Vehicle/Recreational Registration FAQ
What is required to register a motor vehicle in Maine?
What is the required paperwork when registering a vehicle?
How do I transfer credit from my old vehicle to my new vehicle?
Can the excise tax from my registration be used for income tax purposes?
Can I register my motor vehicle online?
Can I register my ATV or snowmobile online?
What are the fees to register a boat, ATV and snowmobile?
If I want to transfer credit from another boat to a new one, what do I do?
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What is required to register a motor vehicle in Maine?
The State of Maine has authorized Falmouth to register certain automobiles, trucks and recreational vehicles. An excise tax is paid and kept by Falmouth. Other registration fees are collected, and forwarded to the State of Maine.
- The excise tax is based on the sticker price, or original list price of the vehicle. A mil rate of $24.00 per thousand is charged to a new vehicle. Each year the mil rate reduces until the vehicle is 6 years old. The minimum rate is $4.00 per thousand.
- A 5.5% sales tax, unless paid to a dealer, is collected at the time of registration. The sales tax is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. If not purchased from a Maine dealer, proof of sales tax paid is required. Sales tax paid must equal Maine’s 5.5% rate or difference will be collected.
- Other fees such as registration fee, title fee and agent fees are also collected at the time of registration.
- The standard (Chickadee) plate issue fee is $35.00. Specialty plates (i.e. conservation “loon” plates, university plates, lobster plates, and “black bear” scholarship plates) are available for an additional $20.00 fee for the first year and $15.00 for each subsequent year. “Vanity” plates are an additional $25.00 and must be obtained at a Motor Vehicle Branch Office.
What is the required paperwork when registering a vehicle?
If purchased from a Dealer:
- Window sticker (white/waxy form)– required for new vehicles.
- Blue copy of Maine Title Application or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
- Bill of Sale from Maine Dealer or from Non-Maine Dealer.
- Proof of Insurance with VIN number and policy expiration date.
- Copy of lease agreement (if leased vehicle).
- Current Mileage.
- Original Power of Attorney from lessor if leased vehicle or registering for someone else.
- If purchased in a private sale:
- Signed Bill of Sale from previous owner with complete description of vehicle and sale price.
- If vehicle is purchased from a non-jurisdictional (non-title State for that year), a notarized Bill of Sale from the last registered owner is required.
- Release of Lien if applicable (lienholder shown on face of title).
- Reverse side of Title signed over from previous owner(s) (all in Seller’s writing) if vehicle is 1995 or newer.
- Current Proof of Insurance with VIN number and policy expiration date.
- Title Application and Sales Tax Form – completed at Town Hall when registering the vehicle.
- If purchasing vehicle from another Maine resident, a second Title application form must be filed by that person and pay the $33.00 fee.
- Copy of lease agreement (if leased vehicle).
- Original Power of Attorney from lessor if leased vehicle or registering for someone else.
- If previously registered out-of-state by you:
- Out-of-state Title or Current Lienholder/Lessor Name and Address.
- Out-of-state Registration.
- Current Proof of Insurance with Maine Liability and VIN number and policy expiration date.
- Title Application and Sales Tax Form – completed at Town Hall when registering the vehicle.
- Copy of lease agreement (if leased vehicle).
- Current Mileage.
- Original Power of Attorney from lessor if leased vehicle or registering for someone else.
Note to New Residents:
If the state you are relocating from does not require an annual vehicle inspection, you will have to obtain one from an authorized Maine inspection agent as soon as possible after registering your vehicle.
Once the vehicle is registered, you may obtain a PERMIT to get it to an inspection station at our local Police Department, located 2 Marshall Drive.
You will also need to obtain a Maine Driver’s license which is obtained at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. No official test is required, but a vision test will be administered prior to issuance of the license. Total fee to obtain a Maine license is $40.00 for a class C license.. Commercial licenses require a different fee schedule depending on endorsements.
Note: If a vehicle is sold or traded, the plated and registration should be retained. It may be advantageous to transfer the plates and excise credit when registering a new vehicle.
If Reregistering:
• Current Registration.
• Current Proof of Insurance with VIN Number.
• Current Odometer Reading.
How do I transfer credit from my old vehicle to my new vehicle?
In order to obtain credit from you old vehicle, you must surrender the “registration” from your old car to the Town Office or Motor Vehicle Clerk processing your new registration. You cannot obtain a credit or refund “after the fact”.
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Can the Excise Tax from my registration be used for Income Tax purposes?
Yes, the amount of excise tax you paid is located on you vehicle registration form. To find out where to find this information on your registration form, click here.
Can I register my motor vehicle online?
Yes. Motor vehicle registration renewals can be done online here. To register a motor vehicle online, you will need a copy of your current registration, current proof of insurance card, and current vehicle mileage. Payment may be made either by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or by electronic check. New vehicle registrations must be done in person.
Can I register my ATV or snowmobile online?
Yes. ATV and snowmobile registration renewals can be done online here. A credit card is required for online registration. New snowmobile and ATV registrations, as well as all boat registrations (new or renewal) must be done in person.
What are the fees to register a boat, ATV and snowmobile?
Boats: boat registrations expire annually on December 31. The excise tax is assessed based on the year, length and use. The registration fee is based on the horsepower of the motor. A $1.00 agent fee is charged.
State Registration Fees
10 HP and under - $10.00
11 HP – 50 HP - $15.00
51 HP – 115 HP - $21.00
Over 115 HP - $29.00
Personal Watercraft - $29.00
Duplicate Boat Registration - $1.00
Duplicate Boat Registration & Sticker - $2.00
Boat Temporary Transfer - $4.00
If the boat is to be operated on fresh water, a Preserve Maine Waters (or “milfoil”) sticker is required to be displayed on the boat.
The resident “milfoil” sticker costs $9.00 plus a $1.00 agent fee.
For new boats:
- If purchased from a Maine Dealer, Bill of Sale showing you paid the Maine State Sales Tax.
- If purchased through a private sale, a bill of sale is required. Sales tax will be collected at time of registration.
- For new ATV’s:
- If purchased from a Maine Dealer, Bill of Sale showing you paid the Maine State Sales Tax.
- If purchased through a private sale, a bill of sale is required. Sales tax will be collected at time of registration.
- Registration fee is $35.00 plus a $2.00 agent fee.
If Reregistering ATV’s:
ATV’s: ATV registrations expire annually in June. The registration fee is $33.00, plus a $1.00 agent fee. ATV’s are not charged an excise tax.
For new snowmobiles:
- If purchased from a Maine Dealer, Bill of Sale showing you paid the Maine State Sales Tax.
- If purchased through a private sale, a bill of sale is required. Sales tax will be collected at time of registration.
- Registration fee is $35.00 plus a $2.00 agent fee.
If Reregistering snowmobiles:
Snowmobiles: snowmobile registrations expire annually in June. The registration fee is $33.00, plus a $1.00 agent fee. Snowmobiles are not charged an excise tax.
What department do I call if I have questions regarding vehicle registrations, and excise tax payments, hunting and/or fishing licenses, or Town Landing/Landfill stickers?
The Excise Tax Office at 781-5253.
If I want to transfer credit from another boat to a new one, what do I do?
You must surrender the old registration of the boat you are taking credit from.
Can I pay with a credit card?
You can pay with a card card both in person and on line.
Please be aware that there is a credit card processing fee of $1.00 on transactions up to $40.00 and 2.5% on transactions $40.01 and up.