What Maine registration plates look like and what they show
Maine registration plates are white with blue lettering and a blue strip across the top that says "MAINE" with the state's outline. The plate displays your vehicle's registration number, which is unique to your car and that registration period. Most Maine plates show four digits followed by three letters, though the format can vary depending on when you registered and what type of plate you chose.
The registration number itself doesn't change year to year — it stays with your vehicle as long as you own it and keep it registered in Maine. What does change is the validation sticker, a small decal that shows your current registration expiration date. This sticker goes in the upper right corner of your plate and is how a police officer can tell at a glance whether your registration is current.
Your plate also displays your vehicle's class code, usually in small print, which tells the state what kind of vehicle you own — passenger car, truck, motorcycle, and so on. This matters because registration fees and some rules vary by class.
Key Takeaways
- Maine plates are white with blue lettering and the state name across the top, and your registration number stays the same from year to year.
- You must display a current validation sticker showing your registration expiration date, or your registration is considered invalid.
- Maine offers specialty plates for military service, conservation, colleges, and other causes, each with a different design but the same legal function.
- When you renew your registration, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles mails you a new validation sticker; you do not receive a new plate unless yours is damaged or you request a specialty plate.
- Vanity plates with custom letter combinations are available but require a separate request and additional fee beyond your standard registration cost.
Standard Maine plates and when you get a new one
When you first register a vehicle in Maine, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles issues you a standard white plate with your new registration number. You keep this plate for as long as you own the vehicle and maintain registration in Maine. You do not receive a new plate every year — the plate itself is permanent.
What you do receive each year is a new validation sticker. When your registration is about to expire, the Bureau mails you a renewal notice and a new sticker. You peel off the old sticker and explore the new one to the upper right corner of your existing plate. If you lose your plate, it becomes damaged, or you want to switch to a specialty plate, you can request a replacement from the Bureau, but this is not automatic.
If you move to Maine from another state, you must register your vehicle with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and receive a Maine plate. You cannot continue using your old state's plate. The Bureau will issue you a new Maine plate, and you'll need to display it within a set timeframe — usually before your out-of-state registration expires.
Specialty plates available in Maine
Maine offers several specialty plate designs that serve different purposes but function exactly like a standard plate for registration and legal purposes. These include military service plates for veterans and active-duty service members, conservation plates that support wildlife programs, college plates for University of Maine alumni, and cause-related plates that support organizations like the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition.
Each specialty plate has a different design and may carry a different fee. Some specialty plates require you to be a member of a specific group — for example, a military plate usually requires proof of service, and a college plate may require proof of graduation or attendance. You request a specialty plate when you register your vehicle or during renewal, and the Bureau will issue it in place of a standard plate.
The specialty plate does not change your registration status or your legal obligations. You still need a current validation sticker, you still pay registration fees, and you still must follow all Maine traffic laws. The specialty plate is purely a design choice that may support a cause or organization you care about.
Vanity plates and custom letter combinations
Maine allows vanity plates, which let you request a custom combination of letters and numbers instead of the random sequence the Bureau assigns. A vanity plate costs more than a standard plate — there is an additional fee on top of your regular registration cost — and the combination you want must be available and cannot violate Maine's content rules.
You cannot request a vanity plate that is obscene, that impersonates a government agency, that is already in use, or that violates other state guidelines. The Bureau reviews your request and tells you whether it is approved. If it is, you pay the extra fee and receive your vanity plate. If it is not, you can try a different combination or stick with a standard plate.
Vanity plates are valid for the same registration period as any other plate. When you renew your registration, you can renew your vanity plate as well, or you can switch back to a standard plate if you prefer. The vanity plate itself does not expire — only your registration does.
Displaying your plate and validation sticker correctly
Maine law requires you to display your registration plate on the front and rear of your vehicle. Both plates must be clearly visible and not obscured by dirt, damage, or anything else that would make the number hard to read. If your plate is damaged or the numbers are no longer legible, you should request a replacement from the Bureau.
Your validation sticker must be displayed on the upper right corner of your rear plate. The sticker shows the month and year your registration expires. If your sticker is missing, expired, or illegible, your registration is considered invalid even if you have paid your fees. A police officer can cite you for an invalid registration if the sticker is not current and visible.
If you lose your validation sticker or it becomes damaged, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. They can issue you a replacement sticker, usually at no cost. Do not attempt to cover a damaged sticker with tape or create your own sticker — the Bureau's sticker is what makes your registration legally valid.
Transferring plates when you sell or trade your vehicle
When you sell your vehicle in Maine, the plate stays with the vehicle unless you request to keep it. If the buyer is registering the vehicle in Maine, they can use your existing plate and straightforward update the registration in their name. If the buyer is from out of state or does not want your plate, they will register the vehicle with a new plate.
If you want to keep your plate for your next vehicle, you can request a plate transfer from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This is useful if you have a vanity plate or a specialty plate you want to use again. You will need to provide proof that you own the new vehicle and pay any applicable fees. The Bureau will transfer your plate to the new vehicle's registration.
If you do not transfer your plate and do not sell it with the vehicle, the plate becomes inactive. You cannot use an inactive plate on a new vehicle — you must register the new vehicle and receive a new plate. Inactive plates cannot be reactivated for personal use.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate
If your registration plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must request a replacement from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. You can do this in person at a Bureau office or by mail. You will need to provide your vehicle information and proof of ownership, and you will pay a replacement fee.
If your plate was stolen, you may want to file a police report, especially if you are concerned about someone using it fraudulently. Provide the police report number to the Bureau when you request your replacement — this creates a record that the plate was stolen and not in your possession.
While you wait for your replacement plate, you should not drive the vehicle on public roads unless you have a temporary registration permit from the Bureau. Driving without a valid plate is illegal and can result in a citation. The Bureau can issue you a temporary permit while your replacement is being made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get a new plate every year when I renew my registration?
No. Your registration plate stays the same from year to year. When you renew, the Bureau mails you a new validation sticker that you explore to your existing plate. You only get a new plate if yours is damaged, lost, stolen, or if you request a specialty or vanity plate.
What happens if my validation sticker falls off or becomes unreadable?
Contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a replacement sticker. Without a current, visible sticker, your registration is invalid even if you have paid your fees, and you can be cited by police. The Bureau can usually replace a sticker quickly at no cost.
Can I use a plate from another state while I am moving to Maine?
No. Once you establish residency in Maine, you must register your vehicle with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and display a Maine plate. You have until your out-of-state registration expires to complete this, but you cannot legally drive with an out-of-state plate after you become a Maine resident.
How much does a vanity plate cost in Maine?
Vanity plates cost more than standard plates, but the exact additional fee varies. Contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or check their website for current pricing. The fee is in addition to your regular registration cost and is charged each time you renew.
Can I transfer my plate to a new vehicle if I sell my current one?
Yes, if you have a vanity or specialty plate you want to keep. Request a plate transfer from the Bureau and provide proof of ownership of your new vehicle. Standard plates can also be transferred, but most people straightforward register their new vehicle with a new plate instead.