Field Description - Vehicle Plate Number

The Vehicle Plate Number is the number of the license plate issued.  This field is mandatory for all vehicle re-registration, new registration and transfer transactions with some exceptions.  

Notes:

• When a Plate Number is entered:

• The system validates it for the Class Code.

• For a Plate Type of new, lost or replacement, if the town is authorized to distribute plates, the software checks to see that the plate number is available in plate inventory.

• For New Registration - New Plate - Excise Tax Receipt transactions, the Plate Number should be left blank.

• There are six special processing considerations for the Plate Number field:  New Plate Issue, Vanity Plates, Plates Out of Rotation, Low Digit Plates, Special Commercial Plates and Specialty Plates.

1. Vanity Plates
   For all 7-character plate numbers, or if the first character is either alpha or the number 0, you must assess a $25 annual vanity plate fee.
   Note:  Vanity Plates may contain dashes, spaces or ampersands, which should print as text in the plate box.

1.  Class Codes AM, BU, HC, LS, PO, PS and TC cannot use vanity plates, but may use some plate series that begin with alpha characters.  These plates should not be charged the $25 annual vanity plate fee.

2.  For Class Codes CC, CL, CR, DX, DV, FD, MX, PH, PM, RV, UM, WX, and XV the vanity plates should have a maximum of 5 characters beginning with an alpha character.

3.  For Class Codes TL regular plate numbers for trailers begin with an alpha character, however, the number is not considered a vanity plate.  Vanity plates are available for all types of trailers, except for long term trailers, regardless of the weight.

4.  Class Codes CL and TL (non-excise tax), may have a two-year registration.  In the case of a two-year registration, effective September 1, 2008 a $50 vanity plate fee is charged and prints on the registration form.

5.  Class Codes AC, AF, CC and CO may display vanity plates regardless of registered vehicle weight.

6.  Class Code CM may only be issued if the PC Class Code is available.

7.  Class Codes AC, AG, AW, BB, BC, LB, FM, SW, TS and VT may have a maximum of 6 characters plus a space or dash.

8.  Class Code DS may have a maximum of 4 characters.

9.  Class Code CD may have a maximum of 3 characters.

10. Class Code WB may have a maximum of 7 characters.

2. Plates Out of Rotation
   A one-time fee of $15 in addition to the regular registration fee is charged, but not limited to issuing of any of the following plates:
   Note:  Print Priority Reserve No Fee $15.00 should print on the registration.
   The $15.00 fee is not charged on the re-registration of these transactions.

1.  1-9999 without any letter following (Class PC)

2.  1-99 with a single letter following (Class PC)

3.  1-25 with double letters following (Class PC)

4.  1-99 motorcycle plates (Class MC)

5.  1-1000 or up to five characters (numeric or alpha) (SW)

6.  1-9999 commercial plates (Class CO)

3. Low Digit Plates
   You must process only an excise tax receipt on all PC Class Codes involving plates numbered 1-88 without a letter following.  The transaction will be processed at the Main Office of the BMV in Augusta.

4. Special Commercial Plates
   There are two unique series of registration plate numbers reserved for commercial vehicles:

1.  800 Series - Reserved for tractor-trailer class (TT Class)

2.  900 Series - Reserved for vehicles in the IRP program (AP plates)

5. Specialty Plates

1.  Agriculture Passenger (AG), Agriculture Commercial (AC - except commercial tractor), Agriculture Farm (AF) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

2.  Animal Welfare (AW) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

3.  Black Bear (BB) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

4.  Breast Cancer (BC) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

5.  Conservation (CC - Commercial (except commercial tractor), CD - Disabled, CL - Trailer, CR-Passenger, and RV - Motor Home) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.
Class Code CL - Conservation trailers (non-excise) may have a two year registration.  In this case, the initial application plate fee is $20 for the first year and $15 annual fee for the second year or in the case of a renewal the annual fee of $15 is due for both years.

6.  Lobster Plate (LB) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

7.  Purple Heart (PH) - There is no additional initial application fee.  The Registration fee is exempt.

8.  Purple Heart Motorcycle (PM) - There is not additional initial application fee.  The Registration fee is exempt.

9.  Sportsman (SW) - Application and renewal fee of $20.

10.  Support Your Troops (TS) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

11.  University (UM) - Application fee of $20 and a renewal fee of $15.

12.  Veteran (VT) - Disability Special Veteran (DS), and Wabanaki recognition plate (WB) - There is no additional annual specialty plate fee or first time issuance fees.

Where-Maintained:  Receive Plates Maintenance, Adjust Plates Maintenance

Where-Used:  New Registration Wizard

Format:  up to 8 characters