Starting May 1, 2025, Maine’s chickadee license plates will no longer be issued. All vehicles with chickadee plates—including those with vanity or low-digit plates—will receive one of the new Pine Tree or No Tree plate designs at the time of renewal.
Top: Pine Tree design, Bottom: No Tree design
Plate Replacement Process
- Renewals: The Ellsworth Tax Office will temporarily stock the new plates and issue them during registration renewals. Starting in May 2025, all renewals for vehicles with chickadee plates will be given the new plate designs.
- New Registrations: Must still be processed at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office and cannot be done through the Tax Office.
- Registrations Expiring Before May 1, 2025: Vehicles with registrations that expire before May 1 will not receive new plates until their next renewal.
Example: If your registration expired on April 30, 2025, and you renew on May 15, you will keep your chickadee plate until your next renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are the plates changing?
In 2023, State Legislature gave the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle until May 1, 2025 to design and issue a new plate to replace all current chickadee plates. The last reissuance was in 1999 and many chickadee plates are old, in disrepair, or have lost their reflectivity.
Which plates are affected?
Current plates with a chickadee will be replaced. This includes:
- Passenger, commercial, antique, disability, combination, motor home, custom vehicle, bus, farm, commercial tractor, tractor, special equipment, hire, low-speed, horseless carriage, and street rod plates.
What if I don’t like either new plate design?
You can opt for a specialty plate instead by paying a $20.00 specialty plate fee. These are not available at City Hall. Specialty plate options include:
- Sportsman, Animal Welfare, Black Bear, Lighthouse, Conservation, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Agriculture plates.
Can I keep my Vanity/Low Digit/Current Plate Number?
If you have a vanity plate, a low-digit plate, or simply want to keep your current plate number, you’ll need to reserve your plates. This can be done for a one-time $25.00 fee.
To reserve:
- Visit the Ellsworth Tax Office for a paper form
- Stop by a local BMV branch (e.g., Ellsworth)
- Reserve online: Reserve Your Plate
Reserved plates will be mailed to you about one month before renewal. You must bring the reserved plate with you when renewing at City Hall to ensure it can be used. If you do not bring the reserved plate you will be unable to renew.
Will I get a new plate with a vehicle transfer?
No. Vehicle transfers do not qualify for a new plate through the Tax Office. You’ll keep your current plate until your next renewal.
