Temporary Registration Permit (Transit Plate)

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DEFINITION:

The Secretary of State is authorized to issue a temporary registration permit for the purpose of moving certain vehicles otherwise required to be registered. A transit plate can be issued for a one-way trip or for a round-trip, depending on the customer's needs. A transit plate is valid for a period up to ten days.

REFERENCE:
Title 29-A, Section 501 (7)

7. Temporary registration permit.  The Secretary of State may issue a temporary registration permit for the purpose of moving certain vehicles otherwise required to be registered as follows.

A. A temporary registration permit is for one trip only:

(1) Between the points of origin and destination and intermediate points, as set forth in the permit; or

(2) From the point of origin to the destination and back to the point of origin, including any intermediate points, as set forth in the permit.

B. A temporary registration permit is for the transit of the vehicle only. The vehicle may not be used for the transportation of passengers or property, for compensation or otherwise, unless specifically authorized on the temporary registration permit. If the vehicle is a chartered bus that is not covered by a reciprocity agreement with the state or country of registration, the Secretary of State may authorize transportation of passengers.

C. The Secretary of State may not issue a temporary registration permit that is valid for longer than 10 days from the effective date of the registration.

D. The fee for a temporary registration permit issued under paragraph A, subparagraph

(1) is $12. The fee for a temporary registration permit issued under paragraph A, subparagraph
(2) is $25.

E. The temporary registration permit must be carried in the vehicle at all times.

F. A person who operates or moves a vehicle outside the routes specified in the temporary registration permit commits a traffic infraction and may not be fined less than $25 nor more than $200.

G. The Secretary of State may issue unassigned temporary registration permits to a vehicle auction business licensed under section 1051 to allow the movement of a vehicle sold to a dealer.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

1. Transit plates are not to be used in lieu of registration or to circumvent the registration requirements. The transit plate may be issued previous to the effective date.

2. If an out-of-state resident has had a vehicle registered in another state and wants to transport the vehicle to Maine, we can issue a transit plate to move the vehicle to Maine, even though the vehicle was previously registered to them in another state.

3. Verify the vehicle information, VIN, Year, Make and Model.

4. Point of origin and/or point of destination must be Maine.

5. Insurance must be shown on the vehicle, if the vehicle is to be driven.
   OR
   For towing purposes, the permit must state"FOR TOWING PURPOSES ONLY"; insurance is not required in this instance.

6. A transit plate can be issued to either the towing vehicle or the unit being towed. A transit plate can be issued on the towing vehicle as long as the unit being towed had a valid registration.

7. The motor vehicle must have a valid inspection or a permit to move the vehicle to an inspection station. This permit may be obtained from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Municipal Truck Agents, State Police, or local police departments/sheriff’s offices.

8. If the vehicle being moved was purchased "AS IS - WHERE IS" from a dealer, the transit permit may be issued only if the vehicle is uninspected and being moved to an inspection station for inspection.

9. The law does not prohibit the transportation of passengers or property, therefore, special permission does not have to be obtained prior to issuing the permit. However, the law does not allow "For-Hire" vehicles to carry a load; such as, passenger/ goods on a transit plate for compensation.

10. If the vehicle that is being moved is a mobile home, a statement is required in regards to the taxes, sewer and water having been paid or that none are due. This is done using the MV-47 form. If the customer is from an unorganized territory, they must contact the Maine Revenue Service, Personal Property Tax Section at (207) 287-4785 to obtain the MV-47 form.

11. Only one transit plate permit, either a one-way permit or round-trip permit may be issued to a motor vehicle or trailer. Any subsequent moves shall require registration of the vehicle or trailer. Exception: If a one-way permit is purchased and then the customer wishes to move the vehicle "round-trip", we will allow the issuance of a subsequent transit plate for the return trip.

12. If the vehicle is being moved through other state jurisdictions, the applicant should verify if that jurisdiction would honor the permit.

13. If the vehicle is being moved to Canada-we have confirmed with Canadian motor vehicle officials and the Canadian border patrol that transit plates can be issued for points of destination beyond the border. Therefore, it is not necessary to issue the transit plate only to the Maine border. You may be required to show some proof of ownership at the border; such as, bill of sale. Also, your insurance card should state that your insurance is valid in the United States and Canada. It is not necessary for the insurance card to state for use in the United States and Canada for our purposes of issuing the transit plate, but rather for Canada.

14. If you are traveling out of state and you do not have a fuel decal or DOT # issued to you for that vehicle, you may want to check with the states in which you will be traveling.

You may contact the BMV Registration Section with questions or comments at: (207) 624-9000 ext. 52149 or by Email: registrations@maine.gov