State of maine vehicle license plates

They expire after one year in the same month that they were issued. Municipal excise taxes property taxes must be paid before you can register your vehicle. Maine has an online system you can use to renew your vehicle registration and pay your excise taxes all in one.

When renewing online, you must have:. Along with the standard Maine license plate, the state offers its residents a few varieties of specialty plates to choose from. Some examples are:.

Maine also has disability plates and placards for those individuals who require them. Maine drivers can also request personalized messages on their plates, but it must be approved, and it costs extra. According to the Maine. Those agencies with access to personal information for these purposes are:.

It is only legal to lookup license plate numbers in Maine for a very short list of reasons. You can certainly look up basic information such as make, model, and year with a free lookup.

But you must be very careful about obtaining driver details like name, address, phone number, photographs, medical information, or anything else that is restricted by DPPA laws. When doing so, you must fill out your name, address, phone number, business name, and type of company that you work for and for what purpose you are using the records.

If you are an authorized user in Maine, you can look license plate records up using the plate number, driver's license number, or VIN. However, you must first go through the approval process to gain access. The first and only slogan "Vacationland" appeared on the plate in Over the years, plate design and colors have changed.

All general plates and specialty plates must be approved by the Legislature. Following are samples of the plates we issue today. Your check or money order should be payable to the Secretary of State. Please specify the type of plate you would like to receive and include your return address.

The Chickadee plate is Maine's general issue plate. Generally, registrations expire one year from the month issued. The payment of municipal excise property taxes is a prerequisite for all motor vehicle registrations. Excise taxes must be paid to your town office prior to registration. Many municipal offices also issue registrations. Residents of those municipalities that do not issue registrations must bring the excise tax certificate to a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles office to complete the registration process and obtain the registration plates, stickers, and a completed registration.

See our Registration Renewal page for more information. If your Maine license plates have been lost, stolen, or damaged, you need to request replacements within 24 hours. If your plates are lost or stolen , you must create a temporary plate showing your tag number to attach to your vehicle until your replacements arrive.

Submit your application in person at a BMV office or participating municipal office. You can transfer your Maine license plates as long as you register your new car in the same year you cancel the old registration. You may be required to surrender license plates to the Maine BMV if you no longer need them. Replace Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Plates If your Maine license plates have been lost, stolen, or damaged, you need to request replacements within 24 hours.

Any remaining license plates in your possession. Transfer or Surrender Vehicle Tags You can transfer your Maine license plates as long as you register your new car in the same year you cancel the old registration. You'll have to pay: Any difference in registration fees.