Buying or registering a vehicle in Maine involves several fees and taxes that can be confusing to calculate. Our comprehensive Maine Vehicle Tax, Title & License Calculator simplifies this process by automatically computing all applicable costs based on official Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Maine Revenue Services (MRS) regulations.
This guide explains exactly how each calculation works, with real-world examples and authoritative references to Maine state law and official fee schedules.
1. Sales and Use Tax (5.5%)
Maine imposes a 5.5% sales tax on motor vehicle purchases, as established by the Maine Revenue Services. This tax applies whether you buy from a dealer or a private party, though the collection method differs.
Official Reference: Maine Revenue Services, Sales Tax on Motor Vehicles (Title 36 M.R.S. §1752). Dealers must collect and remit the 5.5% at the time of sale. Private buyers pay use tax when registering at the BMV.
How the Calculator Computes Sales Tax
The calculator follows Maine’s trade-in credit rules, which allow a dollar-for-dollar deduction only when trading in the same category of vehicle. For example, trading a car for another car qualifies, but trading a trailer for a car does not.
Example 1: Same-Category Trade-In (Eligible for Credit)
Scenario: You purchase a car for $25,000 and trade in your old car valued at $5,000.
Purchase Price: $25,000
Trade-In Value: -$5,000 (same category: car for car)
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Taxable Amount: $20,000
Sales Tax (5.5%): $20,000 × 0.055 = $1,100.00
Example 2: Different-Category Trade-In (No Credit)
Scenario: You purchase a car for $25,000 and trade in a trailer valued at $5,000.
Purchase Price: $25,000
Trade-In Value: $5,000 (different category: no credit applies)
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Taxable Amount: $25,000 (no deduction)
Sales Tax (5.5%): $25,000 × 0.055 = $1,375.00
Note: The trade-in has value, but Maine law does not allow a tax credit across different vehicle categories.
Important Exemptions: Nonresidents who purchase a vehicle in Maine and immediately take it out of state are exempt from sales tax. Government and most non-profit vehicles are also exempt from sales tax and excise tax.
Official Reference: Maine Revenue Services Bulletin No. 32 – Sales Tax on Motor Vehicles. Trade-in credit provisions are detailed in 36 M.R.S. §1765.
2. Title Fees
Maine charges a flat fee for most title applications, as published by the Maine Secretary of State’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The standard title fee is $33, with special rates for certain vehicle types.
| Title Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Title (new certificate) | $33 |
| Duplicate Title | $33 |
| Salvage or Junked Vehicle Title | $33 |
| Corrected Title | $33 |
| VIN Assignment (MVT-6) | $33 |
| Antique/Classic Warranty Title | $40 |
| Tiny Home or Manufactured Home | $100 |
| Rush/Expedited Processing | +$10 |
Example 1: Standard Title
Scenario: You need a standard title for a used car purchase.
Base Title Fee: $33
Expedited Processing: $0 (not selected)
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Total Title Fee: $33.00
Example 2: Expedited Antique Title
Scenario: You need a rush warranty title for a classic 1965 Mustang.
Base Title Fee: $40 (antique/classic warranty)
Expedited Processing: +$10
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Total Title Fee: $50.00
Official Reference: Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Title Fee Schedule (29-A M.R.S. §§ 401-554). Fee information available at maine.gov/sos/bmv.
3. Registration (License Plate) Fees
Registration fees in Maine vary significantly based on vehicle type and weight. The Maine BMV publishes detailed fee schedules for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, commercial trucks, farm vehicles, and trailers.
Standard Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Passenger Car | $35 |
| Motorcycle | $21 |
| Antique Car (35+ years) | $30 |
| Antique Motorcycle (35+ years) | $15 |
| Moped | $9 |
| Low-Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) | $25 |
| Custom/Modified Vehicle | $35 |
Example 1: Passenger Car with Vanity Plate
Scenario: You register a standard passenger car with a personalized “PINE ST8” vanity plate.
Base Registration Fee: $35 (passenger car)
Vanity Plate Fee: +$15
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Total Registration Fee: $50.00
Example 2: Motorcycle with Collegiate Plate
Scenario: You register a motorcycle with a University of Maine specialty plate.
Base Registration Fee: $21 (motorcycle)
Collegiate Specialty Plate: +$35
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Total Registration Fee: $56.00
Weight-Based Registration Fees
Commercial trucks, farm trucks, and motor homes use weight-based fee schedules. The calculator automatically looks up the correct fee based on the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Commercial Truck Example: A 15,000-lb commercial truck pays $105 annually, while a 50,000-lb truck pays $581. Farm trucks and motor homes follow a reduced schedule (e.g., 15,000 lbs = $48).
Official Reference: Maine BMV Registration Fee Schedules (29-A M.R.S. § 501-530). Commercial truck fees are detailed in 29-A M.R.S. § 505, farm truck fees in 29-A M.R.S. § 505-A.
4. Annual Excise Tax (Paid to Town)
One of Maine’s unique features is the annual excise tax, which is paid to your local town before you can register your vehicle. This tax is calculated by multiplying the vehicle’s MSRP by a mill rate that decreases as the vehicle ages.
| Vehicle Age | Mill Rate | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 24 mills | 2.40% |
| 1 year old | 17.5 mills | 1.75% |
| 2 years old | 13.5 mills | 1.35% |
| 3 years old | 10 mills | 1.00% |
| 4 years old | 6.5 mills | 0.65% |
| 5+ years old | 4 mills | 0.40% |
Example 1: Brand New Vehicle
Scenario: You purchase a brand new 2026 truck with an MSRP of $45,000.
MSRP: $45,000
Vehicle Age: 0 years (less than 1 year old)
Mill Rate: 24 mills (2.40%)
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Annual Excise Tax: $45,000 × 0.024 = $1,080.00
This amount must be paid to your town annually before registration.
Example 2: 6-Year-Old Vehicle
Scenario: You register a 2020 sedan with an original MSRP of $28,000.
MSRP: $28,000
Vehicle Age: 6 years (5+ years category)
Mill Rate: 4 mills (0.40%)
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Annual Excise Tax: $28,000 × 0.004 = $112.00
Older vehicles pay significantly less excise tax due to the reduced mill rate.
Official Reference: Maine Revenue Services and Municipal Tax Collectors – Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (36 M.R.S. § 1482). Mill rates are established by state statute and collected by town tax collectors.
5. Inspection Fees
Maine requires annual safety inspections for all vehicles. The inspection fee varies by county, with Cumberland County having higher fees due to additional emissions testing requirements.
Example 1: Standard County Inspection
Scenario: You own a diesel truck registered in York County.
County: York (standard county)
Safety Inspection Fee: $12.50
Emissions Testing: Not required
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Total Annual Inspection Fee: $12.50
Example 2: Cumberland County Gasoline Vehicle
Scenario: You own a gasoline-powered car registered in Cumberland County.
County: Cumberland
Safety Inspection Fee: $18.50 (includes emissions)
Emissions Testing: Included in fee
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Total Annual Inspection Fee: $18.50
Cumberland County gasoline vehicles require annual emissions testing, which is included in the higher inspection fee.
Official Reference: Maine State Police, Vehicle Inspection Program (29-A M.R.S. § 1751-1769). Inspection fees are set by regulation and paid to licensed inspection stations.
6. Electric Vehicle Surcharge
Maine law authorizes an annual registration surcharge for battery-electric vehicles to help fund road infrastructure. As of 2025, this surcharge has not yet been triggered, but when it becomes active, EV owners will pay an additional fee.
EV Surcharge Details: When active, battery-electric vehicles will pay $25 per year, increasing to $50 after 10,000 EVs are registered in Maine. Plug-in hybrids are currently exempt from this surcharge.
Official Reference: Maine Legislative Document LD 1257 (enacted 2021) – An Act to Ensure Equity in Funding Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure. The surcharge is authorized under 29-A M.R.S. § 501(11).
7. Complete Calculation Example
Let’s walk through a complete real-world scenario to see how all these fees add up.
Complete Example: 3-Year-Old Car Purchase in Cumberland County
Scenario Details:
- Purchase Price: $25,000 from a dealer
- Trade-In: $5,000 (same category – car for car)
- Vehicle: 3-year-old passenger car
- MSRP: $30,000
- County: Cumberland
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Dealer Doc Fee: $200
SALES TAX:
Taxable Amount: $25,000 – $5,000 = $20,000
Sales Tax (5.5%): $20,000 × 0.055 = $1,100.00
TITLE FEE:
Standard Title: $33.00
REGISTRATION FEE:
Passenger Car: $35.00
ANNUAL EXCISE TAX:
MSRP: $30,000
Age: 3 years (10 mills = 1.0%)
Excise Tax: $30,000 × 0.010 = $300.00
INSPECTION FEE:
Cumberland County: $18.50
DEALER FEE:
Documentation Fee: $200.00
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TOTAL FIRST YEAR: $1,686.50
Annual Renewal (est.): $353.50
Why Use This Calculator?
The Maine Vehicle Tax, Title & License Calculator eliminates guesswork by:
- Following Official Fee Schedules: All calculations are based on current Maine BMV and MRS regulations
- Handling Complex Rules: Automatically applies trade-in credits, weight-based fees, and age-based excise tax rates
- Real-Time Updates: Calculations update instantly as you enter information
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes all vehicle types from motorcycles to commercial trucks
- Exemption Support: Accounts for veteran, tribal, and government exemptions
Official Sources and References
All calculations in this calculator are based on authoritative Maine state sources:
- Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) – Registration fee schedules and title fee information (maine.gov/sos/bmv)
- Maine Revenue Services (MRS) – Sales and use tax regulations, Bulletin No. 32 on motor vehicle sales tax (maine.gov/revenue)
- Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (M.R.S.):
- Title 29-A (Motor Vehicles) – Registration and title provisions
- Title 36 (Taxation) – Sales tax and excise tax statutes
- Maine BMV Registration Fee Charts – Commercial truck, farm truck, and motor home weight-based fee tables
- Maine Municipal Tax Collectors – Excise tax mill rates and collection procedures (36 M.R.S. § 1482)
- Maine State Police – Vehicle inspection requirements and fee schedules (29-A M.R.S. § 1751-1769)
- Maine Legislative Documents – LD 1257 (EV surcharge authorization)
Note: Fee schedules and regulations are subject to change. Always verify current rates with the Maine BMV and your local town office before completing a transaction.