The whole Maine guide

A uniformed officer with reasonable and articulable suspicion that a violation of law has taken place, or is taking place, may stop a motor vehicle to arrest the operator for a crime, to issue a summons or ticket, or to question the operator or the people riding along.

An officer who has made the stop may demand and inspect the driver's license, the certificate of registration, permits and the vehicle's identification numbers.
When the operator cannot produce the registration, or is not the registered owner and cannot show reasonable evidence of authority to drive the vehicle, the officer may impound it until the owner claims it or confirms the operator's authority. The owner is told at once.

29-A M.R.S. § 105

A name, an address and a date of birth. When an officer has probable cause to believe a person violated the motor vehicle title, intentionally failing or refusing on request to give that person's correct name, address or date of birth is a Class E crime.

29-A M.R.S. § 105

An officer who stops a driver for a moving violation asks for evidence of liability insurance. It may be shown on a phone, and showing it that way is not consent for the officer to look at anything else on the device.

29-A M.R.S. § 1601

The Fourth Amendment sets limits on every stop, and the Supreme Court of the United States has drawn several of them. It has held that a stop is reasonable where the officer has probable cause to believe a traffic violation occurred, whatever the officer's actual motive; that an officer making a lawful stop may order the driver, and the passengers, out of the vehicle; that a passenger is seized by the stop and may challenge it; and that a stop may last no longer than its purpose requires, so it may not be extended for a dog sniff without separate reasonable suspicion. It has also held that consent to a search has to be voluntary, judged on all the circumstances, and that the prosecution does not have to prove the person knew they could refuse. Those holdings are a floor: a state's own constitution and statutes can give more protection than they do, never less.

Sources for this section (8)

29-A M.R.S. § 105 — Enforcement
29-A M.R.S. § 1601 — Required maintenance of financial responsibility
Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996) — A traffic stop is reasonable when there is probable cause of a traffic violation
Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977) — An officer may order the driver out of a lawfully stopped car
Maryland v. Wilson, 519 U.S. 408 (1997) — An officer may order passengers out of a lawfully stopped car
Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249 (2007) — A passenger is seized by a traffic stop and may challenge it
Rodriguez v. United States, 575 U.S. 348 (2015) — A stop may not be extended beyond its purpose to run a dog sniff
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 (1973) — Consent to a search must be voluntary

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.

MAINE FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Being stopped

Marijuana and drugs

Impaired driving

Court and money

Recording

Carrying a firearm

Charges and penalties

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

MAINE FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Traffic Stops29-A M.R.S. § 105 — a stop on reasonable and articulable suspicion, and the license and registration on demand▾

A Traffic Ticket29-A M.R.S. § 103 — a traffic infraction is not a crime, and the fine runs from $25 to $500▾

Driving Without a License29-A M.R.S. § 1251 — unlicensed driving is a Class E crime; a new resident has 30 days to apply▾

The Learner's Permit29-A M.R.S. § 1304 — a permit at fifteen after driver education, and 70 hours of driving before a license▾

Your Phone Behind the Wheel29-A M.R.S. § 2121 — hands free only, and no texting, even stopped at a light▾

Driving to Endanger29-A M.R.S. § 2413 — driving with criminal negligence, a fine of at least $575 and a suspension▾

Lanes and Passing29-A M.R.S. § 2070 — pass on the left, back to the right before 100 feet of oncoming traffic, 3 feet for a bicycle▾

Turn Signals29-A M.R.S. § 2071 — a signal for at least the last 100 feet before a turn▾

Traffic Lights and Right on Red29-A M.R.S. § 2057 — a right turn on red after a full stop, unless a sign says no▾

Speed Limits29-A M.R.S. § 2074 — 15 in a school zone, 25 in town, 45 elsewhere unless posted; 30 over is a crime▾

Passing a School Bus29-A M.R.S. § 2308 — stop from either direction for the red lights; a $250 minimum fine▾

After a Crash29-A M.R.S. § 2252 — stop, give a name and registration, and help anyone hurt▾

Pedestrians in the Road29-A M.R.S. § 2056 — yield in a marked crosswalk, and 3 feet when passing someone on foot▾

Seat Belts and Car Seats29-A M.R.S. § 2081 — everyone buckled, children in the seat their age and size call for▾

Pulling Over for a Siren29-A M.R.S. § 2054 — pull to the right and stop; move over a lane for a stopped emergency vehicle▾

Window Tint29-A M.R.S. § 1916 — side and rear windows letting through at least 35% of the light▾

Fleeing the Police29-A M.R.S. § 2414 — not stopping is a Class E crime, a high speed chase a Class C▾

The Insurance Requirement29-A M.R.S. § 1601 — proof on paper or a phone, and a dismissal for coverage that was in force▾

Open Container29-A M.R.S. § 2112-A — no drinking and no open alcohol in the passenger area▾

Right of Way29-A M.R.S. § 2053 — yield to the right at an intersection, and to traffic already in a roundabout▾

Railroad Crossings29-A M.R.S. § 2076 — stop 15 to 50 feet back when the signals warn of a train▾

Following Too Closely29-A M.R.S. § 2066 — no closer than is reasonable and prudent, and 500 feet behind a fire truck▾

Motorcycle Helmets29-A M.R.S. § 2083 — riders under 18 and new riders wear one▾

Smoking in a Car with a Child29-A M.R.S. § 2120 — no smoking with a minor in the vehicle, windows open or not▾

Horses and Buggies on the Road29-A M.R.S. § 2055 — a raised hand stops oncoming traffic, and no one may spook the horse▾

Being stopped

Being Arrested17-A M.R.S. § 15 — arrest without a warrant on probable cause of a Class A, B or C crime, or a lesser one seen happening▾

A Summons Instead of Arrest17-A M.R.S. § 15-A — a written summons to appear, and a promise to come signed on the spot▾

When Police Come to the House17-A M.R.S. § 15 — a domestic call, and an arrest without a warrant on probable cause▾

Resisting Arrest17-A M.R.S. § 751-B — refusing to submit to arrest or detention, a Class E or Class D crime▾

Marijuana and drugs

Drug Possession17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A — the class depends on the schedule and the amount▾

Cannabis28-B M.R.S. § 1501 — up to 2 1/2 ounces at 21, and 6 mature plants at home▾

Selling Drugs17-A M.R.S. § 1103 — a schedule W drug is a Class B crime▾

Drug Paraphernalia17-A M.R.S. § 1111-A — using it is a civil violation with a $300 fine▾

Calling for Help in an Overdose17-A M.R.S. § 1111-B — the caller, the helper and the person overdosing are immune▾

Property Seized in a Drug Case15 M.R.S. § 5821 — forfeiture when the owner is convicted of a crime the property was part of▾

Underage Drinking28-A M.R.S. § 2051 — a civil violation, $200 to $400 the first time▾

Giving Alcohol to a Minor28-A M.R.S. § 2081 — a Class D crime, with a $500 minimum when the minor is under 18▾

Tobacco and Vapes Under 2122 M.R.S. § 1555-B — no sale to anyone under 21, and ID for anyone under 30▾

Impaired driving

OUI Penalties29-A M.R.S. § 2411 — operating under the influence, or at 0.08; minimums that rise within 10 years▾

The OUI Stop and the Test29-A M.R.S. § 2521 — a breath test on probable cause, and a 275 day suspension for a first refusal▾

Under 21 and Driving29-A M.R.S. § 2472 — a provisional license and any alcohol at all, 0.00▾

The Ignition Interlock License29-A M.R.S. § 2508 — driving again after 30 days of a first OUI suspension, with an interlock▾

A Work Restricted License29-A M.R.S. § 2503 — driving to work during a first administrative suspension▾

Court and money

Getting the Deposit Back14 M.R.S. § 6033 — back, or an itemized statement, within 30 days on a lease and 21 days at will▾

Where the Deposit Is Kept14 M.R.S. § 6038 — a separate account beyond the landlord's creditors, and $500 or a month's rent when it is not▾

Moving in Costs14 M.R.S. § 6022-A — the first month, the deposit and disclosed fees, and no more up front▾

Late Fees14 M.R.S. § 6028 — late after 15 days, and no more than 4% of a month's rent▾

A Rent Increase14 M.R.S. § 6015 — 45 days' written notice, and 75 days for 10% or more▾

When the Landlord Will Not Fix It14 M.R.S. § 6021 — a unit fit to live in, and a complaint in court when it is not▾

Repair and Deduct14 M.R.S. § 6026 — 14 days after written notice, up to $500 or half a month's rent▾

No Heat14 M.R.S. § 6021 — heat that can hold 68 degrees, when the lease puts heat on the landlord▾

When the Landlord Can Come In14 M.R.S. § 6025 — reasonable notice, 24 hours presumed, at reasonable times▾

Being Evicted14 M.R.S. § 6002 — 30 days' notice at will, 7 days for rent 7 days behind, and a court case either way▾

When the Landlord Retaliates14 M.R.S. § 6001 — an eviction within 6 months of a complaint is presumed retaliation▾

Locked Out by the Landlord14 M.R.S. § 6014 — no lockouts and no shutoffs; actual damages or $250▾

Belongings Left Behind14 M.R.S. § 6013 — storage, a letter, and 7 days to claim before anything is sold▾

Appealing an Eviction14 M.R.S. § 6008 — before the writ issues or 30 days, whichever comes first, and rent paid while it runs▾

Leaving a Lease Early14 M.R.S. § 6010-A — the landlord tries to rerent, and the tenant is credited what it brings▾

Getting Paid26 M.R.S. § 621-A — paid in full at least every 16 days, through 8 days before payday▾

The Last Paycheck26 M.R.S. § 626 — paid in full by the next payday, unused vacation included▾

A Wage Claim26 M.R.S. § 626-A — the unpaid wages, twice that again, and fees, from 8 days after they were due▾

Minimum Wage and Overtime26 M.R.S. § 664 — a wage raised each January 1 by the cost of living, and time and a half past 40▾

Tips Belong to the Worker26 M.R.S. § 664 — a tip credit of up to half the minimum wage, and card tips paid by the next payday▾

Equal Pay26 M.R.S. § 628 — the same pay for comparable work, whatever the sex or race▾

Earned Paid Leave26 M.R.S. § 637 — one hour for every 40 worked, up to 40 hours a year, at more than 10 employees▾

Breaks, Nursing and Overtime Limits26 M.R.S. § 601 — a 30 minute break after 6 hours, and no more than 80 hours of forced overtime in 2 weeks▾

Working Under Eighteen26 M.R.S. § 774 — hour limits on a school week, and a work permit under 16▾

Hurt at Work39-A M.R.S. § 301 — notice to the employer within 60 days, and a petition within 2 years▾

Suing an Employer for an Injury39-A M.R.S. § 104 — an insured employer is exempt from the lawsuit▾

Unemployment After a Job Ends26 M.R.S. § 1193 — quitting without good cause or misconduct disqualifies; 30 days to appeal▾

Discrimination at Work5 M.R.S. § 4572 — any employer of any size, and a complaint within 300 days▾

Jury Duty and the Job14 M.R.S. § 1218 — no firing over jury service, a Class E crime▾

The Reason for a Firing, and the File26 M.R.S. § 630 — the reasons in writing within 15 days of a written request▾

Applying for a Job with a Record26 M.R.S. § 600-A — no conviction question on the first application form▾