Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration?

Yes, there are instances when drivers may not be allowed to renew car registration. The ME DMV restricts car registration renewal as a penaltyfor driving without liability car insurance.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

Can somebody else renew my registration for me?

No, vehicle owners must renew car registration for themselves. For your convenience, this process can be carried out online in many cases. Use the BMV Rapid Renewal service to renew your own vehicle registration quickly and easily.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

Do boats need to be registered?

Yes, boats need to be registered in Maine. To register, present the signed bill of sale and title at your local municipal office or at a DMV office location. In addition to the boat registration fee, a sales tax of 5.5 percent is due on the sale of a used vessel.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen?

No, it is not mandatory for drivers tocontactthe police to report a lost or stolen car registration. Though, it is in the vehicle owner s best interest to have a record of the incident on file just in case the registration is used in illegal activity. The filing of a police report can protect the driver against implication in the unlawful use of their license plates, stickers or car registration certificate.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state?

Your Maine license plates will not be valid once you apply for a car registration in your new state of residence, therefore you must cancel them. To deactivate your plates, complete, sign and have notarized a Plate Cancellation Request. The request may either be mailed or taken to a BMV branch location. Drivers however, are not required to relinquish the actual license plates to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

Do I need to turn in my damaged registration?

No, it is not a requirement that drivers turn overtheir damaged registration. Simply submit a Request for a Duplicate Registration Certificate in order to receive car registration replacement.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

Does a motorized scooter need to be registered?

Motorized scooters do not need to be registered in Maine. Mopeds, however, do require a vehicle registration to operate on public roads.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection?

To get car registration in Maine, drivers must have their vehicles inspected for safety and emissions standards. All vehicles must be tested each year to renew car registration.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

How can I renew my vehicle registration?

Vehicles registered in Maine are subject to an annual excise tax. This fee must be paid to a local municipal tax collector s office before a driver can renew car registration. Drivers can either renew car registration online or in person at a local BMV location or municipal office.

Online car registration renewal is a good option for drivers who do not have any changes to make to their car registration information. To applyfor car registration renewal, drivers need to provide the following:

  • Current registration card
  • Valid proof of auto insurance
  • Vehicle mileage

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

How can I transfer my registration to another state?

Drivers cannot transfer car registration from one state to another. Each state has its own policy governing the car registration process. Check out your new state s DMV.com page to find out more information on how to register a car out of state.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?

To apply for handicap placards and plates, complete an Application for Disability Plates/Placard. The application must be signed by a healthcare professional such as doctor or nurse.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen?

To report a stolen car registration, drivers must contact local law enforcement officials. Filing a police report entails visiting a police station and relaying your statement about the circumstances surrounding the stolen or lost car registration. Be sure to bring with you proof of ownership of the vehicle, such as driver s license and insurance ID card.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

How do I obtain a duplicate car registration?

To replace a car registration certificate that has been lost, stolen or damaged, drivers can apply for a duplicate car registration online, at any municipal office, or at a DMV office location.

To apply in person, simply request a duplicate registration and supply the duplicate registration fee of $2.

Online applicants must supply the license plate number of the vehicle in addition to other information such as name and date of birth of the vehicle owner. A duplicate car registration ordered online will be sent to the vehicle registrant s mailing address on file with the DMV.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

How do I obtain car registration?

In order to obtain a DMVvehicle registration, Maine residents must first pay the excise tax due on the purchase at a local municipal office. Drivers who have purchased a new vehicle, will need to supply the manufacturer s suggested retail price sticker. The receipt from this transaction will serve as the car registration application. Submit the completed and signed application to a local DMV office.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee?

No, there is no additional fee torenew expired car registration. Though, drivers are subject to a summons if they are found driving with expired tags.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates?

Yes, there is a different process drivers must follow to replace lost or stolen license plates, including personalize plates. Drivers who have had their license plates lost or stolen cannot use the online portal apply for duplicate car registration. To request a replacement plates, fill out the Notice of Loss of Number Plates and Request for New Plates application form and submit it to the DMV along with the appropriate fees.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

Should I carry the registration on me or in the car?

Maine drivers must keep car registration in the vehicle along with proof of car insurance. Both must be at hand and you will be requested to show them in the event you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

What are the most common reasons why I would need to replace my registration?

The most common reasons drivers will require a duplicate car registration are if the original was:

  • Lost.
  • Stolen.
  • Damaged or destroyed.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

What are the required fees for my vehicle registration?

Maine vehicle registration fees vary depending on the type of vehicle. The current fee for a passengercar registration is $35.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

What are the required fees to get replacement registration?

A duplicate registration certificate obtained at a municipal office costs $2. There is a $3 fee for a car registration copy obtained via the online system.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

What are the required fees to renew my registration?

The cost to renew vehicle registration varies depending on the type of vehicle. Currently, the passenger car registration renewal fee is $35.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration?

To obtain a car registration replacement, applicants need only provide proof of ownership of the vehicle—such as the driver s license—and the duplicate registration fee of $2 at a municipal tax office or BMV office.

Online applicants must supply the following information to process an online request for duplicate car registration:

  • Last name
  • Date of birth
  • License plate number

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

What documents do I need to present to get new registration?

To get a new car registration, present the following documents at the Maine DMV:

  • Bill of sale
  • Title or application for title, for vehicles model year 1995 or newer
  • Proof of insurance
  • Excise tax receipt and car registration application

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Maine

What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration?

Maine car registration renewal applicants need to present the following documents to get their car registered:

  • Current vehicle registration
  • Insurance ID card

In addition, applicants must supply the vehicle s current mileage to renew car registration online.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers?

Car registration renewal applicants who have not received registration plates can fill out a Plates Never Used-Plates Never Received form to certify their statement. The form needs to be notarized before being submitted to the DMV.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

When does my car registration expire?

Maine drivers must renew expired car registration by the last day of the month one year from the month of issuance. Drivers are responsible for making note of the time of renewal since vehicle registration renewal notices are not sent out by the DMV.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

Where can I find a local tax county collector office?

In addition to the sales tax due at the initial registration of a newly purchased new or used vehicle, Maine car registrants must pay an excise tax each year to renew car registration. Vehicle taxes are paid out to the local municipality tax office. To locate the municipality tax collector s office nearest you, use the Maine Local Government Portal webpage. If your area does not have a municipal office, you may instead visit the nearest BMV branch office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration?

Yes, applicantsmust fill out an application form to replace car registration. When applying in person at an SOS office location, applicants must complete and sign the Request for a Duplicate Registration Certificate.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Maine

Will I receive a renewal registration notice in the mail?

No, the Maine DMV does not notify drivers of their upcoming car registration renewal date. Drivers are responsible for remembering that their car registration expires one year from the month that it was issued.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine

Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month?

No, Maine car registration renewal dates do not correlate to the driver s birthday or birth month. Car registrations expire on the last day of the month, one year from issuance.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Maine