In Maine, vehicles with a model year of 1994 or older are exempt from titling. If you are selling an exempt vehicle, you do not need a title to transfer ownership. Instead, you will use a Bill of Sale and provide the previous owner's registration certificate as proof of ownership. For all vehicles model year 1995 and newer, a title is required.

If you've lost the title for your 1995 or newer vehicle, you must apply for a duplicate title from the Maine BMV before you can sell it. If you have an outstanding loan on the car, the lienholder's name will be on the title. You must pay off the loan in full. The lender will then sign off on the title or provide you with a lien release document, which you'll need to get a clear title.

Yes. Maine law requires that a vehicle displays a valid, current safety inspection sticker to be legally operated on public roads. While the law doesn't explicitly state the seller must provide one for the sale itself, selling a car with a current inspection sticker is standard practice and highly recommended. A buyer cannot legally drive the car without it, which makes a valid inspection a key selling point.

Yes, a Bill of Sale is required for a private vehicle sale in Maine. It is a critical document, especially for title-exempt older vehicles. The Bill of Sale must include:
The vehicle’s year, make, model, and VIN.
The purchase price and date of sale.
The full names and signatures of both the seller and the buyer.
Both you and the buyer should keep a signed copy for your records. The buyer will need it to pay sales tax and register the car.

No. As a private seller, you do not collect sales tax. The buyer is responsible for paying the 5.5% state sales tax directly to the Maine BMV or their town office when they register the vehicle.

In Maine, the license plates belong to the seller. You must remove your license plates from the car before the buyer drives away. You can then transfer the plates to another vehicle you own or return them to a BMV office to cancel the registration.