How to Check Your Driver's License Status in Maine

Maine's License Status System and What It Tells You

Maine's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) lets you check your driver's license status online through their website or by phone. Your status tells you whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired — and if there are holds or restrictions on it. This matters because driving on a suspended or revoked license is a crime in Maine, and you need to know your actual status before you get behind the wheel.

The BMV maintains your record in real time. If you've had a traffic conviction, failed to pay a fine, missed a court date, or violated the terms of a suspension, your status changes when ready. Checking it yourself is free and takes a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

You can check your Maine driver's license status online at maine.gov/bmv or by calling the BMV at 207-624-9000 during business hours.
Your status shows whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired, plus any restrictions or holds the BMV has placed on it.
A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you meet the BMV's requirements; a revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process.
If your license is suspended for unpaid fines or child support, you must resolve those issues before the BMV will restore your driving privileges.
Maine's BMV updates your record when ready when a court files a conviction or when you fail to appear in court, so your status can change without warning.

How to Check Your Status Online

Go to maine.gov/bmv and look for the "Check License Status" or "Driver License Status" link on the homepage. You'll need your Maine driver's license number and your date of birth. Enter both pieces of information and the system will display your current status in seconds.

The online tool shows your license class (like Class D for regular driving), any restrictions (such as corrective lenses required), and whether your license is suspended, revoked, or valid. If there are holds on your record — for example, an unpaid fine or a failure to appear in court — the system will list them. Write down or screenshot what you see, because you may need this information if you contact the BMV or a court.

The online system is available 24 hours a day. If you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the BMV directly.

Checking Your Status by Phone

Call the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 207-624-9000. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. A staff member will look up your record and tell you your status over the phone. This is useful if the online system is down or if you need to ask follow-up questions about what your status means.

The BMV is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Call times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon, so calling early in the day often means a shorter wait. If you reach an automated system first, follow the prompts to reach a live representative.

What Different License Statuses Mean

Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. Your license may still have restrictions — for example, you might be required to wear corrective lenses or to use an ignition interlock device — but you can drive.

Suspended means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, accumulation of too many points from traffic violations, driving without insurance, or non-payment of child support. A suspension has an end date. Once you meet the BMV's requirements — paying fines, clearing a court hold, or completing a required program — your license is restored automatically or after you request reinstatement.

Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled. Revocation usually follows serious violations like multiple DUIs, driving with a suspended license, or criminal convictions. Revocation is not automatic; you cannot straightforward wait it out. You must petition the BMV or a court for reinstatement, and the BMV may deny your request. If reinstatement is granted, you typically must pass a written test and a road test again.

Expired means your license is no longer valid because the expiration date has passed. You cannot legally drive with an expired license. You must renew it at a BMV office or online (if you're renewing without changes) before you drive again.

Why Your License Might Be Suspended

Maine suspends licenses for many reasons, and the BMV's record will show the reason. Traffic violations that result in points accumulate; too many points in a short time trigger a suspension. Unpaid fines from traffic tickets or criminal convictions cause suspensions. Failure to appear in court on a traffic or criminal charge suspends your license when ready.

Driving without insurance results in suspension. Maine requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, and if you're caught driving uninsured, the BMV suspends your license. DUI convictions result in a mandatory suspension that lasts months or years depending on whether it's your first offense. Child support arrears trigger suspension through a separate system; if you owe child support and fall behind, the child support enforcement agency notifies the BMV to suspend your license.

Some suspensions are administrative — the BMV suspends you without a court order because a specific event occurred (like an insurance lapse). Others are court-ordered; a judge suspends your license as part of a sentence. Knowing which type applies to you matters because the steps to get your license back differ.

Steps to Restore Your License After Suspension

First, find out the exact reason for your suspension by checking your status online or calling the BMV. Write down the reason and any case or citation numbers listed.

Second, resolve the underlying issue. If your license is suspended for unpaid fines, pay them. Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine and ask how to pay. If your suspension is for failure to appear, contact the court and reschedule your appearance or resolve the case. If it's for unpaid child support, contact the child support enforcement office. If it's for driving without insurance, obtain insurance and provide proof to the BMV.

Third, request reinstatement. For most administrative suspensions (like insurance lapses), the BMV will restore your license automatically once the issue is resolved and the BMV's records are updated. This can take a few days. For court-ordered suspensions, you may need to file a formal reinstatement request with the court or the BMV, depending on the type of suspension. Call the BMV at 207-624-9000 to ask whether you need to file paperwork or whether reinstatement is automatic.

Do not drive while your license is suspended, even if you believe the suspension is a mistake. Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime and carries its own penalties, including additional fines and jail time.

What to Do If Your Status Information Looks Wrong

If your status shows a suspension or revocation you don't believe is correct, contact the BMV when ready. Call 207-624-9000 and explain the discrepancy. The BMV staff can tell you which court or agency reported the information and provide contact details so you can investigate.

Common errors include suspensions that should have been lifted after you paid a fine, or suspensions reported twice by mistake. If a court filed incorrect information, you may need to contact the court to request a correction. The BMV can only remove information that a court or agency reported if that court or agency requests the removal.

If you believe your license was suspended in error — for example, you paid a fine but the court never reported it to the BMV — gather proof of payment and contact both the court and the BMV. Bring your proof to a BMV office if you need to file a formal dispute. This process can take weeks, so start it as soon as you discover the error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license status is suspended?

No. Driving with a suspended license is a crime in Maine. You will face additional criminal charges, fines, and possible jail time if you're caught. Even if you believe the suspension is a mistake, you must resolve it through the BMV or courts before driving.

How long does it take to get my license back after I pay a fine?

It depends on the type of suspension. Administrative suspensions (like those for unpaid fines) are usually lifted within a few business days after the court reports payment to the BMV. Court-ordered suspensions may require you to file a formal reinstatement request, which can take longer. Call the BMV to ask about your specific case.

What's the difference between a suspension and a revocation?

A suspension is temporary; your license is taken away for a set period or until you meet certain conditions, then it's restored. A revocation is permanent unless you petition for reinstatement, which the BMV may deny. Revocations usually follow serious violations like multiple DUIs.

Do I need to renew my license while it's suspended?

No. Your license cannot be renewed while it is suspended or revoked. Once your suspension is lifted and your license is valid again, you can renew it if it has expired or is about to expire.

What if I moved out of Maine and my license is suspended?

You can still check your Maine license status online or by phone. If you want to restore it, you must resolve the underlying issue (unpaid fines, court holds, etc.) even if you no longer live in Maine. If you've moved permanently, you may want to obtain a license from your new state instead, but Maine's suspension will remain on your record unless you clear it.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.