Free Maine Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form (BMV 2026 PDF)

Q: Is a bill of sale required to register a car in Maine?

Yes. A Bill of Sale is required for all private party vehicle sales in Maine. For vehicles of model year 1994 or older, which are exempt from titling under 29-A M.R.S. § 652, the Bill of Sale serves as the primary legal proof of ownership alongside the prior registration. For titled vehicles, it verifies the purchase price for municipal excise tax and state sales tax calculations.

Q: What is the Maine vehicle excise tax and where is it paid?

Under 36 M.R.S. § 1482, the motor vehicle excise tax is an annual local property tax paid directly to your municipal Town Office or City Hall before registering your vehicle with the state BMV. The excise tax is determined using the vehicle manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and its model year age.

Q: Does a Maine vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

In Maine, a standard private motor vehicle bill of sale is not strictly required to be notarized if accompanied by a properly assigned Certificate of Title. However, having Section F notarized is strongly recommended by Town Clerks and the BMV for model year 1994 or older title-exempt vehicles, out-of-state title conversions, and estate sales to eliminate potential fraud or municipal registration delays.

Q: Do license plates stay with the vehicle in Maine?

No. Under Maine law (29-A M.R.S. § 451), motor vehicle registration plates remain the personal property of the seller and must be removed prior to vehicle transfer. The seller may transfer the plates and credit any unused excise tax balance to another vehicle at their municipal Town Office.

Q: What is the sales tax rate on cars in Maine?

Maine imposes a 5.5% motor vehicle sales and use tax (36 M.R.S. § 1754-B) on private party vehicle purchases. This tax is calculated based on the actual purchase price documented on this Bill of Sale and is paid to your municipal agent or local BMV branch during the registration process.

FORM SBF-ME-VOS Statutory Year: 2026

29-A M.R.S. § 651 & 36 M.R.S. § 1482 (Excise Tax)

STATE OF MAINE STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale & Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement

Compliant with Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) & Municipal Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby formally acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the motor vehicle described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Municipal Filing Location

State:

Maine County *:

Town/City Office:

Section B: Complete Motor Vehicle Description

Year *

Make *

Model *

Body Type *

Color

Prior Plate # (Seller Keeps)

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - 17 Characters) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical domicile address

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

Town / City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

ME Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match BMV title record

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

Town / City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration, Sales Tax & Federal Odometer Disclosure

Total Price (USD) *:

Sale Date *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift/Trade

Federal & Maine Odometer Statement (49 U.S.C. § 32705 & 29-A M.R.S. § 752) Federal & state law requires disclosure of mileage. False statements result in fines or imprisonment.

Odometer Reading:

Miles

1. Actual Mileage: Reflects actual vehicle mileage to best of knowledge. 2. Exceeds Limits: Mileage exceeds mechanical odometer limits (rollover). 3. Warning — Discrepancy: Odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.

Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Mutual Waiver (11 M.R.S. § 2-316)

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this motor vehicle is sold in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. The Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or mechanical roadworthiness. Seller assumes no liability for repairs or defects after delivery. Buyer acknowledges having inspected or having waived the right to inspect.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Certification Under Penalty of False Swearing

I, the Seller, certify under penalty of false swearing under Maine law (17-A M.R.S. § 452) that I am lawful owner with full authority to sell this vehicle, free of liens except as noted. I, the Buyer, acknowledge vehicle acceptance and receipt of Certificate of Title (or previous registration for 1994 or older title-exempt vehicles).

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match title

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature Must match BMV title record

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of Maine Notary Public Acknowledgment / Jurat Recommended for Municipal Town Office & 1994 or older non-titled vehicles

STATE OF MAINE COUNTY OF:

Before me, the undersigned notary, personally appeared Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government photo ID to be the person(s) subscribed hereto, and acknowledged executing same for purposes expressed.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-ME-VOS (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Maine 29-A M.R.S. § 651 & 36 M.R.S. § 1482 • Keep for excise tax records PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Maine BMV 3-Step Private Vehicle Title Transfer & Municipal Excise Guide

Follow Maine statutory requirements to complete your private car sale, pay local municipal excise taxes, and properly register with the BMV.

Execute Title & Form SBF-ME-VOS

The seller signs off on the original Maine Certificate of Title with date and certified odometer reading. Both parties execute this 1-page statutory Bill of Sale. (Note: Model year 1994 or older vehicles are title-exempt under 29-A M.R.S. § 652 and rely on this Bill of Sale as primary proof of transfer).

Pay Municipal Excise Tax at Town Office

Under 36 M.R.S. § 1482, the buyer first visits their local municipal Town Office or City Hall to pay the mandatory Maine vehicle excise tax based on MSRP and receive their official excise tax receipt.

Complete Registration & Pay 5.5% Sales Tax

At a participating Town Office or local Maine BMV branch, submit the excise tax receipt, title (or Bill of Sale for 1994/older), proof of insurance, pay the 5.5% Maine Sales Tax, and receive new registration and plates. The seller retains their previous license plates under 29-A M.R.S. § 451.

Statutory Summary

Maine Vehicle Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Statute	Status	Statutory Purpose
Maine Certificate of Title	29-A M.R.S. § 651	Mandatory (>1994)	Legal ownership document; vehicles model year 1995 and newer require a title.
Title Exemption (1994 or Older)	29-A M.R.S. § 652	Statutory Rule	Vehicles 1994 and older do not have titles; Bill of Sale + prior registration proves ownership.
Form SBF-ME-VOS Bill of Sale	36 M.R.S. § 1754-B	Mandatory	Proves purchase price for 5.5% Maine Sales Tax and municipal excise tax assessment.
Municipal Excise Tax Receipt	36 M.R.S. § 1482	Mandatory	Annual municipal property tax paid to buyer's town clerk prior to BMV registration.
License Plate Removal by Seller	29-A M.R.S. § 451	Mandatory	Plates do not transfer with vehicles; seller retains plates for credit on next vehicle.

FAQs

Maine Vehicle Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Is a bill of sale required to register a car in Maine?

What is the Maine vehicle excise tax and where is it paid?

Does a Maine vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

Do license plates stay with the vehicle in Maine?

What is the sales tax rate on cars in Maine?