Print
COVID-19 has forced the closure of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) field offices in Maine and in other states. With offices shut down, many drivers are unable to renew their driver licenses. This is problematic for consumers and troublesome for credit unions and other financial institutions that utilize driver’s licenses as a valid form of identification.
Many states—including Maine—have granted extensions for licenses. On March 23, Governor Mills issued an Executive Order to extend a waiver for all driver’s licenses and state identification cards that expire during the state’s emergency period, which began on March 15. This waiver will expire within 30 days after the end of the emergency period.
Credit unions can accept an expired Maine driver’s license as a valid form of identification if the license expired during the state’s COVID-19 emergency period. A Maine driver’s license that expired on March 8, for example, would not be valid.
When considering an expired out-of-state driver’s license, proceed with caution and review what, if any, extensions have been authorized by that state. To assist, the League is developing a spreadsheet for credit unions that will outline what various states have implemented for driver’s license extensions. The Governmental Affairs team will share this document once finalized.