by Armando Martinez
Congratulations on your new car! If you've recently purchased a car in a private owner car sale in Maine, you'll need to register it with the state. Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it may seem. In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of registering your car in Maine. You have 30 days to do this, so let's get started!
Step 1: Gather the Required Documents
Before you can register your car, you'll need to gather a few documents. These include:
- The car's title properly signed over to you and it’s current registration
- A signed Bill of Sale (if you need a form, visit the DMV site)
- The Maine State Inspection Certificate
- Proof of insurance (ID card, policy or binder)
- Your Maine driver's license or state ID
Make sure you have all of these documents before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Get Your Car Inspected and Emissions Tested
In Maine, you're required to get your car inspected and emissions tested (Cumberland County only) immediately after you register your car at a municipal or state-certified inspection station. You will be given a temporary permit by your municipal clerk to drive the vehicle to the inspection station. For more information on certified inspection stations near you, you may contact the Maine State Police at (207) 624-8935. This inspection is to ensure that your car is safe to drive and meets the state's environmental standards. You can have this done at an authorized municipal inspection station.
During the inspection, the technician will check things like your car's brakes, lights, and emissions. If your car doesn't pass the inspection, don't worry, you'll have time to fix any issues and get it re-inspected.
Step 3: Complete the Registration Application
You can complete the registration application at a participating Municipal office or if your municipality does not participate in vehicle title or registrations, at a State Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office. To find if you reside in a participating municipality visit https://apps1.web.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal/participating.shtml. To locate a BMV office near you visit https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/locations/index.html#branches.
Be prepared to provide information about yourself and your car on the application, including the car's make, model, and year. You'll also need to choose what type of license plates you want for your car.
Step 4: Pay the Fees
You will need to pay your local municipal excise tax to your municipal office prior to registering your car and submit the proof of payment receipt to the state at the time of registration. When you submit your registration application, you'll also need to pay the title fee, registration fees, and state sales tax of 5.5%. The amount you'll owe will depend on your car's value, and the type of license plates you choose. You can pay these fees with cash, check, or money order. To view a list of license plate fees visit https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/registration/regfees.html.
Step 5: Get Your License Plates and Stickers
Once you've paid the fees, you'll receive your license plates and stickers in the mail. You'll need to attach the license plates to your car before you can legally drive it. Make sure you put the stickers on your license plates as well, as they show that your car is registered and up-to-date.
Conclusion
Registering a car bought in a private owner car sale in Maine is a fairly straightforward process. Just make sure you have all of the required documents, get your car inspected and emissions tested, and pay the registration fees. Once you've completed these steps, you'll be ready to hit the road in your new car!
Remember, if you have any questions or need help along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to the Maine BMV. They're there to help make the registration process as smooth as possible. Additional information may also be found at https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/registration/passenger.html#pprivate.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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