What to do with Maine plates after moving to Pennsylvania
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Maine instruction only after the Pennsylvania registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Apply for Pennsylvania title and registration within 20 days of establishing residency.
Bring proof of Pennsylvania insurance with effective and expiration dates.
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 Pennsylvania
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
- PennDOT: Motor vehicle information for new residentsChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees