License Plate replacement in Maine may be needed when a plate is lost, stolen, damaged, or no longer readable. Vehicle owners can request replacement plates through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) based on the reason for replacement and the type of registration involved. The process may require vehicle details, registration information, identification, and applicable fees. Replacement options can vary for standard, specialty, vanity, motorcycle, commercial, and other plate types, so knowing the applicable requirements can help vehicle owners prepare the correct information before submitting a request.
License Plate replacement requirements in Maine depend on the condition of the existing plate and the circumstances surrounding its replacement. A damaged plate may require different steps from one that has been lost or stolen. Maine vehicle owners may need to provide registration details and other required information through the appropriate BMV process. Replacement fees can vary based on the plate type and transaction. Knowing the applicable paperwork, fees, and replacement rules can help vehicle owners complete the request correctly and keep their vehicle registration records current.
Where to Get a Maine License Plate Replacement
A plate replacement in Maine is handled through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and its authorized registration channels. The correct location depends on how the replacement is being processed and whether your municipality provides motor vehicle registration services. For a Maine license plate replacement, the official MV-9 form is used for lost, mutilated, stolen, or law-enforcement-removed plates.
Where You Can Get Maine Plate Replacement
- BMV branch office: A replacement plate can be handled through a Maine BMV branch office when branch service is applicable.
- Municipal agent: A municipal agent may handle motor vehicle transactions in municipalities that provide registration services. The MV-9 form includes a section for a BMV representative or Municipal Agent.
- By mail: The MV-9 provides mailing instructions for the Lost Plate Clerk at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029.
- Official BMV forms page: The BMV lists MV-9 under its Registration forms and states that forms cannot be submitted online unless otherwise stated. Completed forms should be printed and mailed to the address shown on the respective document.
Maine BMV Replacement Contact
For questions about Maine license plate replacement and registration matters, contact the BMV Registration Section.
- Phone: 207-624-9000, ext. 52149
- Email: registrations@maine.gov
- Mail: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Lost Plate Clerk, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029
Can You Get a Maine Replacement License Plate Online?
A replacement license plate Maine request is different from Maine’s online registration services. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) lists MV-9, Notice of Lost Plates and Request for New Plates, for plates that are lost, mutilated, stolen, or removed by law enforcement. The BMV forms page states that its forms cannot be submitted online unless a form is specifically marked for online submission. MV-9 is provided as a form, so an online plate replacement transaction should not be confused with an online registration service.
License Plate Replacement Requirements
A replacement license plate Maine request starts with the MV-9, Notice of Loss of Number Plates and Request for New Plates. This replacement application collects information about the registered owner, vehicle registration, existing plate, and validation stickers. The current form is specific to lost or affected plates, so applicants should use the fields provided on MV-9 rather than a generic replacement checklist.
Information Required on the MV-9
The current Maine plate replacement form asks for:
- Plate class/type: Enter the class or type of the existing plate.
- Plate number: Provide the current plate number, including any spaces or dashes shown on the plate.
- Number of plates needed: Select whether 1 or 2 plates are needed.
- Owner information: Provide the registered owner’s name and date of birth.
- Address: Enter the owner’s address, including the ZIP code. The form has a separate option for a permanent address change.
- Current registration: If requesting a permanent address change on the registration, the MV-9 states that a copy of the current registration should be attached.
- Daytime telephone: Provide a daytime contact number.
- Validation stickers: Select whether stickers are needed and provide the applicable expiration month and year.
- Reason for replacement: Select the reason listed on the form: lost, mutilated, stolen, or removed by law enforcement.
- Signature: The owner signs the form to certify the information provided.
How to Replace a Damaged License Plate in Maine
A damaged plate Maine replacement may be needed when the plate has become mutilated or its number is no longer clearly readable maine plate law specifically addresses a plate whose number becomes mutilated or illegible and requires the owner or person in control of the vehicle to place a temporary substitute number plate on the vehicle while applying for new plates.
When Does a Damaged License Plate Need Replacement?
Minor cosmetic wear does not automatically mean that a damaged license plate needs replacement. The key issue is whether the plate remains usable and its identifying number remains clearly visible and legible. A faded plate, severe physical damage, or an unreadable plate can create a replacement situation when the plate number or required plate information can no longer be properly seen. Maine law requires registration plates to remain plainly visible and legible.
Steps for Maine Plate Replacement
For a Maine plate replacement involving a mutilated plate:
- Complete MV-9: Use the Notice of Loss of Number Plates and Request for New Plates form and select “Mutilated” as the reason for replacement.
- Provide plate details: Enter the plate class, plate number, owner information, address, number of plates needed, and sticker information.
- Return the old plate when required: Maine BMV procedures indicate that mutilated plates should be turned in when replacement plates are ordered in applicable transactions.
- Use a temporary plate: Maine law requires a temporary substitute number plate after a plate is lost or becomes mutilated or illegible, with the temporary plate displayed as nearly as possible like the regular plate.
How to Replace a Stolen License Plate in Maine
A stolen license plate requires a different record entry from a plate that was simply lost. Maine’s current MV-9 form provides separate choices for Lost, Mutilated, Stolen, and Removed by Law Enforcement, so the applicant should select Stolen when the plate was taken without permission. This status helps the BMV identify why the original plate is no longer in the owner’s possession and process the replacement license plate Maine request using the correct information.
Steps to Replace a Stolen Plate
- Report the theft: Treat the missing plate as stolen rather than lost when theft is known. Maine law separately makes the unauthorized taking of a registration plate a Class E crime.
- Complete MV-9: The replacement application asks for the plate class/type, existing plate number, number of plates needed, owner information, address, sticker information, reason for replacement, and signature. Select Stolen as the reason.
- Provide registration details: The existing plate number and registration information connect the replacement request with the vehicle and registered owner. If the registration address is being permanently changed, MV-9 includes instructions for providing a copy of the current registration.
- Request the new plate: The BMV or Municipal Agent completes the issuance section of MV-9 and records the new plate number and class when replacement plates are issued.
- If the stolen plate is later found: Do not put the recovered plate back into normal use after receiving a new plate without confirming the proper procedure with the BMV. The replacement changes the plate record, so the BMV can provide instructions for handling the recovered plate.
How Much Does License Plate Replacement Cost?
The Maine plate replacement cost depends on the number of plates being replaced and whether new validation stickers are requested. The current MV-9 form, Notice of Loss of Number Plates and Request for New Plates, lists a specific replacement fee for each plate. This fee applies to the replacement request and should be separated from other vehicle registration charges. For the most current amount, the MV-9 form should be checked before submitting a replacement application.
| Replacement Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 replacement plate | $5.00 |
| 1 replacement plate + validation sticker | $5.50 |
| 2 replacement plates | $10.00 |
| 2 replacement plates + validation stickers | $11.00 |
Temporary Plate Rules After Losing or Damaging a Plate
If a Maine registration plate is lost, or its number becomes mutilated or illegible, Maine law requires the owner or person in control of the vehicle to immediately place a temporary substitute number plate on the vehicle. The temporary plate must show the vehicle’s existing registration number, giving the vehicle an identifying plate number while the owner completes the Maine license plate replacement process.
What Temporary Plate Must Show
The temporary substitute number plate must bear the vehicle’s registration number. Maine law says it must conform to the regular registration plate and be displayed as nearly as possible in the same manner as a regular plate. This requirement applies when a plate has been lost or when the plate number has become mutilated or illegible.
24-Hour Replacement Requirement
Losing or damaging a plate also creates a time requirement. Within 24 hours after the loss or mutilation of registration plates, the person must notify the Secretary of State and apply for new registration plates. This means the temporary plate is part of the period between the original plate becoming unavailable and the issuance of the replacement plate.
What to Do During Replacement
The owner should complete the required replacement application and follow the BMV process for obtaining new plates. The temporary substitute number plate should remain displayed as required until the regular replacement plates are issued. The statute also states that when one plate from a set is lost and a new set is issued, the remaining plate must be returned to the Secretary of State.
Does Give You the Same Plate Number?
A replacement plate does not automatically mean that your plate number will always change. Maine BMV training material specifically states that when one plate is reported lost, a replacement plate with the same number can be ordered. The current MV-9 form records the existing plate number and provides a section for the BMV representative or Municipal Agent to record the new plate number and class when plates are issued.
One Lost Plate
If one plate from a set is lost, Maine BMV training material says a replacement plate with the same plate number can be ordered. The replacement process uses MV-9, where the existing plate number is entered and the applicant indicates whether one or two plates are needed. Maine law says that if one plate from a set is lost and a new set is issued, the remaining plate must be returned to the Secretary of State.
When a New Number May Apply
A new plate number can apply when the BMV issues a new set rather than simply replacing one lost plate with the same number. The exact result can depend on the plate class or type and the registration record. The MV-9 includes fields for the existing plate class and number, plus a separate section where the BMV records the new plate number and class if new plates are issued. The form itself does not state that every replacement receives a new number.
License Plate Replacement vs. Duplicate Registration
A replacement plate and a duplicate registration are two different things in Maine. A replacement plate is the physical metal license plate issued when a plate is lost, mutilated, stolen, or removed by law enforcement. The Maine BMV’s MV-9 form is used to request new plates and records the existing plate number, plate type, and number of plates needed. The form also allows the BMV to record a new plate number when new plates are issued.
| Feature | Maine License Plate Replacement | Duplicate Registration |
|---|---|---|
| What it replaces | Physical license plate | Vehicle registration certificate |
| Purpose | Replaces a lost, stolen, mutilated, or unavailable plate | Replaces a lost or damaged registration document |
| What you receive | A replacement metal license plate | A duplicate registration certificate |
| Plate number | A plate number is associated with the replacement plate | Does not replace the physical plate |
| Plate stickers | Replacement may include validation stickers when requested | Online service does not provide duplicate plate stickers |
| Main form/service | MV-9, Notice of Loss of Number Plates and Request for New Plates | Maine BMV Duplicate Registration Request Online Service |
| Online option | Physical plate replacement follows the BMV replacement process | Duplicate registration can be requested online |
| Result | You receive a replacement plate | You receive a replacement copy of the registration |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Maine license plate replacement process can raise questions about fees, forms, stolen or damaged plates, and available submission options. These questions provide quick answers to common concerns about replacing a lost, stolen, mutilated, or unavailable plate. They cover the MV-9 form, replacement plate fee, online options, and whether you can request just one replacement plate.
How much is it to replace a license plate in Maine?
The Maine license plate replacement cost is $5 for each replacement plate. The current MV-9 form lists $5.50 per plate when validation stickers are requested. Maine law also sets the replacement plate fee at $5 per plate. The final amount can depend on whether stickers are needed.
What form do I need for a lost Maine license plate?
For a lost Maine license plate, use MV-9, Notice of Loss of Number Plates and Request for New Plates. The replacement application records the plate number, plate type, number of plates needed, sticker requirements, and the reason for replacement. The form covers plates reported as lost, mutilated, stolen, or removed by law enforcement.
What should I do if my Maine license plate is stolen?
If you have a stolen plate, use the MV-9 form to report the situation and request replacement plates. Maine law requires notification and an application for new plates within 24 hours after a plate is lost or mutilated. The MV-9 specifically includes stolen as a replacement reason.
Can I replace a Maine license plate online?
A physical replacement license plate Maine request is different from Maine’s online duplicate-registration service. The online service provides a duplicate registration certificate and specifically states that it does not provide duplicate license plate stickers. For plate replacement, the MV-9 form is the applicable BMV form.
Can I replace only one Maine license plate?
The MV-9 form allows you to request 1 or 2 plates. Maine BMV training material specifically states that when one plate is reported lost, a replacement plate with the same number can be ordered. The form also lets the applicant indicate whether one or two plates are needed.