Maine Traffic Violation Records

In Maine, traffic violation records are primarily maintained by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), which operates under the Maine Department of the Secretary of State. This agency oversees licensing and driving records for all motorists in the state. Additionally, some traffic records may also be maintained in the state's courts, especially those involving criminal charges or contested citations. Traffic records maintained by the Maine BMV include license suspensions, other administrative actions, and traffic offenses such as speed limit violations. About 7.36% of motorists in the state have a prior speeding violation on their driving record.

In order to ensure the safety of drivers and the public, the state uses a demerit point system to track traffic violations. When drivers commit moving violations, points are added to their record based on the severity of the offense. These points are typically reported on their driving records.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Maine?

Traffic violation records in Maine are considered public information under the state Freedom of Access Act (FOAA). However, access to full traffic records is governed by both state and federal laws to protect individual privacy. For instance, personal information such as medical details, addresses, and Social Security numbers contained in individual driving records is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) of 1994.

Also, non-criminal traffic infractions records maintained by the Judicial Branch Violation Bureau and criminal traffic records maintained by the district court are also publicly accessible under the FOAA.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Maine?

You may look up traffic tickets in Maine via the eCourts Public Portal. The smart search option of the portal allows users to find traffic violation cases statewide and information on cases in courts where eFiling has been implemented. To use the smart search option, provide the traffic ticket number, the court case docket number, or the name of one of the parties, and then click submit. Note that it may take a few days from the day you received your ticket for it to be entered into the public portal. If you are unable to verify your ticket, you may wait a few days or call the Maine Violations Bureau at (207) 783-5422.

Additionally, third-party websites offer searchable databases that can be used to find information about traffic tickets. These platforms typically compile public records from multiple sources, making it easier for users to access information in one place. A reputable example is PublicRecord.us, which provides access to various types of public records, including details about traffic violations.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

You may pay your traffic ticket in Maine via the following options:

• Online: The Maine Judicial Branch Violations Bureau accepts payment for traffic infraction tickets through a centralized process via its online payment portal. You will need the ticket number, driver's license number, license plate number, or name, and a credit or debit card to complete payment on this portal.

• By Mail: Send a check or money order payable in United States Funds to "Treasurer, State of Maine" and mail it to:

  Violations Bureau

  P.O. Box 480

  Lewiston, ME 04243-0480

• By Phone: This option is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. To pay by phone, call 1-866-729-8499. You will need a credit or debit card (Discover, VISA, and MasterCard). Note that a 2.89% convenience fee will be added to the amount due.
• In person: You may visit the courthouse handling the matter to pay the amount due in person.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain a driving record from the Maine Secretary of State online or by mail. To complete the request online via the Maine BMV online Record Check Service, you will need your license number, name, date of birth, a valid credit card, and a printer. To request by mail, send a written request to:

The Office of the Secretary of State issues a 3-year or 10-year driving record history. For a 3-year driving record, the fee costs $7 online and $5 by mail. For a 10-year driving record, it costs $12 online and $10 by mail. If you require a certified copy of your Maine driving record, there is an additional $1 charge. If you want your record faxed to you, an additional $2 fee applies. A Maine driving record includes details such as the records of convictions for traffic offenses, license suspension, revocation, and restorations, point assessments and warnings, reported accident history, and the record time span.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Maine?

Moving violations are traffic offenses occurring when a driver violates traffic laws while the vehicle remains in motion. Moving violations in Maine include speeding, running a red light or stop sign, reckless driving, failure to yield the right of way, and driving under the influence.

Non-moving violations typically occur when the vehicle is stationary or the offense does not involve unsafe driving behavior while in motion. Examples of non-moving violations include expired registration or inspection sticker, driving without proof of insurance, parking in a no-parking zone or in front of a fire hydrant, tinted windows beyond legal limits, and broken or non-functioning tail lights or headlights.

Moving violations usually result in fines, and when repeated or severe, may lead to the suspension or revocation of a driver's license. In addition, Maine uses a demerit point system, where points are added to a driver's record for each moving violation. Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months may trigger a license suspension.

Serious offenses, such as operating under the influence (OUI), criminal speeding, or reckless driving, may require a mandatory court appearance and may result in jail time, in addition to higher fines and prolonged license suspensions. Furthermore, convictions for moving violations in Maine are recorded on the driver's official BMV record and are commonly reported to insurance companies, often resulting in higher auto insurance premiums.

The penalties for non-moving violations in Maine are typically limited to fines, and such violations do not result in demerit points on the driver's record. Also, most non-moving violations do not impact auto insurance rates, and they are usually not recorded on a driver's official motor vehicle record unless they are associated with other serious offenses.

How Long Does an OUI Stay on Your Record in Maine?

The State of Maine considers an OUI (operating while under the influence) conviction a permanent black mark on an individual's criminal and driving records. The state's OUI laws are codified under 29-A M.R.S.A. §2411. OUI in Maine refers to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants or having an excessive BrAC or BAC at or above 0.08. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Maine ranks in the top 20 in the United States for states with the highest DUI arrest rate. The Pine Tree State records about 421 OUI arrests and 5.8 OUI road fatalities per 100,000 drivers.

The following penalties apply for OUI convictions in Maine:

• First Offense (Class D Misdemeanor)
• License Suspension: 150 days
• Fine: Minimum $500
• Jail Time: None, unless aggravating factors are present
• Aggravating Factors: Include a BAC of 0.15% or higher, speeding 30 mph over the limit, attempting to elude an officer, or having a passenger under 21 years old. These result in a mandatory minimum of 48 hours in jail.
• Second Offense (Within 10 Years)
• License Suspension: 3 years
• Fine: Minimum $700
• Jail Time: Minimum 7 days
• Test Refusal: Results in a minimum 12-day jail sentence and a $900 fine
• Third Offense (Within 10 Years, Class C Felony)
• License Suspension: 6 years
• Fine: Minimum $1,100
• Jail Time: Minimum 30 days
• Test Refusal: Leads to a minimum 40-day jail sentence and a $1,400 fine
• Fourth or Subsequent Offense (Within 10 Years, Class C Felony)
• License Suspension: 8 years
• Fine: Minimum $2,100
• Jail Time: Minimum 6 months
• Test Refusal: Results in a minimum 6 months and 20 days jail sentence and a $2,500 fine

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Maine?

Maine enforces absolute speed limits that must not be exceeded unless otherwise posted. Driving over the posted limit constitutes a speeding violation. The default speed limits in the state are:

• 15 mph: School zones during school hours or when children are present.
• 25 mph: Business or residential districts.
• 30 mph: Unposted urban areas.
• 45 mph: Rural areas and certain state highways.
• 65-75 mph: Interstate highways and the Maine Turnpike

For minor speeding violations, that is, where the driver is going less than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, the offense is treated as a traffic infraction. The minimum fine for such infractions begins at $50, but the total amount increases based on the speed over the limit and may go as high as $278. If the violation occurs in a construction zone, the fine is doubled, regardless of whether workers are present.

Speeding infractions also result in demerit points being added to the driver's record. Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months may lead to a license suspension by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. These violations also appear on the driver's record and may lead to higher insurance premiums.

However, when a driver exceeds the speed limit by 30 miles per hour or more, the offense is classified as criminal speeding, which is a Class E misdemeanor under Maine law. Penalties for criminal speeding are much more severe and may include:

• A fine of up to $1,000
• Suspension of driving privileges
• Jail time of up to 6 months, depending on the circumstances

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Maine?

A speeding ticket typically remains on your Maine driving record for one year. However, insurance companies may review a driver's record over the past three to five years when determining rates.

How to Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

You may defend yourself in a traffic case in a Maine court using the following strategies:

• Challenge the Accuracy of the Speed-Detection Device: One common defense against speeding offenses is to question the reliability or maintenance of the radar, LIDAR, or pacing method used by the officer. If you can demonstrate that the device had not been recently calibrated or that the officer lacked proper training in its use, the court may find the evidence insufficient.
• Argue Mistaken Identity or Observation: In cases where traffic violations occur in busy areas or at night, you may argue that the officer mistakenly identified your vehicle. If you drive a car that is similar in appearance to another in the vicinity, or if road conditions made it difficult to clearly see your license plate or vehicle movement, this may cast reasonable doubt on the accuracy of the citation.
• Establish a Justifiable Emergency: You may claim that you committed the traffic violation due to a sudden emergency that required immediate action. For example, speeding to transport someone to the hospital or swerving to avoid a collision with an animal may be justified if no safer alternative existed.
• Present Evidence of Incorrect Signage or Road Markings: If a traffic violation occurred in an area with missing, obscured, or unclear signage, you may argue that you were unaware of the posted limits or road rules.
• Question Officer's Recollection or Report: Inconsistencies in the officer's report or gaps in their memory during testimony may benefit your case. If the officer cannot recall specific details or if their written statement contains factual errors, you may use this to challenge the reliability of the evidence presented against you.

While you can represent yourself in most traffic cases, it is advisable to hire an experienced traffic lawyer under the following circumstances:

• The violation is a criminal offense, such as criminal speeding (30+ mph over the limit), reckless driving, or OUI.
• You face a potential license suspension or revocation, especially if you already have prior offenses on your record.
• The ticket carries significant fines or insurance consequences, such as for violations in school zones, construction areas, or resulting in an accident.
• You do not understand Maine court procedures.
• You live out of state and cannot attend court in person

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

The Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NVC) are two driver reciprocity agreements that play important roles in how traffic violations are reported and enforced across state lines. Per DLC provisions, when you are convicted of a moving violation in another member state, your home state will record the violation on your driving record. On the other hand, if you fail to respond or pay a ticket in another NVC member state, your home state may suspend your license until the matter is resolved.

• Determine If Personal Appearance Is Required: Some states mandate that drivers return to the state where the violation occurred to contest the charge. In such cases, you will need to travel back to attend a hearing and present your case before a judge.
• Explore the Option of a Written Defense: Certain states permit drivers to contest traffic violations through a written statement. If this option is available, you can avoid the cost and inconvenience of traveling by submitting a formal written appeal. In your written appeal, present evidence such as photographs, testimony, or other documentation that may be used as a defense.
• Hire an Attorney to Represent You: If attending court in person is not feasible and a written defense is not allowed, you may be able to hire a licensed attorney in the state where the ticket was issued. Many jurisdictions allow attorneys to appear in traffic court on your behalf. An experienced lawyer can navigate the local legal system, negotiate potential reductions.

How Do Maine Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Maine traffic laws align with many others available in other states in the nation, but there are several unique laws and notable differences that set the state apart from others. Examples of unique traffic laws in the state include the following:

• It is illegal to drive a car while wearing a helmet.
• When approaching an intersection with an obstructed view, drivers must reduce their speed to 15 mph within 50 feet of the intersection.
• Maine's "Move Over" law requires drivers to vacate the lane closest to any stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights. If changing lanes is not safe, drivers must slow down to a safe and reasonable speed.
• School buses in Maine are restricted to a maximum speed of 45 mph when transporting students, even on roads with higher posted limits.
• Intentionally blocking traffic, even as a form of protest or performance art, is illegal in Maine.