Maine Driving Laws for Seniors and Older Drivers

In Maine, 27% of all fatal traffic accidents between 2018 and 2022 involved senior drivers (ages 65 and older). And in most of those crashes (64%), it was the senior driver who died.

While the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) enforces rules and regulations for drivers of all ages, the state also has a few extra requirements and restrictions for older drivers. Many of them focus on identifying those who might no longer be safe behind the wheel.

Older drivers must renew their licenses more often and have more frequent vision screenings, for example. The BMV also investigates reports of potentially unsafe drivers. So, it's important to understand how these senior driving rules apply to you as you age.

Maine License Renewal Rules for Older Drivers

You can renew your Maine driver's license up to six months before it expires or on the expiration date. How often you must renew, and the renewal requirements, change as you age.

In Maine, drivers ages 21 to 64 renew their licenses every six years, while those 65 and older must renew every four years. Most adult drivers can renew their licenses online. But you must renew in person at a BMV office if you need a vision test.

When Older Maine Drivers Need a Vision Test

Maine drivers must pass a vision test the first time they renew their licenses after turning 40, then at every second renewal until age 62. After age 62, the state requires an eye test for every license renewal. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A § 1303.)

You can take a free eye exam at your local BMV office. Or, you can choose to have your doctor perform the vision test (at your own expense) and complete an MVE-103 Eye Examination Form within a year of renewing your license.

Road and Written Test Requirements for Older Maine Drivers

Maine doesn't require drivers to retake the driver's test based solely on age. But the BMV can require you to pass a written or road test if there are indications that your ability to drive safely might be impaired. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A § 1309.)

The BMV must give you at least five days' written notice before requiring you to retake a test. If you refuse to take the written or road test, the state can suspend your license.

Possible Driver's License Restrictions for Maine Seniors

The Maine Secretary of State can place restrictions on someone's driver's license based on safety concerns. The most common restriction for older drivers is the requirement to wear glasses or corrective contact lenses while driving. Other common restrictions include driving only:

• during daylight hours
• within a specific area, or
• vehicles that are outfitted with special equipment, like outside mirrors or mechanical aids.

For questions about endorsements and restrictions, call the MBV main office at 207-624-9000, extension 52114.

How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation in Maine

Maine's Secretary of State has a medical review process used to assess reports of potentially unsafe drivers. The BMV usually handles these investigations, sometimes with input from a Medical Advisory Board.

Drivers must report any medical condition that could cause them to have a loss of consciousness or impair their ability to drive safely. This includes conditions like a history of seizures or hypoglycemic episodes, as well as taking medications that can cause serious side effects.

Self-reporting isn't the BMV's only source of information about drivers with potentially unsafe medical conditions. Anyone who believes a driver has a physical, emotional, or mental condition that affects the ability to drive safely can file a report with the Secretary of State, including:

• law enforcement officers
• health care providers, and
• concerned citizens.

The state of Maine doesn't require physicians to report patients whose conditions might make driving unsafe, but doctors don't need the patient's permission to file a report.

All unsafe driver reports must include as much information about the driver as possible (name, birthdate, address, and diagnosis/condition) as well as the filer's name, contact information, and signature. The state tries to keep all such reports confidential, but can't guarantee that. Anyone filing an unsafe driver report "in good faith" is immune from civil or criminal liability for making the report.

Once the Secretary of State's office receives an unsafe driver report, it can request additional medical information by requesting the driver's physician or other health care provider to complete the BMV's Medical Evaluation Form. The driver might also need to submit to a driving evaluation.

An unsafe driver investigation or medical review can result in no action, a license suspension, or added restrictions, such as allowing only daytime driving.

How to Get a License Reinstated in Maine

If you lose your license after a medical review or you voluntarily surrender it for medical reasons, you might get it back if your condition has improved. You'll need to submit a written request for the state to reissue your license and complete the following steps:

• Provide a recent medical or vision report (from the last 12 months) from a qualified provider that addresses the condition listed in your license cancellation notice.
• Pass the operator's exam, which includes vision, written, and road tests.
• Pay any applicable licensing fees.

For information about your specific situation, contact the BMV by calling 207-624-9000 (TTY: 877-456-8195). Be prepared to provide your name, date of birth, and current address.

Maine Driver Improvement Programs

Drivers can improve their skills by taking an education and training class specifically developed for older drivers. The Secretary of State has a list of driver education schools and offers a list of resources for seniors.

How to Renew a Parking Placard or License Plate for a Driver with a Disability

The BMV issues disabled parking placards for permanent disabilities that must be renewed every four years, though recertification by your doctor isn't required. Temporary parking placards are also available and they expire after six months.

In addition to using designated accessible parking spaces, state law allows vehicles with a valid disabled parking placard or plate to park at meters for free and stay up to twice the posted time limit. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A § 521(12).)

The state only issues disability parking placards and license plates to drivers with impaired mobility if a licensed medical professional certifies the condition. Drivers can qualify for a parking placard or plate if they, or someone they regularly transport (like a spouse or child), meet one of the following conditions:

• can't walk 200 feet without resting
• can't walk without help from another person or using
• a brace
• a cane
• a crutch
• a prosthetic device
• a wheelchair, or
• another assisting device
• have severe lung disease
• use portable oxygen
• have a severe heart condition, or
• have an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition that severely limits their ability to walk.

To get a disabled placard or plate, take the following steps:

• Complete and sign an Application for Disability Plates/Placard.
• Have a licensed physician, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse complete the Medical Provider's Statement portion of the application.
• Submit your complete application by:
• taking it to the nearest BMV Branch Office,
• faxing it to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 207-624-9204, or
• mailing it to: Disability Clerk, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

A summary of Maine's legal requirements for drivers with disabilities is available online on the BMV's Disability Plates or Placards FAQ page.

Learn More About Maine Driving Rules for Seniors

The BMV website has a wealth of information for Maine drivers, including online appointment scheduling, information about BMV office hours and closings, as well as driver and vehicle licensing information.

Of special interest is the Maine Driver's License Manual, which is available to download in English, Spanish, and four other languages. The Maine Motorist Handbook and Study Guide, which includes information about what to expect during a driver's exam, is also available at that link.