![]() | |
Current series | |
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Slogan | Vacationland |
Size | 12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm |
Material | Aluminum |
Serial format | 123·ABC |
Introduced | July 1, 1999 |
Availability | |
Issued by | Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
History | |
First issued | June 1, 1905 |
The U.S. state of Maine first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022 [update] , 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.
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]
Image | Dates issued | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1234 | 1905–11 | White serial on red porcelain plate; "MAINE" centered at bottom | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 10100 | |||
1234 | 1912 | Dark blue serial on yellow porcelain plate; "MAINE" centered at bottom | none | 1234 | 1 to approximately 9200 | |||
1234 | 1913 | Yellow serial on dark blue porcelain plate; "MAINE" centered at bottom | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 11000 | |||
12345 | 1914 | White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; "MAINE 1914" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 14500 | First dated plate. | ||
12345 | 1915 | Dark blue serial on white porcelain plate; "MAINE 1915" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 21500 | |||
12345 | 1916 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1916" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 29000 | |||
12-345 | 1917 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1917" at right | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 38-000 | |||
| 1918 | Dark green serial on white flat metal plate; "MAINE 1918" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 42-000 | |||
12-345 | 1919 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "MAINE 1919" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 48-000 | |||
12345 | 1920 | Embossed maroon serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1920" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 54-000 | |||
![]() | 1921 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "MAINE 1921" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 68-000 | |||
12-345 | 1922 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1922" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 79-000 | |||
12-345 | 1923 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1923" centered at bottom | none | 12-345 | 1 to approximately 90-000 | |||
![]() | 1924 | As 1922 base, but with "MAINE 1924" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 105-000 | |||
123-456 | 1925 | As 1923 base, but with "MAINE 1925" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 115-000 | |||
123-456 | 1926 | Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1926" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 122-000 | |||
| 1927 | Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "MAINE 1927" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 130-000 | |||
![]() | 1928 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1928" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 140-000 | |||
123-456 | 1929 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1929" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 145-000 | |||
![]() | 1930 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "MAINE 1930" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 150-000 | |||
123-456 | 1931 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1931" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 138-000 | |||
123-456 | 1932 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "MAINE 1932" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 164-000 | |||
![]() | 1933 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1933" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 157-000 | |||
No image | 1934 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "MAINE '34" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1 to 9-999 | Small 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. | ||
A123 | A1 to W999 | |||||||
A/B123 | A/A1 to approximately F/N999 | |||||||
No image | 1935 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "MAINE '35" at bottom | none | 1-234 | 1 to 9-999 | |||
A123 | A1 to W999 | |||||||
A/B123 | A/A1 to approximately F/W999 | |||||||
123-456 | 1936 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1936" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 157-000 | First use of the "Vacationland" slogan. | ||
123-456 | 1937 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "MAINE 1937" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 162-000 | |||
![]() | 1938 | Embossed dark green serial on light green plate with border line; "MAINE 1938" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 157-000 | |||
| 1939 | Embossed silver serial on dark green plate with border line; "MAINE 1939" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 160-000 | |||
| 1940 | Embossed dark green serial on silver plate with border line; "MAINE 1940" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 165-000 | |||
123-456 | 1941 | Embossed red serial on silver plate with border line; "MAINE 1941" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 170-000 | |||
![]() | 1942–43 | Embossed black serial on beige plate with border line; "MAINE 1942" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 177-000 | Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II. | ||
![]() | 1944 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1944" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 155-000 | |||
![]() | 1945 | Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE 1945" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 155-000 | |||
![]() | 1946–47 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "MAINE 1946" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 204-000 | Revalidated for 1947 with windshield stickers. | ||
123-456 ![]() | 1948–49 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "MAINE 1948" centered at top | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 223-000 | Revalidated for 1949 with silver tabs. |
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.
Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1950–55 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MAINE" at top, offset to left, with metal tab slots to right | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 376-000 | Validated 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 | Embossed 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 bottom | 123-456 | 1 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. |
![]() ![]() ![]() | 1957–61 | As above, but without "56" | 264-001 to approximately 463-000 | |||
| 1962 | Embossed 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 bottom | 123-456 | 1 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. |
![]() ![]() ![]() | 1963–67 | As above, but without "62" | 384-001 to approximately 617-000 | |||
![]() | 1968 | Embossed 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 bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 395-000 | Revalidated with stickers; tab slots on 1968 plates never used. |
![]() | 1969–73 | As above, but without "68" and metal tab slots | 395-001 to approximately 793-000 | |||
![]() | 1974–75 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate with border line; "MAINE 74" at top, offset to left | "VACATIONLAND" centered at bottom | 123-456 | 1 to 488-000; 502-001 to 510-000 | |
![]() | 1975–78 | As above, but without "74" | 488-001 to 502-000; 510-001 to 875-000 | Embossed year replaced by revalidation stickers. | ||
![]() | 1978–79 | As above, but with "MAINE" centered at top | 875-001 to 999-999 | |||
![]() | 1979 – June 30, 1987 | 12345 A | 1 A to 52000 N | |||
![]() | 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 bottom | 12345 A | 1 P to 99999 Z | |
May 1990 – April 1993 | 1234 AB | 1 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, 1999 | 1 AZ to 2999 ES | Narrower serial dies introduced. | ||||
![]() | July 1, 1999 – October 2023 | Embossed 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 silhouette | 1234 AB | 1 GA to 9999 ZY | Letter O not used in serials. |
October 2023 – present | 123·ABC | 101·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. |
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.
Image | Type | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial blocks assigned | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Lobster | May 1, 2003 – present | Embossed 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 bottom | AAA–ABZ, AEB–AEZ, AXA–AXZ, BEA–BEZ, BLA–BLZ | Proceeds go towards the Maine Lobster Research, Education and Development Fund. |
![]() | Black Bear | November 3, 2003 – present | Embossed 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 top | Light blue band screened at bottom with "The University of Maine" in black in the center | ACA–ADZ | Proceeds go towards the Maine Black Bears Scholarship Fund. |
![]() | Wabanaki | August 12, 2005 – present | Embossed 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 bottom | AFA–AFZ | Issued to members of the nations of the Wabanaki Confederacy. |
![]() ![]() | Agriculture | October 1, 2007 – present | Embossed 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 bottom | AGA–AGZ, ANA–ANZ, BCA–BCZ | Proceeds go towards the Maine Agriculture Education Fund. |
![]() | Support Our Troops | November 1, 2007 – present | Embossed 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 bottom | AJA–AJZ | Proceeds go towards members of the Maine National Guard and their families. |
![]() | Sportsman | April 7, 2008 – present | Embossed 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 bottom | AKA–AKZ, ASA–ASZ, AVA–AVZ, BDA–BDZ, BHA–BHZ | Proceeds go towards funds including the Fish Hatchery Maintenance Fund and the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund. |
![]() | Breast Cancer | October 1, 2008 – present | Embossed 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 bottom | ALA–ALZ, ATA–ATZ, AYA–AYZ | Proceeds go towards the Breast Cancer Services Special Program Fund of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. |
![]() | Animal Welfare | October 1, 2009 – present | Embossed 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 top | Yellow band screened at bottom with "respect. love. adopt." in black offset to left | AMA–AMZ, AWA–AWZ, BGA–BGZ | Proceeds go towards Animal Welfare Auxiliary Fund and Companion Animal Sterilization Fund. |
![]() | The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital | October 1, 2018 – present | Embossed 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–BJZ | Proceeds go towards The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. |
The U.S. state of Idaho first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Idaho Transportation Department through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of Mississippi first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. Since then, the state has gone through a variety of license plate designs and currently has several different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and optional-issue plates.
Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to issue license plates on September 1, 1903. Plates are currently issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
The U.S. state of Iowa first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Kentucky first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1910. Plates are currently issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet through its Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing. Only rear plates have been required since 1944.
The U.S. state of Minnesota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1909, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Montana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Montana Department of Justice through its Motor Vehicle Division. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of Nevada first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1913. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1916, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of New Hampshire first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the New Hampshire Department of Safety through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of North Dakota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911. As of 2024, plates are issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation through its Motor Vehicle Division. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. Only rear plates have been required since 1976.
The U.S. state of South Carolina first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1917. As of 2023, plates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1975.
The U.S. state of Rhode Island first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1904. Plates are currently issued by the Rhode Island Department of Revenue through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of South Dakota first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1913, when the state began to issue plates.
The U.S. state of Vermont first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), associated with the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of West Virginia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2023, plates are issued by the West Virginia Department of Transportation through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1944.
The U.S. federal district of Washington, D.C., first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1907, when the district began to issue plates. Plates are issued by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The Canadian province of Manitoba first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display licence plates in 1911. As of 2022, plates are issued by Manitoba Public Insurance. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
The U.S. state of Arkansas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911. Prior to 1911, plates were issued by cities.