Vehicle Registration FAQ

The State of Maine has authorized Cape Elizabeth to register certain automobiles, trucks and recreational vehicles. An excise tax is paid and kept by Cape Elizabeth. Other registration fees are collected, and forwarded to the State of Maine.

• The excise tax is based on the sticker price, or original list price of the vehicle. A mil rate of $24.00 per thousand is charged to a new vehicle. Each year the mil rate reduces until the vehicle is 6 years old. The minimum rate is $4.00 per thousand.
• A 5.5% sales tax, unless paid to a Maine dealer, is collected at the time of registration. The sales tax is based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
• Other fees such as registration, title fee and agent fees are also collected at the time of registration.
• All fees are payable to the Town of Cape Elizabeth in cash or check only.
• Proof of Cape Elizabeth residency required.

If purchased from a Maine Dealer:

• Window Sticker -- Required for new vehicles
• Title Application
• Sales Tax Form
• Proof of Insurance

If purchased in a private sale:

• Bill of Sale
• Reverse side of Title signed over from previous owner
• Proof of Insurance
• Title Application and Sales Tax Form - completed at Town Hall when registering the vehicle

If previously registered out-of-state:

• Out-of-state Title
• Out-of-state Registration
• Proof of Insurance with Maine Liability
• Title Application and Sales Tax Form -- completed at Town Hall when registering the vehicle
• If the title is held by a lienholder, the lienholder's address for the title department is required

• Proof of Cape Elizabeth residency required.

* Note: If a vehicle is sold or traded, the plates and registration should be retained. It may be advantageous to transfer the plates and excise credit when registering a new vehicle.

• Paperwork for Vehicle Re-Registration
• Current Registration
• Proof of Insurance
• Current Odometer Reading

For first-time registrations:

• 1995 and newer vehicles require a Title when registering for the first time, by a new owner.
• A first time registration of a company vehicle REQUIRES the Federal ID# of   the company.
• Cape Elizabeth may first-time register a truck for up to 10,000 lbs GVW.

Transit Plates – Transit plates are now available at the town office.  The transit plate is used to move a vehicle from one point to another prior to registration.  The fee is $13.00 one-way and $26.00 round trip.  A current insurance card for the vehicle is required at the time of purchase.

Yes, Cape Elizabeth is participating in the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles "Rapid Renewal" program. For more information, see http://www.informe.org/bmv/rapid-renewal/

Boats: Boats expire annually in December. The excise tax is assessed based on the year, horsepower, length and use. A $1.00 town fee is charged for a renewal and $2.00 for a new registration.

All motorized watercraft on inland waters must display the milfoil sticker. A resident milfoil sticker is $10.00.

	Registration Fees:
	10 HP and under	$15.00
	11 HP - 50HP	$20.00
	51 - 115 HP Over 115 HP	$26.00 $34.00
	Personal Watercraft	$34.00 (Jet Ski, wave runner)

• If purchased from a Maine Dealer, the sales tax form is required.
• If purchased through a private sale, a bill of sale is required. Sales tax will be collected at the time of registration.

ATV's: ATV's expire annually in June. The registration fee is $33.00, plus $1.00 town fee. ATV's are not charged an excise tax.

• If purchased from a Maine Dealer, the sales tax form is required.
• If purchased through a private sale, a bill of sale is required. Sales tax will be collected at the time of registration.

Snowmobiles: Snowmobiles expire annually in June. The registration fee is $45.00, plus $1.00 town fee. Snowmobiles are not charged an excise tax.

• If purchased from a Maine Dealer, the sales tax form is required.
• If purchased through a private sale, a bill of sale is required. Sales tax will be collected at the time of registration.

Click here for ATV/snowmobile registration renewal

The tax office at 207-799-0881.