What Is a Maine Vanity Plate?

A vanity plate (also called a personalized plate) is a license plate where the owner chooses the letter and number combination instead of receiving a randomly assigned one. Maine is famous for having one of the highest rates of vanity plates per capita in the United States — roughly 1 in 8 registered vehicles sports a personalized tag.

Common examples include nicknames like LOBSTAH, hobbies like SKIER, or inside jokes like MOOSE1. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) historically allowed unusually permissive plate content, though recent laws have tightened restrictions on offensive language.

How to Perform a Maine Vanity Plate Search

There are two main reasons people search for Maine vanity plates: checking availability before applying, or researching a plate they've already seen.

1. Check Availability for a New Plate

To see if your desired vanity plate is still up for grabs, visit the official Maine BMV website and use the Vanity Plate Availability tool. You'll need to:

  • Enter your proposed combination (up to 7 characters for passenger plates)
  • Select the plate type (standard, conservation, university, etc.)
  • Review the BMV's content guidelines

If the combination is available and passes the BMV's review, you can apply online or through your local town office. Fees typically run around $25 per year on top of standard registration.

2. Research an Existing Plate

If you want to look up a plate you've already seen — for example, a vehicle parked illegally, an abandoned car in your neighborhood, or simply a curious vanity plate — the Maine BMV does not publish owner information for privacy reasons. However, you can still research the plate publicly through a license plate lookup tool like PlateQuery's Maine plate directory.

Maine Vanity Plate Rules and Restrictions

Maine's vanity plate laws have evolved significantly. In 2015, the state was widely reported as having the most permissive vanity plate program in the country. That changed in 2021 when Maine enacted new restrictions prohibiting plates that:

  • Contain profanity or obscene language
  • Reference violence or illegal drugs
  • Include hate speech or discriminatory terms
  • Could be mistaken for official government plates

The BMV now recalls plates that violate these standards, even ones issued years ago. If your vanity plate gets flagged, you'll receive a letter requiring you to surrender it and choose a replacement.

Specialty Plates vs. Vanity Plates in Maine

It's easy to confuse vanity plates with specialty plates, but they're different:

  • Vanity plates let you customize the characters on any plate design.
  • Specialty plates are pre-designed plates supporting a cause or organization, like the Loon Conservation plate, University of Maine plate, or Veteran plates.

You can combine the two — for example, a Conservation plate with personalized lettering — but each comes with its own fee structure.

Practical Examples of Maine Vanity Plate Searches

Here are real scenarios where a Maine vanity plate search comes in handy:

  • Buying a used car: The seller mentioned the plate stays with them. You want to verify the plate history before transfer.
  • Reporting a bad driver: You witnessed reckless driving and noted a memorable vanity plate. A lookup helps you file an accurate bad driver report.
  • Finding the owner of an abandoned vehicle: A car has sat on your street for weeks with a Maine vanity plate. A plate lookup may help connect you with the owner.
  • Illegal parking: Someone repeatedly blocks your driveway. You want to leave a polite message without confrontation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find the owner of a Maine vanity plate?

No — the Maine BMV does not publicly release owner information. However, platforms like PlateQuery let you leave a message tied to the plate so the owner can receive it without exposing their personal details.

How long does it take to get a Maine vanity plate?

Once approved, vanity plates typically arrive within 4–6 weeks through the BMV.

Can the state revoke my vanity plate?

Yes. Under current Maine law, the BMV can recall plates that violate updated content standards, even if they were originally approved.

What's the maximum number of characters on a Maine vanity plate?

Standard passenger plates allow up to 7 characters, including letters, numbers, and spaces.

How PlateQuery Can Help

If you've spotted a Maine vanity plate and need to communicate with the owner — whether to report a parking issue, alert them to a problem with their vehicle, or just leave a friendly note about a clever plate — PlateQuery makes it possible without violating anyone's privacy. You can look up any Maine plate, leave a message, or even claim your own vanity plate profile to receive messages directly. Start your search at PlateQuery's Maine plate page.