Maine OUI LAWS
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of OUI in Maine
Maine OUI Laws, BAC limits, fines, jail times, IID requirements, suspension/revocation periods and SR22 insurance requirements for first time and repeat offenders with multiple OUI's.
If you've been charged with OUI in Maine, the law allows only 10 days for a Maine OUI Lawyer to make a request with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for OUI in Maine?
The penalties for operating under the influence in Maine will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
ME DUI Penalties
Maine is a state with a 10 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'
ENHANCED PENALTIES: Aggravating Factors
Under Maine state law, certain factors are classed as aggravating the OUI offense, making it all the more serious and increasing penalties. These include:
1) Committing OUI with a BAC of 0.15 or more
2) Committing OUI while exceeding the speed limit by 30mph or more
3) Committing OUI with a passenger under the age of 21 (additional 275 days will be added to any suspension period)
4) Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer
1st OUI Offense / Conviction - Class D Crime
The penalty upon conviction of a first OUI offense in Maine:
- Fine: not less than $500 fine
- Jail: not less than 48 hours IF aggravating factors apply
- License Suspension: 90 days drivers license suspension (restricted license may be available after first 60 days suspension)
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd OUI Offense / Conviction - Class D Crime
The penalty upon conviction of a second OUI offense in Maine:
- Fine: not less than $700
- Jail: not less than 7 days jail
- License Suspension: 3 years drivers license suspension (license may be re-instated after first 9 months if ignition interlock is installed for a period of 2 years)
- wont be able to register a motor vehicle
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd OUI Offense / Conviction - Class C Crime
The penalty upon conviction of a third OUI offense in Maine:
- Fine: not less than $1,100 fine
- Jail: not less than 30 days jail
- License Suspension: 6 years drivers license suspension (license may be re-instated after first 3 years suspension if ignition interlock is installed for a period of 3 years)
- wont be able to register a motor vehicle
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws
It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Maine and implied consent laws are enforced.
In Maine, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.
First chemical test refusal
- Fine: not less than $600
- Jail: not less than 96 hours jail
- License Suspension: 275 days drivers license suspension (restricted license may be available after first 180 days suspension)
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second chemical test refusal
- Fine: not less than $900
- Jail: not less than 12 days
- License Suspension: 18 months drivers license suspension
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Third chemical test refusal
- Fine: not less than $1,400
- Jail: not less than 40 days
- License Suspension: 4 years drivers license suspension
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Fourth (and subsequent) Chemical Test Refusal
- Fine: not less than $2,500
- Jail: not less than 6 months and 20 days
- License Suspension: 6 years drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: must install ignition interlock for a period of 4 years at the end of suspension period
- possible attendance at alcohol/drug/substance abuse treatment program
- possible forfeiture and/or impoundment of motor vehicle
- ME SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Maine
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Maine for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Maine it is an offense for adult drivers to drive any regular motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
DRIVERS UNDER 21 - BAC LIMIT = 0.00% - ZERO TOLERANCE
In the State of Maine it is an offense for drivers under the age of 21 (minors) to drive any motor vehicle with 0.00% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
In the State of Maine it is an offense for drivers who drive commercial vehicles to drive any commercial motor vehicle with 0.04% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Bath, Belfast, Biddeford, Blue Hill, Boothbay Harbor, Brewer, Brunswick, Calais, Camden, Cape Elizabeth, Caribou, Damariscotta, Dover Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Farmington, Freeport, Fryeburg, Gardiner, Gorham, Gray, Hallowell, Hampden, Houlton, Kennebunk, Kittery, Lewiston, Machias, Norway, Old Orchard Beach, Orono, Portland, Presque Isle, Readfield, Rockland, Rockport, Saco, Sanford, Scarborough, Skowhegan, South Paris, South Portland, Springvale, Topsham, Waldoboro, Waterville, Wells, Westbrook, Windham, Winthrop, Wiscasset, Yarmouth, York.
Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, Washington, York.
