Calling the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles might take a while, but the results are very much worth the effort because of the quick, informative service received.

When I dialed the Maine BMV, I was directed to an extensive yet clear menu that broke down potential questions into several sections. After selecting driver's license questions, I received a message saying that the Bureau was experiencing higher calls than normal and I might have a long wait time. If I didn't want to wait, I could go to the Maine BMV's website and seek help there.

I chose to remain on the line, even as messages kept repeating with the same information. Overall, I had a wait time between 10 and 15 minutes before I was connected with a representative. That was longer than expected, but it's not that long of a wait, so it wasn't much of a hindrance.

When I got connected, I asked how long I would have after moving to Maine from another state before I would need to get a new driver's license, and I was told I had 30 days. I asked what documents I would need to bring, and she told me that I would need either an original or certified copy of my birth certificate or passport, two forms of mail from official sources, my out-of-state driver's license and my Social Security number.

Without me having to ask, she gave a full explanation of what would be considered an acceptable piece of mail, such as a utility bill, car registration or another piece of official government mail. I asked whether I would need the Social Security card or just the number, and she confirmed that I would only need to present my Social Security number as well as the other documents.

I asked what the cost would be for my Maine license, and I was told I would need to pay a $35 fee to convert an out-of-state license to a Maine license, in addition to the fees to obtain a license. I was told I could either pay $34 for a five-year license or $55 for a Real ID-compliant license, which would be acceptable identification for boarding a plane once that became a requirement in 2025. I also asked what the cost would be for titling and registering my vehicle, but I was told that she could not provide that information as another department handles that.

Overall, I was very impressed with the service from the Maine BMV. I thought the representative was able to answer all of my questions with ease and spoke clearly and authoritatively, making sure that I had all of the information I needed. The only issue I ran into was the wait, but that was beyond their control and wasn't extensive anyway. Were I to need assistance with a driving problem in Maine, I'd feel very comfortable calling the Maine BMV for help.