Selling a car privately in Maine
Maine splits the buyer's work between two offices, which is worth explaining to out-of-state buyers: they pay local excise tax at their town office first, then finish sales tax, title, and plates with the BMV. Your job as seller is a signed-over title (required for vehicles within the newest 25 model years; older vehicles are title-exempt) and a proper bill of sale, which Maine requires for registration.
No notary is needed on a Maine title. With no formal notice-of-sale filing, keep your dated bill of sale and photos of the assigned title as your record. Maine plates belong to the seller; remove them and transfer or surrender them. Maine's annual inspection sticker stays with the vehicle, so tell the buyer when it expires.
The checklist
- 1
Sign the title over to the buyer (Maine)
Required for vehicles within the newest 25 model years. Complete the assignment with the odometer reading; older vehicles use a bill of sale and prior registration.
- 2
Provide a complete bill of sale (Maine)
Maine requires a bill of sale for the buyer's registration: parties, price, date, and vehicle details including VIN.
- 3
Explain the two-stop registration to the buyer
Excise tax at the town office first, then sales tax, title, and plates at the BMV. A prepared buyer closes faster.
- 4
Remove your license plates
Maine plates belong to the seller. Take them off and transfer or surrender them.
- 5
Verify your title status
Locate the physical title and confirm it is in your name with no undisclosed liens. If the title is lost, request a duplicate before listing.
- 6
Complete a bill of sale
Recommended for every private sale even where not required. Record buyer/seller names, VIN, price, date, and an as-is acknowledgement. Both parties keep a copy.
- 7
Complete the odometer disclosure
Federal rules require odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 model years old. Usually done on the title itself; some states use a separate form.
- 8
File a release of liability / notice of sale
If your state offers it, file promptly after the sale so you are not liable for tickets or incidents after the buyer drives away.
- 9
Handle plates per your state's rules
In most states the seller removes the plates; in some, plates stay with the vehicle. Confirm your state's rule before handing over the keys.
- 10
Pay off any lien before or at transfer
If a lien remains, coordinate payoff with the lender so the buyer can receive a clear title. Do not sign over a title with an unreleased lien.
- 11
Confirm payment before signing the title
Verify cash, or use a cashier's check verified with the issuing bank, or complete the transfer inside the buyer's bank. Never release the signed title before funds are confirmed.
- 12
Keep copies of everything
Photograph or copy the signed title (both sides), bill of sale, odometer disclosure, and the buyer's ID if they consent.
- 13
Check official state instructions
Requirements change. Confirm the current process on your state DMV / motor vehicle agency website before the sale.
Generate your Maine sale packet
ConfidentCar builds this checklist into your packet automatically, alongside condition, disclosures, photos, records, and one shareable buyer-ready link.
Start your free beta packetMaine private sale FAQ
Does a Maine car title need to be notarized?
No. Sign the title over to the buyer with the odometer reading. For vehicles older than Maine's 25-model-year title window, a bill of sale and prior registration stand in for the title.
What does the buyer do after a Maine private sale?
Pay excise tax at their town office, then title and register through the BMV, paying Maine sales tax there. A complete bill of sale is required at registration.
Do I keep my plates when I sell a car in Maine?
Yes. Maine plates stay with the seller. Remove them at handoff; they can move to a replacement vehicle when you register it.
Does Maine's inspection sticker matter at sale time?
The annual inspection stays with the vehicle, so the buyer inherits whatever time remains. Disclose the expiration date honestly; it changes what the buyer must do before driving regularly.
Selling a special situation?
Other states
Bold states have a state-specific guide; others use the general checklist.
Last reviewed Jul 13, 2026. This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV or tax office.