State guide · Updated October 2026
Maine Driving Laws (2026): Speed, Phone, Insurance, Tax
Maine sits in the Northeast region, with Augusta as its capital and Portland and Lewiston as its biggest cities. This page gathers the Maine driving laws motorists ask about most, from speed limits and phone use through coverage, taxes, inspections and riding.
Every section below answers one question in detail, with the facts, the numbers and how it compares nationally, and the figures were last checked October 25, 2026.
Maine driving laws: speed limits
The top speed limit in Maine is 75 mph. Interstates are posted at up to 75 mph in both rural and urban areas.
| Maine: Top posted speed | 75 mph |
|---|---|
| Interstates outside cities | 75 mph |
| Interstates in cities | 75 mph |
On busy roads such as I-95 and I-295, signs are frequently lower than 75 mph, especially around Portland and in work zones.
Motorists also need to keep a speed that suits the conditions, even when that means going slower, and officers may write a ticket for that alone.
Bottom line, under Maine driving laws: max speed limit, 75 mph.
Maine driving laws: cell phone and texting law
Only hands-free. Maine enforces a hands-free law: motorists cannot hold a phone to make calls or send messages on the road. Hands-free calls and navigation are permitted.
| Maine: Hand-held phone use (all drivers) | Banned |
|---|---|
| Texting while driving (all motorists) | Banned |
| Phone ban for new motorists | Permit and intermediate license holders |
Under the Maine driving laws, a mounted phone, spoken commands and one swipe to take a call or start navigation are permitted; picking it up at a stoplight is not.
New motorists face stricter rules: in Maine, permit and intermediate license holders cannot use a phone while driving, hands-free included.
At a glance, under Maine driving laws: phone law, hands-free law.
Maine driving laws: driving age and teen licenses
In Maine, teens can get a learner's permit at 15 and a provisional license at 16; limits on night driving and passengers follow.
| Maine: Learner's permit | Age 15 |
|---|---|
| Intermediate (provisional) license | Age 16 |
| Practice hours | 70 (10 at night) |
| All limits lifted | After 9 months licensed |
Prior to the road test, new drivers in Maine need 70 hours (10 at night) of supervised driving.
At a glance, under Maine driving laws: learner's permit age, permit at 15.
Maine driving laws: minimum car insurance
Maine requires motorists to carry at least 50/100/25 in liability insurance: $50,000 for one injured person, $100,000 for all injuries in one accident and $25,000 for property damage. You also need medical payments (MedPay) coverage, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
| Maine: Injury limit per person | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per accident | $100,000 |
| Property damage limit | $25,000 |
| Also mandatory | MedPay, UM, UIM |
| At-fault or no-fault | At-fault |
| Must you insure | Yes |
Maine uses fault-based claims, so the driver who causes a crash pays for the other people's injuries and damage through liability coverage.
Also mandatory in Maine: medical payments (MedPay) coverage, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
Bare-minimum coverage rarely covers a serious crash: medical bills plus a replacement car can top $100,000 fast.
Consumer groups suggest at least 100/300/100, since damages above your limits may be claimed from you personally.
In short, under Maine driving laws: car insurance, 50/100/25.
Maine driving laws: car sales tax
Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax on vehicle purchases. No local tax is added.
| Maine: Statewide rate | 5.5% (sales tax) |
|---|---|
| Local add-ons | No |
| Trade-in lowers tax | Yes |
| Tax on a $30,000 purchase | $1,650 |
- A $19,900 car in Maine: roughly $1,095 in state tax
- A $34,850 car in Maine: roughly $1,917 in state tax
- A $55,000 car in Maine: roughly $3,025 in state tax
A trade-in reduces the Maine driving laws: trading in a $5,000 car on a $30,000 purchase means paying roughly $1,375 rather than $1,650.
In short, under Maine driving laws: car sales tax, 5.5%.
Maine driving laws: car inspection and emissions
Yes. Maine requires an annual safety inspection and emissions testing in Cumberland County.
| Maine: Safety inspection | Every year |
|---|---|
| Emissions testing | Some areas: Cumberland County |
The safety check in Maine looks at brakes, lights, tires, steering, glass and horn once a year.
Emissions tests on newer vehicles read the on-board computer, which takes a few minutes; a lit check-engine light generally means a failure.
Bottom line, under Maine driving laws: car inspection, safety + emissions.
Maine driving laws: license and registration deadlines for newcomers
After moving to Maine, you have 30 days to obtain a Maine driver's license, and 30 days to register your car.
| Maine: Switch your license | 30 days |
|---|---|
| Vehicle registration | 30 days |
| Insurance minimum | 50/100/25 |
| Vehicle check | Safety + emissions |
Step-by-step list for Maine driving laws
- Get a Maine driver's license: 30 days. Bring an ID document, your Social Security number and two documents with your new address to the Maine BMV (REAL ID laws).
- Set up car insurance that meets the minimum: Maine requires 50/100/25. Coverage is generally mandatory before registration.
- Vehicle check: Yes. Maine requires an annual safety inspection and emissions testing in Cumberland County.
- Title and register the car: 30 days at the town office.
The clock generally starts when you begin a job, rent a home or register kids for school in Maine, not on the day the boxes arrive.
In short, under Maine driving laws: new resident deadline, 30 days.
Maine driving laws: motorcycle helmet law
Only for riders under 18. In Maine, riders and passengers 17 and younger must wear a helmet; adults 18 and older can legally go without one. Local ordinances in Portland or Augusta do not change it; it applies statewide.
| Maine: Who must wear a helmet | Riders 17 and younger |
|---|---|
| Law type | Partial (age-based) |
| Adults can ride without a helmet | Yes |
Riders 17 and younger must wear a helmet under the Maine driving laws; from age 18 a rider can decide.
Riders with a learner's permit, and passengers of riders who must wear one, also need a helmet.
According to NHTSA, that helmets prevent about 37% of rider deaths in crashes, and roughly 41% of passenger deaths.
Any helmet worn to meet the law indicates the DOT label on the back; novelty helmets that lack it do not count.
Bottom line, under Maine driving laws: helmet law, under 18.
Maine driving laws: lane splitting
No. Lane splitting and lane filtering are not legal in Maine. Motorcycles must use a full lane, and riders cannot pass between vehicles or split traffic.
| Maine: Lane splitting (moving traffic) | Not legal |
|---|---|
| Passing stopped cars | Not legal |
| In effect since | — |
Without a law that allows it, Maine driving laws counts as unlawful passing or an unsafe lane change, and a crash while doing it can hurt the rider.
In short, under Maine driving laws: lane splitting, not allowed.
Where the Maine driving laws stand out
- 50/100/25 (car insurance) — among the higher 4 nationwide
Getting around Maine
Most long trips use I-95, I-295 and US-1, linking Portland, Lewiston and Augusta. Every one of these roads falls under Maine driving laws.
You obtain a license from the Maine BMV, and registration and titles come from the town office.
All of the Maine driving laws above apply in each county, from Portland to small towns.
Across the border
- New Hampshire: max speed limit of 70 mph instead of 75 mph; None for car sales tax, against 5.5%; car insurance 25/50/25 (vs. 50/100/25)
FAQ: the Maine driving laws
Do the Maine driving laws differ for trucks?
Nearly all roads in Maine use the same limit for cars and trucks; stay alert to separate truck signs.
Can an officer stop motorists only for violating the Maine driving laws?
Yes. In Maine it is generally primary enforcement, so you can be pulled over for it without any other reason.
Can a 15-year-old drive alone under the Maine driving laws rules?
No. Solo driving starts with the provisional license at 16 in Maine.
What if I drive without Maine driving laws?
Driving without coverage in Maine may bring fines, suspension of your license and plates, and personal liability for crash costs.
Is the Maine driving laws due on used vehicles?
Yes. Used vehicles are taxed too, and private sales may be valued at a minimum or book value.
Is a Maine driving laws needed to sell a car?
Buyers need a current inspection to register it in Maine.
Must adult motorcyclists obey the Maine driving laws?
No. Only motorcyclists 17 and younger need one in Maine; riders with a learner's permit, and passengers of motorcyclists who must wear one, also need a helmet.
Is filtering at red lights part of Maine driving laws?
No. Riding between stopped cars at a light is illegal in Maine as well.
Travel ideas in Maine
- Place to visitAcadia National ParkPink granite, crashing surf and, for part of the year, the first sunrise in the country.
- RV road tripNew England Fall Foliage LoopRed maples, covered bridges and lobster rolls on the most colorful road trip in America.
- Hiking trailPrecipice TrailIron rungs and ladders up a sheer granite cliff on Champlain Mountain, with the Atlantic below.