An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1483
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: COLLINS, McLEAN, DIAMOND, GERZOFSKY, CHENETTE, DOORE, FOLEY, NADEAU, POULIOT
Amends: 29-A MRSA §101, 29-A MRSA §201, 29-A MRSA §401, 29-A MRSA §452, 29-A MRSA §456-A, 29-A MRSA §456-F, 29-A MRSA §504, 29-A MRSA §507, 29-A MRSA §521, 29-A MRSA §1251, 29-A MRSA §1256, 29-A MRSA §1304, 29-A MRSA §1352, 29-A MRSA §1354, 29-A MRSA §1752, 29-A MRSA §1752-A, 29-A MRSA §2356, 29-A MRSA §2458

Legislative Document 
No. 1483 
S.P. 581 
In Senate, December 18, 2015 
An Act To Amend Maine's Motor Vehicle Laws 
Submitted by the Secretary of State pursuant to Joint Rule 203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2015.  Referred to the Committee 
on Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator COLLINS of York. 
Cosponsored by Representative McLEAN of Gorham and 
Senators: DIAMOND of Cumberland, GERZOFSKY of Cumberland, Representatives: 
CHENETTE of Saco, DOORE of Augusta, FOLEY of Wells, NADEAU of Winslow, 
POULIOT of Augusta. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §101, sub-§15-A, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 315, §3, is 
amended to read: 
15-A.  Combination vehicle.  "Combination vehicle" means a motor vehicle 
consisting of a truck or truck tractor in combination with one or more trailers or 
semitrailers. 
Sec. 2.  29-A MRSA §201, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 1997, c. 776, §6, is 
further amended to read: 
C.    If authorized to issue registrations and renewals of registrations, issue: 
 (1)  Registrations for pickup trucks registered for 9,000 10,000 pounds or less 
gross vehicular weight, automobiles, trailers, semitrailers and farm tractors; and 
 (2)  Registrations for trucks of greater gross weight than provided in 
subparagraph (1), after the agent has satisfactorily participated in special training 
as prescribed by the Secretary of State. 
Sec. 3.  29-A MRSA §401, sub-§2, as corrected by RR 2009, c. 2, §81, is 
amended to read: 
2.  Content of application.  An application must contain information requested by 
the Secretary of State, including legal name, residence and address of the registrant, 
current mileage of a motor vehicle, a brief description of the vehicle, the maker, the 
vehicle identification number, the year of manufacture, and the type of motor fuel or 
motive power and, for trucks, truck tractors and special mobile equipment, the gross 
weight.  A registrant that is a corporation, trust, limited partnership or other similar entity 
must provide either a federal taxpayer identification number or an identification number 
issued by the department.  An initial application for registration must be signed by the 
registrant or the registrant's legal representative.  The Secretary of State shall keep initial 
applications on file until that registration is terminated. 
Sec. 4.  29-A MRSA §452, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §3 and 
affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read: 
4.  Plainly visible and legible.  Registration plates, including the numbers, letters and 
words, must always be plainly visible and legible.  A registration plate may not be 
obscured by a frame or covering or any device that prohibits the plate from being read 
visually or electronically. 
Sec. 5.  29-A MRSA §456-A, sub-§8, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 356, §3, is 
amended to read: 
A.  A vehicle that qualifies for a specialty license plate under section 468, subsection 
8; and. 
Sec. 6.  29-A MRSA §456-A, sub-§8, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 356, §3, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 7.  29-A MRSA §456-F, sub-§7, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 703, §10, is 
amended to read: 
B.  A truck registered under section 504, subsection 1 or section 505. 
Sec. 8.  29-A MRSA §504, as amended by PL 2007, c. 647, §3 and affected by §8, 
is further amended to read: 
§504.  Registration of trucks and truck tractors 
1.  Truck or truck tractor.  For a truck or truck tractor equipped with pneumatic 
tires, the following annual registration fee schedule applies. 
A.    For gross weight from 0 to 6,000 pounds, the fee is $35. 
Beginning July 1, 2009, $10 of the fee must be transferred on a quarterly basis by the 
Treasurer of State to the TransCap Trust Fund established by Title 30-A, section 
6006-G. 
B.  For gross weight from 6,001 to 10,000 pounds, the fee is $37. 
C.  For gross weight from 10,001 to 12,000 pounds, the fee is $48. 
D.    For gross weight from 12,001 to 14,000 pounds, the fee is $81. 
E.    For gross weight from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds, the fee is $105. 
F.    For gross weight from 16,001 to 18,000 pounds, the fee is $130. 
G.    For gross weight from 18,001 to 20,000 pounds, the fee is $161. 
H.    For gross weight from 20,001 to 23,000 pounds, the fee is $188. 
I.    For gross weight from 23,001 to 26,000 pounds, the fee is $220. 
J.    For gross weight from 26,001 to 28,000 pounds, the fee is $267. 
K.    For gross weight from 28,001 to 32,000 pounds, the fee is $308. 
L.    For gross weight from 32,001 to 34,000 pounds, the fee is $342. 
M.    For gross weight from 34,001 to 38,000 pounds, the fee is $379. 
N.    For gross weight from 38,001 to 40,000 pounds, the fee is $403. 
O.    For gross weight from 40,001 to 42,000 pounds, the fee is $426. 
P.    For gross weight from 42,001 to 45,000 pounds, the fee is $450. 
Q.    For gross weight from 45,001 to 48,000 pounds, the fee is $497. 
R.    For gross weight from 48,001 to 51,000 pounds, the fee is $533. 
S.    For gross weight from 51,001 to 54,000 pounds, the fee is $568. 
T.    For gross weight from 54,001 to 55,000 pounds, the fee is $580. 
U.    For gross weight from 55,001 to 60,000 pounds, the fee is $640. 
V.    For gross weight from 60,001 to 65,000 pounds, the fee is $699. 
W.    For gross weight from 65,001 to 69,000 pounds, the fee is $762. 
X.    For gross weight from 69,001 to 72,000 pounds, the fee is $797. 
Y.    For gross weight from 72,001 to 75,000 pounds, the fee is $821. 
Z.    For gross weight from 75,001 to 78,000 pounds, the fee is $857. 
AA.    For gross weight from 78,001 to 80,000 pounds, the fee is $877. 
BB.    For gross weight from 80,001 to 90,000 pounds, the fee is $982. 
CC.    For gross weight from 90,001 to 94,000 pounds, the fee is $1,026. 
DD.    For gross weight from 94,001 to 100,000 pounds, the fee is $1,234. 
2.  Credit for certain motor vehicles.  If a commercial motor vehicle registered for a 
gross weight of 23,001 pounds or more is operated only in the truck tractor-semitrailer 
configuration, a credit of $40 is allowed for the original annual registration fee.  The 
owner of the vehicle must be issued a truck tractor registration plate, which must be 
displayed on its front. 
3.  On ways adjoining premises.  A registration or license is not required for the use 
of a truck, trailer or tractor on that part of a way adjoining the premises of the vehicle's 
owner. 
4.  Federal heavy vehicle use tax; proof of payment required.  Except as provided 
by 26 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.6001-2(b)(3), a registration certificate 
may not be issued for a motor vehicle subject to the use tax imposed by the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, 26 United States Code, Section 4481, until the applicant has 
presented proof of payment as prescribed by the Secretary of the United States Treasury. 
The Secretary of State shall keep records and may issue evidence to comply with 26 Code 
of Federal Regulations, Part 41, revised as of May 23, 1985, and the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, 26 United States Code, Sections 4481, 4482 and 4483. 
Pursuant to rule, the Secretary of State may certify that a vehicle qualifies for exemptions 
under 26 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.4483-3(g) or Section 41.4483-6(b), 
revised as of May 23, 1985. 
5.  Truck or truck tractor and semitrailer.  In computing fees for a combination of 
truck or truck tractor and semitrailer, the vehicle to be registered for gross weight is the 
truck or truck tractor and the rate is the same as for a truck of similar gross vehicle 
weight.  The gross weight used to determine the registration fee under subsection 1 is the 
combined gross weight of the truck or truck tractor and semitrailer. 
Sec. 9.  29-A MRSA §507, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
When a truck is properly base registered in this State, the registrant may increase the 
registered gross vehicle weight of the truck upon application and payment of the proper 
fee.  Temporary registered gross weight increases may be issued by the Bureau of Motor 
Vehicles, the Bureau of the State Police or by any agent appointed by the Secretary of 
State who has been appointed for that specific purpose.  Agents must be either municipal 
tax collectors or town or city managers. 
Sec. 10.  29-A MRSA §521, sub-§3, ¶B, as amended by PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. A, 
§4, is further amended to read: 
B.    The placard must be blue with white print and contain the International Symbol 
of Access, at least 3 inches high, centered on the placard.  The placard must contain 
the permit number, the expiration date and the seal of the Secretary of State.  In the 
case of an organization or agency, the placard must be green with white print and 
contain the same information, except that the name of the organization must appear 
along with the expiration date that must be determined by the Secretary of State.  A 
placard issued to a person with a disability under this section expires in the 
applicant's month of birth in the 4th year following the date of issuance. 
Sec. 11.  29-A MRSA §1251, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
5.  Age limit.  A license, except a special restricted license under section 1256, may 
not be issued to a person who has not attained 16 years of age. 
Sec. 12.  29-A MRSA §1256, as amended by PL 2013, c. 606, §§1 to 5, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 13.  29-A MRSA §1304, sub-§2, ¶E, as amended by PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, 
§16, is further amended to read: 
E.  Failure If the holder of a learner's permit fails to complete the driving test within 2 
years from the date of issuance of a learner's permit requires reexamination the holder 
must retake the motorcycle driver education program for a subsequent learner's 
permit to be issued. 
Sec. 14.  29-A MRSA §1352, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 577, §21, 
is further amended to read: 
A.    A motorcycle driver education program must consist of an 8-hour block of 
classroom and hands-on instruction directly related to the actual operation of 
motorcycles, emphasizing safety measures designed to ensure greater awareness of 
careful and skillful operation of motorcycles. 
Sec. 15.  29-A MRSA §1352, sub-§2, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, 
§2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed. 
Sec. 16.  29-A MRSA §1354, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. C, §3, 
is amended to read: 
10.  Surety bond.  The Except for a noncommercial driver education school exempt 
from license fees under subsection 5-A, paragraph D, the Secretary of State shall require 
a driver education school licensed pursuant to subsection 2 to provide a surety bond to 
guarantee the discharge of the duties required under this subchapter. 
Sec. 17.  29-A MRSA §1752, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. A, §4, 
is repealed. 
Sec. 18.  29-A MRSA §1752, sub-§10, as amended by PL 2011, c. 8, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
10.  Experimental motor vehicle.  A vehicle registered as an experimental motor 
vehicle pursuant to section 470.  An experimental motor vehicle must meet minimum 
equipment standards pursuant to section 470, subsection 2; and 
Sec. 19.  29-A MRSA §1752, sub-§11, as amended by PL 2011, c. 8, §2, is 
further amended to read: 
11.  Low-speed vehicle.  A low-speed vehicle registered pursuant to section 501, 
subsection 11.  A low-speed vehicle must be equipped in accordance with section 1925; 
and. 
Sec. 20.  29-A MRSA §1752, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 8, §3, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 21.  29-A MRSA §1752-A is enacted to read: 
§1752-A.  Antique autos and motorcycles 
An antique auto or an antique motorcycle registered pursuant to section 457 and 
manufactured prior to 1992 is exempt from inspection.  An antique auto or an antique 
motorcycle registered pursuant to section 457 and manufactured in or after 1992 is 
subject to a biennial inspection congruent with the year of manufacture. 
Sec. 22.  29-A MRSA §2356, as amended by PL 2009, c. 598, §39, is further 
amended to read: 
§2356.  Operation of a vehicle exceeding registered weight 
1.  Operation prohibited.  A person commits a traffic infraction if that person 
operates or causes operation of a vehicle in excess of its registered weight on a public 
way. 
2.  Prima facie evidence.  Operation of a vehicle is prima facie evidence that the 
operation was caused by the vehicle registrant. 
4.  Penalty.  Notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 4-B, the fine for a violation of 
subsection 1 is twice the difference in the registration fees for the actual weight and the 
registered weight of the vehicle.  The minimum fine for a violation of this section is $25. 
6.  Private ways exempted.  This section does not apply to operating on private 
ways. 
7.  Notice of failure to appear or noncompliance with orders.  If a person after 
being ordered to appear to answer a violation fails to appear or after appearing fails to 
comply with an order issued pursuant to this section, the court shall notify the Secretary 
of State. 
8.  Suspension of registrations.  After receiving notice pursuant to subsection 7, the 
Secretary of State shall suspend the person's commercial registration certificates and 
plates and the privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in this State.  The 
suspension remains in effect until the person appears in court and complies with a court 
order. 
9.  Subsequent violation.  A person issued a summons for violating this section does 
not commit a subsequent violation of this section involving the same vehicle and same 
load until the next business day. 
Sec. 23.  29-A MRSA §2458, sub-§6, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 111, §2, is 
amended to read: 
A.    For the purposes of this subsection, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
 (1)  "Entity" means a corporation, firm, partnership, sole proprietorship, joint 
venture, association, fiduciary, trust, estate or any other legal or commercial 
entity. 
 (2)  "Related entity" includes: 
 (a)  All entities owned, operated or controlled by the person or named entity, 
by related individuals, by any person who is an officer or director of the 
named entity or by shareholders of the named entity; 
 (b)  Any entity that has as an officer, director or partner an individual whose 
license or authority to engage in the business or commercial activity has been 
suspended; 
 (c)  Any entity that has an officer, partner or 25% of its directors in common 
with the named entity; and 
 (d)  Any entity in which 25% of the outstanding shares are owned or 
controlled by the suspended person or by an individual, related individual or 
entity who, taken together, also owned 25% or more of the outstanding 
shares of the named entity. 
 (3)  "Related individual" means a spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, 
sibling, child or grandchild, whether by blood or marriage, of a person whose 
license or authority to engage in the business or commercial activity has been 
suspended. 
 (4)  "Suspension" means a suspension or revocation. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the motor vehicle laws as follows. 
It clarifies that a combination vehicle may include a truck-trailer configuration. 
It allows municipal agents to issue registrations for pickup trucks up to 10,000 
pounds rather than the current 9,000-pound limit. 
It amends the vehicle registration laws to require registration information on a motor 
vehicle's motive power for vehicles that do not use motor fuels, such as electric vehicles. 
It makes clear that a registration plate may not be obscured by a plate frame or 
covering or other device that prevents the plate from being read. 
It repeals the authorization for truck and truck tractor lobster registration plates and 
farm truck agriculture education registration plates. 
It removes the word "commercial" from the laws regarding registration of trucks and 
truck tractors so as to include trucks and truck tractors that are used privately. 
It removes an obsolete requirement that an agent who issues temporary registered 
gross weight increases be either a municipal tax collector or town or city manager. 
It corrects a discrepancy regarding the maximum length of time for which a 
permanent disability parking placard may be issued.  The limit is 6 years. 
It requires antique autos and antique motorcycles manufactured after 1991 to be 
subject to a biennial inspection. 
It removes the word "commercial" from the laws regarding the operation of a vehicle 
exceeding its registered weight. 
It amends the definition of "related entity" to include a domestic partner in the 
provision regarding suspension or revocation of the license or authority to engage in a 
business or commercial activity under the motor vehicle major offenses laws. 
It removes the requirement for a noncommercial driver education school to obtain a 
surety bond if the school offers driver education as a course credit and does not charge a 
fee for the driver education course. 
It repeals the provision of law that allows a person who is at least 15 years of age to 
obtain a special restricted license under certain conditions without having held a permit 
for a period of 6 months. 
It changes the motorcycle driver education requirement from an 8-hour block of 
instruction to classroom and hands-on instruction.