ME · Registration fee guide
Maine car registration fees
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Maine registration is a $35 state fee plus an annual excise tax paid to your town.
Your itemized estimate
Estimate your registration
Use your vehicle details to calculate the listed fees. Amounts reflect the schedule verified in 2026.
Start with the published example below, then adjust the details for your vehicle.
Published example · listed fees
$335.0012-month renewal example
No listed fees for this selection.
- State fees$35.00
- County / local$300.00
- One-time$0.00
View breakdown data
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| State fees | $35.00 |
| County / local | $300.00 |
| One-time | $0.00 |
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| State registration fee | $35.00 |
| Municipal excise tax (age 3) | $300.00 |
Estimate only. Includes only the fees listed here; other taxes, penalties or local charges may apply. Confirm with the official agency.
Confirm with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Registration fee schedule
Only applicable fees contribute to your estimate. Optional fees are excluded unless selected. One-time fees apply only to new registrations.
| Fee | Amount or rule | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| State registration fee | $35.00 29-A §501(1): $35 a year for cars, SUVs and pickups up to 6,000 lb. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Municipal excise tax (age 0) | 2.4% of vehicle value; minimum $5.00 36 §1482: mills per dollar of MSRP: 24 in year one, then 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, and 4 for the sixth year and later. Minimum $5. Paid to your town. | See conditionsmax age years: 0 |
| Municipal excise tax (age 1) | 1.75% of vehicle value; minimum $5.00 36 §1482: mills per dollar of MSRP: 24 in year one, then 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, and 4 for the sixth year and later. Minimum $5. Paid to your town. | See conditionsmin age years: 1; max age years: 1 |
| Municipal excise tax (age 2) | 1.35% of vehicle value; minimum $5.00 36 §1482: mills per dollar of MSRP: 24 in year one, then 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, and 4 for the sixth year and later. Minimum $5. Paid to your town. | See conditionsmin age years: 2; max age years: 2 |
| Municipal excise tax (age 3) | 1% of vehicle value; minimum $5.00 36 §1482: mills per dollar of MSRP: 24 in year one, then 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, and 4 for the sixth year and later. Minimum $5. Paid to your town. | See conditionsmin age years: 3; max age years: 3 |
| Municipal excise tax (age 4) | 0.65% of vehicle value; minimum $5.00 36 §1482: mills per dollar of MSRP: 24 in year one, then 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, and 4 for the sixth year and later. Minimum $5. Paid to your town. | See conditionsmin age years: 4; max age years: 4 |
| Municipal excise tax (age 5+) | 0.4% of vehicle value; minimum $5.00 36 §1482: mills per dollar of MSRP: 24 in year one, then 17.5, 13.5, 10, 6.5, and 4 for the sixth year and later. Minimum $5. Paid to your town. | See conditionsmin age years: 5 |
| Certificate of title | $33.00 29-A §603: $33. | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
How Maine fees work
Maine registration is a $35 state fee plus an annual excise tax paid to your town. The excise tax uses statewide mill rates applied to the MSRP and drops each year for six years.
The listed registration period is 12 months. Agency information
Cost factors: flat, value, age.
Worked example
2023 car with a $30,000 MSRP, renewal: $35 registration + $300 excise tax (10 mills) = $335.
Listed total: $335.00
See the fee rules and sources aboveCommon questions
How are Maine registration fees calculated?
Maine registration is a $35 state fee plus an annual excise tax paid to your town. The excise tax uses statewide mill rates applied to the MSRP and drops each year for six years.
Where can I confirm my final registration cost?
Confirm the final amount with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Its official website is linked below the calculator and in this guide’s sources.
What other limitations should I consider?
Excise "year one" is the current model year. The calculator maps age from model year, so a vehicle early in its model year can land one tier off. Municipal agents may add up to $5 on renewals and $6 on new registrations (29-A §201). New plates add small fees (29-A §503). These are not included. Sales tax on a purchase is not included.
Sources and last checked
Sources
- 29-A MRSA §501 Registration fees Maine Legislature
- 36 MRSA §1482 Excise tax rates Maine Legislature
- 29-A MRSA §603 Title fee Maine Legislature
Last verified
Fees can change. Confirm your final amount with the official registration agency before paying.
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