Maine FTA License Suspension: Clear Your Hold
Maine requires 50/100/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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Maine at a Glance
50/100/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Required
PIP and Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
$50
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Maine
Maine operates under a traditional tort liability system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance pays for injuries and damage. The state requires proof of insurance at all times and uses the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles to enforce compliance. If you missed a court date for a traffic citation, the court places a Failure-to-Appear hold on your license—the BMV won't process reinstatement until the court releases that hold.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Medical Payments Coverage
What Drivers Pay in Maine
$175–$306/mo
Typical monthly rate in Maine, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Warrant status—if you had an active bench warrant that required bail or a court appearance with counsel, some carriers treat the suspension as higher-risk even after clearance
Get Back on the Road After a Missed Court Date
Get My Post-FTA Insurance QuoteIf your license is suspended
Work-Restricted Drivers License
A restricted license is available while suspended.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear an FTA hold on my Maine license?
You must appear in the court that issued the Failure-to-Appear hold—typically the District Court in the county where the original citation was issued. If a bench warrant was issued, call the court clerk before appearing to determine whether the warrant is active and whether you need to post bail or can arrange a walk-in appearance. Once you resolve the underlying citation and pay any court fees, the court notifies the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles to release the FTA hold, which takes 3–7 business days.
Can I get car insurance before clearing the FTA hold in Maine?
Most carriers will provide a quote but will not bind coverage until you provide proof the FTA hold is released and your license is reinstated. Non-standard carriers like The General or Acceptance may bind coverage immediately after the court releases the hold, even if the BMV has not yet updated your license status. You cannot legally drive until both the hold is cleared and you have active insurance.
Does Maine require SR-22 after an FTA suspension?
SR-22 is not required for the FTA suspension itself—it's required only if the underlying citation that triggered the missed court date was for uninsured driving, DUI, or certain other major violations. If your FTA was for a speeding ticket or parking violation, no SR-22 is needed. Check your reinstatement notice from the BMV or call the BMV at 207-624-9000 to confirm whether SR-22 filing is required in your case.
What if I had a bench warrant for the missed court date?
Call the court clerk in the county where the warrant was issued before appearing in person. Some Maine courts allow you to schedule a hearing to recall the warrant without risk of arrest at the courthouse door; others require you to post bail or appear with counsel. Do not ignore the warrant—it remains active until you resolve it, and you can be arrested during any traffic stop or at the BMV when attempting to reinstate.
Coverage Types
Post-FTA Reinstatement Insurance
Coverage designed for drivers reinstating after a Failure-to-Appear suspension. Often requires non-standard carriers if the underlying citation was for uninsured driving or if a warrant was active.
SR-22 Filing for Underlying Uninsured Citation
If your missed court date was for driving uninsured, Maine requires SR-22 filing for three years after reinstatement. The SR-22 itself costs $25–$50 to file, but the high-risk classification doubles or triples your premium.
Liability-Only After Court Clearance
Minimum 50/100/25 liability coverage required to reinstate. No collision or comprehensive, which cuts costs by 40–50% if you own your vehicle outright.
Non-Standard Auto for Active Warrant Cases
Specialty carriers that write coverage for drivers with active bench warrants or FTA suspensions still in progress. Rates are 50–80% higher than standard market, but these carriers will bind coverage immediately after court clearance.
Standard Auto Post-Reinstatement
If your FTA was for a minor citation with no underlying insurance violation, you may qualify for standard market rates 6–12 months after reinstatement. Requires continuous coverage and no new violations.