What Is the Fine for Driving Without a License in Maine?
by Darlene Peer
Driving without a license is a serious offense in Maine and is listed as a Class E crime. This means you could face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. Depending on the circumstances, you may escape with just a small fine or you could be facing maximum fines and jail time.
When You Forgot Your License
If you have an up-to-date license but forgot to bring it with you in the car, you can avoid paying any fines once you present your license. Just check the box to contest your ticket and return it to the Violations Bureau within 20 days. You will be sent a court date. Bring evidence that you possessed a license at the time of the ticket and, depending on the county, you may have the opportunity to discuss your case with the District Attorney before going to trial. You can show your evidence to the DA and ask for the charges to be dropped. If you don't meet with the DA, present your evidence and explanation to the judge and ask for the charges to be dropped.
When You Have No License
If you let your license expire or never had one, you may pay a fine of up to $250. Driving with a suspended, cancelled or revoked license is the most serious offense. You face a $250 fine the first time you're caught and a $500 fine for every offense after that. If you lost your license due to Driving Under the Influence, you will have to pay a minimum fine of $600 and serve at least a week in jail.
Moving to Maine
If you've lived in Maine for more than 30 days but fewer than 90 days, you will be issued a traffic citation if you drive without a Maine state license. People who have resided in Maine for more than 90 days are treated like any other Maine resident if they are caught driving with an out-of-state license. This is a Class E crime.
References
Writer Bio
Darlene Peer has been writing, editing and proofreading for more than 10 years. Peer has written for magazines and contributed to a number of books. She has worked in various fields, from marketing to business analysis. Peer received her Bachelor of Arts in English from York University.
