Maine Permit Practice Log: 70 Hours Required Under 21, 10 at Night, Use Form MVE-21 (2026)

Maine permit practice tests mirror the real exam format. Use them to find weak spots before your DMV appointment.

How many hours do I need to practice driving with a permit in Maine?

If you are under 21, Maine requires 70 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours after dark, and you must hold the learner's permit for at least 6 months. Drivers age 21 or older do not have the 70-hour or six-month requirement. Maine learner's permit guide

Maine Practice-Hour Requirements for Under 21 vs. 21+

Maine separates driver-education rules from supervised-practice rules.

• Ages 15-17: Driver education is required before the permit application. After the permit is issued, the under-21 rule requires 70 supervised hours, including 10 after dark, plus a six-month permit hold.
• Ages 18-20: Driver education is not required, but the same 70-hour, 10-night-hour and six-month permit requirements still apply.
• Age 21+: Maine does not require the certified 70-hour log or six-month permit hold.

Practice Time That Counts Toward the 70 Hours

Practice time must be completed with a qualified accompanying driver.

• Qualifying supervisor: At least 20 years old, licensed for the class of vehicle, and licensed for at least 2 years.
• Counts: Supervised post-permit driving that meets Maine's requirements, including qualifying professional instruction.
• Does not count: Studying the driver's manual, simulations, or driving without a qualified supervisor.

Supervisor eligibility is separate from who is allowed to certify the completed MVE-21 log.

Supervised vs. Professional Instruction Hours

Professional lessons can be useful, but they are different from the driver-education course required for applicants under 18.

• Supervised practice: Post-permit driving with a qualified accompanying driver can count toward the 70-hour requirement.
• Professional lessons: Post-permit driving with a qualified instructor can count when it meets the same supervised-driving requirements.

Professional instruction and the 70-hour practice log are separate requirements; supervised driving counts when it meets Maine's learner-permit rules.

When do Maine's 70 required practice hours start counting?

The 70 supervised hours for a permit holder under 21 start after the learner's permit is issued. Driver-education driving completed before permit issuance is part of the driver-education course and should not be treated as the post-permit MVE-21 practice log.

Can I use more than one supervising driver for my 70 hours?

Yes. Your practice can involve more than one qualified supervising driver. Each person supervising a logged session must meet Maine's supervisor requirements, and the MVE-21 entry should identify the supervising driver for that session.

Do I need to log my driving hours in Maine?

Yes, if you are under 21. Maine uses Form MVE-21, Permittee Driving Log, to document the required 70 supervised hours, including 10 hours after dark. Drivers age 21 or older do not need the certified 70-hour log.

Logging Maine Practice Hours

Use the official MVE-21 for the record submitted to BMV.

• Official form: Record the required driving on MVE-21.
• Personal notes: A notebook or digital tracker can help you keep accurate records, but it does not replace the official MVE-21 submission.
• Driving-school records: Keep them as supporting records when professional post-permit instruction is part of your practice.

Who Certifies Form MVE-21?

MVE-21 has a final certification rather than requiring a signature after every individual drive.

• Driving entries: Record the supervising driver's name, age and license number as required by the form.
• Final certification: A parent, stepparent, guardian or spouse may certify the completed log. If the permit holder has none of those, an employer may certify as allowed by the form.
• Submission: An applicant under 21 submits the completed MVE-21 to request the road test; BMV then schedules the road-test appointment.

Who signs and certifies Maine Form MVE-21? The final certification can be completed by a parent, stepparent, guardian or spouse. If the permit holder has none of those, an employer may certify when the form allows it.

Do I mail MVE-21 before my road test or bring it on test day?

If you are under 21, submit the completed MVE-21 to request the road test. Maine BMV uses that submission to schedule the test, so do not wait until the road-test appointment to submit the log for the first time.

Common Logging Issues and How to Avoid Them

Logging errors can delay your road-test request.

Avoiding MVE-21 Logging Problems

• Record each practice session promptly so dates, hours and supervisor information stay accurate.
• Track both the 70-hour total and 10 night hours if you are under 21.
• Complete the MVE-21 certification before submitting it to request your road-test appointment.