License plates in Maine can reflect personal interests, names, initials, or meaningful combinations through vanity and personalized options. Drivers can request an approved character combination for eligible plate types, subject to series rules, character limits, and state review. Maine vanity plates may have different requirements based on the selected series, so available characters, spaces, dashes, and other formatting rules can vary. A plate search can help check whether a preferred combination appears available before an application is submitted, though availability does not guarantee approval.
License plates with personalized wording give Maine vehicle owners a way to select a plate combination that feels distinctive and easy to recognize. Vanity plate requests must meet Maine requirements, including applicable character limits and restrictions on combinations that may be rejected. Some plate series allow six, five, or seven characters, depending on the type selected. Duplicate combinations cannot be issued to multiple vehicles, and state review applies to requested wording. Fees, registration requirements, and plate-series rules can affect the total process and cost.
How to Check Vanity Plate Availability
Maine drivers can use the state’s official online vanity plate service to check whether a desired personalized plate combination is available. The state of Maine vanity plate check is provided through the official Maine BMV online system, where users can search plate combinations before submitting an order. The vanity plate search Maine service lets an applicant enter a preferred sequence and check the current plate availability result. Searching for a combination does not require a fee, making it possible to review different choices before submitting a paid request. The online search is a BMV service and does not mean that a requested combination has been approved for issuance.
State of Maine Vanity Plate Check
The official Maine BMV provides an online search for vanity plate availability. Users can enter a preferred combination into the state’s vanity plate search and check whether the sequence is currently available for the selected plate type. The search itself is free, so applicants can check several possible combinations before choosing one to request. Results can vary by plate type, and a sequence that appears available for one type may not be available for another. The availability result is a preliminary search result; final issuance remains subject to BMV review.
How to Search a Custom Sequence
To search a custom sequence, enter the desired letters, numbers, or permitted combination in the Maine BMV vanity plate search. Select the appropriate plate type before checking the result. Review the displayed availability status for the requested sequence. If the preferred combination is unavailable, try alternative sequences with different letters or numbers. Checking several options can help identify another combination that is currently available. The search should be treated as a way to identify a possible plate choice, rather than confirmation that the BMV has approved the plate for issuance.
What an Available Result Means
An available result does not mean the personalized plate is automatically approved. It means the requested combination can currently be submitted through the Maine vanity plate service. The BMV reviews the order before issuance, including the requested plate combination. A request can still be rejected during the review process. Applicants should treat the online availability result as an indication that the sequence may be requested, not as a final approval or guarantee of issuance.
How to Order Maine Personalized License Plates Online
Maine personalized license plates can be searched and ordered online through the state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) vanity plate service. The online service is available to Maine registrants who have a current vehicle registration. Applicants can search available plate combinations, select an eligible plate type, provide details from their existing registration, and submit payment by an accepted card. The BMV reviews each requested combination before production, and approved orders are mailed with the new plates and registration materials.
- Maine BMV — Vanity Plate Search & Order Online Service:
- https://apps1.web.maine.gov/online/bmv/vanity/
- Personalized/Vanity Plate Search: Search for your preferred plate combination through the Maine BMV online service and check whether it is available.
- Select a Plate Type: Choose the available personalized or vanity plate type that you want to order.
- Current Registration Required: Your vehicle must have a current Maine vehicle registration to use the online vanity plate service.
- Enter Registration Information: Provide the required details from your current vehicle registration in the online application.
- Pay the Applicable Fee: Submit the required vanity plate fee using an accepted payment card through the online service.
- Submit the Request: Review the information you entered and submit your personalized plate request to the Maine BMV.
- BMV Review: The Maine BMV reviews the requested plate combination before approval and production.
- Receive the Plates: After approval and production, the new plates and related registration materials are mailed to the registrant.
Vanity Plate Character Limits
Maine vanity plate character limits vary by plate types the Maine BMV does not use one character limit for every personalized plate. Some series allow up to seven characters, while specialty and veteran-related plates can have six, five, or four characters. The treatment of a space or dash can vary too: some plate categories permit the stated number of characters plus one dash or space, while others count the space or dash within the stated limit. Checking the plate category before submitting a custom sequence helps avoid using an invalid format.
7-Character Vanity Plates
Several Maine plate categories permit up to seven characters. The current BMV instructions divide these into two formatting groups. No Tree, Trailer, and Wabanaki plates allow up to seven characters plus one dash or space. Antique Auto, Antique Motorcycle, Autocycle, Combination, Commercial, Custom Vehicle, Hire, Motor Home, Motorcycle, Moped, Passenger, Special Veteran Motorcycle, and Street Rod plates allow up to seven characters where the space or dash is included in that limit. Seven-character sequences can mix letters and numbers, with at least one letter required.
6-Character Vanity Plates
Several specialty plate series allow up to six characters plus one dash or space. These include Agriculture, Agriculture Commercial, Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Black Bear, Breast Cancer, Emergency Medical Services, Farm, Lobster, Maine Lighthouse Trust, Sportsman, Support Animal Welfare, and We Support Our Troops. Special Veterans plates allow up to six characters, with the space or dash included in the six-character limit. This difference matters when creating a sequence containing a separator.
5-Character Vanity Plates
Maine also has vanity plate categories limited to five characters. Firefighter plates allow up to five characters plus one dash or space. Conservation, Conservation Commercial, Disability, Disability Motorcycle, Disabled Veterans, Disabled Veterans Motorcycle, Purple Heart, Purple Heart Motorcycle, and University of Maine plates allow up to five characters including a space or dash. This means the formatting rule depends on the specific plate series rather than applying one five-character rule to every specialty plate.
4-Character Special Veterans Disability Plates
Special Veterans Disability plates have a shorter limit. The current Maine BMV instructions allow up to four characters, including a space or dash. This category has a different limit from the regular Special Veterans plates, which permit up to six characters. Applicants using this plate type need to keep the requested sequence within the four-character limit.
Does a Space or Dash Count?
Maine uses two different formatting rules. Some plate categories allow the stated character limit plus one dash or space. Other categories state that the character limit includes the space or dash. For example, Agriculture and Lobster plates permit six characters plus one dash or space, while Special Veterans plates allow six characters including the separator. The same distinction appears among five- and seven-character categories. The current BMV instructions should be checked for the exact plate type before submitting a custom sequence.
Vanity Plate Rules and Approval Requirements
Maine vanity plate requests are subject to rules set by 29-A MRSA §453. The Secretary of State may refuse to issue or recall a vanity registration plate if the requested combination is duplicative, falsely suggests a connection with a public institution or government agency, promotes violence or unlawful activity based on its content, or falls within other prohibited categories. The law also covers profanity, obscenity, derogatory references to protected characteristics, sexual references, and certain disguised versions of prohibited terms.
Duplicate Plate Combinations
Maine does not allow a vanity plate combination that is duplicative. The restriction can apply across different plate classes, meaning a requested combination cannot simply be treated as available because it belongs to a different specialty plate category. Maine specialty-plate statutes likewise state that vanity plates may not duplicate vanity plates issued in another class of plate. A search result showing a combination as available is not a substitute for the BMV’s review of duplicate status before issuance.
Prohibited or Rejected Combinations
Under Maine Title 29-A §453(3-A), the Secretary of State may refuse to issue or recall a vanity plate that falls within several prohibited categories.
These include combinations that:
- Falsely suggest an association with a public institution, government, or government agency.
- Are duplicative of another vanity plate.
- Use language that encourages violence or could result in violence or other unlawful activity based on the requested content.
- Are profane or obscene.
- Make a derogatory reference to age, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, religion, or physical or mental disability.
- Connote genitalia or relate to sexual acts.
- Create a prohibited term through slang, abbreviation, phonetic spelling, or mirror-image wording.
Why an Available Plate Can Still Be Rejected
An availability result from the Maine vanity plate search does not automatically mean final approval. The search database can indicate that a requested sequence is available for submission, but the BMV still reviews the request before issuance. That review can consider the plate’s duplicate status and whether its content falls within the restrictions in §453. A combination can consequently appear available during the initial search and still be refused during review. Maine law also provides an appeal process for a refusal or recall decision.
How Much Do Vanity & Personalized Plates Cost?
License plates with vanity or personalized combinations give Maine vehicle owners a way to select a custom sequence that meets state requirements. The overall plate costs depends on the type of registration and the plate series selected. Maine offers personalized options across several plate categories, with different requirements based on the vehicle and plate type. Before placing an order, it helps to know which charges may apply to the selected plate and how they relate to the regular vehicle registration.
| Cost Item | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Vanity Plate Fee | $25 annually | An annual fee for a personalized or vanity registration plate. |
| Specialty Plate Fee | $20 | An additional fee may apply for an eligible specialty plate; the renewal charge can vary by plate series. |
| Regular Registration Fee | Varies | The regular registration fee depends on the vehicle and registration type. |
| Vanity + Specialty | $45 in listed initial fee components | Includes the vanity fee and specialty fee, separate from the regular registration fee. |
| Availability Search | Free | There is no fee to search for Maine vanity plate availability. |
Veteran Vanity Plates
Maine offers vanity options for several veteran-related plate classes, allowing eligible applicants to request a personalized plate sequence within the rules for the selected class. Veteran-related vanity categories include Special Veterans, Special Veterans Motorcycle, Special Veterans Disability, Disabled Veterans, Disabled Veterans Motorcycle, and Purple Heart plates. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles sets separate character limits for these classes, so the number of letters, numbers, spaces, or dashes allowed depends on the plate category. Eligibility for the underlying veteran plate must be met before a vanity request can be issued.
Can Maine Veteran Plates Be Personalized?
Yes. Vanity versions are available for several Maine veteran-related plate classes. The personalized sequence must follow the character limit assigned to that plate category and must meet Maine’s vanity plate rules. Special Veterans, Special Veterans Motorcycle, Special Veterans Disability, Disabled Veterans, Disabled Veterans Motorcycle, and Purple Heart categories are included in the Maine BMV vanity plate information. A requested sequence is still subject to BMV review, and an available combination does not by itself confirm final approval. The applicant must qualify for the selected veteran plate class before requesting its vanity version.
Veteran Plate Character Limits
The maximum length varies by veteran plate class. Special Veterans and Special Veterans Motorcycle allow up to 6 and 7 characters, respectively, with the applicable space or dash rule. Special Veterans Disability allows up to 4 characters. Disabled Veterans and Disabled Veterans Motorcycle allow up to 5 characters, including a space or dash. Purple Heart and Purple Heart Motorcycle plates allow up to 5 characters, including a space or dash. These limits come from the current MV-45A vanity plate instructions.
Veteran Eligibility and Documentation
Eligibility depends on the veteran plate category selected. Maine BMV states that first-time requests for Special Veterans, Special Veterans Disability, Special Veterans Motorcycle, Purple Heart, Purple Heart Motorcycle, Disabled Veterans, and Disabled Veterans Motorcycle vanity plates may require proof of eligibility. For example, Special Veteran plates are available to honorably discharged veterans or people who have served at least three years and continue to serve. Purple Heart plates require proof of the Purple Heart award, while certain veteran decal requests use a DD-214 or military orders as supporting documentation.
What If Your Maine Vanity Plate Is Rejected?
A Maine vanity plate request can be refused when the requested combination does not meet state requirements. An available result from the vanity search does not guarantee that the plate will be approved. The Secretary of State reviews vanity plate requests before issuance, and an issued plate can later be recalled if it violates the applicable rules.
Reasons a Maine Vanity Plate May Be Rejected
A vanity plate request may be refused for several reasons:
- Duplicate combination: The requested sequence is already issued or conflicts with another plate combination.
- Prohibited content: The combination contains profanity, sexual references, certain derogatory language, unlawful activity, or other content restricted by Maine law.
- Character-rule problem: The requested combination exceeds the maximum number of permitted characters or does not follow the applicable space or dash rule.
- Class-specific limitation: The selected plate class may have separate character, eligibility, or combination restrictions.
Rejection vs. Recall
The timing of the decision makes the difference:
- Initial rejection: The vanity plate is refused before it is issued.
- Recall: A plate that was already issued is later withdrawn after the Secretary of State determines that it does not meet the applicable requirements.
- Written notice: The Secretary of State provides notice of the decision and the applicable process.
Can You Appeal a Maine Vanity Plate Decision?
Maine law provides an appeal process for a refusal or recall. A person who wants to challenge the decision must file the appeal within 14 days after the Secretary of State’s initial decision. The appeal is handled through the administrative hearing process established under Maine law. This gives the applicant an opportunity to contest the refusal or recall rather than treating the initial decision as the final step.
Frequently Asked Questions
License plates with vanity and personalized options can raise questions about availability, character limits, fees, specialty plate choices, and approval requirements. The points about Maine vanity plates in clear terms. These answers focus on the Maine BMV’s current rules and online vanity plate services, helping readers find key information about personalized plate requests without unnecessary detail.
How do I check if a vanity plate is available in Maine?
You can use the official Maine BMV online vanity plate service to check a requested combination. The vanity plate search Maine service lets you enter your preferred sequence and review its availability for the selected plate type. An available result does not mean final approval, since Maine BMV reviews vanity plate requests before issuance.
Is the Maine vanity plate search free?
The official online service allows you to search vanity plate availability without a search fee. The state of Maine vanity plate check can be used to see whether a requested combination is available before placing an order. Fees apply when ordering a vanity plate, but the availability search itself is free.
How many characters can a Maine vanity plate have?
The character limit depends on the selected plate class. Some Maine personalized plates allow up to 7 characters, while specialty and veteran categories may allow 4, 5, or 6 characters. Certain classes permit a space or dash in addition to the stated character maximum, while others count the space or dash within the limit.
How much is the Maine vanity plate fee?
This charge applies in addition to the regular registration fee. If a specialty plate is selected, that plate may have its own additional charge, which varies by plate series. The vanity fee is due when the plate is requested and again at each re-registration.
Can I personalize a Maine specialty plate?
Maine allows personalized combinations for several specialty plate categories. The available character limit depends on the selected series. For example, Sportsman and Lobster vanity plates allow up to six characters, while University of Maine and Conservation vanity plates allow up to five. A personalized plate must follow the class rules and cannot duplicate a vanity plate already issued in another class.