Motor Vehicle Registration

As an agent for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Town of Oxford is authorization by the State of Maine to process new registrations and registration renewals on most passenger and commercial vehicles.

Your registration may be processed or renewed in person at the Collections counter, located on the second floor of the Oxford Municipal Building. An elevator is available on the right-hand side of the building.

The cost of your registration is determined by Excise Tax (see below), Registration Fee ($35.00 in most cases), Agent Fee ($5.00/$6.00), Title Fee on the newly purchased vehicle by private sale ($33.00), and any additional specialty plate fees.

Excise Tax

Excise tax is paid to the municipality in which the individual or business registering the vehicle resides. The amount of tax that must be paid is determined by applying a mil rate to the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the vehicle when it was new. The mil rate decreases annually until the vehicle is in its sixth model year, at which time the excise tax plateaus.

How much is the Excise Tax?

The amount of tax is determined by two things: The age of the vehicle Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (“MSRP”)

How is the Excise Tax calculated?

Excise tax is calculated by multiplying the MSRP by the mil rate as shown below. The rates drop back on January 1st of each year.

YEAR 1: .0240 mil rate

YEAR 2: .0175 mil rate

YEAR 3: .0135 mil rate

YEAR 4: .0100 mil rate

YEAR 5: .0065 mil rate

YEAR 6: .0040 mil rate

For example, the owner of a three year old motor vehicle with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25.