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1) Does my trailer need to be titled in Maine?
If your trailer has a net vehicle weight (empty weight) of 3000 lbs or less, or is 1997 or older, no title is required. If the empty weight (not GWW) of the trailer is 3001 or greater and it is 1998 or newer, then a Maine title is required. However, if your trailer is already titled in your name in another state, a new title is not required. We will need a copy of the front or back of the title.
If you have trailer that is 1997 or older, has an empty weight of 3001 lbs or greater, and you have an original title, we can process a title application for you, but it is not required.
2) Will I be charged sales tax?
If you have previously registered the trailer or special equipment in your name, it is sales tax exempt.
If you have already paid sales tax in another state, it is sales tax exempt. We will need a copy of your purchase invoice showing the sales tax being paid.
If your trailer is used for business, traveling interstate, and used outside the State of Maine more than 80% of the time, it is sales tax exempt. A DOT number is required for tax exemption. However, if you are operating under another company's Interstate Operating Authority and do not have your own DOT carrier number, the trailer will be subject to Maine Sales Tax at 5.5% of the purchase price.
If your special equipment is used for business, it is still subject to Maine's 5.5% sales tax. These are not subject to sales tax exemption.
If the trailer is for personal use or other business type use (landscapers, construction companies, etc), and sales tax was not paid at the time of purchase, then it is subject to sales tax at 5.5% of the purchase price.
3) Can I register a homemade trailer in Maine?
Yes you can. In order to register a homemade trailer, it must have a VIN assigned to it. Once a VIN has been assigned to it, that VIN must be inspected by a police officer using Maine form MVT-10 or you must have a title with the assigned VIN on the title. The title does not need to be in your name.
4) What do I need to register a trailer in Maine?
If the empty weight of the trailer is 3000 lbs or less, OR 1997 or older, we will need the following:
A) Signed & Notarized Limited Power of Attorney.
B) Copy of the Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice / Previous Registration in your name
C) Copy of purchase receipt showing sales tax paid (if you have already paid sales tax). Not needed if registering to a business with a DOT #.
We will take copies of the following for these light weight trailers if you have them.
D) Copy of the title or Certificate of Origin signed over to you.
E) Copy of a title in your name.
F) DOT # if you have one for your business (filled in on your Power of Attorney - this will make your trailer sales tax exempt in Maine).
If the empty wight of the trailer is 3001 lbs or greater AND is 1998 or newer, we will need the following:
A) Signed & Notarized Limited Power of Attorney.
B) Copy of the Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice.
C) Original Certificate of Origin or Title that has been signed over to you, if recently purchased (This needs to be shipped to us). OR,
D) If you already have a title in your name, then we will need a copy of that.
E) Copy of purchase receipt showing sales tax paid (if you have already paid sales tax), Not needed if registering to a business with a DOT #.
F) DOT # if you have one for your business (this will make your trailer sales tax exempt in Maine).
5) Does my trailer or special equipment need to be inspected in order to register it in Maine?
No, Maine does not require an inspection in order be registered here. However, your trailer may need to be inspected if being used for interstate commerce (federal).
6) Why do you need a Power of Attorney?
We need it in order for us to sign the registration, use tax form, and any title applications that are required. The power of attorney gives us permission to sign those on your behalf.
7) How long can I register my trailer(s) for?
1-2 years (Annual registration) or between 5-12 years (Long-Term Program). The 3 and 4 year registrations are reserved for clients who already have 5 or more trailers registered in the long-term program. There is also a 20 year and a 25 year program available, but those have special requirements.
8) What methods of payments do you accept?
Checks, Money Orders, Cashiers Checks, PayPal, ACH, Comchecks, EFS Checks, and All Major Credit Cards. We also charge a 3.5% processing fee for transactions paid with a credit / debit card or PayPal. ACH payments are subject to a $5.00 processing fee.
9) Is there a minimum number of trailers required to register in Maine?
No. We will register your trailer whether you have 1 trailer or thousands of trailers.
10) Is it illegal to register your trailer or special equipment in Maine?
No. Maine Statute 29-A allows non-residents to register their trailer or special equipment here using a statuatory resident agent. We are an authorized, fully bonded Non-Governmental Registration Agent that can provide this service to you. However, it is always recommended that you check with your DMV to verify if it is legal for you to register outside of your state.
11) Are plates transferrable?
Plates are transferrable from trailer to trailer or vehicle to vehicle that you own, but not from owner to owner. Transferring is easy. We will just need some paperwork in order to process the transfer which is similiar to the registration process. In most cases, we can transfer the plate and you can use it the same day we get the paperwork.
12) How long can I renew my registration for?
It is up to you. Trailer can be renewed for 1-2 years (Annual Registration) or between 5-12 years (Long-Term Program). The 3 and 4 year registrations are reserved for clients who already have 5 or more trailers registered in the long-term program.
Special Equipment can be renewed for 1 or 2 years. Autos, campers, and motorcycles can only be renewed for 1 year.
13) When do the registrations expire?
All Trailers that have a GVW of 2001 lbs or greater and Special Equipment always expire the last day of February of the expiration year for long term tags. The only exception is for trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 2000 lbs or less; those will expire 1 (or 2 years respectively) from the month of registration if registering for 1 or 2 years. Special Equipment Registrations always expire the last day of February of the expiration year.
Existing clients with Auto, Camper, and Motorcycle registrations will expire at the end of the month, 1 year from their original registration date.
14) Will I be notified when it comes time to renew my auto , camper, or motorcycle registration?
Yes. For registrations expiring in February, we begin sending reminder notices in October prior to the registration expiring. We will notify you about 6 weeks prior to a light-weight trailer (2000lbs GVW or less) annual registration (1 or 2 year), autos, motorcycles, or campers that expires in a certain month during the year. Example: A renewal reminder will be sent in the middle of September for a registration that expires the end of October.
15) There is no expiration listed on my long-term trailer plate. Is it supposed to come with stickers or something?
No. Maine's Long-Term trailer registration license plates do not list the expiration on the plate and do not come with stickers. Maine Long-Term plates always expire the end of February of the expiration year. Your registration lists the expiration on the bottom left corner. Rest assured, we will send you a reminder notice at the end of October / beginning of November prior to the expiration.