Skip to content
LicensePlates Maine

Replacement License Plate in Maine

What is a License Plate Replacement in Maine?

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles reissues registration plates when originals are lost, stolen, damaged, or illegible. The replacement operation is separate from the annual registration renewal and has its own fee of $5 per plate according to Title 29-A § 503.

  • Trigger conditions: plate is missing, stolen, physically damaged to illegibility, faded to illegibility, or surrendered after moving from another state. A change in vehicle class requiring a different type of plate also qualifies.
  • The Secretary of State issues new registration plates with a new number on each replacement (Title 29-A § 465(4)).
  • Maine is a two-plate state according to Title 29-A § 452. When one plate from a set is lost, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles issues a full new set, and the owner must return the retained plate to the Secretary of State (§ 465(5)).

When Do You Need to Replace Your Maine License Plate?

Owners must act within 24 hours of discovering that a plate is lost or damaged. Title 29-A § 465(3) requires notifying the Secretary of State and applying for new plates within this time.

  • Lost or stolen plates trigger a notification obligation within 24 hours. The statute does not require a police report; the owner notifies the Bureau of Motor Vehicles directly. Until new plates arrive, the owner must display a temporary substitute with the original registration number (§ 465(1)).
  • Plates that are damaged, faded, or partially obscured must be replaced. Title 29-A § 452(4) requires plates to be “clearly visible and legible” at all times, with no specific day for compliance other than the 24-hour notification rule.
  • New residents must register within 30 days of establishing residency in Maine (Title 29-A § 351(1-A)).

How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Maine

Three service channels handle plate replacements: in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch, at a municipal office, or by mail. Fees noted in the cost section below apply to all channels.

  • Gather your current registration, valid photo ID, and the retained plate if one from the set is lost. Know your application number.
  • In person: Visit any of the 13 Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches or your municipal office. The clerk processes the application, collects the plate fee, and issues new plates and updated registration on the spot. Many municipal offices also handle plate replacements for standard vehicle classes.
  • By mail: Send the application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029. Include the plate fee by check or money order. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles does not publish a guaranteed processing time for replacement requests sent by mail.
  • Online services cover only duplicate registrations and renewals, not physical plate replacements. The online path is detailed in the next section.

Can You Replace Maine License Plate Online?

No. Maine does not offer online plate replacements. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ online tools handle registration renewals through Rapid Renewal and duplicate registration certificates through a separate portal, but neither issues physical plate replacements.

The duplicate registration portal costs $5.00 plus a $1.00 agency fee, delivers the document within seven business days, and mails it to the address on file. Rapid Renewal handles standard renewals for registrations expiring within two months. Neither service covers lost, stolen, or damaged plates.

Owners needing a replacement plate must visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or municipal office in person. Mail requests are sent to the main office in Augusta. The package must include:

  • A completed application for new registration plates
  • Payment of $5.00 per plate by check or money order
  • The retained plate from the old set, if one remains

For plate replacements, Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches are the only complete channel.

How Much is License Plate Replacement in Maine?

The plate fee is low, but a two-plate vehicle always requires a full set, so the cost doubles from the single plate amount.

  • $5.00 per plate for replacing lost or damaged registration plates, as set by Title 29-A § 503(1). A standard passenger vehicle with two plates pays $10.00 for the set.
  • Motorcycles, trailers, and tractors display one plate and pay $5.00 total.
  • Registration validation devices (stickers) cost $0.50 each under the same statute.
  • Maine does not apply any additional county or local fees for replacement transactions. The state fee is the full amount.
  • The current statewide Pine Tree plate reissue (beginning May 1, 2025) charges a one-time reservation fee of $25.00 for owners wishing to retain their existing number, according to the BMV Pine Tree Plate page. Owners accepting a new number do not pay the reservation fee.

Notice

By clicking "I Agree," you acknowledge and consent to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you agree not to use information provided by Maine License Plates for any purpose governed by the FCRA, including evaluating an individual's eligibility for credit, insurance, employment, or tenant screening.

This website offers information sourced from both public and private records. Maine License Plates cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please use the information obtained from Maine License Plates responsibly.

When you search for license plates on Maine License Plates, you understand that these searches must only be conducted for purposes authorized by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA). You may not search for license plates or use any information obtained from these searches for unlawful purposes.

By clicking "I Agree," you understand that Maine License Plates will conduct only an initial search based on the information you provide. A full record search will be conducted and available after account registration or report purchase.