Car Registration

The most important thing to know about registering a car in Maine is that this is one of the few car-related paperwork functions that you are not required to handle at the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). You've got options.

If your city or town participates in the BMV's New Registration Program, then you may instead go to the municipal offices where you live and plan to register the car. You'll pay a small service charge for the convenience of registering there.

On the other hand, it can save you an unnecessary trip to the BMV offices, since you have to stop in at your town office to pay the vehicle's excise tax anyway. In fact, whether you are registering your car for the first time or renewing the registration, you always need to visit your town office first to pay the municipal excise tax.

Registration Process

After paying the excise tax, you may then register your car either at your local participating municipal office or at a BMV branch office. Remember to bring the following documents:

• The title of your car, if it is less than 16 years old, from the previous owner (if the vehicle is used).

• Proof of current insurance for your car (usually a valid insurance card).

• Dealer invoice or bill of sale.

• Manufacturer's window sticker (if the vehicle is new).

• Sales tax form.

• Title application (you can fill this out when you apply).

• Vehicle's odometer reading.

• Current registration (if transferring plates from your current vehicle).

• Previous owner's title and lien release (if purchased in a private sale).

• Registration fee ($25 for passenger cars).

Paying Up Front

Maine collects all taxes and fees up front when you register your car. This means you not only have to pay the $25 registration fee, but also all applicable sales and excise taxes, when you register your car for the first time.

This can get expensive in a hurry, especially if you're not expecting it. Sales tax is 5 percent of the selling price, which is why the state requires a dealer invoice and window sticker on a new car. Excise tax is paid to the town, like a property tax. This starts at $24 per $1,000 and goes down on a sliding scale depending on the age of the car.

To put this into perspective, if you buy a $20,000 car, you need to be ready to pay $1,000 in sales tax and about $500 in excise tax the first year, in addition to your $25 registration fee. And you don't get your license plates until the city or town gets paid.

Once you pay all the fees, the city or town will issue you plates and a current registration sticker.

Registration Renewal

There are two ways of renewing your registration:

If you live in a participating city or town, you can renew online using the state's Rapid Renewal service. You'll need to pay by either credit card or electronic check and have your current registration, insurance card, and mileage available.

Once you finish the online renewal process, you can print out a temporary registration that will be good for seven days. You should receive your new registration and decal in four to seven days.

You can also sign up for an e-mail reminder to renew next year's registration online, which is a very helpful feature.

Otherwise, renewing your car registration is similar to paying the first time. You go to the town clerk or tax collector (if you live in a participating municipality) on a yearly basis and pay the $25 registration fee and your excise tax, and you get a new sticker to put on your current plates. If you want new plates, it's another $11. Vanity plates cost more.

The important thing to remember is that no one is going to notify you when your registration expires. Mark your calendar, or put a reminder in your PalmPilot. Do something so you don't forget. Otherwise, you may get reminded by a police officer, which could cost you even more money.

Lost Registrations

If you lose your registration certificate, you can get another at your municipal offices by showing your driver's license or ID. The fee is $2 payable by check or credit card, depending on what type of payment is accepted by your town.

Nonoperational Vehicles

If you plan on storing your vehicle for at least 90 days, or if your vehicle is nonoperable, you may opt to cancel its registration.

To do so, complete the appropriate form. Fax the form to (207) 624-9124, or mail it to:

• Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• Financial Responsibility Section

• 29 State House Station

• Augusta, Maine 04333-0029

When reinstating the registration, you'll need to provide proof your vehicle is properly insured.

Contact (207) 624-9000 (extension 52108) with any questions you might have about canceling your registration.

Driving Privileges for Non-Citizens

If you're a currently licensed driver from another country and are visiting Maine, you may drive for up to one year within the state. You should also have an International Driver Permit, issued in your home country. The permit basically translates your foreign-issued license to make it understandable to U.S. officials.

Be sure to carry your license and permit with you whenever you're driving.

If you become a resident of the state, you'll need to obtain a Maine driver's license within 30 days of your residency in order to retain your driving privileges. For information on how to apply for a license in your situation, contact a motor vehicle branch office or call (207) 624-9000.