How to Renew Motor Vehicle Registration in Maine?
How to Renew Motor Vehicle Registration in Maine
Vehicle registration renewal is required for all Maine residents to maintain legal driving privileges. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), under the Maine Department of the Secretary of State, oversees the state's vehicle registration system, while municipal offices and town clerks handle registration services throughout the state.
Maine Vehicle Registration Renewal Requirements
Essential Documentation and Requirements
Maine vehicle owners must satisfy the following requirements when renewing their registration:
- Valid Vehicle Insurance: Proof of current liability insurance meeting Maine minimum requirements
- Vehicle Identification: Registration renewal notice or license plate number
- Excise Tax Receipt: Proof of payment of municipal excise tax from your town office
- Current Odometer Reading: Mileage from odometer reading
- Vehicle Inspection Certificate (if applicable): Valid Maine State Inspection sticker
Renewal Timeline and Grace Period
- Early Renewal: Vehicle registration may be renewed up to 90 days before expiration when registering in person, or up to 60 days early when renewing online
- Grace Period: Maine law provides a 30-day warning period for vehicles stopped by law enforcement with expired registrations. Law enforcement must issue a warning rather than a summons during this period
- Expired Registration Renewal: Registrations expired for [more than seven months](New registrations or registrations that have been expired more than 7 months require visiting your municipal office to pay excise tax.) require visiting your municipal office to pay excise tax before renewal
- New Residents: Must register within 30 days of establishing Maine residency
How Much Is Car Registration Renewal in Maine in 2025
2025 Maine Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule
The following table shows the base registration fees for common vehicle types:
| Vehicle Type | Class Code | Base Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicles | PC | $35.00 |
| Motorcycles | MC | $21.00 |
| Mopeds | MP | $9.00 |
| Autocycles | AU | $21.00 |
| Antique Auto | AQ | $30.00 |
| Antique Motorcycle | MQ | $15.00 |
| Low Speed Vehicle | LS | $25.00 |
| Horseless Carriage | HC | $15.00 |
| Street Rod | SR | $30.00 |
Trailer and Special Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Weight/Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Trailers | Up to 2,000 lbs. | $10.50 / $21.00 |
| Trailers | 2,000 lbs. and over | $20.00 / $40.00 |
| Motor Home | Variable by weight | By Chart |
| Farm Truck | Variable by weight | By Chart |
| Commercial Vehicle | Variable by weight | By Chart |
| Bus | Standard | $35.00 / $70.00 |
Note: Motor homes, farm trucks, and commercial vehicles have weight-based fee schedules available at Maine BMV Registration Fees
Specialty and Conservation Plates
Maine offers numerous specialty plate options with the following fees:
| Plate Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Conservation (Loon) | $35.00 |
| Black Bear | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| Lobster | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| Breast Cancer | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| Firefighter | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| Emergency Medical Services | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| Support Your Troops | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| University of Maine System | $35.00 |
| Vanity Plates | Standard fee + $25.00 |
Military and Veteran Plates
Maine provides registration benefits for veterans and active military personnel:
| Plate Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Disabled Veteran | No Fee |
| Purple Heart | No Fee |
| Purple Heart Motorcycle | No Fee |
| Medal of Honor | No Fee |
| Pearl Harbor Survivor | No Fee |
| Prisoner of War | No Fee |
| Gold Star Family | No Fee |
| Special Veteran | $35.00 / $37.00 |
| Disabled Veteran Parking | No Fee |
Maine Municipal Excise Tax
In addition to state registration fees, Maine vehicle owners must pay an annual municipal excise tax. This tax is collected by your local town office and is based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle.
Excise Tax Rates by Vehicle Age:
| Vehicle Year | Mill Rate | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | .0240 | $24.00 per $1,000 of MSRP |
| Year 2 | .0175 | $17.50 per $1,000 of MSRP |
| Year 3 | .0135 | $13.50 per $1,000 of MSRP |
| Year 4 | .0100 | $10.00 per $1,000 of MSRP |
| Year 5 | .0065 | $6.50 per $1,000 of MSRP |
| Year 6+ | .0040 | $4.00 per $1,000 of MSRP |
The minimum excise tax is $5.00 for motor vehicles. Rates decrease on January 1st of each year.
How To Renew Vehicle Registration Online in Maine
Online Renewal Platforms
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers online registration renewal through the Rapid Renewal service. This online platform allows residents to renew motor vehicle registration and pay local excise tax in one convenient transaction.
Rapid Renewal is available to residents whose municipalities participate in the online registration program. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week for registration renewals that do not involve changes to vehicle information or ownership.
To verify whether your municipality participates in Rapid Renewal, visit the Participating Municipalities page. Over 400 Maine municipalities currently offer Rapid Renewal services to their residents.
Online Renewal Process
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Your municipality must participate in the Rapid Renewal program
- Registration must not be expired for more than seven months
- No changes to vehicle information or ownership
- Valid vehicle inspection certificate on file
- Current insurance coverage in effect
Step 2: Gather Required Information
- License plate number or registration renewal notice
- Current odometer reading
- Payment method (credit card or electronic check)
- Insurance policy information
Step 3: Complete Application
- Access the Rapid Renewal website
- Select your town or city from the municipality list
- Enter vehicle and registration information
- Confirm current insurance coverage
- Enter current odometer reading
- Review excise tax and registration fee amounts
- Submit payment by credit card or electronic check
Step 4: Receive Confirmation
- Print confirmation receipt for your records
- New registration certificate will be mailed to the address on file
- Registration sticker will be mailed separately
- Allow 7-10 business days for delivery of registration materials
Alternative Renewal Methods
In-Person Renewal at Municipal Office
Most Maine municipalities handle vehicle registration renewals through their town or city clerk offices. Visit your local municipal office with the following documents:
- Current vehicle registration or renewal notice
- Proof of liability insurance (insurance ID card, policy, or binder)
- Current odometer reading
- Payment for excise tax and registration fee (cash, check, or card depending on municipality)
Municipal offices handle both excise tax payment and registration issuance in participating communities. If your municipality does not issue registrations, you must pay excise tax at your municipal office, then visit a BMV branch office to complete the registration.
In-Person Renewal at BMV Branch Office
If your municipality does not participate in the registration program, visit a BMV branch office after paying excise tax at your municipal office. Bring:
- White and yellow copy of registration application from town office
- Excise tax receipt from town office
- Proof of insurance (ID card, policy, or binder)
- Payment for state registration fee
Mail-In Renewal
Some municipalities may accept registration renewals by mail. Contact your local municipal office to determine whether mail-in renewal is available and obtain specific instructions for submitting your renewal by mail.
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029
Phone: (207) 624-9000
TTY Users: Maine Relay 711
Official Website: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
BMV Administrative Office
101 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 624-9000
Fax: (207) 624-9013
