Code of Maine Rules › 29 - DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE › 250 - BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES › Bureau of Motor Vehicles › Chapter 159 - RULES GOVERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERMANENT, SEMIPERMANENT SEMITRAILER REGISTRATION PROGRAMS › Section 250-159-Q - CONSIGNMENT PLATES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Consignment plates are semipermanent trailer or
					 semitrailer plates, temporarily in the possession of an agent, that have not
					 been assigned to a trailer or semitrailer. An agent may be issued consignment
					 plates to use to replace lost plates, or to issue as new registrations. Agents
					 are responsible for the proper use and accountability of consignments plates
					 assigned to them.
1.
Twenty-five
				  year Permanent Plate Consignment Program
. Consignment plates for the
				  permanent registration program will be made available. A registrant may receive
				  consignment plates equal to one percent of the number of units registered in
				  the program.
The fee for each consignment plate is eighty dollars
					 ($80.00). Registration certificates must contain the following: Plate number,
					 registrant's name, and address. The vehicle description information will be
					 added by the registrant or their agent when the consignment plate is assigned
					 to a vehicle.
An agent initially may be assigned up to ten semipermanent
					 plates for each registration year to be used only as replacement plates for
					 previously assigned plates reported as lost. The fee for each consignment plate
					 used to replace a lost plate is five dollars ($5.00). The five dollar fee is
					 non-refundable.
The agent will verify with the Bureau that the plate being
					 replaced is an active registration. The agent will complete the green copy of
					 the consignment plate registration and return it to the Bureau within five
					 business days. The plate being replaced must be noted on the green copy. The
					 Bureau will match the green copy to the Bureau's copy, and will make the
					 revisions to the Bureau's database.
Consignment plates used as replacements for lost plates
					 may be replenished on a one-for-one basis. Upon turning in the documents on a
					 used consignment plate, the agent may receive an additional plate for the same
					 year. The agent must pay the five dollar ($5.00) consignment plate fee at the
					 time the consignment plate is issued.
2.
Consignment plates used for new
				  eight to twelve and twenty year registrations
. An agent may be issued
				  consignment plates to be used to issue new registrations for their clients'
				  newly acquired trailers or semitrailers. For eight to twelve year plates, the
				  agent must pay an initial fee of forty-eight dollars ($48.00) per consignment
				  plate representing the fee for the first four years of the registration, for
				  the 20 year program the fee would be thirty-six ($36.00) dollars. Each
				  consignment plate will remain the responsibility of the agent until assigned to
				  a registrant's unit. The agent will be billed annually under the regular
				  billing program for any consignment plates that remain assigned to the agent
				  under this paragraph. The annual incremental payment will be due by March 1 of
				  each year.
Upon assignment of the plate to a new trailer or
					 semitrailer, within five business days the agent shall return the green copy of
					 the registration to the Bureau along with required supporting documentation.
					 The agent shall fill out the green copy of the registration including the
					 vehicle and registrant information. The Bureau will update its database, and
					 will reassign the registration to the registrant's fleet. The registrant will
					 become responsible for subsequent registration fees.
3.
Full fee consignment plates
.
				  An agent may obtain consignment plates by paying the annual fee multiplied by
				  the term of the plate. These plates remain the responsibility of the agent
				  until assigned to a registrant's trailer or semitrailer as a new registration.
				  Upon assignment, the agent must turn in a completed green copy of the
				  registration and any supporting documentation within five business days.
Refunds.
The first three years' fees are
					 non-refundable. For the fourth and subsequent years an agent may return
					 consignment plates for a refund of any unused portion of the registration that
					 has been paid for. Any portion of a year is a full year. In order to receive
					 any refund, the agent must return both the plate and all copies of the
					 registration documents. No portion of the fee for the 25-year permanent plate
					 may be refunded.
Cancellation
. An agent may request that a
					 consignment plate be canceled without refund. The Bureau will enter the
					 registration on the database with the status "canceled". The agent will not be
					 billed for subsequent registration years. For lost plate consignments, the
					 agent may not receive an additional plate to replenish the canceled plate. A
					 canceled plate may be reactivated within the same license year at the request
					 of the agent, and with the approval of the Secretary of State.
Misuse of consignment plates.
Any agent who
					 fails to meet the requirements for the use of consignment plates may have their
					 privileges suspended or revoked. Any agent whose privileges have been suspended
					 or revoked may request a hearing from the Secretary of State.