Vehicle registration plates of Maine

Last updated
Maine
Maine sample.png
Current series
SloganVacationland
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format123·ABC
IntroducedJuly 1, 1999 (1999-07-01)
Availability
Issued by Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJune 1, 1905 (1905-06-01)

The U.S. state of Maine first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, within the office of the Department of the Secretary of State. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Contents

Maine legislators effectively removed a potentially unconstitutional review process for vanity plates in 2015, which formerly was able to reject plates that were "obscene, contemptuous, profane or prejudicial." [1] Due to a proliferation of vulgar plates over the following years, the legislature directed the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to establish new rules for reviewing plates in 2021. The new rules ban profane or obscene language, language inciting violence, and derogatory references "to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability." A committee for vanity plates consults the online Urban Dictionary for assistance with "arcane lingo". [2]

Passenger baseplates

1905 to 1949

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1234
1905–11White serial on red porcelain plate; "MAINE" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 10100
1234
1912Dark blue serial on yellow porcelain plate; "MAINE" centered at bottomnone12341 to approximately 9200
1234
1913Yellow serial on dark blue porcelain plate; "MAINE" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 11000
12345
1914White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; "MAINE 1914" at rightnone123451 to approximately 14500First dated plate.
12345
1915Dark blue serial on white porcelain plate; "MAINE 1915" at rightnone123451 to approximately 21500
12345
1916Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1916" at rightnone123451 to approximately 29000
12-345
1917Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1917" at rightnone12-3451 to approximately 38-000
1918 Maine license plate.JPG 1918Dark green serial on white flat metal plate; "MAINE 1918" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 42-000
12-345
1919Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "MAINE 1919" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 48-000
12345
1920Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1920" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 54-000
1921 Maine license plate.jpg 1921Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "MAINE 1921" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 68-000
12-345
1922Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1922" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 79-000
12-345
1923Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1923" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 90-000
1924 Maine license plate.jpg 1924As 1922 base, but with "MAINE 1924" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 105-000
123-456
1925As 1923 base, but with "MAINE 1925" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 115-000
123-456
1926Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1926" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 122-000
1927 Maine license plate.JPG 1927Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "MAINE 1927" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 130-000
1928-Maine-license-plate.jpg 1928Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1928" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 140-000
123-456
1929Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1929" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 145-000
Maine 1930 license plate.jpg 1930Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "MAINE 1930" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 150-000
123-456
1931Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1931" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 138-000
123-456
1932Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MAINE 1932" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 164-000
1933 Maine license plate.jpg 1933Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1933" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 157-000
No image
1934Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "MAINE '34" at bottomnone1-2341 to 9-999Small plates manufactured for 1934 and 1935 due to the Depression. [3] In both years, the state name and year were centered on plates with the 1-234 and A123 serial formats, and offset to the right on plates with the A/B123 format.
A123A1 to W999
A/B123A/A1 to approximately F/N999
No image
1935Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MAINE '35" at bottomnone1-2341 to 9-999
A123A1 to W999
A/B123A/A1 to approximately F/W999
123-456
1936Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1936" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 157-000First use of the "Vacationland" slogan.
123-456
1937Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MAINE 1937" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 162-000
1938 Maine license plate.jpg 1938Embossed dark green serial on light green plate with border line; "MAINE 1938" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 157-000
1939 Maine license plate.JPG 1939Embossed silver serial on dark green plate with border line; "MAINE 1939" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 160-000
1940 Maine license plate.JPG 1940Embossed dark green serial on silver plate with border line; "MAINE 1940" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 165-000
123-456
1941Embossed red serial on silver plate with border line; "MAINE 1941" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 170-000
1942 Maine license plate 01.jpg 1942–43Embossed black serial on beige plate with border line; "MAINE 1942" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 177-000Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Maine licence plate.jpg 1944Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1944" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 155-000
1945 Maine license plate.jpg 1945Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1945" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 155-000
1946 Maine license plate.jpg 1946–47Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1946" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 204-000Revalidated for 1947 with windshield stickers.
123-456

Blank License Plate Shape.svg
1948–49Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1948" centered at top"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 223-000Revalidated for 1949 with silver tabs.

1950 to present

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes. [4] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Maine license plate that complied with these standards.

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
1954 Maine license plate.jpg
1955 Maine licence plate.jpg
1950–55Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MAINE" at top, offset to left, with metal tab slots to right"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to approximately 376-000Validated for 1950 with silver tabs, for 1951 with red tabs, for 1952 with green tabs, for 1953 with gold tabs, for 1954 with silver tabs, and for 1955 with blue tabs.
1956 Maine license plate.JPG 1956Embossed black serial on reflective gold plate with border line; "MAINE 56" centered at top, with metal tab slots either side of year"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to
264-000
Revalidated for 1957 with red tabs, for 1958 with green tabs, for 1959 with white tabs, for 1960 with dark blue tabs, and for 1961 with orange tabs.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
1960 Maine license plate.jpg
1957–61As above, but without "56"264-001 to approximately 463-000
Maine 1962 License Plate.JPG 1962Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MAINE 62" at top, offset to left, with metal tab slots either side of year"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to
384-000
Revalidated for 1963 with yellow tabs, for 1964 with dark blue tabs, for 1965 with red tabs, for 1966 with yellow tabs, and for 1967 with black tabs.
Maine 1963 license plate.jpg
Maine 1965 License Plate.jpg
Blank License Plate Shape.svg
1963–67As above, but without "62"384-001 to approximately 617-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1968Embossed black serial on reflective yellow plate with border line; "MAINE 68" at top, offset to left, with metal tab slots either side of year"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to
395-000
Revalidated with stickers; tab slots on 1968 plates never used.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1969–73As above, but without "68" and metal tab slots395-001 to approximately 793-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1974–75Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MAINE 74" at top, offset to left"VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom123-4561 to
488-000;
502-001 to
510-000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1975–78As above, but without "74"488-001 to
502-000;
510-001 to
875-000
Embossed year replaced by revalidation stickers.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1978–79As above, but with "MAINE" centered at top875-001 to
999-999
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1979 – June 30, 198712345 A1 A to
52000 N
Maine license plate, 1987-1999 series.png July 1, 1987 – May
1990
Embossed navy blue serial on reflective white plate with border line; red American lobster screened behind serial, offset to right; "MAINE" screened in red centered at top"Vacationland" (with enlarged 'V') screened in red centered at bottom12345 A1 P to
99999 Z
May 1990 – April
1993
1234 AB1 AA to
9999 ZZ;
1 AB to
9999 AY
(see right)
Double-letter series issued first (AA, BB, CC, up to ZZ), followed by different-letter series (AB, AC, AD etc.) from September 1991.
April 1993 – June 30, 19991 AZ to
2999 ES
Narrower serial dies introduced.
Maine sample.png July 1, 1999 – October 2023Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; black-capped chickadee on pine cone and tassel screened at left and green pine forest silhouette screened at bottom; "MAINE" screened in black centered at top"Vacationland" screened in black in center of pine forest silhouette1234 AB1 GA to
9999 ZY
Letter O not used in serials.
October 2023 – present123·ABC101·JAA to
present
Initial letters A to I reserved for optional and certain non-passenger plate types. The middle serial letter progresses first, followed by the final letter, and then the first one.

Optional plates

All optional plates introduced from 2003 onwards use a 123-ABC serial format, with blocks of three-letter series assigned for each plate as required.

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSloganSerial blocks assignedNotes
Lobsterplt.jpg LobsterMay 1, 2003 – presentEmbossed navy blue serial on graphic plate featuring a coast scene with green cliffs, a grey boathouse and a red American lobster at left; navy blue border line around plate; "MAINE" screened in black centered at top"Lobster" screened in black centered at bottomAAA–ABZ, AEB–AEZ, AXA–AXZ, BEA–BEZ, BLA–BLZProceeds go towards the Maine Lobster Research, Education and Development Fund.
Blackbearplate.jpg Black BearNovember 3, 2003 – presentEmbossed black serial on white and pale blue gradient plate with border line; logo of the Maine Black Bears screened at left; "MAINE" screened in light blue centered at topLight blue band screened at bottom with "The University of Maine" in black in the centerACA–ADZProceeds go towards the Maine Black Bears Scholarship Fund.
Wabanaki.jpg WabanakiAugust 12, 2005 – presentEmbossed black serial on graphic plate featuring Mount Katahdin; black border line around plate; "MAINE" screened in dark red centered at top"WABANAKI" screened in dark red centered at bottomAFA–AFZIssued to members of the nations of the Wabanaki Confederacy.
Agplate.jpg Acplate.jpg AgricultureOctober 1, 2007 – presentEmbossed black serial on graphic plate featuring an orange and yellow gradient sky, green hills, a farmhouse, a forest, and black silhouettes of an old man and a young girl at left; black border line around plate; "MAINE" screened in black centered at top"Support Local Agriculture" screened in white centered at bottomAGA–AGZ, ANA–ANZ, BCA–BCZProceeds go towards the Maine Agriculture Education Fund.
Tsplate.jpg Support Our TroopsNovember 1, 2007 – presentEmbossed black serial on white plate with border line; dark green forest screened at bottom and yellow ribbon on dark green three-dimensional state icon screened at left; "MAINE" screened in black centered at top"We Support Our Troops" screened in yellow centered at bottomAJA–AJZProceeds go towards members of the Maine National Guard and their families.
Swplate.jpg SportsmanApril 7, 2008 – presentEmbossed black serial on white plate with border line; Mount Katahdin screened at top and moose and brook trout screened at left; "MAINE" screened in black centered at top"SUPPORT WILDLIFE" screened in black centered at bottomAKA–AKZ, ASA–ASZ, AVA–AVZ, BDA–BDZ, BHA–BHZProceeds go towards funds including the Fish Hatchery Maintenance Fund and the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Bcplate.jpg Breast CancerOctober 1, 2008 – presentEmbossed pink serial on white plate with border line; pink ribbon on magenta state icon screened at left; "MAINE" screened in purple centered at top"early detection saves lives" screened in purple centered at bottomALA–ALZ, ATA–ATZ, AYA–AYZProceeds go towards the Breast Cancer Services Special Program Fund of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Awplate.jpg Animal WelfareOctober 1, 2009 – presentEmbossed black serial on white plate with border line; silhouettes of cat, dog, bird, rabbit and horse screened at right; "MAINE" screened in red centered at topYellow band screened at bottom with "respect. love. adopt." in black offset to leftAMA–AMZ, AWA–AWZ, BGA–BGZProceeds go towards Animal Welfare Auxiliary Fund and Companion Animal Sterilization Fund.
Bushplate.png The Barbara Bush Children's HospitalOctober 1, 2018 – presentEmbossed black serial on white plate with border line; Barbara Bush Children's Hospital logo screened at left; "MAINE" screened in black centered at top"The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, At Maine Medical Center" screened centered at the bottom.BBA-BBZ, BJA–BJZProceeds go towards The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.

Non-passenger plates

ImageTypeDates issuedDesignSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg CommercialJuly 1, 1987 – June 30, 1999As lobster passenger base; vertical embossed "COM" to left of serial123456350001 to approximately 570000Narrower serial dies used from 500000 onwards.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg July 1, 1999 – December 2007As chickadee passenger base, but with embossed "COMMERCIAL" in place of slogan123-456600-001 to
799-999
December 2007 – present1A-23451A-0001 to
9C-1380 (as of June 23, 2022)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg DisabledJuly 1, 1999 – presentAs chickadee passenger base Wheelchair symbol.svg 12345 Wheelchair symbol.svg 30000 to Wheelchair symbol.svg 76014(as of May 14, 2022)
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Low-Speed Vehicle2003–presentAs chickadee passenger base, but with embossed "LOW–SPEED" in place of slogan123-AEA101-AEA to present
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motorcycle1988–95Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" at top; vertical "MC" at left1234 A4001 N to 9999 Z
1995–97123 AB1 AA to approximately 500 AR
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1998 – mid 2012As above, with "RIDE SAFE" at bottom1 AT to approximately 500 HV
Mcinspection.jpg mid 2012 – presentAs above, but without "MC"501 HV to 372 NT (as of June 27, 2022)
2019 Maine Semi Permanent Trailer 19 79445.jpg Long term trailer2001-2018Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" at top offset to left, "SEMI PERMANENT" at bottom; day of expiration at top right, vertical stacked "TLR" in between first two numbers and last 5 numbers12 34567
12 3456A
Coded by year of expiration (12)Registered in periods between 3 and 25 years.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2018-2021Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" and "SEMI PERMANENT" at top and bottom respectively; vertical stacked "TLR" between first two numbers and the rest of the serial
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2022-presentEmbossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" and "LONG TERM TLR" at top and bottom respectively123-4567500-0000 to 509-7617(As of November 29, 2022)
1995 Maine Trailer G 32052.jpg Trailer1988–95Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" and "TRAILER" at top and bottom respectivelyA 12345E 10001 to L 99999
1995–presentA 123456A 100001 to C 249272 (as of June 5, 2022)

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References

  1. Sharp, David (May 6, 2022). "Maine close to ridding license plates of obscenities". Boston.com. Associated Press.
  2. Calvert, Scott (June 15, 2022). "What the BLEEP? Maine Is Cracking Down on Obscene License Plates". The Wall Street Journal.
  3. Tanner, Eric N. "Maine Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.