Maine Traffic Violations

Any offense committed by a driver while operating a vehicle is known as a traffic violation or infraction. In Maine, they range from civil traffic infractions to criminal motor-vehicle offenses and, in the most serious circumstances, felonies. Individuals or drivers must pay attention to how Maine defines and penalizes these violations, as it matters for legal compliance, finances, and civic safety.

What Counts as a Traffic Violation in Maine?

According to Title 29 of the Maine Revised Statutes, most moving offenses are traffic infractions that are enforceable by fine and demerit points. A traffic violation may be considered a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the offense. Traffic tickets are issued for all traffic infractions.

Types of Traffic Violations in Maine

Generally, examples of traffic violations in Maine include:

• Excessive Speeding:Any driver who drives at a speed above the required limit commits a crime.
• Operating Under the Influence (OUI): Anyone caught operating under the influence (OUI) while driving a vehicle is guilty of violating traffic rules in the state.
• Leaving the scene (hit-and-run): It is a crime for a driver involved in an accident to flee the scene.
• Running a red light/stop sign: This happens when a driver fails to obey traffic control.
• Driving without a license or with a suspended license (OAS): It is a criminal offense for an individual to operate a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.
• Driving without insurance / financial responsibility: Failure to procure insurance for a vehicle is a crime in the state.
• Reckless driving (Driving to Endanger): This is a serious crime where a driver endangers the lives or property of another person.
• Distracted driving / handheld device use: Maine’s Hands-Free Driving Law prohibits a driver from holding a phone while driving on the road.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Maine

Drivers who fail to settle their tickets or citations may face penalties or legal complications, which include:

• Fines: The Maine Judicial Branch publishes a Schedule of Amounts Due for common violations.
• Maine’s Points System: This system assigns demerit points for various traffic offenses. The points are generally assessed for one year.
• Driver improvement: Offenders or drivers may be ordered to complete a Maine Driving Dynamics course offered by the Department of Public Highway Safety.
• License suspensions: The driver may lose their license, and repeated offenses can lead to an additional suspension of up to 120 days after three suspensions in three years.
• Criminal exposure
  • DTE (reckless): This violation attracts a mandatory 30–180-day suspension with additional penalties if it leads to serious bodily injury or fatalities.
  • OUI: Penalties increase with prior convictions within 10 years. Additional administrative suspensions may also apply on the determination of excessive alcohol level or drug influence.
  • OAS: It is a criminal offense with mandatory minimum fines.
• Insurance and financial effects: Convictions of traffic offenses may raise premiums for individuals.

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Maine

Individuals interested in traffic violation records in Maine may access them via three main avenues:

• Maine Judicial Branch – Violations Bureau / Maine eCourts.
  • The Maine Judicial Branch Violations Bureau handles traffic tickets for the entire State of Maine. Individuals may use the Violations Bureau Payment Portal to look up and pay traffic tickets as well as search records via the Maine eCourts Portal. Individuals or drivers may find additional information about traffic court on the FAQs page.
• BMV Driving Record (your history).
  • The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) allows the public to search online for a Driver Record Check, which displays driving history information only. The Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act restricts access to personal information, including address and social security number. For certified copies, individuals must contact the BMV at 207-624-9000, ext 52116.
  • Individuals may submit a written request to obtain a driving record by mail from the BMV. The fees are as follows: $5 for a 3-year option and $10 for a 10-year option (with an additional $5 service fee and $1 for certification).
• Criminal history (if your violation is criminal).
  • Some traffic matters (e.g., OUI, DTE) are classified as criminal cases. The online system provides the public with electronic access to request criminal history records maintained by the State Bureau of Identification.

Court records may consist of ticket/case number, party name, charge, disposition, amounts due/paid, and key dates. Driving records may also list convictions, suspensions, and points history for the period purchased (three or ten years).

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Record in Maine?

A traffic violation may remain on an individual’s driving record in Maine for many years. An overview is presented below:

• Points: These points are assessed and active for one year from the conviction. A warning issue is at 6 points, and 12 points may attract suspension. Maine also awards one “violation-free” credit per calendar year (up to four) to offset future points.
• Driving record: A speeding ticket remains on an individual’s driving record for three years from the date of conviction.
• OUI lookback: The state employs a 10-year lookback period for penalties in OUI cases, but this does not mean the conviction disappears. Maine no longer allows for the expungement of criminal records; the only option for individuals is to petition the Governor for Executive Clemency.