Motorcycle registration
Motorcycle registration in Maine: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Who to contact
Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
Visit the official Maine pageStep by step
Pay excise tax at the town office
Bring the signed bill of sale, title (if applicable), evidence of insurance, and excise tax receipt to a participating municipality or BMV branch
For a private sale, pay 5.5% Maine sales tax on the purchase price
If applicable, pay the $33.00 title application fee
Pay the registration fee (varies by plate type); optionally add a $25.00/year vanity plate
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Renewal
Renews annual.
Good to know
BMV registers motorcycles. Titling is triggered only for motorcycles 300cc or greater and model year 1995 or newer. Stated fees on-page: $33.00 title application (if applicable), 5.5% sales tax on private sales, $25.00/yr vanity plate; base registration fee varies by plate type and is not stated plainly. The page did not state renewal cadence in words, but Maine motorcycle registration renews annually (staggered).
More for Maine
General guidance
A street-legal motorcycle registers through the same motor vehicle agency as a car in every state, but the required inspection, insurance minimums, and endorsement rules differ. Pick your state below for the sourced process.
Registering the motorcycle (titling it and getting a plate) is a different process from getting licensed to ride one. This guide covers registering the vehicle; check your state agency’s driver-license division for the separate rider endorsement.
Many states require a physical VIN verification or safety inspection before they will register a motorcycle bought used or brought in from another state. The state guide below notes when this applies.
Some states set separate minimum liability insurance requirements for motorcycles. Confirm proof-of-insurance requirements with the agency in your state guide before you register.
Common questions
Yes — Maine requires registration for this vehicle type. Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) handles it; see the steps above.
Maine lists a annual renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
Yes. Registration titles the vehicle and issues a plate; the license or endorsement is a separate credential that lets you legally ride. This guide covers registering the vehicle — your state’s driver-license division handles the rider endorsement.
Many states require one, especially for a bike bought out of state or from a private seller. Check the state guide below for whether your state requires it and where it happens.