Motorcycle Registration in Maine

If you live in or plan on moving to Maine, you must register your motorcycle with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Whether you need to learn more about registering a motorcycle following a purchase OR the steps required for new residents, use this guide to simplify the process.

If you're looking to renew your motorcycle registration, jump over to our ME registration renewal guide for details.

New Maine Residents

After establishing Maine residency, you'll have 30 days to register your motorcycle with the BMV.

BEFORE turning in a registration application, you'll need to:

  • Purchase Maine motorcycle insurance.
  • Pay excise tax on the bike at your municipal town office.
    • After paying the necessary taxes, the municipal office agent will give you a receipt AND copies of your registration applicationDO NOT lose these!

If your municipal office also processes registration, you can fill out your application and turn in the below documents when you pay your excise tax. If not, you'll need to find your local BMV office instead.

At either location, submit your:

  • Out-of-state registration.
  • Title, IF your motorcycle is model year 1997 or newer or 300 CC or greater.
    • If applicable, provide the name and address of any lienholders.
  • Proof of ME motorcycle insurance.
  • The white and yellow copies of the motorcycle registration application.
  • Your excise tax receipt.
  • Payment for the $21 registration fee AND any other applicable taxes or fees.

You must complete a motorcycle safety inspection IMMEDIATELY after registering your bike with the BMV. If you have a valid inspection sticker from your previous state of residence, Maine will not require you to complete another safety inspection until your current inspection sticker expires. For more information, check out our Maine vehicle inspections guide.

ME Motorcycle Registration

There are slight differences between the registration process for motorcycles purchased from dealerships and those bought from private sellers. Below are the steps you need to take in either instance to register your bike with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Regardless of purchase method, BEFORE registering a bike, you'll need to:

  • Purchase ME motorcycle insurance.
  • Pay excise tax on the motorcycle at your municipal town office.
    • Be sure to keep track of the registration application AND receipt you'll receive after paying the required excise taxes.

Dealership-Sold Motorcycles

When you buy a motorcycle from a dealership in Maine, the dealership will not handle the registration process for you.

You can complete the motorcycle registration process by submitting the following items at your municipal town office when you pay your excise tax, OR at your local BMV office branch if the municipal office does not offer vehicle registration services:

  • A completed blue title application if your motorcycle is:
    • 300 CC or more.
      AND
    • Model year 1997 or newer.
      • This application is only available in person at the office where you're registering your bike.
  • A bill of sale OR sales agreement from the dealership.
  • Proof of ME motorcycle insurance.
  • Your excise tax receipt.
  • The white and yellow copies of the registration application.
  • The $21 registration fee PLUS any other applicable taxes and fees.

Motorcycles from Private Sellers

You can apply to register your motorcycle purchased from another individual by providing the following items at your municipal office (during your excise tax payment) OR local Maine BMV agency (if the municipal office doesn't process vehicle registrations):

  • A completed bill of sale.
  • A properly assigned and signed-over title IF the motorcycle is:
    • 300 CC or more.
      AND
    • Model year 1997 or newer.
  • Proof of Maine motorcycle insurance.
  • The white and yellow copies of the registration application.
  • A receipt from the municipal office as proof of excise tax paid.
  • Payment for the 5.5% sales tax due, the $21 registration fee, and any other applicable taxes or fees.

Keep in mind, you may also be required to get a safety inspection once your motorcycle has been registered. For more information on motorcycle inspections, please visit our Vehicle Inspections page.

ME Motorcycle Registration Fees

You may be required to pay the following fees when you register your motorcycle with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles:

  • Motorcycle registration:
    • Regular: $21.
    • Antique: $15.
    • Disability: $21.
    • Purple Heart: Free.
    • Special veteran: $21.
    • Disabled veteran: Free.
  • Moped registration: $9.
  • ME sales tax: 5.5% of the motorcycle's purchase price.
  • Excise tax: Varies by county—contact your local municipal town office for specifics.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review