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updateUpdated 2026-10-13

Maine License Plate Lookup

Maine License Plate Lookup — enter any ME plate to get the make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds. Vehicle data only — no personal information is returned.

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MAINE1234 AB

1.1M

Registered Vehicles

Maine (FHWA)

Since 1905

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

1234 AB

Maine License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Issuance year	1905
Current format	1234 AB — Six characters on the current chickadee & pine design: four digits, a space, and two letters. Maine is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$5
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	1.1M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-207-624-9000 · www.maine.gov/sos/bmv

How do I look up a Maine license plate?

Running a free Maine license plate lookup takes under 10 seconds. The ME license plate lookup tool above doesn't require an account or paywall.

1
Enter the Maine license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm ME is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a ME plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Maine license plate lookup reveal?

A free Maine license plate lookup returns vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, trim, engine, recalls, and safety ratings. Personal information about the registered owner is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and is never returned by this tool.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Maine license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

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check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

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boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Maine license plate format look like?

Six characters on the current chickadee & pine design: four digits, a space, and two letters. Maine is a two-plate state.

MAINE1234 AB

Maine license plate format history

Era	Format	Example
1905–1956	Sequential numeric	12345
1957–1987	Numeric / alphanumeric (lobster slogan from 1987)	123-456
1987–1999	Numeric + 'Vacationland' lobster design	123 456
1999–2015	4 digits + 2 letters (chickadee & pine cone)	1234 AB
2015–present	4 digits + 2 letters (refreshed chickadee design)	1234 AB
Specialty (lobster, loon, university)	Up to 7 characters with cause backgrounds	ABC 123

Maine license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Maine drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Maine requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under 29-A M.R.S. § 451. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 451.

Registration stickers & display

Maine issues a registration sticker affixed to the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually, often through the owner's town office.

Inspection / smog check

Maine does NOT require statewide emissions testing, except in Cumberland County (Portland area) where a biennial OBD-II test is required. An annual safety inspection IS required statewide for all registered vehicles ($12.50), with the sticker displayed on the windshield.

Types of Maine license plates

Maine issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Maine / Chickadee

Default plate with the black-capped chickadee and pine cone design issued in the 1234 AB format. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $25/year through the Maine BMV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Lobster plate, Loon (conservation), University of Maine Black Bears, Support Animal Welfare, agriculture, and dozens of cause plates.

Antique Auto / Year of Manufacture

Antique plates for vehicles 26+ years old; YOM plates allow restored era-correct plates on classic vehicles.

How much does a Maine license plate cost?

Typical Maine DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger)	$35 + municipal excise tax (calculated by town from MSRP)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$5
Personalized plate	$25/year above standard registration
Specialty plate (chickadee, lobster, loon)	$15–$25/year (varies by plate)
Title fee	$33
Excise tax (annual, municipal)	Based on MSRP, decreases over 6 years

Source: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles — https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv

What if my Maine plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Maine license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit any Maine BMV branch office or your town office (some municipalities process registrations locally).
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $5 replacement fee.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

Maine DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

call1-207-624-9000

languagewww.maine.gov/sos/bmv

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Maine license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Maine license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Maine license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Maine plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Maine require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. 29-A M.R.S. § 451 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Maine plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $5 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at any Maine BMV branch or your town office; a police report is required if the plate was stolen.

What is the current Maine license plate format?expand_more

The standard Maine passenger plate uses a 6-character format: four digits, a space, and two letters (e.g., 1234 AB) on the black-capped chickadee and pine cone design.

Are Maine license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Maine plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and 29-A M.R.S. § 256. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Maine require an inspection?expand_more

Yes. Maine requires an annual safety inspection ($12.50) for all registered passenger vehicles statewide. Emissions testing (OBD-II) is additionally required only in Cumberland County (the Portland area).

How do I get a personalized Maine plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through the Maine BMV at maine.gov/sos/bmv for $25/year above standard registration fees. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

What is Maine's vehicle excise tax?expand_more

Maine charges an annual municipal excise tax based on the vehicle's MSRP, collected by your town when you register. The rate starts at 24 mills (per $1,000 of value) in year one and decreases each year for six years, after which it stays at 4 mills.

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