Vehicle Registration Information

Auto Registration Renewal – State of Maine

Renewal of many vehicle registrations can be completed online through the State of Maine’s Rapid Renewal website here.

You can also renew in person at Standish Town Hall. We take cash and checks. We also accept credit and debit cards, though a convenience fee will apply.

To complete your re-registration, you will need:

• Proof of Insurance**
• Previous Registration
• Current Mileage

NOTE: The State of Maine offers renewal reminders one-month prior to expiration. Please click Here to sign up.

New Registration – Maine Dealer Sale

To complete your new Maine Dealer Sale registration, you will need:

• Proof of Insurance
• Bill of Sale or Lease Agreement
• Blue Title Application (if vehicle is under 25 years old)
• Monroney (window) Sticker (if the vehicle is “brand new”)
• Previous Registration (if you want to transfer plates and/or credit)
  • NOTE: The name(s) on the old registration for those plates must be the same as the names listed on the new vehicles’ title application. To transfer credit, you must no longer have possession of the previous vehicle.

New Registration – Out-of-State Dealer Sale

A MVT-2 (Title application) and/or Use Tax Certificate (sales tax) will need to be
completed for this transaction. Please pick up and fill out these forms at Town Hall
before registering your vehicle to ensure smooth transactions and a reduction in
processing times.

To complete your new Out-of-State Dealer Sale registration, you will need:

• Proof of Insurance**
• Bill of Sale
• Out of State Title or Blue Maine State Title Application
• Monroney (window) Sticker (if the vehicle is “brand new”)
• Previous Registration (if you want to transfer plates and/or credit)
  • NOTE: The name(s) on the old registration for those plates must be the same as the names listed on the new vehicles’ title application. To transfer credit, you must no longer have possession of the previous vehicle.

New Registration – Any State Private Sale

A MVT-2 (Title application) and/or Use Tax Certificate (sales tax) will need to be
completed for this transaction. Please pick up and fill out these forms at the Tax Office
before registering your vehicle to ensure smooth transactions and a reduction in
processing times.

To complete your Private Sale registration, you will need:

• Proof of Insurance**
• Bill of Sale: Must have year, make, model, VIN number, current mileage, date of sale, and a statement indicating the amount of the sale, who the vehicle is being sold to, and must be signed by the seller.
• Previous Owners Original Title Certificate (if the vehicle is under 25 years old): Must be fully completed on the back side by the seller, showing who the vehicle is being sold to, current mileage, date of sale and must be signed by each of the individuals listed on the front of the title. The title must be free of liens.
• Previous Registration (if you want to transfer plates and/or credit)
  • NOTE: The name(s) on the old registration for those plates must be the same as the names listed on the new vehicles’ title application. To transfer credit, you must no longer have possession of the previous vehicle.

New Resident – Previously Registered Out of the State of Maine

A MVT-2 (Title application) and/or Use Tax Certificate (sales tax) will need to be
completed for this transaction. Please pick up and fill out these forms at the Tax Office
before registering your vehicle to ensure smooth transactions and a reduction in
processing times.

To complete your New Resident registration, you will need:

• Proof of Insurance**
• Title of vehicle (if vehicle is  under 25 years old). If the vehicle is financed, please bring documentation of lienholder and their address.
• Registration from previous State.

Insurance

Proof of insurance must be in effect the day of the registration. A policy is acceptable if it shows the effective and expiration dates and identifies the vehicle being registered. An insurance bill or road-side assistance card is not proof of insurance.

Check the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles for office locations and hours of operation.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax and Registration Fees

In Maine, the excise tax is based on the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of the vehicle when it was sold new. That is why Maine law provides that each new automobile, SUV, van or light truck registered for the first time must be accompanied by the Monroney Label (window sticker). Please understand the figures below should not be interpreted as a quote for registration.

The law provides that excise tax declines over the first six years of the vehicle’s life and is calculated as follows:

• First year                                         $24.00 per $1000 of MSRP
• Second year                                    $17.50 per $1000 of MSRP
• Third year                                        $13.50 per $1000 of MSRP
• Fourth year                                      $10.00 per $1000 of MSRP
• Fifth year                                         $ 6.50 per $1000 of MSRP
• Sixth and subsequent years         $ 4.00 per $1000 of MSRP

If you know the “sticker price” of a new car, you can calculate the excise tax by
subtracting the destination charges, dividing the result by $1,000 and multiplying that by $24.00.

New Vehicle Example:

Sticker price                           $26,000
Destination charges               – $550
Total                                        $25,450

$25,450 / $1,000 = $25.45
$25.45 x $24.00 = $610.80

Excise tax                           $610.80
Registration fee                $35.00 (varies depending on license plate)
Processing fee                  Varies
Total cost to register       Approx. $640

The same method will be used to calculate the fees to re-register the same vehicle the following year. Your old registration will show the MSRP as the base and the mil rate used. The new mil rate will drop down one year as shown above.

Re-registration Example:

MSRP                                   $25,450
Excise tax                            $445.38 (25,450 / 1,000 x 17.50)
Registration fee                  $35.00 (varies depending on license plate)
Processing Fee                   $5.00
Total cost to re-register    $485.38