Maine license plate lookup instantly finds a car's VIN by its license plate number and shows a summary of the car's history (repairs, accidents, liens, etc.).
Why Trust EpicVIN's Maine License Plate Lookup
Maine-scale coverage (1981-2025) - ≈1,366,649 vehicles are registered in the state (FHWA, 2023); EpicVIN covers vehicles from 1981 to 2025.
99%+ plate-to-VIN match rate in Maine - Our Maine plate lookup reliably resolves plates to the correct 17-character VIN for the vast majority of active vehicle registrations (EpicVIN Analytics, 2024-2025).
Official NMVTIS-approved provider - EpicVIN is an authorized NMVTIS data provider and operates in compliance with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).
What Is a Reverse License Plate Lookup and How Does It Work?
Plate-to-VIN Match
EpicVIN instantly resolves a Maine plate to the vehicle’s 17-character VIN - no manual VIN decoding required.
Instant Check
We cross-check NMVTIS and trusted partner records for Maine vehicles, surfacing title brands, registration events, theft/salvage activity, and inspection history.
Vehicle History Report
Get a quick snapshot for Maine vehicles: accidents/damage, title status, mileage readings (incl. inspection results where available), and open recalls - without exposing personal owner details.
Expect to see the VIN, basic vehicle specs, and any reported incidents (e.g., accidents, salvage titles, or recalls). Private owner details are not included, keeping the process legal and privacy-safe.
How to Look Up a Maine (ME) License Plate
Enter the Plate
Type the plate number exactly (letters/numbers only). Tip: zeros vs O’s, ones vs I’s.
Select Maine
If the state isn’t auto-filled, choose Maine to run a Maine license plate lookup.
Hit "Check Plate"
EpicVIN resolves the VIN and shows basic vehicle info instantly. This Maine license plate search also works for vanity plates.
Read & Save
View the free preview (VIN, specs, public records count). If helpful, purchase the full report and create a safe copy to see accidents, brands, title history, liens, and registration events, and discover red flags early.
Why run a Maine license plate search?
✅ What you can get from the report
Title Classification & Problems: Spot salvage, flood, or lemon brands on Maine vehicles before purchase; understand title complications that can affect registration, resale, and safety checks.
Safety & Manufacturer Issues: Identify open recalls and key technical service bulletins; plan repairs and evaluate Maine inspection timing to avoid surprises before a purchase.
Vehicle VIN & Manufacturing Details: Resolve the VIN from the license plate number, confirm factory specs, engine, trim, and equipment so the model matches the listing details.
Unreported Collision History: Surface insurer, auction, or police incidents sometimes missing from listings; compare Maine records to photos and estimate repair scope before you buy.
Liens & Recovery Records: See lien records, theft/recovery notes, and fleet or rental flags where available; use them to negotiate a fair Maine market price.
Previous Owner Timeline: Privacy-safe: show how many owners and the length of each ownership period, not names or addresses.
❌ You CANNOT get
Reports won’t reveal restricted personal data - like a vehicle owner's name or address, live ALPR location, or driver’s license/insurance numbers. The DPPA and applicable Maine privacy law bar such disclosures; reports are for vehicle information only. They are not for FCRA-regulated (Fair Credit Reporting Act) decisions and are not used to identify any person.
Name: Protected personal information under DPPA/state privacy law.
Address: Not available in public lookups for security and privacy.
Phone Number: Restricted; not returned in vehicle history reports.
Email: Not provided; privacy rules block direct contact details.
Live Location: Real-time tracking isn’t offered; it's not a public service.
Driver's License Number: Restricted data; authorized user access only.
Report Example
A Maine license plate lookup uses the tag number to query public vehicle records. Enter the license plate and select Maine; EpicVIN resolves the VIN and compiles the record from NMVTIS and partner sources (including inspection history where available).
Works with standard, personalized, and specialty Maine license plates; temporary permits may not return a VIN until registered.
2017 INFINITI QX30
Year2017
MakeINFINITI
ModelQX30
Fuel TypeGasoline
Engine2L M27020
Made inUNITED KINGDOM (UK)
Maine Vehicle Risks
Indicator
Maine (2025)
Potential Risk
Accidents/Damage
≈134 traffic fatalities in 2023
Hidden damage, reduced safety, and resale value.
Theft
High theft incidence (≈1,023 cases in 2023)
Elevated theft risk; possible loss/confiscation and insurance complications.
Salvage/Rebuilt Titles
No publicly available data
Serious prior damage; residual defects and safety concerns.
Odometer (mileage)
No publicly available data
Mileage fraud risk; overpayment and unexpected repairs.
Open Recalls
Many open recalls - ~20.5% (≈317,770 vehicles)
Unresolved safety defects; increased accident risk until fixed.
Inspection/Emissions Patterns
The state publishes rules and rates; aggregated statewide test-taking statistics are not kept in one public report
Engine/emissions issues; costly repairs and registration delays.
How to reduce these risks (quick plan)
Run a plate/VIN check first: Start with a quick screen; if red flags appear, buy the full EpicVIN report and review each section before any purchase.
Check recalls directly: Use NHTSA’s VIN recall lookup to confirm open recalls and required fixes before completing registration or signing paperwork.
Verify theft/salvage status: Run a VIN check in Maine to spot reported thefts and insurer-declared salvage where available, then compare with report records.
Inspect the car, not just the paper: Test-drive and schedule a pre-purchase inspection; reports complement mechanical checks and don’t replace a thorough evaluation.
Match identifiers: Confirm the VIN on the dash and door matches the report, and the plate matches the current registration to rule out swaps or errors.
Leverage maintenance records: Use invoices and auction photos as time-stamped mileage entries to detect rollbacks or recurring mechanical issues in Maine.
Maine DMV or EpicVIN? Picking the Right Path in Maine
The Maine BMV can release motor vehicle records for permitted purposes. However, the process is formal and registration-centric. A quick free vin check through EpicVIN provides instant access to multi-source vehicle history, including NMVTIS title, brand, and lien indicators. This approach helps you identify risks early and make a safer decision before you purchase.
Q: Why not just request records from the BMV? A: BMV responses are formal and registration-focused and may take days or weeks; they typically omit accident and salvage-auction details that third-party databases compile.
Q: Will the BMV give me the owner’s name or address? A: Not for casual inquiries. Owner PII is protected by the DPPA and Maine privacy laws; release happens only for a legitimate reason such as law enforcement, court orders, safety/recall, or insurance uses.
Q: Is EpicVIN “official”? A: Yes. EpicVIN is NMVTIS-approved; title/brand/lien indicators come from official sources. Reports exclude owner PII, and EpicVIN isn’t a CRA under the FCRA.
Q: When should I use each option? A: Use EpicVIN for fast due diligence on a used vehicle; use the BMV for a formal registration record tied to a specific permitted purpose.
Prefer to double-check? Use NHTSA’s recall lookup to corroborate important findings. Alex Black, CMO & auto expert, EpicVIN
Guide to Maine License Plates: Styles, Costs, and Rules
In Maine, plate costs are part of overall registration handled with your municipality and the Maine BMV; amounts vary by class. The new Pine Tree standard plate is rolling out alongside familiar specialty plates and vanity plates.
Are two plates required in ME? Yes - Maine requires plates on the front and rear of most vehicles; exceptions include trailers/semitrailers (rear only), motorcycles (rear only), and truck tractors (front only).
Fines: Failure to display a front/back plate is a traffic infraction with a $152 scheduled amount due (effective Mar 7, 2025).
Standard License Plates
Design: The standard plate now features the Pine Tree design.
Cost: New-issue plate fee $2.00 total - $1 Secretary of State + $1 municipal agent - in addition to registration (e.g., Passenger “PC” $35).
How to Get: Register at your town/city office or a BMV branch; plates are issued at registration (some options available by mail).
Personalized (Vanity) Plates
Design: Custom plates can be ordered on various backgrounds, including several specialty license plates. These include Conservation/Lobster, Sportsman, Lighthouse Trust, and more. Disability plates are available for eligible drivers.
Cost: Online search free; ordering taxes: $25.00 Vanity Plate Fee (+ $20.00 Specialty Plate Fee if you choose a specialty background). The vanity fee is annual at re-registration.
Rules & Characters: Messages must follow regulations; be aware that profane or misleading words are rejected.
How to Get: Check vanity plate availability, then order through the official online service.
Specialty License Plates
Design: Options include Lobster, Sportsman, Lighthouse Trust, and more - these specialty plates support programs.
Cost: $20.00 at first purchase in addition to registration; most renew at $15.00. (Example pages: Lobster, Sportsman).
How to Get: Apply online or at your municipal agent/BMV after paying the base registration.
Historic & Collector Plates
Design/Rules: Antique registrations exist for older vehicles with limited-use restrictions.
Cost: Antique Auto (AQ): $30; Antique Motorcycle (MQ): $15; Horseless Carriage (HC): $15; (vanity add-on, if chosen, is $25 annual).
How to Get: See BMV guidance for antique class, title history, and process details.
Other Plate Rules and Processes
Temporary & Replacement: Noncommercial temporary registration permits (transit plates) are valid up to 10 days and cost $12 or $25 depending on purpose; replacement plate is $5 per plate; replacement validation stickers $0.50 each.
Reserve your current number (Pine Tree rollout): One-time $25 to keep your Chickadee number.
- Municipal/county components may apply; amounts above exclude registration and taxes.
- Some programs also have annual contributions at renewal; not shown here (one-time fees only).
- Fees verified: Sep 2025.
How Your Personal Information is Protected in Maine
Federal Law: The federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act restricts the release of personal information from motor vehicle records to specific permitted purposes (e.g., safety, theft, emissions, recalls, legal proceedings). Maine’s BMV explains DPPA limits and permitted uses.
Local Law: The Maine Title 29-A §255 (Confidentiality for public safety) clarifies what remains public; the Secretary of State may keep certain motor vehicle registration and driver’s license records confidential for public-safety reasons; and automated license plate recognition use is narrowly limited by statute.
EpicVIN complies with the DPPA and Maine Title 29-A §255 (Confidentiality for public safety); we do not sell vehicle owners' personal data (only de-identified vehicle data). We do not provide the owner's name, address, or contact information — this is prohibited.
Double-check the entry (0 vs O, I vs 1) and make sure Maine is selected. Very new or temporary tags may not be linked yet - try later or use the VIN. You can contact our support via chat or email.
Temporary tags and freshly issued plates often aren’t in statewide databases yet. Ask the seller for the VIN or retry in a few days.
Yes. We don’t notify anyone about your lookup, and we don’t display owner PII. Results focus on vehicle data, not personal identity.
Yes. Vanity and standard plates resolve to a VIN the same way; just run the license plate search.
No. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and Maine local laws restrict releasing a vehicle owner's identity, even to trace traffic violations. You can retrieve this data for a permitted purpose only.
Most motor vehicles are supported, including passenger vehicles; dealer or paper tags may not match until fully registered.
Only with a legitimate reason under the DPPA and state regulations; personal targeting of bad drivers isn’t allowed.
Yes, a free preview helps you gain access to the basics; a small tax applies to purchase the complete report.
Re-enter the plate carefully and compare the model displayed; mismatches sometimes occur after registration changes or reassignment.
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