Maine Behind-the-Wheel Training: Required Under 18, Optional for Adults, 70-Hour Practice Log (2026)

Maine's requirement for behind-the-wheel training depends entirely on your age.

Do I need behind-the-wheel training in Maine?

Maine's requirement for behind-the-wheel training depends entirely on your age. Maine learner's permit guide

• Under 18: Yes, behind-the-wheel training is mandatory. Minors must complete a BMV-approved driver education course that includes 10 hours of professional behind-the-wheel instruction. The 10 professional hours are part of driver education and do not replace the separate 70-hour supervised driving log.
• 18 and over: No. The state does not require any professional behind-the-wheel training or driver education.

State Requirements and Approved Instruction

Maine's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sets specific rules for new drivers.

Requirements for Minors (Under 18)

• Mandatory Driver Education: A BMV-approved 30-hour classroom course plus 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor.
• Supervised Practice Hours: 70 hours of total driving practice (beginning after permit issuance), including 10 hours at night, logged with a supervising adult (20+, licensed for 2+ years).
• Certificate Requirements: You need a driver education certificate (Form MVE-64) to apply for a learner's permit. Your parent/guardian must also certify your 70 practice hours.
• Approved Instructor: Training must be with a BMV-licensed driving school instructor.

Requirements for Adults (18+)

• No Mandatory Training: No driver education or professional behind-the-wheel training is required.
• No Set Practice Hours: There is no state-mandated minimum for supervised driving.
• Direct Testing: You can apply for a learner's permit and schedule a road test once you feel ready.

Parent-Taught vs. Professional Instruction

For teens fulfilling the 70-hour requirement, families choose between parent supervision, professional driving instruction, or a mix.

For Maine permit process details, see the Maine permit guide.

The Maine learner's permit guide has full eligibility details.

Most common approach: Parents provide 50-60 of the 70 practice hours, supplemented by 5-10 hours of professional lessons for difficult skills (e.g., parallel parking, highway merging) and final road test preparation.

Examples of Training Requirement Confusion

• A 17-year-old in Bangor thought the 10 hours of professional training was the entire 70-hour requirement, delaying their road test by months until the full log was completed.
• An 18-year-old in Portland spent $400 on a driving school package, not realizing state law did not require them to take any professional lessons at all.
• A parent in Augusta tried to sign off on their teen's 70-hour log without completing the mandatory 10-hour professional instruction component first, causing a rejection at the BMV.

How many driving lessons do I need in Maine?

Maine requires no set number of professional driving lessons. The needed amount depends on your age, starting skill, and goals.

• Teens (under 18): Must complete 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training as part of driver education. Beyond that, 6-12 additional professional lessons are typical for skill-building and test prep.
• Adults (18+): No lessons are required. Needs vary from 4-8 lessons for test prep to 10-15 for a complete beginner.

Recommended Driving Lesson Counts

Cost and Practical Considerations

Cost Range: Professional driving instruction in Maine typically costs $60-$85 per hour. Packages often reduce the per-hour rate.

• Single Lesson: $60-$80 for skill refresh.
• Basic Package (5 lessons): $300-$400.
• Road Test Package: $200-$350 for 3-5 hours of focused prep.

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays

• Verify your driving school's BMV approval before paying, to avoid a rejected education certificate. A family in South Portland had to retake courses after their school's license lapsed.
• Schedule your BMV road test 8-10 weeks in advance online to avoid a 3-month wait for the next available slot, especially in busy offices like Portland.
• Use the BMV's official driving log (Form MVE-21) for the 70-hour requirement, not a homemade sheet, to prevent rejection for missing parent signatures or night hour documentation.

Regional Lesson Patterns

• Portland Area: Higher lesson counts (10-14 average) due to complex traffic and bridges. Schools often recommend packages for consistent practice.
• Bangor & Central Maine: 8-12 lessons are typical, with extra focus needed for highway merges on I-95 and winter driving skills.
• Augusta & Southern Maine: 6-10 lessons are common, with more reliance on parent-supervised practice on rural roads.