Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Maine, United States

Much like how scary it can be the first time you learn to balance on and ride a bicycle, the same could be said if you have never gotten onto a motorcycle before. However, a motorcycle is more difficult to handle due to having a powerful engine and encountering road hazards. But with enough practice and dedication, you will eventually reach the point where riding a motorcycle will become second nature.

The following information is a general summary of Maine’s motorcycle laws and a detailed description of how to get a Maine motorcycle license.

Much like how you need health insurance to help cover you when accidents suddenly occur, you require Maine motorcycle insurance just in case you or another driver cause a collision.

Because this type of insurance can be expensive, you can start by purchasing the minimum amounts focused on bodily injury and property damage. However, keep in mind that the costs accrued due to a crash can easily go beyond the minimum requirements of Maine motorcycle insurance.

To give you an idea of the baseline for Maine motorcycle insurance, listed below are the minimum amounts you can start with:

• $50,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident

• $100,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident

• $25,000 for property damages sustained per accident

It is also mandatory in Maine to invest in medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Medical payments coverage may be useful in paying for any expenses related to injuries you or your passengers receive following an accident. Your insurance plan must at least meet this requirement:

• $2,000 for medical expenses per person 

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will help protect you and your passengers if you get into an accident with another driver who does not own insurance or cannot meet the liability limit. This must be able to cover the following minimum costs:

• $50,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident

• $100,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident

If you have the finances, you can acquire additional insurance coverage that pertains to your health and property. Having insurance coverage that applies to multiple situations that can occur in a crash ensures you receive some or full compensation.

Unlike the types of motorcycle insurance mentioned earlier, these are nonmandatory additions that you can pick at your discretion:

• Collision coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

• Bodily injury coverage

In Maine, riders who are under the age of 18 must have their heads protected while the motorcycle is in motion. Adults have more agency when it comes to motorcycle helmets as they can decide when and where they must put on a motorcycle helmet.

Both minors and adult motorcyclists should have either a three-quarter or full-face helmet. The three-quarter helmet covers the top and back of your head, leaving an opening revealing your face. The full-face helmet encloses your entire head with an opening for your eyes which can be protected by a flippable visor.

You will know that the motorcycle helmet you choose is reliable if there are stickers from the Snell Memorial Foundation and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The former is a nonprofit organization that specializes in designing helmets for various vehicle types. The latter comes up with the rules of the road and safety regulations for motor vehicles. 

Upon turning 16 years old, you can begin practicing and preparing to acquire your Maine motorcycle license. If you are a minor, you will first have to acquire a two-year motorcycle learner’s permit which requires you to pay a fee of $35.

Paying the Maine motorcycle learner’s permit is only one of the requirements you must satisfy as there are other tasks you must complete:

• If you are under 18 years old:

  • Have signature and consent from a parent or legal guardian

• Bring documents verifying identity

• Bring proof of Maine residency

• Bring proof of U.S. citizenship

• Bring your SSN

• Take a photo

• Pass the knowledge exam

• Pass the vision exam

• Pay the required fees

As you become familiar operating a motorcycle, there are restrictions you must follow when in possession of a Maine motorcycle learner’s permit:

• You cannot carry passengers

• You must wear protective motorcycle gear

If you are confident about your motorcycle skills after having done an adequate amount of practice, you can attempt to earn your Maine motorcycle license if you are the age of 16.

Teenagers and adults both must pay a fee of $35 to be issued a six-year motorcycle license. However, there are significantly more criteria that teenagers need to complete before they can operate with an official Maine motorcycle license compared to adults.

*Any applicants that complete a Basic Rider Course have the option of having the road skills portion of the Maine motorcycle license test waived.

*If you waive the road skills portion of the Maine motorcycle license test, you are not allowed to carry any passengers for 60 days after the license is issued. 

Written Portion:

• Test will be done on touch-screen computers

• Complete 25 multiple-choice questions

• Questions will be based on the Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual

• Will also test your understanding of rules of the road and safe riding habits

• Requires a passing grade of 80% or higher

Road Skills Portion:

• Test will take place on a controlled, off-street area or an actual traffic environment

• Check that your motorcycle is up to code beforehand as it will be inspected before you can take the test

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of motorcycle operation

• You will be tested on your ability to stay within the speed limit, adjust speed and position, maintain visibility, operate under stress, accelerate, brake, turn, stop, and swerve

• The examiner will grade you based on how well you ride at safe speeds, stay within the lanes, and attempt maneuvers

In Maine, you are allowed to carry one to two passengers as it is the maximum space and weight capacity your motorcycle can handle without affecting its functionality.

Because of the limited space on your motorcycle, you would need to set aside a section at the rear or side to affix a passenger seat. Only if the passenger seat is placed towards the rear do you need to provide handholds and footrests.

To ensure your passenger(s) is comfortable, there must be a gap between the passenger and driver’s seats so his/her legs are not being crushed. This gap also ensures there is clearance so that you are not being crowded when leaning with your motorcycle.

Just as you are responsible for your motorcycle’s condition, so is the well-being of your passenger(s). Before they even climb onto your ride, you should go over a checklist to make sure they will not fly out of the seat and that they will behave while traveling.

• If the passenger is a minor, s/he must wear a motorcycle helmet

• The passenger’s feet must be planted flat aginst the footrests

• Your passenger has to be quick to follow directions 

The recent status of lane splitting in the state of Maine is declared illegal.

Lane splitting involves riding a motorcycle between stopped or slowed vehicles and/or maneuvering atop the borders separating lanes.

Motorcyclists can move freely within the confines of a lane’s boundaries and lane share with another rider if both agree it can be done with minimal risk.

Rather than wait for your motorcycle to start breaking down, take the initiative and bring your motorcycle to an inspection station once a year. A close examination will reveal which motorcycle parts are becoming worn down or have stopped functioning

As you look over the checklist of motorcycle parts you need to access or find replacements for, these should be included in your list:

• Front Brake

• Front Wheel 

• Front Tire

• Horn

• Handlebars

• Throttle & Brake Lever

• Headlight

• Rearview Mirrors

• Rear Brake 

• Rear Wheel

• Rear Tire

•  Taillight 

•  Brake Light 

• Turn Signals

• Exhaust Pipe

•  Muffler 

• Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual
• Maine Insurance Required By Law - Auto
• Maine State Legislature - Helmets
• Maine Obtaining a Motorcycle License (Endorsement)
• Maine License and Examination Fees
• Maine Revised Statutes - Motorcycles