensed driver under 18 may not use a phone or handheld device, or drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “A person under 18 years of age who has been issued a Maine driver's license may not: operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone or handheld electronic devices; operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.;”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

2. A newly licensed minor may carry only immediate family unless a licensed driver who is at least 20 and licensed for 2 years sits beside them.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “carry passengers other than immediate family members unless accompanied by a licensed operator who has held a valid license for 2 years, is at least 20 years of age, is occupying a seat beside the driver”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

3. These restrictions last 270 days from when you pass the road test.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “These restrictions are in effect for a period of 270 days from when road test was passed.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

4. Violating them means a license suspension and a 270 day extension of the restrictions.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “Any violation of the conditions of these restrictions will result in a license suspension and a 270-day extension of the restrictions”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

5. A first license is provisional for 2 years if you are under 21, but only 1 year if you are 21 or older.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “The first license issued to a new applicant under 21 years of age is provisional for a period of two years but only one year for persons at least 21 years of age or older when receiving that first license.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

6. A moving violation while on a provisional license means a 30 day suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “If a person is convicted of a moving violation that occurred while operating with a provisional license, the license will be suspended for 30 days.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

7. At 6 demerit points you get a warning, and at 12 or more points your license is suspended.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-9

   “Once certain point levels are reached (currently 6 points), a warning is issued by the Secretary of State, and if the point total reaches 12 points or more the driver's license will be suspended.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-9

8. Points are erased from your record when they become 1 year old.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-9

   “Points will be erased from a driver's record when they become one year old.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-9

9. A Maine Driving Dynamics course deducts 3 points, once in any 12 month period.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-9

   “will deduct three points from a driver's point total. Anyone may, even with no record, receive credit for successful completion of this course, but points will be deducted only once in any twelve-month period.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-9

10. Three suspensions within 3 years can bring a further suspension of up to 120 days.

    Source: Handbook p. 1-10

    “Any person whose license has been suspended three times within a three-year period by the Secretary of State or by a court may be subject to a further suspension for a period up to 120 days.”
    Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 1-10

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. How long do Maine's restrictions for a newly licensed driver under 18 remain in effect?

   1. One year from the license application
   2. 90 days from permit issuance
   3. 270 days from license issuance
   4. Until the driver turns 21
   Show answer

   270 days from license issuance. Under current Maine law the restrictions last 270 days counted from license issuance, and the period may extend beyond the driver's 18th birthday. Older handbooks count from the date the road test was passed, but the statute was amended in 2019 to use the issuance date. One year and age 21 describe different milestones, and the learner's permit date is not the starting point. A violation adds another 270 days to the restriction period.

2. 2. What licensing consequence follows a violation of Maine's under 18 driver restrictions?

   1. The restriction period is extended by 270 days and may continue beyond age 18
   2. The restrictions end immediately at age 18
   3. The driver receives only a written warning
   4. The permit is renewed for another 2 years without suspension
   Show answer

   The restriction period is extended by 270 days and may continue beyond age 18. A violation brings a license suspension and a 270 day extension of the restrictions. The extension may carry the restrictions beyond the driver's 18th birthday, so turning 18 does not erase an unfinished penalty. A warning alone understates the consequence, and permit renewal is unrelated to this violation rule. The key cue is extension: the violation adds time to the existing restriction period rather than replacing it with a new age based deadline.

3. 3. What can happen to a Maine driver whose license has been suspended three times within three years?

   1. A further suspension of up to 120 days
   2. Nothing beyond the third suspension
   3. Permanent revocation
   4. A $50 fee
   Show answer

   A further suspension of up to 120 days. Any person whose license has been suspended three times within a three year period by the Secretary of State or by a court may be subject to a further suspension for a period of up to 120 days. The added suspension recognizes a pattern rather than a single mistake. Each suspension also carries its own reinstatement fee and any court ordered conditions.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 1: Your Driver's License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.