Driver Education Instructor License (how to obtain)

Types of Driver Education Instructor Licenses and Endorsements (Chap 9 Rules Governing Driver Education)

• Class A driver education instructor license. A Class A license authorizes the person to teach both the classroom and behind-the-wheel phases of driver education, and, when authorized by the Secretary of State, to provide digital instruction for passenger type vehicles (Class C vehicles).
• Class B driver education instructor license. A Class B license authorizes the person to teach only the behind-the-wheel phase of driver education for passenger type vehicles (Class C vehicles).
• Class A commercial vehicle endorsement. A Class A endorsement authorizes the person to teach both the classroom, behind-the-wheel and range (off-street) phases of commercial motor vehicle driver education (Class A and/or Class B vehicles). Also, when authorized, to provide digital instruction.
• Class B commercial vehicle endorsement. A Class B endorsement authorizes the person to teach only the behind-the-wheel and range (off-street) phases of commercial motor vehicle driver education.

General Application Requirements for Class A and Class B Instructor Licenses

(NOTE: 05/31/23 Items 1 and 3 below derive from Maine Statute, Title 29-A section 1354 (4) (A and B), respectively. Maine BMV is aware of the conflicting information in the current edition of Departmental rules that govern driver/rider education. The erroneous information in rule will be changed in the upcoming rulemaking process. Driver education school owners are encouraged to follow Title 29-A guidance in their hiring processes while we work to resolve this issue.)

To apply for a driver education instructor license, you must complete an application form and meet the following requirements:

1. * Be at least 21 years of age.
2. Submit proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
3. * Have at least four (4) years of driver experience as a licensed driver and possess a valid driver's license.
4. Must not have any physical, emotional or mental impairment which would prevent driver licensure in accordance with Chapter 3, Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Rules Governing the Physical Emotional and Mental Competence to Operate a Motor Vehicle.
5. Have no convictions or adjudication for moving criminal traffic offenses within the last six (6) years, except for operating without a license if the license was expired less than five (5) years and operating with an expired registration. If you hold an out of state driver's license, a certified copy of the persons driving record and proof of licensure from any state in which a license was held in the preceding six years must be provided with the instructor application.
6. Have not had a driver's license suspended or revoked within the last six (6) years pursuant to 29-A MRSA Sections 2411, 2453, 2454, 2456, 2457, 2472, 2521, 2525, 2552, 2554, 2555 or 2557.
7. Has not been an accident-prone driver within last year from date of application.
8. Pass an instructor test administered by the Secretary of State, consisting of knowledge and instructor road test in a representative vehicle.
9. Have not been convicted for any Class A, B or C crime or felony within the last ten (10) years. A person is disqualified from licensing as an instructor or school owner if convicted of 17-A MRSA 201, 202, 203, 208, 208B, 208C, 210A, 210B, 210C, 211, 211A, 213, 253, 254, 255A, 256, 258, 260, 261, 282, 283, 284, 301, 302, 303, 553, 554, 556, 854 and 855.
10. Have successfully completed a first aid course approved by the Secretary of State, and the completion card for this course must be valid upon application.
11. Have successfully completed a driving dynamics or defensive driving course approved by the Secretary of State within the preceding year. (Contact the Bureau of Highway Safety, 626-3840)
12. Submit a license fee of $200.00, a $10.00 instructor test fee plus a $21.00 fee for the criminal background check. (Total $231.00 for Class C vehicles)
13. Submit a license fee of $200.00, a $35.00 instructor test fee plus a $21.00 fee for the criminal background check. (Total $256.00 for Class A & B vehicles)

Additional Application Requirements for a Class A License (Class C Vehicles)

If applying for a Class A driver education instructor license in Class C Vehicles, you must submit proof of successful completion of the following introductory course in driver education, completed within the preceding three (3) years:

1. Introductory course in driver education instruction for Class A instructors which includes peer teaching, curriculum delivery, harassment prevention and teaching special needs students. This course must be approved by the Secretary of State.

Additional Application Requirements for a Class B License (Class C Vehicles)

If applying for a Class B driver education instructor license in Class C Vehicles, you must submit proof of successful completion of the following introductory course in driver education, completed within the preceding three (3) years:

1. Introductory course in driver education instruction for Class B instructors must be based on the approved curriculum, include harassment prevention training, provide a minimum of eight hours of instruction and include behind-the-wheel training. This course must be approved by the Secretary of State.

Additional Requirements for a Class A Commercial Vehicle Endorsement

In addition to meeting the general application requirements, a person applying for a Class A commercial vehicle endorsement must also:

1. Have successfully completed an introductory course in commercial vehicle driver education within the preceding three (3) years. The Secretary of State must approve the courses which fulfill this requirement.
2. Have at least two (2) years experience in the last ten (10) years as a licensed CDL driver in the actual operation of a representative CMV. This two (2) years CDL experience may be applied to the general requirement of six (6) years of experience as a licensed driver. A commercial vehicle endorsement may be issued for Class A or Class B vehicles. (Submit proof on letterhead from current or past employer which lists your name, dates of employment and class of vehicle.)
3. Have not had a driver's license suspended or revoked for operating a commercial motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent or more or refusing to submit to a chemical test within the last six (6) years.

Additional Requirements for a Class B Commercial Vehicle Endorsement

In addition to meeting the general application requirements, a person applying for a Class B commercial vehicle endorsement must also:

1. Have at least two (2) years' experience in the last ten years as a licensed CDL driver in the actual operation of a representative CMV. This two (2) years CDL experience may be applied to the general requirement of six (6) years of experience as a licensed driver. A truck driver education endorsement may be issued for Class A or Class B vehicles. (Submit proof on letterhead from current or past employer which lists your name, dates of employment and class of vehicle.)
2. Have not had a driver's license suspended or revoked for operating a commercial motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent or more or refusing to submit to a chemical test within the last six (6) years.

Exemption from License Fees

You are exempt from paying the license fee if you are a driver education instructor who is employed by and providing driver education only in a public secondary school, approved private secondary school, applied technology center or region, or an adult education program that offers driver education that holds a "noncommercial" school license. No fee can be charged to your students, and your students must be given course credit towards graduation. If you qualify for a fee exemption, the license issued will be termed a "noncommercial" driver education instructor license, which authorizes you to provide driver education only while employed by a "noncommercial" driver education school.

Other Information

Your application will be reviewed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to determine whether you meet the licensing requirements. If your application is approved, you will be issued a license which will be mailed to you. Your license will expire two years from the date it is issued. Teaching driver education without a valid license is a Class E crime.

Once you are issued a Driver Education Instructor license it is your responsibility to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in writing of any change in information on the original license application (e.g., change of name, address, telephone number, driving or criminal record and health). All correspondence and renewal notices will be sent to the licensee's last known address on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact this office at (207) 624-9000 Extension 52128.