How to Find Maine DUI Records

In Maine driving under the influence is known as operating under the influence or OUI. Irrespective of what they are called the drunken driving laws in Maine are quite severe in nature. A reading of 0.08 or above of the blood alcohol concentration or BAC level of 0.08 grams or above of alcohol per 210 liters in the breath analyzer test is considered legally intoxicant in Maine.  Even the refusal to take the blood alcohol concentration test, urine test or a breath analyzer test constitutes an OUI offense under the Maine DUI laws.

Maine DUI Laws

Maine DUI or OUI will generate two cases which include a case under the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine and a separate court case. A case under the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles can result in the suspension of the offender’s driving privileges or driver’s license. A court case for a DUI in Maine requires the offender to attend a mandatory program on alcohol education, pay a steep fine, a term in the jail, being subjected to the ignition interlock device and even the suspension of the offender’s driver’s license.

In the event of an arrest for a Maine DUI or OUI, the offender will be notified about the suspension of the driver’s privileges or driving license within a period of 14 to 21 days after the arrest. The notification is sent in the form of a mail to the individual’s residential address that is available in the records of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine State. Upon receiving the notification of suspension from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine, you have only ten days to respond and request for a court hearing to prevent the suspension and protecting your driving privileges. If you fail to respond within this period, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Maine DUI Penalties

For a DUI or OUI arrest or offense in Maine State the punishment enforced by the court as well as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine is based on whether it is the individual’s first OUI offense, second OUI offense, third OUI arrest or even a fourth time offense. With each repeat offense the punishment becomes more severe, more so if the offense for drunk driving is repeated within 10 years of the last offense. But if the previous drunk driving offense committed by the offender was more than 10 years ago then the previous conviction record will not be counted in the event of a new DUI offense in Maine State. It shall be considered as the offender’s first offense in drunk driving.

Search for the Maine DUI Records

Despite the strict laws and penalties imposed by the Maine State to prevent and reduce the number of DUI and DWI offenses in the state, certain drivers continue to re- commit DUI or DWI offenses even after their driver’s license or driving privileges has been suspended by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine State. There are instances of certain drivers not continuing with their alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs or not paying their fines. So when you go through the individual driving records in Maine State, you can identify and clarify your doubts about the suspected drivers.

Searching for the Maine DUI records becomes especially important for the employment of school bus drivers, if your child needs to use the car pool facility, if you run a car hire service, or a logistics company.

The Maine DUI records forms an important source to verify the driver’s records. These records can help to ascertain if the driver has any serious DUI offense registered against him or her. Usually, information on serious DUI offenses or accidents is retained in the BMV records for a period of 10 years or even for life. Sifting through the driving records reduces the risk of employing drivers that pose a threat to the safety and security of the general public.

Apart from employment screening purposes, you may also require a copy of your own driving record in Maine when you need to defend yourself in a court against a traffic ticket.

Information Contained in the Maine DUI Records

The Maine DUI records provide information on the individual’s history of violations including adjudications, convictions, points against his/her license, suspensions, and in certain cases even contain information on any serious accidents that the individual may have had.

When you require checking the status of your driver’s license, you may request for your own driving record from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine. The abstract of your official driving record will spell out if the license is valid, or it has been suspended or revoked. In addition to the status of your driver’s license it will also provide information on any tickets, and your driving history including details of any accidents, or active warrants or convictions.

Retrieving a Copy of the Maine DUI Records

To acquire your Maine DUI record you need to visit the office of the Secretary of State in Illinois, fill out a request from by paying a $10 fee and receive the print-out of the record immediately.

You can request for a copy of your Maine driving record via mail. This process would involve 10 days. You need to send the written request along with the fee to: The Driver Analysis Section, Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 29 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0029,Telephone: 207-624-9000 Extension:52106, Website: http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv.

The request should include details such as your date of birth, full name, and the driver’s license number.

To request for the DUI records of other individuals in the state of Maine, you need to follow the same process for obtaining your own record. The office of the Secretary of State in Maine will notify the individual that you have requested for his/her driving record.

The abstract of the Maine DUI record report of other individuals will include details such as any accidents, DUI or DWI convictions, suspensions as well as revocations but it will not provide personal details and address of the driver. It may also not provide information on cases that are still pending or mention about traffic tickets that did not lead to a conviction.

For more information on the Maine DUI laws, fines penalties and accessing the DUI records in Maine State you can visit http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/ or view the Maine DUI laws from http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2432.html or contact the Maine BMV http://www.maine.gov/sos/contact/.