Points, tickets and licence suspension in Maine

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain how Maine demerit points build up and drop off.
• You can say what happens at 6 and 12 points.
• You can describe how a Driving Dynamics course reduces points.
• You can list offenses that bring a suspension without reaching 12 points.
• You can explain the extra suspension rules for provisional license holders.

What you need to know and understand

• The Secretary of State sends a warning at 6 points. At 12 points or more your license will be suspended.
• Points are erased when they are one year old.
• Completing the 5-hour Maine Driving Dynamics course or another approved driver improvement course removes 3 points, no more than once in any 12 months.
• Each calendar year with no convictions or suspensions earns one violation-free credit, up to 4.
• Three suspensions within three years can bring a further suspension of up to 120 days.
• Failing to appear in court or pay a traffic fine leads to suspension until you do.
• If you are suspended, you can ask for a hearing, but the suspension may stay in force until then.

Offenses that bring a suspension on their own

The manual lists offenses that can cost your license regardless of points. Examples:

• Up to 90 days: eluding a police officer, passing a roadblock or street racing.
• 60 days: driving after suspension.
• 30 days: failing to stop for police, leaving the scene of an injury crash, driving alone on a permit, passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, speeding 30 mph or more over the limit, or lending or altering a license.
• At least 30 days: driving to endanger, or a minor carrying or drinking alcohol, or carrying illegal drugs, in a vehicle.
• Until proof of insurance is filed: causing crash damage without liability insurance.

New drivers: provisional and intermediate penalties

If your first license was issued before 21, any moving violation conviction during the provisional period means a suspension of 30 days for a first offense, 180 days for a second and one year for a third, and you must complete an approved driver improvement program before you get your license back. For a first license issued at 21 or older, the suspensions are 30, 60 and 90 days. Drivers under 18 have no right to a hearing on these suspensions.

Breaking an intermediate license restriction brings 60 days, 180 days or one year, plus a $250 to $500 fine and another 270 days of restrictions.

Revocation and other actions

Revocation ends your license completely, and you must reapply afterwards. Vehicular manslaughter means revocation for at least 5 years, or permanently if alcohol was involved. Habitual offenders lose their license for at least one year.

The Secretary of State can also add restrictions, order a re-examination or ask for a doctor's statement. A parent or guardian who signed a minor's application can ask in a notarized request for the minor's permit or license to be suspended.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a new driver is safe until 12 points. One moving violation on a provisional license brings a suspension.
• Ignoring a court date or unpaid ticket. That alone suspends your license.
• Driving while suspended. It adds more suspension time and can be a crime.
• Expecting a course to cancel a provisional suspension. The course credit reduces points, not convictions.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Maine

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Maine Points System and the Driving Dynamics Course
• Avoiding Moose and Deer Collisions in Maine
• Learning to Drive in Maine