FAQs

For our most up to date course fee policy, please click here. For our Teen Driver Program, the total amount due is $200.00 deposit to hold your spot, plus $700.00 for the course. There is also an additional $40-50 due to AAA for class materials. 

Students enrolled in our Teen Driver Education program schedule their driving lessons directly with Mr. & Mrs. Bennington to match times that work for your student with our instructors’ schedules. All driving lessons are two hours in length and begin and end at the school in York, Maine. As learning to drive also involves learning responsibility, students are expected to take an active role in scheduling their own lessons and coordinating transportation with their parent or guardian. This helps reinforce accountability while preparing students for the responsibilities that come with operating a motor vehicle.

If a scheduling conflict or unforeseen situation arises, please notify us as far in advance as possible so we may attempt to fill the time slot. Cancellations made with less than 4 hours’ notice will result in a $75 missed lesson fee.

To schedule a road test prep or behind the wheel private lessons, please reach out to us via email at drive@lighthousedriving.com or call / text us at 207-200-6498 

Students drive Lighthouse Driving Academy vehicles only during lessons. All vehicles are equipped with a passenger-side foot-break & rearview mirror, and are compliant with Title 29-A, the Maine Motor Vehicle Statutes. 

Deposits must be paid electronically, and can be paid via credit / debit card, ACH, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other large digital wallets. We leverage Square for our payment processing who uses industry standard PCI-Compliant encryption to keep your data safe. 

Balance payments must be paid via cash or check at or before materials pick up. 

Our vehicles are equipped with modern safety technology, including in-car cameras, to support a respectful, professional learning environment. All data is securely managed and used solely to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and instructors.

We also maintain clean, well-sanitized vehicles and provide face masks upon request to help promote a healthy learning environment for everyone.

No. Teen classroom sessions are for minors only. Adults (+18 years old) must complete the AAA online course and obtain a permit through the BMV.

Yes, availability permitting.

• Private lessons are $75 per hour

• Lessons are booked by contacting drive@lighthousedriving.com

• Scheduling is typically weekdays before 1 PM

Yes! Road test prep lessons are a great way to increase confidence before your driving test. Click here for more information on our additional driving lessons.

Per Maine.gov:

"To begin the process to obtain a learner’s permit, you must submit:

• An application form (PDF)

• $35 fee

• Two forms of identification

• Proof of Maine residency

• Driver education completion certificate (We give you one after you complete our course!), and a 

  • • Only for applicants who are under 18 years old)

• Birth Certificate 

  • • Only for applicants younger than 23 years old. 

    • A photocopy with an embossed stamp of the issuing agency is acceptable, while a notarized copy is not. 

You can bring these documents to a BMV branch office or mail them to: 

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Driver License Services Division
Examination Section
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0029

Source: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/driver-licenses-and-ids/car-license/how-to-obtain-a-license

We issue the Driver Education Course Completion Certificate once a student completes the required classroom and driving components. This certificate is given to the student directly. We cannot reissue replacements, so please take photos of it.

The certificate is used for multiple purposes:

• The bottom half is mailed or taken to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles with the Class C Permit Application and a birth certificate to obtain a learner’s permit.

• The top half must be kept with the student while driving and is valid for a limited time.

• A copy should be sent to your insurance company later for a driver education discount.

Learner’s permits are issued by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles after submitting the required paperwork.

In Maine, a person must be at least 15 years old and have a valid Course Completion Certificate, to apply for a learner’s permit.

A copy of the birth certificate is acceptable when submitting paperwork unless the BMV specifically requests the original. Bring the original if going in person.

You will need to go to a Maine BMV office. They will outline the next steps based on the student’s situation. If too much time has passed, some steps may need to be repeated.

To begin the permit process, you must provide to the Maine BMV:

• A completed permit application

• Payment of the permit fee

• Vision screening

• If under 18: Driver education completion certificate and a birth certificate (or certified copy)

• If over 18: Proof of identity, date of birth, and Maine residency

Copies of ID may be mailed, but originals must be shown at the exam appointment

Yes. If a person is under 18, in Maine, they must complete an approved driver education course before obtaining a Maine learners permit. 

From the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles:

“If you are 18 years of age or older, you are not required to complete driver education.

You must successfully complete a road test. If you are under 21 years of age, you are required to complete 70 hours of practice driving (PDF), which must include 10 hours of night driving, and have held your learner's permit for at least six months. The 70 hours of practice driving must begin after you have been issued a learner's permit. You must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for at least two years.”

Source: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Yes. The student must be 16 years old before mailing in completed driving hours to request a road test.

Once the teen has:

1. Held their permit for at least 6 months

2. Logged 70 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, with a supervising driver who is at least 20 and has held a valid license for 2 years

3. Is at least 16 years old

Send the signed, completed driving log to the Maine BMV, and they will mail an appointment notice with the road test location and time.

No. Driving logs must be printed, signed, and mailed to the state. 

Students must complete at least 70 hours of supervised driving over a minimum of 6 months.

No. Road test paperwork cannot be submitted until the student is 16 years old.

Take a photo or copy of your teen’s Course Completion Certificate and provide it to your insurance company — many offer a driver ed discount.