On this page: Driver's Licenses | Car Registration | Snowmobile & ATV Registration | Boat Registration

DRIVER'S LICENCES

Minimum age for driver's permit: 15
Minimum age for driver's license: 16
Under 21 receives a provisional license for two years.

Fees & duration
Photo License (6 year license) - $30.00 for a class C license and $41.00 for a commercial drivers' license.

Age 65 or older (4 year license with photo) - $21.00 for a class C license and $28.00 for a commercial drivers' license.

Age 65 or older (4 year license without photo) - $18.00

for commercial rates please see the Motor Vehicle web site.

Converting an out-of-state license
The only test you need to take when converting an out-of-state license to a Maine license is a vision test. No driving or written tests required. You will need to pay a $10 application fee in addition to the $30 license fee.

You may obtain your license at the Motor Vehicle Branch locations listed below. There are also "mobile" units in many towns. These are usually town halls that have one or two set days a month for licensing exams and renewals. The state makes it very easy to renew your license by letting you get your renewal at many Rite-Aid stores throughout the state.

Please see the Bureau of Motor Vehicle's website for these locations and more information about driver's licenses.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Passenger vehicles

Registration fee: $25 year

Vanity plates:
add an extra $20 in first year, $15 extra in each year after

Excise Tax : is paid yearly when you register your vehicle. This tax goes to the municipality and varies according to the value and age of your vehicle. The price ranges from $4 to $24 per $1000 of value. This is a tax which often surprises newcomers to Maine.

Proof of insurance is required for registering a car.

PLEASE NOTE: You are not sent a renewal notice for your registration. It is up to you to remember to renew at the appropriate time.

Online Rapid- Renewal Registration Renewal

You can renew your registration for passenger and certain commercial vehicles online and avoid the lines. This is available for the following towns: Bangor, Brunswick, China, Corinna, Hermon, Holden, Lewiston, Portland, Saco, South Portland and Waterville.

Where: You can register your vehicle at any of the BWV offices above, by mail, and often in your own hometown. You will pay a small fee to register it in your hometown, but it is a great way to meet your new neighbors.

SNOWMOBILES & ATVs

Registration is handled through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, located in Augusta.

Snowmobiles: $26 year for residents
Snowmobiles: $61 year for non-residents

ATV's: $13 per year

Registrations are valid from July 1 - June 30

Where
You can obtain an application and mail your registration at

Division of Licensing and Registration, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 41 State House Station, 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333-0041
Phone: (207) 287-8000

BOATS

Registration is handled through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, located in Augusta.

Many Maine municipal tax collectors or town clerks and a few businesses are Recreational Vehicle Agents for the Fish & Wildlife Department.

If you are registering a watercraft at the Augusta Office or in a town other than your town of legal residence, you must first pay your excise tax in your town of residence. Be sure you have a receipt that shows the annual excise tax has been paid on your watercraft or your watercraft cannot be registered at another location.

Not all watercraft need to be registered. All motorboats do require registration. Anything twenty feet or more, even without a motor, also requires registration.

Fees: vary by type of water vehicle.

Tools to make your move easier whether you're coming to Maine "from away" or moving within the state.
• Facts and figures
• Weather and climate
• Schools
• Healthcare facilities
• Autos, driving info
• Maine counties

Who are the people in Maine? What is life like? This series introduces you to a few "Mainers" and gives you a view into a moment of their lives.

WHEELS
Find news and blogs about cars and driving in Maine, as well as a statewide searchable database of cars and trucks for sale — from Maine dealers and private sellers.

OUTDOORS
If your boat is motored by a paddle instead of a motor, check out the kayaking and canoeing pages of the Outdoors section for news, blogs and a database of places to paddle in Maine.

MAINE TRAVEL
More about getting here and getting around can be found in the Travel section.