Registering and titling a vehicle in Maine: new residents, purchases and renewals

How vehicle registration works in Maine, starting with excise tax at your town office, what to bring after buying from a dealer or private seller or moving to Maine, title rules, Rapid Renewal and plates.

Guide · Maine · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

Vehicle registration and titles in Maine are handled by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), part of the Department of the Secretary of State. Registering a vehicle starts at your town office: you must pay the municipal excise tax there first. Many town offices then issue the registration themselves, acting as municipal agents of the Secretary of State. If yours does not, you take the excise tax receipt to a BMV branch. This guide covers buying a vehicle, moving to Maine, titles, renewals and plates.

The basics

• Excise tax first: the BMV says you must pay the municipal excise tax at your local town office to register a vehicle. Your town office can answer questions about it.
• Where to register: many municipal offices issue registrations. If yours does not, bring the excise tax certificate to a BMV branch to finish the process. If you book a branch appointment, the BMV's booking system says to pay excise tax before the appointment.
• Registration term: passenger vehicle registrations expire one year from when they are issued.
• Registration fee: the BMV's fee table lists $35 for a standard passenger plate (class PC). Specialty plates may cost more.

For questions, the BMV Registration Section is at 207-624-9000 ext. 52149.

Titles

As of January 1, 2026, the BMV says vehicles with a model year of 2001 or newer must have a title. As of January 1, 2027, that becomes 2002 or newer. Maine requires a title for:

• All motor vehicles except special mobile equipment
• Motorcycles of 300 cc or more
• Trailers with an unladen weight of 3,001 lbs or more

The BMV's registration pages mention a $33 title application fee for vehicles 25 years old and newer bought privately or brought in by new residents. The Division of Title Services can be reached at 207-624-9000 ext. 52138 or titles.bmv@maine.gov. Duplicate titles can be ordered online.

Buying from a licensed Maine dealer

1. Pay the excise tax at your town office. For a new vehicle, the tax collector will ask for the manufacturer's suggested retail price sticker (the Monroney label) or a copy.
2. Register at your town office, or at a BMV branch if your town does not issue registrations.

Bring:

• The bill of sale or sales agreement from the dealer
• The blue title application, for vehicle models 25 years old and newer
• Proof of insurance
• The white and yellow copies of your registration application and excise tax receipt

Buying from a private seller or an out-of-state dealer

Again, start by paying excise tax at your town office. Then bring:

• A signed bill of sale. The BMV links to a bill of sale form.
• The title signed over from the previous owner to you, for vehicle models 25 years old and newer
• Proof of insurance
• The white and yellow copies of your registration application and excise tax receipt

The BMV says you must also pay Maine's 5.5% sales tax on the purchase price. Vehicles 25 years old and newer also carry the $33 title application fee.

Moving to Maine with a vehicle

The BMV says you have 30 days after establishing residency to convert your registrations and titles. Pay the excise tax at your town office, then bring:

• Your out-of-state title, for vehicle models 25 years old and newer
• The name and address of any lienholder
• Your out-of-state registration certificate
• Proof of insurance
• The white and yellow copies of your registration application and excise tax receipt
• A Maine use tax (sales tax) form showing you are exempt from sales tax, when you present an out-of-state registration

The $33 title application fee applies to vehicles 25 years old and newer. Your driver's license has its own 30-day deadline; see the Maine driver license and ID card guide.

If you need to move a vehicle into Maine before it is registered here, the BMV can issue a transit plate. This is a temporary registration permit valid for up to 10 days. The BMV says the fee is $12 for a one-way trip and $25 for a round trip. Insurance must be shown if the vehicle is driven. The BMV also says the vehicle must have a valid inspection or a permit to move it to an inspection station.

Renewing registration

• Online (Rapid Renewal): if your town participates, you can renew your registration and pay the excise tax in one online transaction. The BMV links to the list of participating towns.
• At your town office: pay the excise tax and renew there. Bring evidence of insurance (ID card, policy or binder).
• At a BMV branch, if your town does not take part in the BMV's registration program. Bring your proof of insurance and the white and yellow copies of the registration application and excise tax receipt from the town office.

You can sign up online for registration reminders and order a duplicate registration online.

Plates

Since May 1, 2025, the BMV has been replacing all Chickadee plates with the new Pine Tree (or No Tree) standard plate, and Chickadee plates are no longer issued. Every new plate gets a new number. To keep your current number, reserve it for a one-time $25 fee. You can do this through Rapid Renewal, at a branch or by mail.

A few plate classes are not carried at town offices. Bus, hire, low-speed and street rod registrations must be finished at a BMV branch after you pay excise tax.

Vanity plates are available at BMV branches for an extra $25 a year. You can check availability and order online. Disability plates need an application signed by a physician.

For branch visits, see Visiting the Maine BMV and the Maine office list.