If you were arrested for drunk or drugged driving in Maine, you're facing two separate problems at once: a criminal OUI charge in court, and a license suspension run by the Secretary of State that can hit before you ever see a judge. The hardest part is the deadline almost nobody knows about — you have just 10 days to demand a hearing or the suspension stands automatically. Call 1-844-690-0555 now, free and 24/7, and get clear information on exactly what you're up against. It's legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Maine.
Right now, do three things. First, look at the pink temporary license and paperwork the officer gave you — it starts the clock on a separate Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspension, and you have only 10 days from its effective date to request an administrative hearing in writing. Second, write down everything you remember: where you were stopped, what the officer said, whether you were read the implied-consent warning, and whether you took or refused the breath or blood test. Third, before you talk to anyone about the facts of your arrest, call 1-844-690-0555 — free, 24/7 — to understand the two-track process and what's mandatory versus negotiable. This is information, not legal advice.
Here's what catches Mainers off guard: your driver's license is in danger before you ever stand in front of a judge. The moment you're arrested for OUI, the Secretary of State starts a separate administrative suspension — a civil process run by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, not the court. To challenge it, the BMV must receive your written request for a hearing within 10 days of the suspension's effective date. People wait for their court date, assuming the license fight happens there. It doesn't. By the time the criminal case is called, the 10-day window has long closed and the suspension is locked in automatically. Don't let that clock run out — call 1-844-690-0555 now for free information on the deadline and what to do.
Legal Hotline is not a law firm or a public defender, and we give information rather than advice. For court-appointed counsel you may qualify through the court itself; the resources below are genuinely useful starting points for Mainers dealing with an OUI and its fallout.
What does OUI mean in Maine, and is it the same as a DUI?
Maine uses 'OUI' — Operating Under the Influence — instead of DUI or DWI, but it's the same kind of charge: operating a vehicle at a 0.08 BAC or while impaired by alcohol or drugs, under Title 29-A § 2411. The label is different; the consequences are serious. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on what an OUI means for you.
How long do I really have to save my license after an OUI arrest?
Just 10 days. The Secretary of State's Bureau of Motor Vehicles must receive your written request for an administrative hearing within 10 days of the suspension's effective date. This is separate from your criminal court date, and missing it means the suspension stands automatically. Call 1-844-690-0555 now to understand the deadline before it passes.
Is the license suspension separate from the criminal OUI case?
Yes — and this surprises almost everyone. The BMV runs a civil administrative suspension that can take effect before your criminal case is even heard, while the District or Superior Court handles the criminal charge separately. They have different deadlines and outcomes. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on both tracks.
What happens if I refused the breath or blood test in Maine?
Under Maine's implied-consent law (Title 29-A § 2521), refusing brings a 275-day suspension on a first refusal — served on top of any OUI suspension — a higher minimum fine, mandatory jail of at least 96 hours, and the refusal can be used as evidence against you. It's rarely the shield people think it is. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn where a refusal leaves you.
What are the penalties for a first OUI in Maine?
A first OUI with no priors in ten years is a Class D crime carrying a minimum $500 fine and a 150-day license suspension. Aggravators like a 0.15+ BAC, eluding police, going 30+ mph over the limit, or a passenger under 21 add a mandatory 48 hours in jail the court can't suspend. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on your specific situation.
Can I still drive with an ignition interlock device?
Possibly. Under Title 29-A § 2508, a first offender may petition the Secretary of State to reinstate driving after serving 30 days of a 150-day suspension by installing an approved ignition interlock device for the rest of the term. There's a $50 application fee and you must get written approval first. Call 1-844-690-0555 to find out if you qualify.
I'm under 21 — are the rules different?
Yes. Maine has zero tolerance for drivers under 21: any measurable alcohol while operating leads to a one-year license suspension, even below 0.08. If you're also charged with OUI, both consequences can apply. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on what an underage OUI means for you.
What happens to my commercial driver's license after an OUI?
A CDL holder faces a lower 0.04 limit and a separate one-year commercial disqualification on a first offense — which can apply even if you were driving your own personal car off-duty. That's on top of the regular OUI penalties. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand the risk to your CDL.
How bad does a second or third OUI get in Maine?
It escalates fast. A second offense within ten years carries a minimum $700 fine, a 3-year suspension, and at least 7 days in jail. A third becomes a Class C crime with a minimum $1,100 fine, a 6-year suspension, and at least 30 days in jail — all mandatory, and higher still if you refused testing. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on a repeat charge.
Do I have to take a class to get my license back?
Usually yes. Maine generally requires completion of the Driver Education and Evaluation Program (DEEP), plus payment of reinstatement fees, before your license is restored after an OUI. The exact requirements depend on your offense. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn what reinstatement will involve for you.
Does calling the hotline mean I have a lawyer?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm or a public defender, and the free call gives you legal information, not legal advice — it creates no attorney-client relationship. If you want representation, we can help you book a paid consultation with a Maine-licensed OUI attorney. Start with the free call at 1-844-690-0555.
We connect frightened drivers across Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Bangor, Augusta and the rest of Maine with licensed OUI defense lawyers who can take their court case and BMV hearing. If you're a Maine-licensed attorney who handles OUI work and wants vetted client referrals, you can join our network. It's a simple path — and it never competes with the free help a caller gets first.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
An OUI arrest in Maine starts two clocks, and the license clock is the one that runs out first. Don't wait for a court date that comes too late. Call 1-844-690-0555 now — free, 24/7, in your language — for clear information on the BMV deadline, the mandatory minimums, and your options. It's legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship. The call is free; the deadline is real.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.