In the state of Maine, when selling or buying a motor vehicle from either a dealership or a private party, you need to have a bill of sale for Maine.
It is not just a receipt, it also acts as legal proof of the purchase and protects both the buyer and seller should there be any legal issues with the vehicle.
EXAMPLE
If the new owner was to get a ticket, the seller can prove that they did not own the car at that time.
Buyers will also need it when registering and titling the vehicle in their name. This, along with other documentation, must be presented to Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles. By law, you are not allowed to operate the vehicle on public roads until registration has been completed.
It is needed to calculate the sales tax during the registration process. Sales tax is usually 5.05% of the vehicle’s sale price. It must be signed by both the seller and the buyer, as well as the lienholder if there is a lien on the vehicle.
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Other Requirements
When registering a vehicle in Maine, you will need to have an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form MVT-32)
If you are registering or titling a vehicle on behalf of the owner, you will need to complete a Vehicle Power of Attorney form.
Key Details Needed for a Car Bill of Sale in Maine
You can either use a form for bill of sale supplied by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or create your own.
When creating your own document, the following details must be included:
- Date of the transaction
- Full names of both the seller and the buyer
- Details about the vehicle, which must include the make, model, year, VIN, and mileage
- The amount that the vehicle was sold for
- Contact details of both the seller and the buyer
- Signatures of both the seller and the buyer
Registering a Vehicle in Maine
If you are a new owner, you must register the vehicle when purchased with the BMV. If your vehicle is being transferred from out-of-state, you have 30 days from establishing your residency to register the vehicle. Vehicle registration needs to be renewed annually, usually during the month that it was first registered.
Where to register a vehicle in Maine?
If you are renewing your vehicle registration, you can do this online using BMV’s Rapid Renewal Service. You will need to have your current registration, the current mileage of the vehicle, and your insurance card details.
You cannot use the Rapid Renewal Service if your vehicle registration expired over 7 months ago, or your vehicle falls into one of the following categories:
- Apportioned
- Emergency
- Island Use
- Coach
- Tractor
- Special mobile equipment
- State of municipal vehicle
- The vehicle exceeds 12,000 pounds
- Required to complete form SR-22
If you are registering your vehicle for the first time, you will need to visit your local municipal town office or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, if your local municipality does not participate in the registering of vehicles.
Required Documents
When registering your vehicle, you will need to provide the following documents:
- A current and valid Maine Driver’s License
- A bill of sale for a car used in Maine
- A completed Form MVT-32 (Odometer Disclosure Form)
- The vehicle’s original title. If this has been lost, you will need to get a Title Replacement
- A receipt for the payment of Excise Tax. The excise tax amount will vary depending on which municipality you live in
- Registration Application, both the white and yellow copies. This can be obtained from your local municipality office
- If your vehicle year is from 1995 or newer, you will need to bring in the blue Title Application
- If you have purchased the vehicle brand new, you will need the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price sticker, also referred to as the Monroney Label or a copy of the sticker.
- Funds to pay for the appropriate Registration Fees
- Proof of vehicle insurance with an authorized Maine insurance provider. The policy must have the Minimum Requirements
- If you are registering the vehicle on behalf of the owner, you must complete a Power of Attorney for motor vehicles
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