How to Sell a Car Privately in Maine
Selling your car yourself in Maine comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- A vehicle owner transferring a vehicle must sign an assignment and warranty of title to the buyer at the time of delivery. legislature.maine.gov
- The seller gives the title and assignment to the buyer, and a transfer by an owner is not effective until sections 662 and 665 are complied with and fees are paid. legislature.maine.gov
- A buyer registering a vehicle 25 years old or newer needs the title signed over by the previous owner and pays a $33 title application fee. maine.gov
- Maine requires a title for vehicles with a model year within the last 25 years, which is 2001 and newer as of January 1, 2026. maine.gov
- A buyer must obtain a title in the buyer's own name before transferring the vehicle to someone else, unless the buyer is a licensed dealer. legislature.maine.gov
Bill of sale
- A buyer registering a vehicle bought from a private seller needs a signed bill of sale, and the BMV offers a PDF form. maine.gov
- The state bill of sale form lists the purchase price, vehicle details, odometer reading, a certification that no active lienholder has an interest, and signatures and addresses of seller and buyer. maine.gov
Odometer disclosure
- Each transferor must give the buyer odometer information, including the date, the reading without tenths, printed names and addresses, vehicle details, and a certification that the reading is actual, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not actual. legislature.maine.gov
- The odometer disclosure goes on the back of the title, or on a Secretary of State transfer form if the back is full or noncompliant. legislature.maine.gov
- The buyer signs the disclosure only after it is complete and the seller has signed. legislature.maine.gov
- A vehicle beginning with model year 2011 that is 20 years old or older does not require odometer disclosure on transfer. legislature.maine.gov
License plates
- A vehicle's registration expires when the owner transfers or assigns title or interest in the vehicle. legislature.maine.gov
- The registrant may ask that the plates and registration number be assigned to another vehicle in the registrant's name. legislature.maine.gov
- An owner who sells a registered vehicle and registers a different one in the same registration year may keep the current plates by paying an $8 transfer fee, plus any difference if the new vehicle's fee is higher. legislature.maine.gov
- Plates issued by the Secretary of State remain state property. legislature.maine.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- The buyer pays Maine's 5.5 percent sales tax on the purchase price when buying from a private seller. maine.gov
- The buyer pays municipal excise tax at the local town office, then registers at the town office or a BMV branch. maine.gov
- The buyer files a Use Tax Certificate (Form STMV6U) and pays the use tax before original registration of a vehicle bought in a private sale. maine.gov
- A true gift with no payment or other consideration is not taxable. maine.gov
- The buyer pays a $33 title application fee for vehicles 25 years old and newer, plus registration fees. maine.gov
Loans and liens
- If a lienholder was involved, the owner must give the buyer a properly released certificate of lien. legislature.maine.gov
- The state bill of sale form includes a certification that no active lienholder has an interest in the vehicle. maine.gov
- A title that carries a signature and date showing the lien has been released is free and clear. maine.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- Maine's used car protections apply only to dealer sales and do not apply to private sales between individuals. maine.gov
- It is a crime to alter an odometer reading with the intent to deceive. maine.gov
- A buyer who bought privately but cannot get the title transferred can file a private sale complaint with the BMV, which requires a notarized affidavit of ownership. maine.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Maine?
A buyer registering a vehicle bought from a private seller needs a signed bill of sale, and the BMV offers a PDF form. The state bill of sale form lists the purchase price, vehicle details, odometer reading, a certification that no active lienholder has an interest, and signatures and addresses of seller and buyer.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Maine?
Each transferor must give the buyer odometer information, including the date, the reading without tenths, printed names and addresses, vehicle details, and a certification that the reading is actual, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not actual. The odometer disclosure goes on the back of the title, or on a Secretary of State transfer form if the back is full or noncompliant.
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in Maine?
A vehicle's registration expires when the owner transfers or assigns title or interest in the vehicle. The registrant may ask that the plates and registration number be assigned to another vehicle in the registrant's name.
Official Maine resources
- BMV: Register a Passenger Vehicle (includes private-sale purchases)
- BMV: Titles
- BMV: Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form
- Maine Statutes 29-A section 662: Transfer of interest in vehicle
- Maine Statutes 29-A section 752: Odometer information
- Maine State Police: Motor Vehicle Inspections
- Maine Revenue Services: Bulletin 42, Original registration of vehicles
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.