How Driver Points Work in Maine
How the Maine point system works, points for speeding, how long points last, and whether traffic school helps.
Short answer: Maine uses a demerit point system. The Secretary of State issues a warning when points reach 6, and a driver whose total reaches 12 points or more has the license suspended. 29-A M.R.S. § 2458; Secretary of State rules 29-250 ch. 1; Maine Motorist Handbook
| Point system | Maine uses a demerit point system. The Secretary of State issues a warning when points reach 6, and a driver whose total reaches 12 points or more has the license suspended. Under the Secretary of State's rules, 12 demerit points within a one-year period may lead to a suspension of up to 15 days. A driver may request a hearing, and the decision may be appealed to Superior Court. The handbook also says a person suspended three times within three years may face a further suspension of up to 120 days. |
|---|---|
| Points for speeding | Exceeding the posted speed by less than 15 mph is 4 points; by at least 15 but less than 30 mph is 6 points. Exceeding the posted speed by 30 mph or more is listed among offenses for which the license may be suspended for up to 30 days. |
| How long points last | Points are erased from the driving record when they become one year old. Drivers also earn one violation-free credit point for each calendar year without convictions or suspensions, up to four credit points. |
| Traffic school | Completing the Maine Driving Dynamics Course (a five-hour program) or another approved driver improvement course deducts three points from a driver's point total. Anyone may take it, even with no record, but points are deducted only once in any twelve-month period. It does not dismiss the ticket. |
Where to get help in Maine
More Maine traffic tickets & dui
- Reinstating a Driver's License in Maine
- DUI Laws in Maine
- Paying or Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Maine
- All Maine traffic tickets & dui rules
FAQ
How does the driver point system work in Maine?
Maine uses a demerit point system. The Secretary of State issues a warning when points reach 6, and a driver whose total reaches 12 points or more has the license suspended. Under the Secretary of State's rules, 12 demerit points within a one-year period may lead to a suspension of up to 15 days. A driver may request a hearing, and the decision may be appealed to Superior Court.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Maine?
Exceeding the posted speed by less than 15 mph is 4 points; by at least 15 but less than 30 mph is 6 points. Exceeding the posted speed by 30 mph or more is listed among offenses for which the license may be suspended for up to 30 days.
How long do points stay on your license in Maine?
Points are erased from the driving record when they become one year old. Drivers also earn one violation-free credit point for each calendar year without convictions or suspensions, up to four credit points.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Maine?
Completing the Maine Driving Dynamics Course (a five-hour program) or another approved driver improvement course deducts three points from a driver's point total. Anyone may take it, even with no record, but points are deducted only once in any twelve-month period. It does not dismiss the ticket.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.