Maine License Plate Lookup

Generally, GoodCar offers comprehensive and premium reports. Both reports are intended to provide Maine residents and businesses with key insights into a vehicle's history, condition, and potential risks, when available.

Comprehensive Data Reports

These comprehensive reports may offer details about a vehicle's background, allowing buyers to access its authenticity and condition. When available, these reports include:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This number is unique to each registered vehicle in Maine. Thus, it should be the same throughout all reports generated, regardless of the source. Any discrepancy may mean complications during the purchase process or issues with the legitimacy of the vehicle.

Vehicle Specifications

Sometimes, the vehicle's make, model, year, body type, transmission type, and drivetrain details can affect its total market value. With these details, buyers can compare market prices with the offer price.

Title & Problem History

This section displays title records and potential title concerns, such as flood, fire damage, rebuilt status, and over 60 title brands, when available. Maine's proximity to coastal regions increases the likelihood of flood-damaged vehicles entering the market.

Accident & Damage Reports

More than 25,000 crashes with property damage are recorded out of the million registered vehicles in Maine. Thus, these reports may allow individuals to evaluate a vehicle based on records of past accidents, total loss declarations, and junk history.

Safety Information

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains recall notices, crash test ratings, and consumer complaints. These details are typically included in the comprehensive report.

Odometer & Mileage Verification

An individual may detect potential odometer fraud or mileage inconsistencies with comprehensive reports.

Warranty & Ownership Costs

This estimate may include costs related to fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.

Premium Data Reports

For users seeking more in-depth information, GoodCar's premium reports may include additional data, when available, such as:

Ownership Records

These records typically reveal past ownership details, transfer frequency, and ownership duration. Vehicles in high-turnover areas like Portland and Bangor may have more extensive histories due to frequent resales.

Market Values

This part of the report is meant to display trade-in, wholesale, and retail price estimates. Used car values in Maine can fluctuate based on seasonal demand, particularly for all-wheel-drive and winter-ready vehicles.

Sales History

This history typically provides past listings and pricing trends from major marketplaces and helps buyers assess fair market values in Maine's competitive used car market.

Individuals can check GoodCar's sample report to understand how the reports are crafted.

GoodCar is an approved National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data provider. It aims to offer Maine residents and businesses a convenient and efficient tool for conducting license plate lookups, drawing from official sources. To generate a vehicle history report using GoodCar's license plate lookup tool, follow these steps:

1. Enter the License Plate Number: Input the exact combination of letters and numbers as they appear on the vehicle's license plate.
2. Select Maine as the State of Registration: Choose "Maine" from the dropdown menu to retrieve appropriate vehicle records specific to the state.
3. Click "Search": After providing the required information, click the search button to generate a comprehensive vehicle history report.

Maine License Plate Format and Design

Before running a license plate lookup in Maine, potential buyers should familiarize themselves with the format and design of Maine license plates. This knowledge helps confirm the plate's legitimacy and improves the effectiveness of retrieving vehicle details.

Maine's standard license plate is called the "Chickadee plate”. It features an image of a black-capped chickadee perched on a pine cone and tassel, with a green pine forest silhouette at the bottom. The word "MAINE" appears at the top, and the state's nickname, "Vacationland", is centered at the bottom.

Source: maine.gov

The typical format for these plates is a combination of numbers and letters. Front and rear plates are required for most vehicle classes in Maine.

Other license plates include:

• Conservation Plates
• Veteran and Military Plates
• University Plates
• Antique Plates
• Vanity Plates

For more details about Maine license plates, visit the official website of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) under the Department of the Secretary of State to check the designs and formats of each plate.

Maine Personalized Plate Availability

Maine offers personalized plates through the BMV. Plates can have up to 7 characters and must not contain obscene or offensive language. With many rural residents facing long drives to local offices, Maine vehicle owners appreciate GoodCar's Vanity Plate Lookup tool, which provides a convenient way to check plate availability online before making the trip.

Limitations and Data Availability

While GoodCar's license plate lookup tool strives to provide vehicle history reports, users should be aware of certain limitations:

• Inaccurate Data: The accuracy of the data depends on timely reporting by various agencies and entities.
• Incomplete Records: Some vehicle histories may lack information if accidents and crash incidents are not adequately reported and documented.
• Privacy Restrictions: Personal information about previous owners is generally excluded in compliance with privacy laws.

Despite these limitations, GoodCar is generally a trusted and approved NMVTIS data provider. It typically uses advanced data verification processes to deliver high-quality results.

To compile vehicle reports for Maine, GoodCar generally relies on a collection of data sources that, depending on availability, provide insights into a vehicle's history.

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a key source. It aggregates title information, salvage reports, and total loss records from the Maine BMV, insurance providers, and salvage facilities, helping uncover title conditions and past damage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gathers additional information on recalls, safety ratings, and manufacturer defects.

GoodCar also utilizes data from private companies: Black Book supplies valuation estimates relevant to Maine's market, J.D. Power offers consumer satisfaction and reliability insights, MarketCheck tracks current used car prices and availability, and DataOne provides detailed vehicle specifications.

Combined with our own internal data, GoodCar aggregates data from third-party sources and updates its reports in real time. However, depending on the reporting agency's processing schedule, some changes may take time to appear in the database.

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law enacted in 1994, and Maine adopted it in its privacy laws in 1997. It regulates the disclosure and use of personal information collected by state agencies such as the BMV and law enforcement.

This legislation safeguards a driver's personal data from unauthorized access and misuse while allowing permissible uses.

In Maine, the DPPA operates alongside the state's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) to create a comprehensive framework for collecting, storing, and sharing vehicle-related personal information, including:

• The driver's name and address
• Phone numbers
• Social Security Numbers
• Driver's license information
• Medical information
• Photographs
• Disability information

GoodCar strives to comply with the DPPA to protect personal data through data encryption and strict access controls. However, it may occasionally disclose personal information under specific DPPA-authorized and legal circumstances, such as:

• Request from state and federal law enforcement agencies on their official investigations
• Valid court proceedings, court orders, or legal discovery requests
• Vehicle safety, emissions, and product recalls
• Legitimate insurance claim investigations, underwriting, and rating purposes
• Private investigating activities
• Statistical research and analysis
• Explicit written consent from vehicle owners

Accessing license plate information in Maine involves interacting with the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) through specific procedures.

InforME Subscriber Account

The BMV offers an InforME subscriber account for individuals and entities requiring access to vehicle records using a license plate number. This subscription-based service, managed by the Information Resource of Maine (InforME), facilitates access to various BMV services.

To establish an InforME subscription, follow these steps:

1. Complete the Subscriber Application Form.
2. Review and sign the agreement outlining the terms of service.
3. Submit documents and payment.

Processing times for establishing an InforME subscription account may vary. Upon approval and activation, subscribers can access vehicle records by entering the license plate number into the system.

The annual subscription fee is $95, with additional charges applicable for specific services. In addition to the yearly subscription fee, subscriber holders pay a minimum of $15, regardless of usage.

Even with an InforME subscription, all users must adhere to the limitations and prohibitions outlined in the DPPA when accessing personal information.

Phone and Email Inquiry

In addition to the subscriber account, individuals can call BMV directly at (207) 624-9000 ext. 52149 to obtain information about a license plate.

Alternatively, interested parties may send an email inquiry to this address: registrations@maine.gov.

In-Person and Mail Requests

Individuals may also visit BMV offices in person or send mail requests. They may need to draft a letter about their inquiry using the license plate number. Application forms may be available at the applicable office.

Note that BMV has an appointment system for in-person visits. Thus, individuals should secure an appointment before going to the state office to avoid longer waiting times.

Individuals and businesses in Maine can access license plate information through various sources. These alternative providers offer vehicle history reports using publicly available data while adhering to privacy regulations.

• Law Enforcement Databases: Maine law enforcement agencies can retrieve vehicle records for investigative purposes. However, public access is restricted to authorized personnel or individuals directly involved in official cases.
• Government Online Tools: Some government agencies provide tools for checking vehicle recalls, safety records, and emissions compliance. While these do not offer full registration details, they can help individuals verify a vehicle's history through a license plate number.​

​Individuals have several tools to obtain vehicle information, in addition to using a plate number as research criteria.

GoodCar Alternative Tools

Generally, GoodCar has these relevant tools for generating vehicle information:

• Recall Lookup: Users may check any potential safety issues requiring attention or manufacturer-issued recalls through this tool.​
• VIN Check: By entering a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), users may access detailed specifications, manufacturing details, and ownership history.​
• Car Title Check: This service may verify the vehicle's current title status, such as clean, salvage, or rebuilt.​
• Vehicle History Search: This feature can help users find accident records, title changes, previous sales, and reported damages.​

Government Alternative Methods

On the other hand, the state also offers alternative methods if interested parties do not know the license plate number:

• Maine Crash Reporting: The request is made online, but the state police agency will search for the information manually. The details needed include the name, crash location, investigating agency, and crash incident ID number. Results are delivered via regular mail, email, or fax.
• Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) Request: Maine doesn't have a centralized database for FOAA requests. However, individuals can still request publicly available records related to vehicle information. They can use this list of state FOAA contacts to address written requests to the appropriate agency.
• NICB's VINCheck: The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) offers a free service that allows users to check if a vehicle has been reported as stolen or has salvage records. Users can access this information by entering the VIN, with a limit of five searches per 24-hour period per IP address.