Maine Vehicle Registration

Purchased from Maine Dealers

To register a vehicle purchased from a Maine dealer for the first time, the individual may follow these steps:

Pay Excise Tax

An individual must pay the excise tax at their town office as it is a type of municipal tax. They should contact their local municipal office for more information.

The payment of municipal excise taxes is a requirement for motor vehicle registrations except semi-trailers. Individuals must pay the excise taxes to their town office before registering their vehicles. Many of these municipalities can also issue the registrations.

However, for those who don't provide this service, residents of these municipalities must bring the excise tax certificate to any local BMV office to complete the registration process. After registering, the individual can get their registration plates, a completed registration document, and stickers.

Note that the amount of excise tax an individual must pay depends upon the age and the factory list price of the vehicle they are registering. The excise tax receipt then serves as that individual's application for vehicle registration.

Before a registration can be issued, the back of the white copy of the registration must be fully completed and signed by the applicant. If the applicant is under 18 years of age, their parent or legal guardian must also sign the registration application.

If the vehicle is brand new, the individual will need to provide a copy of the manufacturer's suggested retail price sticker or the Monroney Label.

Prepare and Submit Required Documents

The individual must prepare and submit the following documents to any local MBV office:

• The bill of sale or purchase agreement from the dealer
• Blue title application for vehicles of model 1995 or newer
• Proof of insurance (e.g., ID card, insurance policy). Note: Check the "Proof of Insurance Coverage" section for more examples.
• White and yellow copy of the registration application form and the excise tax receipt

  Note: Get this from the town office.

If the individual's municipality doesn't participate in the registration program, they must visit their local BMV branch with the above documents. To confirm, they must also contact their local municipal office to know if they participate in the program.

The individual must pay the required registration fees, depending on the type of plate selected. To know more about how much fee to pay, read the "How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost in Maine" section of this guide.

If the individual needs a vanity plate, it may incur an additional $25 annual fee. The individual may check if the plate is available through an online vanity plate search.

If the individual needs disability plates, these are also available. However, the individual must secure a physician's signature on the Application for Disability Plates/Placard form.

Pay the Registration Fee

Individuals must also pay the corresponding registration fee. Generally, passenger vehicles have a registration fee of $35. However, this may change depending on the type of license plate the individual needs for their vehicle. To learn more, check the "How Much Vehicle Registration Cost in Maine" section of this guide.

Purchased from Private Sellers

If the vehicle was purchased from a private seller, the registration process is similar to when registering a vehicle from a licensed Maine dealer. However, there are some additional points that individuals must take note:

• The title the individual submits must be properly signed by the previous owner to formally turn it over to the new owner. Note: Titles are only necessary for vehicles model 1995 or newer.
• The individual must pay the 5.5% sales tax for the purchase of the vehicle in Maine.
• The individual must pay the title fee of $33 for vehicles in the model year 1995 or newer.

Purchased from Out-of-State

Individuals who plan to register their out-of-state vehicle in Maine must first secure a residency in Maine. Once the residency is established, the individual has 30 days to convert their out-of-state registrations and titles into their Maine equivalents.

To register, the individual will follow similar steps as when registering a vehicle purchased from a Maine dealer. However, the individual must also accommodate the following additional steps:

• Provide the following additional documents:
• Prior out-of-state registration certificate
• Prior out-of-state title, if the vehicle is a 1995 model year or newer
• Complete the Maine Use Tax Certificate form to avail of the sales tax exemption.
• Pay the $33 title application fee (if their vehicle is a 1995 model or newer).

Note that:

• If there is an existing lien, the complete name and address of the lienholder will need to be recorded on the title application.
• The sales tax exemption is only effective if the individual can provide their out-of-state registration certificate for the vehicle.

Registering Other Vehicle Types

Below are links related to registering other vehicle types aside from passenger vehicles.

• Motorcycles
• Dealer purchase
• Private Sale
• Important registration information
• Motor Homes
• Dealer purchase
• Private Sale
• Trailers
• Boats/utility trailers
• Campers
• Semi-trailers

Registering By Mail

An individual can also register their vehicle by mailing the application and correct fee amount to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 29 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333.

Temporary Registration Permit (Transit Plate)

The Secretary of State has the authority to provide a temporary registration permit or transit plate. This permit or plate allows people to drive certain vehicles that normally need to be registered. It can be for a one-way trip or a round-trip, depending on what the customer needs, and is valuable for up to ten days.

Transit plates are not to be used instead of regular registration or as a way to avoid registration requirements. The transit plate may be issued before its effective date.

If an out-of-state resident has had a vehicle registered in another state and wants to transport that vehicle to Maine, the BMV can issue them a transit plate to move the vehicle into Maine, even though the vehicle was previously registered to them in the other state.

For more information, individuals can visit the "Temporary Registration Permit (Transit Plate)" page on the official Maine BMV website.

Proof of Insurance Coverage

Maine law requires every owner and operator of a motor vehicle to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance and to present proof of insurance upon request by a law enforcement officer.

Any vehicle an individual is operating must be insured, even if they are not the owner. Therefore, people should verify insurance coverage and carry proof of it in the vehicle. Maine law also requires motorists to show proof of insurance when registering a motor vehicle.

Acceptable forms of proof of insurance include:

• A motor vehicle insurance card
• A letter from an insurance company or agent stating the vehicle is covered by a liability policy
• An insurance binder
• An insurance policy summary document describing the insured vehicle, name of the insured, insurance amount, and other details

Failure to produce proof of insurance when required can result in a charge of the uninsured operation and suspension of license and registration privileges. It is a crime to display fictitious or altered proof of insurance.

Rapid Renewal

In Maine, individuals can renew their vehicle registration online through the Rapid Renewal portal of the Maine BMV. This portal allows individuals to renew their current vehicle registration online. They can pay their local excise tax and registration fee through the portal. They will also have to pay a small service fee.

Exemptions

However, there are exceptions. Individuals who meet the following criteria cannot renew online:

• The individual's vehicle registration has expired for over seven months.
• The individual's vehicle registration will expire in over two months.
• The individual's vehicle belongs to any of the following categories:
• Island Use
• Coach
• Emergency
• Apportioned
• Special mobile equipment
• Has an over 12,000 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
• Tractor
• Municipal or state vehicle
• The individual is required to file an SR-22.

Online Renewal

To renew online, the individual will need the following:

• Current vehicle registration
• Their insurance card
• The vehicle's current mileage

For questions about the online renewal, individuals can contact InforME at 207-621-2600 or send an email to rapidrenewaladmin@informe.org.

Plate Reservation

On May 1, 2025, the Maine BMV will start transitioning from the existing Chickadee license plate design to the new Pine Tree design. Individuals who use the Rapid Renewal service may reserve their existing plate numbers when completing their vehicle registration renewal process.

Individuals residing in towns that do not participate in the Rapid Renewal program will be able to reserve their existing plate number by using a separate Standalone Reservation Process offered by the BMV.

In Person

As mentioned above, individuals who meet the criteria in the "Exemption" section above must renew in person. They must visit their municipal office to pay the excise tax. If the municipal office is able to complete the registration process, they will do so.

If the municipal office cannot complete the registration process, they will instruct the individual to visit a Motor Vehicle Branch Office, where their registration will be completed. If an individual resides in an unorganized territory, the complete registration process can be done in person at a branch office.

The steps to renew in person are the same as the steps for registering vehicles bought from dealers. However, the individual no longer has to submit a bill of sale/sales agreement and a title. All they need is their:

• Insurance card or other similar evidence of insurance
• White and yellow copy of the registration application and the excise tax receipt from the town office

For questions, individuals may contact the BMV Registration Section at the following:

• Phone: 207-624-9000 extension 52149
• Email: registrations@maine.gov