Maine, like many US states, is home to trailer-registration businesses where owners can register their trailers. Why are there so many trailers from Maine?
Many trailers are not from Maine but registered in Maine. Lower registration costs and ease of registration are the main reasons. Maine also doesn’t require that trailer owners be residents or have a business presence in the state.
This article covers more than just why there are so many trailers from Maine. Continue reading to know some laws governing trailer registration, a comparative trailer registration cost between Maine and other states, and guidelines for registering boats and utility trailers.
Why Are There So Many Trailers From Maine?
Many trailers have Maine license plates because the vehicles are registered there. The more relevant question is, ‘Why do many owners, particularly those who live out-of-state, register their trailers in Maine?’
Many owners and fleet operators register their trailers in Maine for appealing reasons, and one of them is lower cost.
Here’s a comparative truck tractors registration cost between Maine and some US states as of January 1, 2001, according to the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA):
| State | Fee Basis | Approximate Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| California | Flat fee + unladen weight + number of axles | $28 + $8 to $1,016 |
| Colorado | Empty weight, declared gross weight, and annual mileage | $7.60 to $233, plus $7 to $12, plus $273 to $2,373, and other miscellaneous fees |
| Florida | Gross weight of combination | $256.10 to $995.10 |
| Hawaii | Flat fee + net weight tax | $141.50 to $571.50 |
| Idaho | Gross weight of combination + plate fee + emergency medical services fee | $48 to $4,500 |
| Maine | Gross weight of combination | $23 to $980 with conditional rebate of $40 |
| Michigan | Gross weight of combination | $378 to $2,398 |
| North Dakota | Gross weight of combination and age | $79 to $1,769 |
| Ohio | Gross weight of combination + service charge + plate fee | $45 to $1,340 |
| Oklahoma | Gross weight groups + administration fee + general revenue fund fee | $100 to $1,083 |
Why Are Trailers Registered in Maine
Apart from cost, ease in registration is also why there are so many trailers from Maine.
In Maine, you’re not required to have a business presence in The Pine Tree State. Other states also charge extra for trailers with higher registered weights, while some only register trailers if you have a registered tractor.
Similarly, Maine only requires a federal dot inspection instead of that from the state. This has a high appeal for owners whose trailers cross states.
Trailers can also be conveniently registered online in Maine, so you don’t have to stress queueing at the DMV.
Maine also allows permanent one-time commercial trailer registration instead of an annual registration fee.
Do Trailers Need To Be Registered in Maine?
To quote Matthew Dunlap, Maine’s Secretary of State, ‘people are going to do business where it is easier to do business.’ And Maine makes that happen in the trailer registration sector. Therefore, the ‘need’ to be registered in Maine is a business survival move, an approach that Delaware also adopted in a similar niche market.
In 2016, there were over 800,000 long-term trailers registered in Maine. Of this huge number, only about 27,000 have Maine legal addresses, and more than 150,000 are linked to New Jersey.
From the Providence Journal, here are some of the out-of-state companies that registered their trailers in Maine:
- Berkeley Transportation Co. (Cumberland)
- D.L. Terminals (Cranston)
- New England Turf Inc. (West Kingston)
- Niagara Pool Filling Co. (Coventry)
- R. Champlin Crane & Excavating (Westerly)
- Synagro Northeast (Woonsocket)
- The Plastic Group (Woonsocket)
- Westwood Cartage (Cranston)
Trailer Registration Law
There are gray areas around trailer registration that prompt the question, ‘Why are there so many trailers from Maine?’
To shed light on the confusion, here are some facts from US Legal.
Legality
Trailer registration might be required to legally tow it on public roads. However, states have varying registration requirements. In some instances, different localities within a state may even have distinct interpretations of vehicle codes and trailer registration requirements.
In rare cases, a locality or state may require an inspection or a notarized signature to complete the registration.
Cost
In some states, registration costs less and is easier, while a few don’t require trailer registration at all. Some may require annual renewal, and others charge fees based on trailer weight.
Out-of-State
Provided the trailers are used in interstate commerce, owners who live out of state can register their trailers in Maine. As the state’s long-standing practice, trailer owners who wish to have Maine license plates don’t have to be Pine Tree State residents.
How to Register Boats or Utility Trailers in Maine
Here are the guidelines for registering boats or utility trailers (for the model year 1995 or newer and if the net weight is over 3,000 lbs.) in Maine, including registration renewal. Reference: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/registration/trailer.html
Dealer Purchased
- Documents: Bill of Sale and Blue Title Application
- Visit a BMV branch office: If your municipality isn’t a participant in the registration program, bring the documents to your local municipal office.
- Pay fee: Multiply the fee by 2 for a two-year registration.
- Vanity plate: Additional annual fee of $25 if availed. Double for a two-year registration, but not available for long-term trailers. Availability can be checked online.
Private Sale
- Documents: Bill of Sale & Title signed over to the new owner.
- Visit a BMV branch office: If your municipality isn’t a participant in the registration program, bring the documents to your local municipal office.
- Pay tax: Sales tax is 5.5% of the purchase price.
- Pay fee: Multiply the fee by 2 for a two-year registration.
- Vanity plate: Additional annual fee of $25 if availed. Double for a two-year registration, but not available for long-term trailers. Availability can be checked online.
Renewal
- Visit a BMV branch office if your municipality isn’t a participant in the registration program.
- Pay fee: Multiply the fee by 2 for a two-year registration.
- Vanity plate: Additional annual fee of $25 if availed. Double for a two-year registration, but not available for long-term trailers. Availability can be checked online.
Quick Facts on Online Trailer Registration in Maine
Title
Trailers modeled 1994 or older with an unloaded weight of 3,000 lbs. or less are title exempt. For models 1995 or newer with an unloaded weight of over 3,000 lbs., you may apply for a Maine title.
If it’s already titled in your name in another state, there’s no need for re-titling. Just provide a copy of the title (front and back) to register it.
Homemade Trailer
The trailer must have an assigned VIN, and you must complete a Maine MVT-10 (VIN inspected by authorized personnel) form and a Homemade Trailer Statement document.
If the trailer was previously registered, provide a copy of the previous registration. If previously titled, regardless of who’s the titleholder, provide a copy of the title’s front and back without accomplishing the MVT-10 form.
Paperwork
- Completed Power of Attorney (POA) and Release Form
- Bill of Sale
- Title (if applicable) or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
- Copy of Driver’s License
- FED Tax ID number (if registering as a company)
Payment Options
After sending the required paperwork, you can pay via:
- Certified check
- Business check
- Money Order (payable to MMTA Services)
- Credit card (convenience fee applies)
Registration Validity
Maine trailer registrations always expire on the last day of February of the expiration year.
- Annual Program – 1 or 2 years
- Long-Term Program – 5 to 12 years (the first two numbers before the dash is the expiration year)
Tax
No sales or use tax is charged if:
- Sales tax was paid in your state at the time of purchase.
- The trailer was previously registered.
- The trailer is used for business by a Maine-based commercial entity (traveling in interstate commerce more than 80% of the time for the first two consecutive years the trailer was in service)
A sales or use tax of 5.5% is charged on the purchase price for individual-to-individual sales, and the trailer wasn’t registered before.
Inspection
Inspection isn’t required for registration.
License Plate
Maine offers trailer registration needs for individuals, operators, or large companies, whether you need one license plate or a thousand.
The license plate can also be transferred to your new trailer. Here’s the guideline:
- Provide the year, make, and the empty weight of the new trailer.
- If already titled to you, provide a copy.
- If the trailer weighs 3,000 lbs. or less (empty/unloaded), provide a copy of the title or certificate of origin.
- Provide a copy of the Bill of Sale.
- If bought from an individual and you’re registering as an individual, pay 5.5% Maine sales tax (except with proof of sales tax payment in your state).
License plates aren’t transferable in case of sale. The new owner has to apply for their plate. If at least three years are remaining on the plate at the time of sale, you may send it back and request a partial refund.
Conclusion: Why Are There So Many Trailers From Maine?
Maine prides it’s the Vacation Land of license plates. And with over 800,000 trailers carrying Maine plates, the Pine Tree State is also truckers’ favorite road to travel for varied reasons.
Registering trailers In Maine costs less than in most US states. According to Carlos DaSilva, owner of J.S. Pallet Co. with about 100 trailers, the registration cost per trailer is three times less expensive in Maine.
The process of Maine trailers registration is also conveniently simple. You can register trailers for up to 12 years for a one-time fee, either through a state-licensed agent or do it online yourself.
So, why are there so many trailers from Maine? Because trailer owners save money, time, and effort when they register personal or fleet of trailers at Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles.