What to do with Maine plates after moving to Utah
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Maine instruction only after the Utah registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Register the vehicle in Utah within 60 days after meeting a listed residency trigger, including establishing a permanent home, accepting nonseasonal work, or obtaining a Utah license.
Maintain required motor-vehicle liability coverage before operating and registering the vehicle in Utah.
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 Utah
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
- Utah DMV: New residents and registrationChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees
- Utah DMV: Passenger vehicle title and registrationChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees