Maine Bill of Sale

What Maine requires for a vehicle sale

• The BMV page lists a signed bill of sale, linked as the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale PDF, among documents needed to register a privately bought vehicle.
• The buyer also needs the title signed over by the previous owner (vehicles 25 years old and newer), proof of insurance, and the registration application and excise tax receipt.
• The official bill of sale has fields for price, vehicle details, an odometer disclosure, a no-lienholder checkbox, and seller and buyer signatures. No form number appears on it.
• Sales tax is 5.5% of the purchase price. Excise tax is paid at the town office. The title application fee is $33 for vehicles 25 years old and newer.
• The bill of sale form says not to sign until all sections above are completed and signed.

Maine bill of sale: what to include

Whatever Maine requires, a signed bill of sale protects both sides. It proves the price, the date and that the car was sold as-is. Include:

• Seller's and buyer's full names and addresses
• Year, make, model, color and VIN
• Odometer reading on the day of sale
• Sale price and date of sale
• As-is wording, plus a statement that the seller owns the vehicle and any lien is paid off
• Signatures and dates for both parties

Sample as-is wording

I, the seller, sell the vehicle described above to the buyer for the price shown, as-is, with no warranty, express or implied. The seller confirms they are the owner and that the odometer reading is correct to the best of their knowledge. This sale is made under the laws of Maine.

Seller checklist (Maine)

• Complete the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale with price, vehicle details, and odometer reading.
• Sign the title over to the buyer.
• Sign and date the bill of sale after the buyer's information is filled in.
• Ask the BMV about plates and any notice of sale, as the pages we read do not say.

Buyer checklist (Maine)

• Get the signed bill of sale and signed title.
• Arrange proof of insurance.
• Pay excise tax at your town office.
• Pay 5.5% sales tax, the $33 title fee, and registration fees.

Things to watch in Maine

• The pages we read do not say whether notarization is required, or give a deadline for a private purchase. Contact the BMV at (207) 624-9000.
• The registration page does not cover odometer rules or seller duties beyond the form's disclosure section.

About this page

We checked this page against the Maine BMV sources listed below in November 2026. Where an agency page did not say something, we say so and suggest you check with the agency. Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm with Maine BMV before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.