Welcome to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, within the constitutional office of the Department of the Secretary of State, was established in 1905 out of concern for public safety following the invention, mass production, and use of automobiles. Since that time, the Bureau has served the residents of the State and all users of Maine highways by qualifying and licensing drivers and by maintaining records of driver history, vehicle ownership and vehicle registration. Through the collection of the licensing and registration fees associated with these services, the BMV also provides revenue to build and maintain Maine's highways.

Today, through the leadership of the Secretary of State, the Bureau offers a variety of online services in addition to its familiar branch office locations. Using online services, for example, Maine motorists may renew their driver's license or order a duplicate license, renew their vehicle registration, or check on the availability of personalized license plates. Many other online services are available to businesses, individual motorists and other customers.

CIVIL EMERGENCY UPDATES

Sec. Dunlap: BMV-issued licenses, State IDs extended during emergency

Update: October 19, 2020
Governor Mills, signed Executive Order 15 revising the deadlines on when vehicles need to be registered.  Previous Executive Orders 53 and 53A mandated registrations be completed based on various circumstances.  This new Executive Order clearly delineates when a vehicle must have a current registration.  This staggered timeline for compliance should accommodate most of these delays.
This is what you need to know:

1. For vehicles that had expired or were purchased prior to the declaration of the civil emergency – vehicles must be registered IMMEDIATELY.
2. For vehicles that expired or were purchased in the months of March, April and May – vehicles must be registered within 60 days of the signing of the executive order.
3. For vehicles that expired or were purchased in the months of June, July, August and September – vehicles must be registered within 120 days of the signing of the executive order.
4. For vehicles expiring in October and months going forward – vehicles must be registered according to normal statutory compliance.

Please remember that during the continued civil emergency, many, if not all, municipal offices are performing registration work, however, some municipalities still may only be providing limited services. This means that the “Temporary Registration Letter” might still be needed; although its usage should be extremely limited. If town offices are open and collecting excise tax and/or processing registration work, then residents must comply with this new Exec Order.

Temporary registration letter for private sales PDF Format
FAQ - Frequently Asked Question about the temporary registration letter

Update for Dealers
Guidance for Dealers during emergency
Car Dealership Checklist for reopening our economy
Executive Order 4

Update for Driving Schools
Guidance for Driver Education Schools during emergency
Driver Education Protocols
Motorcycle Safety Program Protocols during COVID-19

Update for State of Maine
Executive Order 14
Restarting Maines Economy

Celebrating 200 Years of Statehood

 

New Legislation

Public Laws and Resolves affecting Motor Vehicles during the 129th Second Legislative Session. All laws are effective June 16, 2020unless otherwise noted. 

What's New

Towns of Monson, Waite and the Penobscot Nation join Rapid Renewal Service 
June 19, 2020

Secretary Dunlap encourages license renewals before final waiver deadline nears
June 15, 2020

Towns of Georgetown, Grand Lake Stream join Rapid Renewal Service
June 12, 2020

Towns of South Bristol, Bremen, Sweden and Indian Township join Rapid Renewal Service
May 29, 2020

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap to reopen Bureau of Motor Vehicles by Appointment
May 28, 2020

Towns of Baileyville, Somerville, Pittsfield join Rapid Renewal Service 
May 8, 2020

Otisfield, Bridgewater, Penobscot join Rapid Renewal Service
May 1, 2020

Seven more towns join Rapid Renewal ServiceTown of Benton now offering Rapid Renewal Service
April 27, 2020

Towns of Albion and Troy now offering Rapid Renewal Service 
April 3, 2020

Sec. Dunlap: BMV-issued licenses, State IDs extended during emergency
March 27, 2020

Towns of Starks, Maxfield, South Thomaston, Rangeley Plantation now offering Rapid Renewal Service 
March 27, 2020

Sec. Dunlap: CDLs, registrations extended during emergency; Real ID enforcement delayed
March 24, 2020