CarOutlay

Car ownership costs in Maine

What it costs to own a car in Maine beyond the sticker price — sales tax, annual registration, vehicle property tax, inspection requirements, and title fee.

Estimated — not yet source-verified.Estimated — not yet source-verified. This figure is a knowledge estimate we have not yet confirmed against the official source, so this page is not indexed. Treat it as a rough guide only and verify with your state DMV or department of revenue.

Vehicle sales tax
0.055%
Maine sales tax on vehicles is 5.5%. No local sales tax. Trade-in credit reduces taxable amount.
Annual registration fee
~$35/yr
Annual registration ~$35 for passenger vehicles.
Vehicle property tax
No vehicle property tax
No annual personal property tax on vehicles.
State inspection
Required
Annual safety inspection required. Test fee approximately $12–$18.
Title fee
~$33
One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
Example: $35,000 vehicle
Sales tax: $19
+ $35/yr registration + no property tax

How state fees affect your car's true cost in Maine

When you buy a vehicle in Maine, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of 0.055%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $19 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.

After the purchase, Maine charges an estimated $35 per year to register the vehicle. Annual registration ~$35 for passenger vehicles.

Maine does not impose a personal property tax on vehicles — which is a meaningful advantage over states that do, where owners can pay 0.5%–2% of the vehicle's value annually.

Maine requires periodic vehicle inspections. Annual safety inspection required. Test fee approximately $12–$18. Inspection fees are typically $20–$70 depending on the station and vehicle type.

Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in Maine

The TCO calculator pre-fills Maine's sales tax and registration fee. Add your purchase price, loan terms, fuel type, and insurance to see the complete picture.

Open TCO calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is the car sales tax in Maine?

The vehicle sales tax rate in Maine is 0.055%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $19 at the time of purchase. Maine sales tax on vehicles is 5.5%. No local sales tax. Trade-in credit reduces taxable amount.

How much is vehicle registration in Maine?

The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Maine is around $35 per year. Annual registration ~$35 for passenger vehicles.

Does Maine have a vehicle property tax?

No. Maine does not impose an annual personal property tax on vehicles. No annual personal property tax on vehicles.

Is a vehicle inspection required in Maine?

Yes. Maine requires periodic vehicle safety (and in some areas emissions) inspections. Annual safety inspection required. Test fee approximately $12–$18.

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