FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Contact: Kristen Schulze Muszynski
207-626-8404

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers language accommodations for licensing

AUGUSTA Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is reminding Maine citizens that the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles makes every effort to provide accommodations for driver license applicants to ensure fair and equitable access to licensure, in accordance with Maine and federal law.  

For those seeking to obtain a driver's license, the Class C Maine Motorist Handbook and Study Guide and the knowledge exam for the driving permit are offered in multiple languages. The driving test manuals are also available at the State of Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website, www.maine.gov/sos/bmv in both text and audio format.

Applicants for a Class C license are also welcome to have a translator for both the written test and the pre-road test instructions. For applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing, the services of an American Sign Language interpreter can be employed during the written test and to convey pre-test instructions and post-test follow-up. Driver license examiners are also trained on using basic ASL to convey instructions during the road test.

Additionally, driver license examiners are trained to conduct testing in the vehicle of a license applicant with physical disabilities who uses adaptive driving devices. 

For commercial driver's licenses (CDL), federal standards apply and permit the use of American Sign Language interpreters during the written knowledge test and to convey pre-skills/road test instructions.  

Any applicant who requires accommodations for the written or road test should contact the Exams Division of the BMV, at 207-624-9000 Ext. 52119; inquire in person at any BMV branch, email the Exams unit at license.bmv@maine.gov or mail Bureau of Motor Vehicles, State House Station 29, Augusta, Maine 04333.   

The Maine Department of the Secretary of State is committed to serving all Maine residents and providing services to make our licensure processes accessible to all eligible applicants. 

For more information about licensing in the State of Maine, visit www.maine.gov/sos/bmv.