Maine vehicle registration renews every year, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at your local town or city clerk's office

Maine requires you to renew your vehicle registration annually. The state sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 30 days before your registration expires — that notice tells you the exact amount due and your registration number. You have three ways to renew: online through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website, by mailing the renewal form and payment to your town clerk, or by going to your town or city clerk's office in person. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and you get your new registration sticker by mail within a week or two.

Your registration expires on a specific date printed on your current registration card. Driving with an expired registration is illegal in Maine, even if you are only a day past the expiration date. The renewal notice arrives about a month before that date, which gives you time to complete the process before you need to display the new sticker.

Key Takeaways

  • Maine sends you a renewal notice by mail about 30 days before your registration expires, and that notice includes the amount you owe and your registration number.
  • You can renew online at the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website, by mail to your town clerk, or in person at your town or city clerk's office.
  • Online renewal is the fastest option and usually takes about 10 minutes; your new sticker arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
  • You must renew before your registration expires — driving with an expired registration is illegal, even for one day.
  • The renewal fee varies depending on your vehicle type and weight, and Maine charges an additional $1 per vehicle to support the state's snowmobile trail system.

Renewing online through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website lets you renew online if you have your renewal notice. Go to maine.gov/bmv, find the vehicle registration renewal section, and enter your registration number and the last four digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN). The system will pull up your renewal information and show you the amount due.

You pay by credit card or debit card during the online process. Once your payment goes through, the system generates a temporary registration that you can print when ready. Your official registration sticker and card arrive by mail within one to two weeks. You can display the printed temporary registration in your vehicle until the sticker arrives.

Online renewal is available 24 hours a day, and you do not need to visit an office or wait in line. If you cannot find your renewal notice, you can still renew online as long as you have your registration number and VIN.

Renewing by mail to your town clerk

If you prefer to renew by mail, use the renewal notice the state sent you. Fill out the form on the back of the notice, include your payment (check or money order), and mail it to your town or city clerk's office. The address for your clerk's office is printed on the renewal notice itself.

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — you should mail your form at least two weeks before your registration expires to make sure it arrives and is processed in time. If you are close to your expiration date, online renewal or going in person is faster. Keep a copy of your check or money order number in case you need to track the payment.

Renewing in person at your town or city clerk's office

You can walk into your town or city clerk's office with your renewal notice and renew on the spot. Bring the notice, your current registration card, and payment (cash, check, or card — policies vary by town). The clerk will process your renewal when ready, and you will receive your new sticker and registration card right there.

In-person renewal is useful if you are close to your expiration date and need the sticker the same day, or if you have questions about your renewal. Office hours vary by town, so call ahead or check your town's website to confirm when the clerk's office is open. Some smaller towns have limited hours, so you may need to plan around their schedule.

What happens if your registration expires

If your registration expires before you renew, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads in Maine. A police officer can stop you and issue a ticket for expired registration. The fine for driving with an expired registration starts at $120 and can go higher depending on how long it has been expired.

If your registration has been expired for more than a few months, you may need to pass a vehicle inspection before you can renew. Maine requires all vehicles to pass an annual inspection, and the inspection sticker must be current. If your registration expired a long time ago, contact your town clerk to find out whether you need an inspection before renewing.

Registration fees and what they cover

Maine registration fees depend on your vehicle's type and weight. A standard passenger car costs less to register than a truck or SUV. The state adds a $1 fee to every vehicle registration to support Maine's snowmobile trail system, regardless of vehicle type.

The renewal notice you receive in the mail shows the exact fee for your vehicle. If you are unsure about the fee before you renew, you can call your town clerk's office or check the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website, which has a fee calculator. Fees do not change during the year, so the amount on your renewal notice is final.

Renewing a vehicle with a lien or loan

If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, the lender or leasing company may hold the title. You can still renew your registration — the lienholder does not have to sign off on renewal. Renew the same way you would for any other vehicle: online, by mail, or in person.

The only time a lien affects registration is if you are trying to transfer the title to someone else. For renewal purposes, the lien does not change the process. If you have questions about whether your lien affects your renewal, call your town clerk or the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can still renew online or in person without the notice. You will need your registration number and the last four digits of your VIN. If you renew in person, bring your current registration card. The clerk can look up your renewal information in the system and process it right away.

Can I renew my registration before the notice arrives?

Yes. You can renew online anytime during the 30 days before your registration expires. You do not have to wait for the renewal notice to arrive. Use your registration number and VIN to start the online renewal process on the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.

How long does it take to get my new registration sticker after I renew online?

The sticker and registration card arrive by mail within one to two weeks. You can print a temporary registration from the online system when ready after you pay, and you can display that in your vehicle until the official sticker arrives. Do not remove your old sticker until the new one is in your hands.

What if my address changed since my last registration?

Update your address with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles before you renew. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at your town clerk's office. Bring your current registration card and proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). Once your address is updated, renew your registration as usual.

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle failed inspection?

No. Your inspection sticker must be current to renew your registration. If your vehicle failed inspection, you need to fix the problems and pass the inspection again before you can renew. Once you have a current inspection sticker, you can renew your registration online, by mail, or in person.