A licensed dealer in Maine may issue a temporary license plate valid for 30 days. Driving with a temporary license plate issued by anyone other than a licensed dealer in Maine is illegal and could result in fines and other penalties.
To make sure you’re set up to follow all of Maine’s laws regarding temporary license plates, we’re going to walk you through the details of temporary plates in Maine.
Does Maine issue temporary plates?
Yes—the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) allows licensed dealers to issue temporary license plates, sometimes referred to as temporary plate attachments or temporary registration plates.
With a valid temporary license plate issued by a licensed dealer in Maine, you may drive your car for 30 consecutive days without paying a regular fee. This gives your dealer time to complete the title transfer and vehicle registration process for your purchased car.
What’s the problem with temporary Maine license plates?
As in any state, temporary license plates are an issue because they pose the possibility of being fraudulent. Drivers in Maine pay online to purchase a fraudulent temporary license plate, similar to buying an illegal fake ID.
But don’t be fooled—attaching false plates, permitting the attachment of false plates, manufacturing or reproducing plates, and altering registration plates are all strictly illegal in Maine and punishable by law.
How to get a temporary license plate in Maine
You can legally get a temporary license plate in Maine in some situations. In general, you should only get a temporary license plate from your dealer.
If you bought your car from a licensed dealer, the dealership may issue you a temporary plate that is valid for 30 days. If, after the 30 days, you are still waiting on your title and registration to finalize, you can request that the Secretary of State extend the period for an additional 20 days.
Temporary registration permits in Maine
Let’s say you buy a car on Craigslist and the seller is legally required to turn in the plates, so the car is plateless when you buy it. How are you supposed to legally drive it home?
In Maine, the Secretary of State may issue a temporary registration permit so that you can legally move a vehicle that theoretically should—but does not—have valid registration and/or plates. The Secretary of State may never issue a temporary registration permit valid for longer than 10 days, so keep that in mind.
The cost of a temporary registration permit in Maine is $12 to $25, depending on how you will be transporting your car.
If you operate your car outside the routes stipulated in your temporary registration permit, you commit a traffic violation and will be fined $25 to $200.
Can I drive a car without plates if I just bought it in Maine?
Yes—just purchase a temporary registration permit. This allows you to drive without plates on your car. Just make sure you stick to the routes articulated in your permit and don’t drive your car without plates beyond the specified time frame.
How to find affordable car insurance in Maine
No matter what kind of car you plan to drive in Maine, you’ll need to be sure you’re set up with the best (and most affordable) car insurance. And that’s where Jerry has you covered.
Jerry is a car insurance comparison and broker app that uses your basic personal information to efficiently find you competitive car insurance quotes that are personalized to your driving history and coverage needs. In short, it means you’ll find the best deals out there in record time on Jerry’s trustworthy super app.
Jerry only works with trusted car insurance providers—and we only bring you accurate policies. We’re in the business of helping you save money, so we’ll never try to upsell you or bother you with unwanted phone calls.
Our record speaks for itself: the average Jerry user sees over $800 a year in savings!
Olivia Rose is an insurance writer specializing in cars, car insurance, and finance. Olivia’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to reduce costs, master repair skills, and learn more about insurance. Olivia has written nearly 500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from car technology to state license plate requirements. Prior to joining Jerry, Olivia worked as an English Teacher at Fusion Academy and an English Tutor for HeyTutor and Tutor Me LA, LLC. She is currently completing an MFA in creative writing at San Jose State University.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
