Driving is a privilege that the Secretary of State and the courts can take away. Most suspensions in Maine come from demerit points and convictions, so knowing the point levels and suspension periods matters.
Revocation
Your license and driving privilege are formally terminated. Rarely used; you must apply for a new license when the revocation period ends.
Handbook p. 12 ↗Suspension
Driving privileges are temporarily withdrawn. You may not drive until you receive a written notice of reinstatement.
Handbook p. 12 ↗Typical revocations
| Offense | Revocation |
|---|---|
| Vehicular manslaughter | At least 5 years (permanent if alcohol involved) |
| Habitual offender | At least 1 year |
Typical offenses requiring suspension:
- Failure to file required insurance
- Failure to appear in court for a traffic citation
- Operating Under the Influence (O.U.I.)
- Administrative license suspension
Suspensions for designated convictions
| Conviction | Suspension |
|---|---|
| Eluding police, passing a roadblock, street racing | Up to 90 days |
| Operating after suspension | 60 days |
| Offenses in the two lists below | 30 days |
30-day suspension offenses (driving):
- Failure to stop for a police officer
- Leaving the scene of an accident (bodily injury)
- Operating alone on a permit
- Operating without a license (criminal offense)
- Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing
- Speeding by 30 mph or more over the speed limit
30-day suspension offenses (licenses and documents):
- Altering a license or registration certificate
- Loaning a license
- Unlawful use of a license
- Displaying a suspended license
- Falsifying an application for registration or license
- Giving false information to a police officer
Using false ID to get liquor (under 21)
| Offense | License suspension |
|---|---|
| 1st | Court may suspend 30 days |
| 2nd | 90 days (required) |
| 3rd or later | 1 year (required) |
The Maine point system
| Points | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6 | Warning from the Secretary of State |
| 12 or more | License suspended |
| Any point 1 year old | Erased from your record |
Know the rule
After a suspension you are entitled to a hearing. The examiner may continue, modify or rescind it; you may bring an attorney and appeal to Superior Court.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
Violation-free credit: you earn one point for each calendar year free of convictions or suspensions, up to four points.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
Completing the five-hour Maine Driving Dynamics Course (or another approved driver improvement course) deducts 3 points, but only once in any twelve-month period.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Put it into practice
You have 10 demerit points and got your 6-point warning letter. Taking the Maine Driving Dynamics Course drops you to 7, keeping you away from the 12-point suspension. Taking it again next month would not remove more points.