Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 1252 – Classes
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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A license is not valid for the operation of a vehicle unless a class or restriction is indicated on the license. [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
1. Classes. There are 3 classes of licenses as follows:
A. A Class A license may be issued for the operation of a combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if the gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
A holder of a Class A license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate a vehicle in Class B or C; [PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §11 (AMD).]
B. A Class B license may be issued for the operation of a single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds or such a vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
A holder of a Class B license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate a vehicle in Class C; and [PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §11 (AMD).]
C. A Class C license may be issued for the operation of a single motor vehicle or a combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B license.
A holder of a Class C license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate all vehicles in that class.
A Class C license authorizes:
(1) A full-time or volunteer member of an organized municipal, state or federal fire department and a law enforcement officer who is a member of an organized municipal, state or federal law enforcement department to operate fire apparatus as described in 49 C.F.R. § 383.3 (2005) and to operate a commercial motor vehicle as a mobile command unit. For purposes of this subparagraph, “mobile command unit” means a motor vehicle designed and used by a law enforcement agency primarily as a command and control platform for emergency response;
(2) A person to operate recreational vehicles for personal use;
(3) A person to operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes as required in 49 C.F.R. § 383.3 (2005);
(4) A person to operate registered farm motor trucks bearing the letter “F” on the registration plate when the vehicle is:
(a) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by the farmer’s employees or family members;
(b) Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies to or from a farm;
(c) Not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier; and
(d) Used within 150 miles of the registered owner‘s farm;
(5) A person, employed by a city, town, county, district or other unit of local government created by or pursuant to law that has a total population of 3,000 individuals or less, to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the boundaries of that unit of local government for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing, sanding or salting, if:
(a) The properly licensed employee who ordinarily operates a commercial motor vehicle for those purposes is unable to operate the vehicle; or
(b) The employing governmental entity determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance; or
(6) A person to operate a truck registered as an antique automobile, regardless of weight or combination weight, provided the vehicle is used for noncommercial recreational purposes or purposes pursuant to section 101, subsection 3. [PL 2019, c. 345, §4 (AMD).]
[PL 2019, c. 345, §4 (AMD).]
Attorney's Note
Under the Maine Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class E crime | up to 6 months | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 1252
- Autocycle: means a 3-wheeled motorcycle that has a steering wheel or handlebars, floor pedals for automotive-style controls and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride a seat and that:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101Automobile: means a motor vehicle designed for the conveyance of passengers that has a seating capacity of not more than 15 persons, including the operator. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Bicycle: means a device primarily propelled by human power, operated by a person usually seated on a seat and driven on the ground on wheels by the operator. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Bus: means a motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 15 persons, including the operator. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Commercial motor vehicle: means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed. Department: means the Department of Transportation. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Gross weight: means the weight in pounds of an empty vehicle or axle plus the weight of the maximum load to be carried by the vehicle or axle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 highway: means a public way. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Law enforcement officer: means a person who by virtue of public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for crimes, whether that duty extends to all crimes or is limited to specific crimes. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 License: includes , but is not limited to, a nonresident operating privilege and the privilege of a person to apply for or obtain a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Moped: means a motorized device designed to travel with only 2 or 3 10-inch or larger diameter wheels in contact with the ground and that:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101Motor carrier: means a contract carrier, a common carrier or a private carrier of property or passengers by motor vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Motor vehicle: means a self-propelled vehicle not operated exclusively on railroad tracks, but does not include:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101Motorcycle: means a motor vehicle that has a seat or a saddle for the use of the rider and is designed to travel with only 2 or 3 10-inch or larger diameter wheels in ground contact and has a motor with a cylinder capacity of more than 50 cubic centimeters or an electric motor with a capacity of not less than 1,500 watts. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Motorized scooter: means a scooter that has 2 or 3 wheels less than 10 inches in diameter in ground contact or is powered by a motor having a maximum piston displacement of less than 25 cubic centimeters or an electric motor with a capacity not exceeding 750 watts. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Nonresident: means a person whose legal residence is not in the State. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Owner: means a person holding title to a vehicle or having exclusive right to the use of the vehicle for a period of 30 days or more. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Person: means an individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, fiduciary, trust, estate or any other legal or commercial entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Registration: means the registration certificate, plates and renewal devices pertaining to the registration of a vehicle, including temporary registered gross weight increases. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Town: includes cities and plantations, unless otherwise expressed or implied. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72 Truck: means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily to carry property. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Vehicle: means a device for conveyance of persons or property on a way. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101 Way: means the entire width between boundary lines of a road, highway, parkway, street or bridge used for vehicular traffic, whether public or private. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
2. School bus or motorcycle. Operation of a school bus or motorcycle, other than an autocycle, requires a special endorsement on a license.
A nonresident school bus driver picking up and discharging school children or driving in conjunction with school-related activities may operate a vehicle with a certificate issued by the Secretary of State.
A school bus certificate may be issued only after the applicant has successfully passed the required examination.
[PL 2019, c. 345, §5 (AMD).]
3. Mopeds and motorized scooters. A moped or motorized scooter may not be operated:
A. By a person who does not possess a valid license of any class or a license specially endorsed to operate a motorcycle or a moped; or [PL 2005, c. 577, §15 (AMD).]
B. On an interstate highway or on a way on which a bicycle is prohibited. [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 2005, c. 577, §15 (AMD).]
4. Examination. The Secretary of State shall examine an applicant for the class for which the applicant applies.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
5. Immediate examination.
[PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §12 (AMD); MRSA T. 29-A §1252, sub-§5 (RP).]
6. Endorsement. The Secretary of State shall endorse each license with its class and a special endorsement for specific types of vehicles.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
7. Violation. A person commits a Class E crime if that person operates a vehicle not included within the class of license issued to that person.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
8. Employer’s requirements. An employer may impose more stringent or additional qualifications, requirements or examinations than are imposed in this section or may require additional certificates.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 65, §§A153,C15 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 65, §B11 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 437, §29 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 197, §5 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 486, §2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 577, §§14,15 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 679, §2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 383, §20 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 165, §1 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §§11, 12 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 345, §§4, 5 (AMD).