7 Winter Road Rules Mainers Follow That Newcomers Break in the First Storm
Clearing your windshield isn’t always enough when the first snow hits Maine.
Mainers know the drill, but if you’re new, the winter driving rules might not match what you’re used to.
Here are the winter road rules Mainers follow, and what newcomers often break in the first storm.
Note: This is general information, not legal advice. Driving rules and fines are subject to change, so confirm the current requirements with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and your city or town office.
1. Snow on Your Vehicle
Maine law requires you to take reasonable measures to keep snow or ice from falling off your vehicle while you’re driving on a public way.
Maine added that duty in 2023.
The duty covers any vehicle with a registered weight under 10,000 pounds.
The Maine Turnpike Authority tells you to clear all snow and ice from the entire surface of your vehicle.
Start with the roof.
When Vehicle Snow Costs You
You face a fine under Maine’s snow-and-ice law if snow or ice falling from your vehicle causes damage or injury.
A first offense carries a fine of up to $50.
Each later offense carries a fine of $150 to $250.
2. Headlights When Wipers Run
When snow or freezing rain keeps you from making out people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, Maine law requires your headlights to be on.
Maine law also requires your headlights to be on any time your wipers are in constant use.
Either one is enough.
3. Plowing Snow Across the Road
Maine law bars you from leaving snow or slush on a public way if it didn’t pile up there naturally.
That includes plowing snow across a town road, according to a reminder from North Yarmouth.
If you clear a driveway, the snow has to end up somewhere other than the road.
Many newcomers haven’t had to think about where their snow goes.
4. Studded-Tire Dates
Under Maine’s studded-tire law, your studs have to be out of the tires before May 1, when the state’s ban begins.
You can keep retractable studs on year-round, as long as they stay disengaged from May 1 to October 1.
Maine’s transportation commissioner can extend the studded-tire season or issue a permit for a special case.
A permit fee runs between $3 and $15.
You have to carry the permit in your vehicle.
5. Turnpike Storm Speed Limit
The Maine Turnpike’s speed limit drops to 45 mph during many winter storms.
The authority turns on flashing 45 mph signs to remind you.
It also tells you to leave extra space and not to crowd a plow when you pass.
Maine State Police Troop G enforces traffic laws on the Turnpike, including imprudent speed for the conditions.
Under Maine law, you have to drive at a careful and prudent speed for the surface and other conditions then existing.
6. Overnight Parking Bans
Maine’s overnight parking bans change from one city to the next.
South Portland bans parked vehicles on city streets from 12 midnight to 6 a.m., December 1 to April 1.
The city points you to three public lots instead, at Waterman Drive, Bug Light Park’s boat launch and Willard Beach.
Bangor now allows overnight on-street parking in winter, as long as you follow an odd-even rule.
On even-numbered days, you park on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses.
On odd-numbered days, you park on the odd side.
Bangor’s council approved that change in 2025.
7. Declared Storm Bans
Maine cities such as Lewiston declare a parking ban for each plowable storm.
Lewiston announces a ban through its Alert Center, local radio and TV, and flashing lights at the top of City Hall’s tower.
A $32 ticket applies if you break an emergency parking ban.
A tow there costs $150.
Lewiston’s municipal garages are free during a ban on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and on weekends, with a valid ticket.
Portland raised its snow-ban fine from $40 to $130 ahead of the 2025-26 winter, according to a local TV report.
That more than tripled it.
One Portland ban in December 2025 ran from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
A tow carries a $135 base fee.
Portland’s city alert for that ban listed free parking in nearly all Portland public school lots, where you had to be out by 6:30 a.m.
Psst! How much do you know about snowplows and winter weather? Take our quiz and see if you can ace it.
Quiz
Winter Road IQ
Answer these questions on plows, salt and snow. We bet you can’t get them all right. Prove us wrong?
In the winter of 2016-17, Caribou set a snow-depth record by holding a foot or more of snow on the ground for how many days in a row?
Posted Roads After Winter
Each spring, MaineDOT evaluates its highways and decides whether to impose weight restrictions because of freeze and thaw damage.
Towns and cities can post weight limits on local roads, but they can't post state or state-aid highways.
If you ignore a posted way, you face a traffic infraction with a fine of at least $250.
The court can't suspend that fine.
MaineDOT publishes maps of current posted roads and bridges, along with a map of roads expected to be posted.
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