{"id":373781,"date":"2016-04-04T11:04:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maine-law\/maine-traffic-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-12-06T16:42:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T21:42:28","slug":"maine-traffic-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-traffic-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maine Traffic Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maine Traffic Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n


\r\nFrom scenic coastal drives to bustling downtown Portland, Maine roadways can be full of surprises. Unfortunately, some of those surprises are dangerous. If you don’t follow the law to reduce potential danger, you might end up with a ticket or accident.<\/p>\r\n

Be ready for your adventures by understanding Maine’s traffic laws. Learn about the statewide rules<\/a> for driving and vehicles, plus what penalties you could face for breaking them.<\/p>\r\n

Key Rules of the Road in Maine<\/h2>\r\n

You can find the state’s motor vehicle laws in Title 29-A<\/a> of the Maine Revised Statutes. Read a few popular driving rules in the chart below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Drinking & Driving Violations<\/th>\r\nCriminal OUI<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2411)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Driving Without a License \/ With a Suspended License<\/th>\r\nLicense required<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 1251)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Driving Without Insurance \/ With Insufficient Insurance<\/th>\r\nFinancial responsibility and insurance<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A Chapter 13)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Driving Without Registration \/ With Expired Registration<\/th>\r\nRegistration required<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 351)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Illegal U-Turn<\/th>\r\nU-turns<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2072)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Leaving the Scene of an Accident \/ Hit & Run<\/th>\r\nAccidents involving death or personal injury<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2252)Accidents involving vehicle damage<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2253)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Mechanical Violations and Unlawful Vehicle Modifications<\/th>\r\nEquipment<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A Chapter 17)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Reckless Driving<\/th>\r\nDriving to endanger<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2413)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Right of Way<\/th>\r\nRight-of-way<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2053)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Running a Red Light \/ Stop Sign<\/th>\r\nTraffic control devices<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2057)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Seat Belt \/ Child Restraint Violations<\/th>\r\nUse of safety seat belts<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2081)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Speeding<\/th>\r\nRates of speed<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2074)Other speed regulations<\/a> (MRS Title 29-A section 2075)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Maine Speed Limits<\/h2>\r\n

Speeding is a common moving violation. According to the Maine Department of Transportation<\/a>, 555 crashes involved speeding in 2020. Another 2,815 crashes involved driving too fast<\/a> for the road conditions at the time, even if the driver’s speed was technically within the limit.<\/p>\r\n

The state law sets default speed limits for road types, including:<\/p>\r\n