APPROVED CHAPTER
APRIL 16, 2024 634
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
_____
S.P. 873 - L.D. 2072
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Motor Vehicles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
A. More than 25 35 years old or is 35 years old or less and more than 25 years old and
was registered in the State as an antique vehicle prior to January 2025;
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§4, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
A. More than 25 35 years old or is 35 years old or less and more than 25 years old and
was registered in the State as an antique motorcycle prior to January 2025;
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §457, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
A. Is over 25 years old or in the case of an antique auto or antique motorcycle, is more
than 35 years old or is more than 25 years old and was registered in the State as an
antique auto or antique motorcycle prior to January 2025;
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §461, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2019, c. 352, §1, is further
amended by repealing the first blocked paragraph.
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §468, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 271, §6, is
amended to read:
1-A. Sponsor affiliation. A sponsor who registers with the Secretary of State after
June 30, 2025 must be affiliated with a state department that is responsible for oversight of
the collection and distribution of the contributions collected under subsection 2, paragraph
B and not returned pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph C, which, except as provided by
subsection 2, must be deposited in an other special revenue account to provide essential
services to the public. To obtain preliminary approval in subsection 1‑B, the sponsor shall
provide documentation to the Secretary of State identifying the state department providing
oversight and that department shall submit in writing on departmental letterhead to the
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Secretary of State that it agrees to oversee the collection and distribution of the
contributions.
Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §501, sub-§7, ¶G, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 556, §4, is
repealed.
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §523, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and
affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
1. Amputee or blind veterans. On application to the Secretary of State for
registration of any motor vehicle of any amputee or blind veteran who has received an
automobile from the United States Government under authority of 38 United States Code,
Sections 3901, et seq. or any amputee or blind veteran receiving compensation from the
United States Department of Veterans Administration Affairs or any branch of the United
States Armed Forces for service-connected disability who has a specially designed motor
vehicle, that veteran is entitled to have that automobile duly registered and a registration
certificate delivered to the veteran without the requirement of the payment of any fee.
Any veteran who has lost both legs or the use of both legs and who has registered a motor
vehicle without the payment of a fee as provided in this section upon certification by the
United States Department of Veterans Administration Affairs or appropriate branch of the
United States Armed Forces must may upon request be issued special designating plates.
Those designating plates must be issued by the Secretary of State and must bear the words
"Disabled Veteran."
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §523, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 43, §1, is further
amended to read:
2. Disabled veterans; special free license plates. The Secretary of State, on
application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section
1482 or upon evidence of exemption from excise tax under Title 36, section 1483,
subsection 12, shall issue, with no annual registration fee, a registration certificate and set
of upon request special designating plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates
for a vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than 26,000 pounds to any 100%
disabled veteran when that application is accompanied by certification from the United
States Department of Veterans Administration Affairs or any branch of the United States
Armed Forces as to the veteran's permanent disability and receipt of 100% service-
connected benefits. A Upon request a disability placard is may be issued in addition to the
disabled veteran registration plate at no fee. The Secretary of State may issue a registration
certificate and special designating plates for more than one vehicle owned by a veteran
eligible under this subsection.
These special designating plates must bear the words "Disabled Veteran," which indicate
that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran.
Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §651-B, as amended by PL 2001, c. 671, §11, is further
amended to read:
§651-B. Certificate of title permissible
A semitrailer, regardless of model year, no more than 25 years old with an unladen
weight in excess of 3,000 pounds that is used for interstate or intrastate transportation may
be titled in this State even if the semitrailer is registered in another jurisdiction.
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 Sec. 10. 29-A MRSA §652, sub-§13, as amended by PL 2023, c. 402, §1, is further
amended to read:
13. Vehicles more than 25 years old. Vehicles more than 25 years old, except when
the Secretary of State determines it is in the best interest of the State and the applicant to
issue a warranty title as prescribed under section 651, subsection 3 to a motor vehicle more
than 25 years old;
Sec. 11. 29-A MRSA §657, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. A, §8 and
affected by §18, is further amended to read:
7. Mailing of certificate. The Secretary of State shall mail a certificate of title or
certificate of salvage to the owner named on the certificate. The Secretary of State shall
also mail a certificate of lien, certificate of title or certificate of salvage to the first
lienholder named on the certificate. If the first lienholder named on the certificate of title
participates in the electronic lien titling program as provided by section 651-A, the first
lienholder may request that the Secretary of State print a paper certificate of title or
certificate of salvage and mail it to an alternate address.
Sec. 12. 29-A MRSA §903, sub-§1, ¶K, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
K. Failure to appear at a hearing required by the Secretary of State or, failure to appear
in court to answer a summons or failure to pay fines or fees for a violation of this
chapter; or
Sec. 13. 29-A MRSA §953-A, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 211, §1, is amended to
read:
§953-A. Document fees
A dealer selling a new or used motor vehicle shall post on the a vehicle the dealer is
selling any document preparation fee that will be added to the vehicle's sale price. A
violation of this section is prima facie evidence of an unfair trade practice and is a violation
of Title 5, section 207.
Sec. 14. 29-A MRSA §954, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2011, c. 556, §8, is further
amended to read:
5. Transporter. A garage owner, towing business, body shop, finance company,
bank, motor vehicle auction business, motor vehicle rental company, recycler or
repossession company licensed by the Department of Professional and Financial
Regulation, Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection or any public or nonprofit organization
as described in section 951, subsection 4 may be issued transporter plates and a license to
transport a vehicle owned by or in the custody of that owner or business.
A. The holder may use this plate only if the vehicle is accompanied by the owner or
the owner's employee.
B. A transporter plate may not be:
(1) Used in lieu of registration plates;
(2) Loaned to another;
(3) Used for personal reasons; or
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 (4) Used on a towing vehicle, except for a drive-away saddlemount vehicle
transporter combination.
Sec. 15. 29-A MRSA §956, sub-§1, ¶H, as amended by PL 1997, c. 776, §31, is
further amended to read:
H. On a used motor vehicle offered for sale, the written vehicle history statement
required by Title 10, section 1475; and
Sec. 16. 29-A MRSA §956, sub-§1, ¶I, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 776, §32, is
amended to read:
I. Copies of titles, transfers and other documents used for titling purposes.; and
Sec. 17. 29-A MRSA §956, sub-§1, ¶J is enacted to read:
J. A copy of the purchase and sale agreement for each transaction conducted.
Sec. 18. 29-A MRSA §1002, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §12
and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
1-A. Limitation on use. The following provisions govern limitations on use.
A. A person using a dealer plate may not permit a vehicle owned or controlled by a
manufacturer or dealer to be operated except for the purposes authorized under
subsection 1.
B. Unless otherwise authorized by law, a dealer plate may only be used on the type of
vehicle for which the plate is issued.
Sec. 19. 29-A MRSA §1002, sub-§5, ¶F, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
F. Large 4-wheel drive trucks and snowplows that are manufactured to be equipment;
Sec. 20. 29-A MRSA §1052, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and
affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed.
Sec. 21. 29-A MRSA §1108, sub-§1, ¶J, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
J. Failure to appear at a hearing required by the Secretary of State or, failure to appear
in court pursuant to a lawful summons or failure to pay fines or fees for a violation of
this chapter.
Sec. 22. 29-A MRSA §1113, sub-§5, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 660, §4, is
amended to read:
A. A person who is not a recycler may not operate a business that deals in the purchase
or sale of catalytic converters that have been removed from motor vehicles or the
deconstruction or disposal of catalytic converters that have been removed from motor
vehicles.
A person who violates this paragraph commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 23. 29-A MRSA §1253, sub-§8 is enacted to read:
8. Query of drug and alcohol clearinghouse. Beginning no later than November 18,
2024, the Secretary of State shall query the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's
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drug and alcohol clearinghouse prior to the issuance, upgrade, renewal or transfer of a
commercial driver's license or a commercial learner's permit and shall deny the transaction
and initiate downgrade procedures if the query results indicate the driver is prohibited from
operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Sec. 24. 29-A MRSA §1301, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2017, c. 27, §2 and
affected by §10, is further amended to read:
2-A. Legal presence requirement. The Secretary of State may not issue a license to
an applicant unless the applicant presents to the Secretary of State valid documentary
evidence of legal presence in the United States. Valid documentary evidence of legal
presence for a United States citizen may include a United States passport that has been
expired for less than 2 years.
Sec. 25. 29-A MRSA §1353, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 352, §3, is amended
to read:
1. Instructor fee. The motorcycle rider education instructor license fee is $100 $200
and expires one year 2 years from the date of issuance. The renewal fee is $100 $200.
Sec. 26. 29-A MRSA §1354, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 505, §15 and
affected by §22, is amended to read:
A. The Secretary of State may not issue a license for a driver education school until
the applicant school owner has filed with the Secretary of State a certificate showing
that the applicant each vehicle used during driving instruction is covered by an
automobile bodily injury and property damage liability insurance policy insuring
against any legal liability in accordance with the terms of the policy for personal injury
or death of any one person in the sum of $100,000 and for any number of persons in
the sum of $300,000 and against property damage in the sum of $100,000 arising from
the operation of any each vehicle being used in a commercial driver education school.
In lieu of that insurance, the applicant may file with the Secretary of State a bond or
bonds issued by a surety company authorized to do business in the State in the amount
of at least $100,000 on account of injury to or death of one person and subject to such
limits as respects injury to or death of one person, of at least $300,000 on account of
any one accident resulting in injury to or death of more than one person and of at least
$100,000 for damage to property of others. Failure to comply with this subsection is
grounds for suspension or revocation of a driver education school license.
Sec. 27. 29-A MRSA §1410, sub-§8, as amended by PL 2017, c. 27, §6 and
affected by §10, is further amended to read:
8. Legal presence requirement. The Secretary of State may not issue a nondriver
identification card to an applicant unless the applicant presents to the Secretary of State
valid documentary evidence of legal presence in the United States. Valid documentary
evidence of legal presence for a United States citizen may include a United States passport
that has been expired for less than 2 years.
Sec. 28. 29-A MRSA §1754, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2001, c. 180, §1, is
further amended to read:
D. If operated by a dealer or holder of a transporter registration certificate, is operated
only from a point of purchase to the licensee's place of business. For the purposes of
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 this paragraph, "point of purchase" includes, but is not limited to, an auto automobile
auction, distribution center or another licensed vehicle dealer; or
Sec. 29. 29-A MRSA §1754, sub-§1, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 180, §2, is
amended to read:
E. Is owned by the dealer or holder of the transporter registration certificate and is
operated by the owner or the owner's employee for the sole purpose of traveling to an
inspection facility.; or
Sec. 30. 29-A MRSA §1754, sub-§1, ¶F is enacted to read:
F. Is owned by the dealer or holder of the transporter registration certificate and is
operated by the owner or the owner's employee for the sole purpose of moving an
uninspected motor vehicle to an automobile auction or another licensed vehicle dealer.
Sec. 31. 29-A MRSA §2081, sub-§4, ¶A-1, as amended by PL 2023, c. 364, §1
and affected by §3, is further amended to read:
A-1. The requirements of subsection 3‑A do not apply to a driver or passenger who
has a medical condition that, in the opinion of a licensed physician, physician assistant,
nurse practitioner or registered nurse, warrants an exemption from the requirements of
subsection 3‑A and that medical condition and opinion are documented by a certificate
from that licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse.
That certificate is valid for the period designated by the licensed physician, physician
assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse, which may not exceed 6 years. The
Secretary of State may issue a removable windshield placard that is visible to law
enforcement officers to a person with a certificate from a licensed physician, physician
assistant, nurse practitioner or registered nurse. A removable windshield placard is a
2-sided permit designed to hang from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is in motion
without obstructing the view of the operator. The placard must be displayed by hanging
it from the rearview mirror so that it may be viewed from the front and rear of the
vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. If the vehicle is not equipped with a rearview
mirror, the placard must be displayed on the dashboard. The placard must be
identifiable as a seat belt placard as designed by the Secretary of State. A placard issued
to a person under this paragraph expires when the licensed physician's, physician
assistant's, nurse practitioner's or registered nurse's certificate expires.
Sec. 32. 29-A MRSA §2310, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 484, §2, is amended
to read:
2. Multifunction school activity bus. The bus is a multifunction school activity bus
that is operated by a driver with a school bus operator endorsement pursuant to section
2303 that is appropriate for the number of passengers and gross vehicle weight rating. A
driver of a multifunction school activity bus must comply with all applicable school bus
operator requirements of this Title who is at least 21 years of age and who has held a driver's
license for at least 2 years.
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Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 2072, SP 873: 29-A.101, 29-A.457, 29-A.461, 29-A.468, 29-A.501, 29-A.505, 29-A.523, 29-A.651, 29-A.652, 29-A.657, 29-A.903, 29-A.953, 29-A.956, 29-A.1002, 29-A.1052, 29-A.1108, 29-A.1113, 29-A.1301, 29-A.1353, 29-A.1354, 29-A.1410, 29-A.1754, 29-A.2310
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 634: 29-A.101, 29-A.457, 29-A.461, 29-A.468, 29-A.501, 29-A.523, 29-A.651, 29-A.652, 29-A.657, 29-A.903, 29-A.953, 29-A.954, 29-A.956, 29-A.1002, 29-A.1052, 29-A.1108, 29-A.1113, 29-A.1301, 29-A