Maine License Plate Lookup
Maine may have fewer vehicle thefts and flood-damaged cars than other states. However, when in the used car market, take caution to avoid becoming the next victim.
Get a vehicle history check using our Maine license plate lookup tool now to avoid buying a vehicle that was stolen or has flood damage.
Table of Contents
What is a Maine License Plate Lookup?
The Maine License Plate Lookup is a tool you can use to look up the license plate number and get the vehicle history report in Maine. This service is recommended for anyone who wants to buy a used car from a dealership or a private seller.
On the vehicle history report, you will find important information like accident check, recall history, past ownership, real mileage reading, warranty coverage, damage verifications, and much more.
Can You Get a Free Maine License Plate Lookup?
Yes, you can look up a license plate for free in Maine using our license plate lookup tool. In the free Maine license plate lookup, you will find basic information such as:
- Associated VIN number
- Year, Make, and Model
- Country of Origin
- Market Value
- Transmission Type
- Fuel Type
- Drive Type
- Body Type
- Trim Information
- MSRP
- Engine Specifications
- Dimensions
- VIN
- Engine Value
- MSRP
- Manufacturer
- Fuel Type
- Body Type
- Year & Model
- Transmission
- Vehicle Type
- Sales Record
- Drive Type
- Mileage
- Market Value
- Doors
- Country of Origin
What Information Can You Get From a Maine License Plate Lookup?
The paid Maine license plate lookup gets you a lot of crucial information that you can obtain before buying a used vehicle.
Vehicle Specification
Detailed information about the car’s features and build for verification. See the vehicle’s drive type, fuel, engine type/capacity, country of origin, MSRP, and more. Check this section to ensure the vehicle matches your needs and budget.
Ownership History
A timeline of previous owners to understand the car’s usage. Check the year of purchase, the location, and how long they kept the car.
Accident Records
A history of reported collisions to assess potential damage. See the date, location, and how many times the vehicle was involved in an accident.
Damage Verification
Check if the vehicle has ever been damaged due to a natural disaster like a flood, accident, structural alteration, dent, or scratches.
Mileage Records
Verified odometer readings to avoid fraud. Check the recorded date and mileage, and the last recorded mileage of the vehicle.
Auction History and Photos
Records of past auctions, including images. In this section, you will see the date of the auction, the location, and the final price of the vehicle. Get up to ten pictures of the vehicle during the auction.
Lien/Loan Records
Shows if the car is tied to financial obligations. Make sure that the lien/loan is cleared up by the past owners before you decide to purchase the vehicle.
Title Information
Confirms the vehicle’s title, whether it’s clean, salvaged, rebuilt, or lemon. Make sure that the vehicle’s title is clean before you purchase.
Theft Records
Checks if the car has been reported stolen. See the date, location, and data source of the vehicle. Be aware of buying stolen vehicles, as they can be seized by the authorities.
Warranty Coverage
Find out whether the vehicle is still protected by its manufacturer’s warranty, including basic and powertrain plans. This section also shows the remaining time or mileage before the coverage expires.
Service and Maintenance History
Review detailed records of the vehicle’s past repairs, routine services, and part replacements. This information helps identify how well the car has been cared for and supports better planning for future maintenance needs.
Recall Information
Alerts you to unresolved recalls for safety. In this section, you can see the recall date, the cause of the recall, and the steps taken by the manufacturers to fix the recall issues.
The Importance of License Plate Lookup to Maine Car Buyers and Sellers
A license plate lookup is invaluable for both car buyers and sellers. Here’s why:
- Verifying Vehicle Authenticity When buying a used car in Maine, confirming its authenticity is essential. A license plate lookup matches the vehicle's information with the records on file, such as the make, model, year, and VIN. For buyers, this ensures they are not purchasing a counterfeit or tampered vehicle. Sellers benefit by providing transparency to buyers, demonstrating that the car's details are accurate and verified. For instance, a buyer in Portland can confirm a car listed as a 2018 Subaru Outback is genuinely the vehicle being sold.
- Avoiding Scams and Fraud Fraud is a significant risk in the used car market, and Maine is no exception. License plate lookups help uncover common scams, such as odometer fraud, salvage titles, or cars rebuilt after severe damage. For example, a license plate report might reveal that a car described as having 50,000 miles on the odometer was rolled back from 120,000 miles. Buyers can avoid falling victim to such fraud, while sellers with clean records can present documentation to assure potential buyers of the vehicle’s legitimacy.
- Negotiating Fair Prices Knowing a vehicle's history helps both parties agree on a fair price. For buyers, a license plate lookup provides insights into the car's true market value based on factors like mileage, accident history, and previous sales. For sellers, it offers documentation to justify their asking price. For example, a buyer in Bangor could use a report showing a car’s excellent maintenance history to negotiate a higher offer. At the same time, a seller in Augusta could explain a minor dent listed in the history to defend a slightly lower price.
- Assessing Vehicle Condition Understanding a car's condition is critical, especially in Maine, where winter weather can take a toll on vehicles. A license plate lookup provides information on maintenance history, accident records, and service logs. Buyers can use this to assess whether the car has been properly maintained or if it requires costly repairs. Sellers with a well-maintained vehicle can leverage this information to attract buyers willing to pay a premium for reliability.
- Checking for Legal Issues A vehicle might have hidden legal complications like liens, loans, or ownership disputes. A license plate lookup identifies these issues, helping buyers avoid purchasing a car with unresolved financial obligations. For example, a buyer in Lewiston could discover that a car they’re considering still has a lien from a previous loan. Sellers who have resolved these issues can demonstrate clear ownership through the lookup report, increasing trust and easing the transaction process.
- Enhancing Trust in Transactions Transparency is key in any vehicle transaction. A license plate lookup fosters trust by providing a comprehensive view of the car’s history. Buyers gain confidence that they are making a sound investment, while sellers can prove their honesty by sharing the report. For instance, a seller in Bar Harbor might include a report with their listing, showing no accident history or unresolved recalls, which reassures buyers and speeds up the sale.
How to Lookup a Maine License Plate Number
Looking up a Maine license plate is quick and easy. All you need to do is fill in the form above and follow these easy steps.
Enter the License Plate Number
Find the plate number on the front or back of the vehicle. Enter it into the form above and click “Search License Plate.”
Review and Purchase
Preview the vehicle details and proceed with the payment to get the report.
Get Your Report
Get the full vehicle history records, and don’t forget to download the records in PDF format.
How Does a Florida License Plate Lookup Help a Buyer?
Seller’s Claim
- 2 accident records
- 2 Record(s) of damage
- 2 specific events reported
- 1 service & repair record
- 5 lien or loan records
- 44 open recalls record
Seller’s Claim
- In great shape
- Regularly maintained
- Privately used
- The price is the same as the other sellers
Outcome
- The buyer cancels the buying process
- The car is no longer safe to drive because it has too many red flags
Why Checking the License Plate is a MUST
- Look up the license plate before you decide to buy a used vehicle, especially from a private seller
- Make sure to know everything before proceeding to buy.
Maine Laws/Legislation on License Plates in Maine
Maine requires every motor vehicle to have license plates issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Front and Rear Plates Requirement
Most vehicles in Maine must display both front and rear plates. Exceptions include motorcycles and trailers.
Plate Renewal and Transfer
License plates must be renewed annually. If selling a vehicle, plates can often be transferred to a new one. The Maine BMV oversees plate issuance, renewals, and transfers.
Maine License Plate Design and Format
Maine has issued license plates since 1905, with designs evolving. Early plates featured solid colours like red, yellow, or blue. By the mid-1900s, the familiar “Vacationland” slogan was added. In the 1990s, plates shifted to a white background with blue serials and a lobster design.
Today, Maine plates display black serials on a white-and-green gradient with “Vacationland” still at the bottom.
Types of License Plates in Maine
When you register the vehicle in Maine, you will have having few options of license plates you can choose from: standard, specialty, antique, and temporary.
Standard Plates
This is the default plate type for most vehicles in Maine. Since May 1, 2025, the long-standing “Chickadee” base has been phased out and replaced with the new “Pine Tree” or “No Tree” designs. These plates are automatically issued when a vehicle is registered unless another type is chosen.
Specialty Plates
Maine offers a wide range of specialty plates that support causes, universities, and organizations. Popular options include the Lobster, Agriculture, Conservation, Breast Cancer Support, and Veterans plates.
There are more than 100 specialty designs approved by the Legislature. The initial cost is $20 in addition to registration, with a $15 renewal fee each year.
Personalized (Vanity) Plates
Drivers can customize their plates with a unique combination of letters and numbers. These must follow state rules and cannot contain profanity or offensive content.
Personalized plates are a way to add individuality while still meeting Maine’s registration requirements.
Antique Plates
Antique plates are available for classic vehicles that are at least 25 years old and maintained for exhibitions, parades, or occasional use.
They fall under Maine’s special registration classifications and are a popular choice for collectors who want to preserve the historic value of their cars.
Temporary Plates
Temporary transit plates are issued for short-term use, such as when a newly purchased vehicle is being transported or while waiting for permanent plates. These tags allow the vehicle to be legally operated on Maine roads for a limited period.
How to Get a License Plate in Maine
To receive a license plate in Maine, applicants must first pay an excise tax at their local town office. This tax is based on the vehicle’s value and age, typically ranging from $4 to $24 per $1,000 of value.
When applying, you’ll need to provide:
- A signed bill of sale
- Proof of insurance
- A copy of the registration application
- Receipts showing the excise tax payment
Once these are submitted to the town office, registrants must also pay:
- A $3 application fee
- 5.5% Maine sales tax on the vehicle purchase
- Standard registration fees, which vary depending on the type of plate selected
How to Transfer Plates in Maine?
- To do this, you must ensure that the transferred vehicle is no longer yours.
- You will need the following items: The blue title application from the new vehicle, your insurance card, and the bill of sale.
- Visit the Town Office to pay your excise tax based on the difference between your old vehicle registration and the new one. You will be advised to transfer or not to transfer.
How to Register and Transfer a Car Title in Maine?
In Maine, you may have to follow the following steps to register or transfer a car title or ownership. These steps should be completed within 30 days of purchase ( still subject to change):
- Sign the vehicle title over from the previous owner
- Find and get ready other documents such as a driver’s license, proof of insurance, etc
- Visit the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to obtain the MV-T2 form, which is not online (both parties should be present).
Other Vehicle Check Tools
VIN Decoder
Window Sticker Lookup
Build Sheet by VIN
Classic Car History Report
Why Run a Maine License Plate Lookup With Detailed Vehicle History?
- Comprehensive Vehicle Details: Access over 150 records, including mileage history, ownership changes, accident reports, and theft records.
- Auction Photos: View up to 10 past auction images to check the vehicle’s previous condition.
- Accurate Market Value: Get real-time pricing insights to know the vehicle’s worth before making a deal.
FAQs About Maine License Plate Lookup
Can you look up someone’s license plate in Maine?
Yes. Simply enter the Maine plate number into our lookup tool to access the vehicle history report and information. When buying a used car in Maine and you don’t have the vehicle’s VIN, you can easily utilize our state of Maine license plate lookup service to make an informed decision.
How do I perform a Maine license plate owner lookup?
If you provide genuine reasons to the authorized agency, you may be granted legal access to find a license plate owner in Maine. This ensures compliance with the DPPA and the state’s non-disclosure policies.
What can be obtained from a Maine license plate lookup free tool?
With our free license plate lookup, you can access basic vehicle details like the specs, engine, transmission, drive type, and more. However, to access sensitive information, such as the owner’s name, you must obtain legal authorization or written consent from the vehicle owner.
What is the new Maine license plate?
To commence in May 2025, the state will issue a new plate featuring a rendition of the 1901 Maine flag with a pine tree and blue star.
