Maine Alcohol Related Laws and Regulations

Where to Buy Alcohol
A person must go to state stores (ABC stores) if they wish to purchase spirits and wine that have alcohol content above 15.5%. Wine and beer with less than 15.5% alcohol content are sold in retail stores.

Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday through Friday or 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday, alcohol is not allowed to be sold.

Legal Age for Drinking/Serving Alcohol
Although 21 is the legal age to drink alcohol, a person can work as a server at a restaurant that serves alcohol, a bartender and handle, transporter, or can sell beer, wine, and spirits at age 17 while under the supervision of someone over the age of 21.

Open Container Laws
Previously opened containers of alcohol must be transported in the trunk of a vehicle, as no one is allowed to drink alcohol in a vehicle.

BAC Limits
If a driver has a blood-alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 or above, they are considered ‘per se intoxicated.’ When this takes place, the driver can be charged with DUI (driving under the influence.) If the courts have proof of the driver’s BAC, that is all they need to convict them.

DUI penalties apply to a driver under the age of 21 who has a BAC level of any amount (.00 percent or above) to discourage underage drinking and driving.

If a driver has a BAC higher than .15 percent above the legal limit of .08 percent, they may face harsher penalties. Drivers who refuse to cooperate to chemical testing may face these higher penalties as well.

Penalties
Drivers are required to engage in chemical testing at the request of an officer, whether that is being breath, blood, or urine, under the ‘implied consent laws.’ If the driver refuses, this could mean their license could be suspended for up to one year.

A driver’s license can be suspended by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) 90 days for the first offense, 18 months for the second offense, and four years for the third offense.

The courts have the right to confiscate a driver’s vehicle at their expense (permanently or temporarily) as a punishment for repeat offenders.

Other punishments for DUI offenders are the installation of an interlock device and alcohol education or treatment for alcohol abuse.