If you want to stand out a little bit, and make your car special and unique, a personalized license plate may be perfect for you. With a personalized Maine license plate, you can choose a custom message to be displayed on your license plate, which you can use to share a message with the world, be it fun, silly, or heartfelt.
Applying for a personalized license plate in the state of Maine is very easy, and only takes a few minutes. If you feel like adding a touch of yourself to your vehicle, this may be a great option for you.
Part 1 of 3: Choose a personalized Maine license plate
Step 1: Visit Maine’s website. Go to the Maine government home website.
- Tip: Before beginning this process, make sure that your vehicle is currently registered in the state of Maine.
Step 2: Go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles website on the Maine government page.
From the main page of the Maine website, click on the button that says “Agencies”, then click on “M-N”. Finally, click on the link that reads “Motor Vehicles, Bureau of (BMV)”.
Step 3: Choose a plate theme: Choose between the many available Maine license plate themes.
From the Bureau of Motor Vehicles page, click the button on the right side that says “Vanity plate availability check”.
Select your type of vehicle from the dropdown menu at the bottom of the page, then click on the button that says “Go”.
Choose from the dozens of various themed license plates. Be sure to find a license plate theme that says something about you.
- Tip: It’s a good idea to take a while to think about which license plate theme you would like. You will have this personalized license plate for a long time, so it’s important to find one that you feel strongly about.
Step 4: Choose a message. Find an available plate message to use.
Think of a plate message that you would like to use for your personalized license plate, and type it in the search box at the bottom of the page. Select the plate theme that you would like, then press the button that says “Search”.
Tip: If the message you try is unavailable, click “Search again”, and keep trying until you find an available plate message.
Warning: If the Bureau of Motor Vehicles determines that your plate message is inappropriate or vulgar, it will be rejected, even if the plate is available.
Part 2 of 3: Ordering your personalized Maine license plate
Step 1: Download the application. Download the personalized plate application.
Return to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles page, and click the button that says “Forms and applications”. Print this form.
Scroll down to the area titled “Registration forms” and click on “Vanity registration plate application”.
Step 2: Fill out the basic information. Input the vanity registration plate application basic information.
Fill out the basic information on the downloaded form. Then, fill out the license plate message that you chose in the appropriate spot.
- Tip: Before mailing your form, double check all of your answers to ensure accuracy.
Step 3: Select the class code. Put the correct class code in the application.
Use the class code section of the application to determine the code of the license plate theme that you chose. Write down this code in the appropriate box, next to the license message that you chose.
Step 4: Insert payment. Pay for your license plate application.
After filling out the form, you will have to pay the application fee. You can pay the fee with cash, a check or money order, or a Visa or MasterCard.
Check the box for the payment method that you plan on using. If paying by credit or debit card, include your card information in the appropriate boxes. If paying by cash, check, or money order, include the payment with the application when you mail it.
- Tip: Follow the instructions on the form to determine what your fee will be. The fee changes depending on your type of vehicle and the type of personalized license plate you are choosing.
Step 5: Mail your application. Mail the personalized license plate application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Before sealing your envelope, make a copy of your registration and add it to the application. Without a copy of your registration, your personalized license plate request will not be processed.
Mail your application, payment, and registration copy to:
Vanity Plate Clerk
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0029
- Warning: Since a fair amount of paperwork has to be included, your envelope could exceed the maximum weight for standard mail. If you are at all worried about this, take it to the post office to see if you need to include extra postage.
Part 3 of 3: Installing your personalized Maine license plates
Step 1: Install your license plates. Install your personalized Maine license plates on your vehicle.
In four to six weeks, your personalized license plates will be delivered to you. As soon as you receive your plates, you should install them on both the front and rear of your vehicle.
If you don’t feel like you are able to install the personalized license plates by yourself, you can hire a mechanic to come put them on for you.
- Tip: Make sure to add new registration stickers to your new license plates before you drive your vehicle.
With a personalized Maine license plate, your car will stand out wherever you go, and have a special piece of you on it.
