What to do with Maine plates after moving to Hawaii
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Maine instruction only after the Hawaii registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Vehicle transactions are county-administered. In Hawaii County, obtain an out-of-state permit within 30 days after the vehicle arrives or switch to Hawaii plates; the permanent-registration path and timing vary by island.
Arrange Hawaii coverage before the safety-check and registration sequence. County instructions require a Hawaii insurance card for the inspection transaction.
Cancel the Maine plate after the destination registration is active
After the replacement registration is active, submit Maine's MVR-60 Plate Cancellation Request to BMV and keep the staff-signed copy, which serves as the plate cancellation order. Keep the destination registration with that proof before ending the old policy.
Open the official Maine instructionReviewed 2026-07-31- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Hawaii
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the Maine plate action
Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.
- 4. End or rewrite the old policy
Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.
Sources for this closeout sequence
- Maine BMV: Plate cancellation requestChecked 2026-07-31 ↗InsuranceExit closeout
- Hawaii County: Out-of-state vehicle permitChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees
- Maui County: Out-of-state registrationChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees