When it comes to the license plate on a car, I’m a purist. That is, if there is a classic design that also happens to be the free design, I’ll choose it.
For me, the Maine license plate that says Vacationland along the bottom is it. So I was pleased to see that the new ones coming out in 2025 will also say Vacationland. According to the state of Maine, license plates have had the slogan Vacationland since 1936.
New Maine License Plate
In case you missed the news, starting in 2025, Maine will replace its standard issue (aka free) chickadee license plate with one that looks like the original Maine flag. This is the first new free design from Maine since 1999.
Why does Maine need a new license plate? Because some of the oldest of these chickadee plates are 25 years old and wearing out.
“The new Pine Tree Plate is a fresh approach to a classic design rooted in Maine history, but the ultimate purpose of license plates is for vehicle identification to ensure public safety on our roads and highways” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “Damaged or worn out plates on our roadways increase risks to the general public, and worn-out plates reduce law enforcement’s ability to be effective when handling crimes that could be prevented or solved through the identification of license plates.”
Starting in 2025, Mainers with a chickadee plate like we do will have to replace them with one of the two new standard issue license plate options. One is the plate that looks like the original Maine flag. The other is a plain blue plate.
If you have a custom message on your chickadee plate, the state will allow you to reserve those same letters and numbers so they can appear on the new Pine Tree State designs coming out in 2025. Finally, in case you didn’t know, the chickadee is the Maine state bird.
Previous standard issue plate
Before the Chickadee design came out in 1999, the standard issue plate featured a lobster on the center. We have one, attached to a clever container, which you can see in this picture with whoopie pie balls.
Other Maine license plate options
The state will continue to offer custom options for those that want to reflect their college education, good causes they support or other issues. These plates cost $20 in addition to whatever registration fee you might pay when first getting plates for your vehicle. Here are the options currently:
- Agriculture
- Conservation
- Maine Lobster
- Lighthouse Trust
- Sportsman
- Breast Cancer
- Animal Welfare
- University of Maine
- University of Maine Black Bear
- Barbara Bush Children Hospital
- Wabanaki
- Support Your Troops
- Purple Heart
- Prisoner of War
- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Special Veteran
- Disabled Veteran
- Veteran Disability
- Congressional Medal of Honor
- Gold Star Family
For more about license plates, visit the Secretary of State website.
Free and Cheap Things To Do in Southern Maine
Here are FREE and cheap things to do in Southern Maine in the coming week.