Title and Register a Vehicle in Maine

Vehicle Registration and Titling in Maine

When you purchase a vehicle or move to Maine from out-of-state, you’ll need to transfer your title and register the vehicle in your new county of residence.

This page will outline the process of titling and registering a vehicle in Maine.

Title and Register a Vehicle Purchased in Maine

When you buy a vehicle in Maine, whether from a licensed dealer or a private seller, you’ll need to visit your local municipal office OR a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office (if your municipality does not process registration transactions) to present documents and pay the appropriate fees.

At your local office, you must provide:

• The bill of sale.
• Proof of insurance.
• Registration application and excise tax receipt (from the town office). Both yellow and white copies are required.
• The signed certificate of title (if the vehicle was purchased from a private seller and is from the model year 1995 or newer) OR a blue title application if the vehicle was bought at a dealership.
• Payment for the excise tax OR provide the retail price sticker (if the vehicle is brand new).
• Payment for the registration fee.
• Payment for the sales tax (if the vehicle was purchased from a private seller).
• Payment for the title application fee if the vehicle:
  • Was purchased from a private seller.
  • Is from the model year 1995 or newer.

Title and Register a Vehicle in Maine: New Residents

Once you have established Maine residency, you have 30 days to title and register your vehicle.

Registering and titling an out-of-state vehicle in Maine also requires visiting the local municipal office OR a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office (if your municipality does not process registration transactions).

You must provide:

• The out-of-state registration document.
• The out-of-state title (if the vehicle has a model year of 1995 or newer) OR the name and address of the lienholder (if applicable).
• A completed Maine Use Tax (sales tax) form (available at the office).
• Proof of insurance.
• Registration application and excise tax receipt (from the town office). Both yellow and white copies are required.
• Payment for the excise tax.
• Payment for the registration fee.
• Payment for the title application fee if the vehicle has a model year of 1995 or newer.

Maine Title and Registration Fees

The following fees may be due when you title and register your vehicle for the first time:

• Excise tax. Excise taxes vary depending on the vehicle’s age and its original sticker price. It costs:
  • $24 per $1,000 of the original sticker price the first year.
  • $17.50 per $1,000 of the original sticker price the second year.
  • $13.50 per $1,000 of the original sticker price the third year.
  • $10 per $1,000 of the original sticker price the fourth year.
  • $6.50 per $1,000 of the original sticker price the 5th year.
  • $4 per $1,000 of the original sticker price the 6th year and every year after.
• Registration fee: $35 for passenger vehicles.
  • For other vehicle registration costs, see the BMV registration fee schedule.
• Title fee: $33.
• Sales tax:5% of the vehicle purchase price.