How to Registration a Motorcycle

Dealer Sale (Maine licensed dealer):

  1. Pay excise tax at your town office. Excise tax is a municipal tax. Please contact your local municipal office for additional information.
    • If the vehicle is brand new, the tax collector will require that you provide the manufacturers suggested retail price sticker (also known as the Monroney Label) or a copy of the sticker.
  2. Documents needed:
    • Your bill of sale/sales agreement from the dealer
    • Blue title application (if 300 cc or greater and is a 1995 model year or newer)
    • Evidence of insurance (ID card, policy or binder)
    • White & yellow copy of registration application and excise tax receipt (from town office)
  3. If your municipality does not participate in our registration program, you will need to visit a BMV branch office with the documents listed above. Please contact your local municipal office to find out if they participate in our registration program.
  4. Pay the appropriate registration fees based on type of plate selected.
  5. Vanity plates are available at any BMV branch office on selected plate types for an additional annual fee of $25.00. You may check the availability of a vanity plate online.
  6. Disability plates are available and a physician's signature is required on the application.

How to Register a Private Sale Purchased Motorcycle or a Motorcycle Purchased from an out-of-state Dealer:

  1. Pay excise tax at your town office. Excise tax is a municipal tax. Please contact your local municipal office for additional information.
  2. Documents needed:
    • Signed bill of sale
    • Title, if the vehicle is 300 cc or greater and model year 1995 or newer, signed over the title to new owner from the previous owner(s)
    • Evidence of insurance (ID card, policy or binder)
    • White & yellow copy of registration application and excise tax receipt (from town office)
  3. If your municipality does not participate in our registration program, you will need to visit a BMV branch office with the documents listed above. Please contact your local municipal office to find out if they participate in our registration program.
  4. Pay 5.5% Maine sales tax on the purchase price of the motorcycle.
  5. Pay the title application fee ($33.00), if applicable (model year 1995 or newer and 300 cc or greater)
  6. Pay the appropriate registration fees based on type of plate selected.
  7. Vanity plates are available at any BMV branch office on selected plate types for an additional annual fee of $25.00. You may check the availability of a vanity plate online.
  8. Disability plates are available and a physician's signature is required on the application.

How to Renew a Motorcycle Registration:

Note: If your town participates in Rapid Renewal, the online registration renewal service, you may be able to process your entire renewal online. Please visit the Rapid Renewal web site for additional information. If your town does not participate, you will need to proceed to your town office and follow the steps below to renew your motorcycle registration.

  1. Pay excise tax at your town office. Excise tax is a municipal tax. Please contact your local municipal office for additional information.
  2. Documents needed:
    • Evidence of insurance (ID card, policy or binder)
    • White & yellow copy of registration application and excise tax receipt (from town office)
  3. If your municipality does not participate in our registration program, you will need to visit a BMV branch office with the documents listed above. Please contact your local municipal office to find out if they participate in our registration program.
  4. Pay the appropriate registration fees.
  5. Vanity plates are available at any BMV branch office on selected plate types for an additional annual fee of $25.00. You may check the availability and order a vanity plate online.
  6. Disability plates are available and a physician's signature is required on the application.

You may contact the BMV Registration Section with questions or comments at: (207) 624-9000 ext. 52149 or by Email: registrations@maine.gov