Maine
Applying for a Car Registration in Maine
You must obtain Maine vehicle registration credentials whenever you purchase, acquire or inherit an automobile from a private seller or licensed dealership. You must also meet other requirements, such as visiting your local town office to pay excise tax on the purchase of the motor vehicle.
While the specific DMV registration application process varies depending on how you acquire the vehicle and the municipality in which you live, you will typically need to submit your application materials in person.
To learn more about these requirements and the steps you must take to register your newly acquired automobile with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), review the information below.
Getting Vehicle Registration Records in Maine
“Where can I apply for car registration near me?” you may wonder.
In most cases, the steps you must complete will depend on whether you purchased the car from a licensed dealership or private party. Learn more about these two types of situations in the sections below.
If You Purchased the Car from a Dealership
To obtain ME DMV car registration credentials, you must visit your local municipal office to pay excise tax on the automobile.
Then, you can register your newly purchased vehicle at the municipal office during the same visit.
You may also have the option of visiting your local BMV branch if the municipality in which you live does not participate in the state’s registration program.
When applying for new car registration materials, there are a few documents you must submit. This includes the following:
- An excise sales tax receipt
- A copy of the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested retail price sticker
- A bill of sale/sales agreement
- Proof of automobile insurance
- Payment for the required vehicle registration fees
Download our free guide for the full list of documents you will need to register your vehicle.
If You Purchased the Vehicle from a Private Seller
When obtaining Maine auto registration credentials after purchasing or acquiring a vehicle from a private seller, you must first visit your town’s municipal office to pay taxes on the automobile.
If your town office participates in the state’s registration program, you may then register the newly acquired vehicle before leaving the office.
Otherwise, you must pay car registration taxes and fees at your local BMV branch.
Whether registering your vehicle at your local BMV branch or town office, you must submit some of the following documents as part of the registration process:
- The vehicle’s reassigned certificate of title
- A registration application
- Proof of automobile insurance
Want more tips on how to complete the vehicle registration process? Get our free, helpful guide.