Vehicle registration plates of Maine

Maine
Current series
SloganVacationland
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format123·ABC
IntroducedJuly 1, 1999 (1999-07-01)
Availability
Issued byDepartment 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.

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

Image Dates issued Design 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Non-passenger plates

Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Commercial July 1, 1987 – June 30, 1999 As lobster passenger base; vertical embossed "COM" to left of serial 123456 350001 to approximately 570000 Narrower serial dies used from 500000 onwards.
July 1, 1999 – December 2007 As chickadee passenger base, but with embossed "COMMERCIAL" in place of slogan 123-456 600-001 to
799-999
December 2007 – present 1A-2345 1A-0001 to
9C-1380 (as of June 23, 2022)
Disabled July 1, 1999 – present As chickadee passenger base Disabled access 12345 Disabled access 30000 to Disabled access 76014 (as of May 14, 2022)
Low-Speed Vehicle 2003–present As chickadee passenger base, but with embossed "LOW–SPEED" in place of slogan 123-AEA 101-AEA to present
Motorcycle 1988–95 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" at top; vertical "MC" at left 1234 A 4001 N to 9999 Z
1995–97 123 AB 1 AA to approximately 500 AR
1998 – mid 2012 As above, with "RIDE SAFE" at bottom 1 AT to approximately 500 HV
mid 2012 – present As above, but without "MC" 501 HV to 372 NT (as of June 27, 2022)
Long term trailer 2001-2018 Embossed 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 numbers 12 34567
12 3456A 		Coded by year of expiration (12) Registered in periods between 3 and 25 years.
2018-2021 Embossed 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
2022-present Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" and "LONG TERM TLR" at top and bottom respectively 123-4567 500-0000 to 509-7617 (As of November 29, 2022)
Trailer 1988–95 Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "MAINE" and "TRAILER" at top and bottom respectively A 12345 E 10001 to L 99999
1995–present A 123456 A 100001 to C 249272 (as of June 5, 2022)

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.