How To Sell a Car in Maine

The sale of a motor vehicle in Maine is governed by statutes and rules administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) under the Secretary of State. Private parties engaged in vehicle transfers must comply with requirements for title issuance and assignment, bill of sale documentation, odometer disclosure, registration, and sales tax payment to ensure the transaction is legally valid and ownership is properly transferred to the buyer.

What You Need To Know Before Selling a Car in Maine

Title Law and Ownership Requirements

Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A § 651, a certificate of title is required for a motor vehicle at the time of first registration in Maine or when a change of registration is required as a result of a sale for consideration. The owner whose name appears on the certificate of title has the presumptive right to ownership and possession of the vehicle. Title to a vehicle passes from the seller to the buyer upon execution and delivery of a properly assigned certificate of title.

Vehicles Exempt From Title Requirements

Not all vehicles require a certificate of title in Maine. Per Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A § 652, the following are among the vehicles exempt from the title requirement:

• Vehicles owned by the Federal Government, unless registered in the state
• Vehicles owned by manufacturers or dealers held for sale
• Vehicles owned by nonresidents and not registered in Maine
• Trailers with an unladen weight of 3,000 pounds or less
• Motorcycles or mopeds with an engine displacement of less than 300 cubic centimeters
• Vehicles more than 25 years old according to model year, except when the Secretary of State determines it appropriate to issue a warranty title
• Off-road vehicles.

For vehicles exempt from title requirements, a bill of sale or other proof of ownership may serve as evidence of transfer.

Satisfying an Existing Lien

If the certificate of title names a lienholder or lienholders, the lien must be satisfied and released before the seller can transfer a clear title to the buyer. The lienholder is responsible for releasing the lien upon receipt of full payment. The seller should contact the lienholder in advance to obtain written confirmation of the lien release. Once the lien is satisfied, the lienholder's release must be presented with the title to remove the lien notation.

If the seller cannot obtain the original certificate of title due to an outstanding lien, the buyer's application for a new title will be delayed or rejected. The Secretary of State shall demand the outstanding certificate from the holder upon receipt of the buyer's application for a new certificate.

Inspection and Emissions Requirements

Maine does not require a private-party seller to obtain a vehicle safety or emissions inspection before completing a sale. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A § 1751, a motor vehicle required to be registered in the state must have an annual inspection. However, this requirement applies to the registered owner and is satisfied at the time of registration or renewal, not as a prerequisite to a private party's sale.

Documents Required To Sell a Car in Maine

Certificate of Title

The existing certificate of title is the primary ownership document and must be transferred to the buyer. The seller must assign the title by completing the assignment section on the back of the title with the buyer's full legal name and address, the date of the sale, the odometer reading if applicable, and the seller's signature. The assignment must match the name exactly as it appears on the face of the title.

Maine does not require title notarization for private sales. Sellers may not use correction fluid or make alterations to the title document. If the title is damaged, illegible, or lost, a duplicate title may be obtained from the Secretary of State prior to the sale.

Bill of Sale

A bill of sale is strongly recommended for all private vehicle sales in Maine to create clear documentary evidence of the transaction. The bill of sale should contain the full name and address of both the seller and buyer, the date of sale, a complete vehicle description including the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, year, body type, and color, the purchase price, and the odometer reading. Both the seller and buyer should sign and retain a copy of the bill of sale.

Odometer Disclosure Statement

For vehicles manufactured in model year 2011 or later, the Odometer Information Form (MVT-32) must be completed and signed by both the seller and buyer at the time of transfer. Per Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A § 752, the seller must record the date of transfer, the odometer reading not including tenths of miles, the seller's printed name and current address, and the buyer's printed name and current address. The buyer must sign the odometer information section to acknowledge the transferor's disclosure.

If the odometer reading is not included on the title, the completed odometer disclosure statement must be provided to the buyer at the time of transfer. False odometer statements are prohibited and may result in penalties under federal law.

How To Transfer a Car Title in Maine

Step 1: Review the Title Before the Sale

The seller should examine the certificate of title to verify that the owner's name is correct, that the title is not damaged or illegible, and that any recorded liens are clearly identified. If the seller's name on the title differs from the current legal identification, if the title has been altered or corrected with markings, or if the title is missing or cannot be located, the seller should contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to address these issues before proceeding with the sale. A duplicate title can be obtained if the original is lost or damaged.

Step 2: Satisfy Any Outstanding Liens

If a lien is recorded on the certificate of title, the seller must contact the lienholder to arrange satisfaction of the loan. The lienholder will provide written confirmation of the lien release upon receipt of full payment. The seller should obtain this written release and keep it with the certificate of title to present to the buyer.

Step 3: Complete the Title Assignment

The seller assigns the certificate of title by writing the buyer's full legal name and address on the assignment section on the reverse of the title, entering the date of sale, and including the odometer reading if the vehicle was manufactured in model year 2011 or later. The seller signs the title exactly as the name appears on the face of the title. The assignment must be clear and legible; no alterations or corrections are permitted.

Step 4: Complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement

For vehicles manufactured in model year 2011 or newer, the seller completes the Odometer Information Form (MVT-32) by recording the date of transfer, the odometer reading in whole miles only, the seller's and buyer's names and addresses, and both parties sign the form acknowledging the odometer reading at the time of transfer. If the vehicle is model year 2010 or older, odometer disclosure is not required.

Step 5: Prepare a Bill of Sale

Although not mandatory, the seller should prepare a signed bill of sale containing the vehicle identification number, make, model, year, body type, color, purchase price, and odometer reading. Both parties should sign, and each party should retain a copy for records.

Step 6: Deliver Documents to the Buyer

At the time of sale, the seller delivers to the buyer the following:

The original certificate of title, properly assigned with the buyer's name, address, and date of sale. The completed Odometer Information form (MVT-32) if the vehicle is model year 2011 or newer, signed by both parties. A copy of the bill of sale, if one was prepared.

The seller should retain copies of all documents for personal records.

Step 7: Buyer Applies for New Certificate of Title

The buyer must apply for a new certificate of title by submitting the Application for Certificate of Title (obtained by visiting a town office or branch office) along with the signed and assigned certificate of title from the seller, proof of payment of Maine sales tax, proof of insurance, the odometer disclosure statement if applicable, and the title application fee of $33.00. Applications must be submitted to a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch office or authorized agent.

The Secretary of State shall issue and mail a new certificate of title in the buyer's name within approximately 10 to 12 business days of receipt of a complete and proper application. Expedited issuance is available for an additional $10 fee.

Title Transfer Fee Schedule in Maine

All applications for a certificate of title must be accompanied by the required fee and any supporting documents as prescribed by the Secretary of State.

Sales Tax on Private Vehicle Sales

Maine imposes a state sales tax of 5.5% on the purchase price of motor vehicles sold in the state, including vehicles purchased in private sales. This state sales tax is applicable to all motor vehicle sales and applies uniformly throughout Maine, with no local sales tax on vehicles.

Under Maine law, the buyer is responsible for payment of sales tax at the time the vehicle is registered. The buyer must provide proof that Maine sales tax equal to 5.5% of the purchase price has been paid. If sales tax paid is less than the 5.5% rate required, the difference will be collected by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at the time of title and registration application. If the vehicle was previously registered or titled in another state and sales or use tax was paid there, the buyer may claim a credit for the tax paid, provided that state grants a similar credit to Maine residents.

In addition to sales tax, Maine requires payment of an excise tax based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price. The excise tax is collected at the time of registration or renewal of registration, not at the time of sale.

What To Do After Selling Your Car in Maine

Remove and Dispose of License Plates

The seller must remove the license plates from the vehicle at the time of sale. Maine license plates remain the property of the state and belong with the owner, not the vehicle. The seller may retain the plates for transfer to a future vehicle purchase or surrender or dispose of them as directed by the seller.

Plates transferred to another vehicle owned by the same individual do not require new registration or a title application. Alternatively, a seller may retain the plate as a display plate or surrender it to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Update Insurance

Once the vehicle is sold and the title has been transferred, the seller should notify the insurance provider to cancel the motor vehicle coverage or transfer the policy to a replacement vehicle. Maine does not impose insurance requirements on vehicles no longer owned by the seller, and maintaining unnecessary insurance coverage may result in avoidable premium charges.

Retain Documentation

The seller should retain a signed copy of the bill of sale, the odometer disclosure statement, proof of the sale transaction, and registration documents. These records may be needed to establish proof of sale in the event of future liability disputes or related issues.

Contact Information

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
101 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0029
Phone: (207) 287-3330
Official Website: Bureau of Motor Vehicles