Maine Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Maine costs $33 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,088 in total, with $825 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Maine title fees
These are the title-related fees in Maine's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $33 |
|---|---|
| Late title | $50 |
| Vanity plate | $25 |
- Required for models 25 years old and newer
- Documents not delivered within 30 days
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Maine
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Maine car tax calculator:
| Title | $33 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $825 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $35 |
| Municipal excise tax (if you register it now) | $195 |
| Estimated total | $1,088 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Maine charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late title $50; vanity plate $25.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| True gift with no consideration | Tax $0; assumed loan is taxable |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance by will beneficiary | Tax $0; sales by a personal representative are generally taxable |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Maine
| Manufacturer rebate | Does not reduce the base |
|---|---|
| Court-ordered divorce transfer | Not a sale; tax $0 |
| New resident who bought and used vehicle out of state as a resident there | Use tax $0 |
| Military | No general exemption |
| Renewal | No sales/use tax; excise and registration still due |
How Maine works out what you owe
- Dealer: taxable = price + doc fee - like-kind trade-in
- Private / out-of-state: taxable = price - trade-in
- Tax = taxable x 5.5%, minus tax paid elsewhere (credit capped at Maine tax)
- Total = tax + title + late fee + registration + vanity plate + excise + agent fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Maine: www.maine.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Maine?
The title fee is $33. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,088.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Maine?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Maine charges about $825. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Maine?
Yes. Late title: $50; Vanity plate: $25.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Maine?
True gift with no consideration: Tax $0; assumed loan is taxable.
What happens to a car title after a death in Maine?
Inheritance by will beneficiary: Tax $0; sales by a personal representative are generally taxable.