Chapter 10: Your Vehicle

Owning and operating a vehicle involves responsibilities that extend beyond safe driving. A vehicle must be legally titled, registered, insured, and properly maintained to be driven on public roads. Understanding these legal and mechanical requirements is essential for avoiding fines, license suspensions, and ensuring your vehicle is safe for yourself and others on the road.

Title, Registration, and Insurance

Before a vehicle can be legally driven, it must be properly documented with the state. This involves three separate but related components: title, registration, and insurance.

• Vehicle Title: A certificate of title is a legal document that proves ownership of a motor vehicle. You cannot register a vehicle without first securing a title in your name. The title should be stored in a safe place, such as a file cabinet or safe deposit box, but never in the vehicle itself. If your car is stolen with the title inside, the thief has proof of ownership, making recovery much more difficult.
• Vehicle Registration: Registration is the process of officially recording your vehicle with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), which grants you the authority to operate it on public roads. In Maine, you must pay a municipal excise tax before you can register your vehicle. The registration must be renewed annually, and the registration certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
• License Plates: Upon successful registration, you will be issued license plates. Plates must be securely fastened to both the front and rear of the vehicle (unless only one is issued for certain vehicles), kept clean, and be clearly visible and legible at all times.