FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2023

Public hearing on new general issue license plate to be held Wednesday

AUGUSTA — Legislation authorizing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to replace the current general issue chickadee plates with a new design will be the subject of a public hearing in the Legislature’s Transportation Committee on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m.

LD 1965 “An Act to Authorize the Secretary of State to Provide a New General Issue of License Plates” is sponsored by Rep. Lynne Williams, D-Bar Harbor, who serves as House chair of the Transportation Committee. The bill is cosponsored by bipartisan legislators from the Committee.

“From a public safety perspective, it is critically important that we change up the standard license plates for Maine vehicles,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who oversees the BMV. “License plates need to be easily visible by other drivers, toll authorities and law enforcement – and too many chickadee plates on the roads today are in rough shape given their age.”

The chickadee plates have been in use in Maine for almost 25 years. Many have deteriorated beyond recognition, creating a public safety issue. The ability for law enforcement, tolling authorities, and citizens to quickly and easily identify license plates is essential for accurate identification of vehicles, the registered owner, and perpetrators, especially in the case of crashes or serious crimes. Older plates also lose their retroreflectivity – their extra-shiny appearance – as they age, making them less visible at night and in adverse weather conditions.

“I’ve heard from many Mainers who are excited about new plates,” said Rep. Williams. “After 24 years, it’s time for a new design.”

“Our plan is to replace all chickadee plates with the new general issue plate when Mainers register their vehicles from Spring 2025 through Spring 2026, and there would be no additional cost to Mainers when they get their new plates,” said Deputy Secretary of State for Bureau of Motor Vehicles Cathie Curtis. “For Mainers who want to keep a vanity or low-digit plate, we’d make sure they can carry that forward on their new plates.”

The legislation proposes that the new standard issue plate feature the buff background of the 1901 Maine state flag, with a navy blue star and dark green pine tree on the left side of the plate. Also in navy are MAINE at the top of the plate with VACATIONLAND below.

Lt. Bruce Scott, Commanding Officer of the State Police Traffic Safety Unit, spoke about the importance of vehicle identity “regarding toll evasion, criminal activity, Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, be on the lookout (BOLO) for, stolen vehicles, etc. Having a new general issue of registration plates would help increase the chances of proper identification of these vehicles in those types of situations.”

A work session on LD 1965 is scheduled for Thursday, June 1 at 1 p.m.

Attached are a sample plate with the 1901 Maine state flag design, a photo comparing the retroreflectivity of a newer plate vs. a peeling one, and a photo of a completely peeled off chickadee plate recently spotted on a Maine roadway.

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