When you bring in a car from out of state or move to Maine from out of state the Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS) and ME Bureau of Motor Vehicles but note that you must get the vehicle inspected immediately.

Once you are in Maine from Minnesota the ME State Police, who regulates the inspection process in Maine, states that you should:

• Make an appointment for inspection at a State certified inspection station.
Next obtain a permit to operate the vehicle to the inspection station.
• The permit can be obtained at your local police station or from a patrol officer on duty.
• You will need to bring the vehicle's registration certificate with you to obtain the permit.
• The permit will not allow you to operate a defective motor vehicle.

It appears this permit expires 2 days after it is issued so you must get the car inspected immediately.

This permit is referenced in Title 29-A - Maine Motor Vehicle Statues. This portion of ME law (29-A 1759 Temporary permits and warnings) states:

1. Issuance - A law enforcement officer, an employee of a municipal police department designated by the chief, an employee of a sheriff's department designated by the sheriff, an employee of the Department of Public Safety designated by the Chief of the State Police or an employee of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles designated by the Secretary of State may issue a permit allowing operation of an uninspected vehicle to an inspection station for inspection.

2. Reconstructable vehicle. This section does not apply to reconstructable motor vehicles as defined in Title 10, section 1471.

3. Warning - The owner or operator of a vehicle operated with an expired inspection sticker during the first month immediately after expiration may not be issued a summons to court but may only be issued a warning. This warning must state that the vehicle must be inspected within 2 business days. Failure to comply with a warning is a violation punishable in accordance with section 1768.

If you are worried that you will be pulled over on your trip from Minnesota back to your house in Maine where you can set up the inspection appointment and get the temporary permit from your local police station we would advise you to contact the police before your trip to buy the car. See what paperwork you can carry in the car, such as the bill of sale, to show that you are just bringing the car into the state and thus have not had a chance to get it inspected.

Once you get it home to Maine set up your inspection and get your permit so that you can drive it to the inspection station without being stopped by law enforcement for driving without an inspection sticker. You can contact the ME State Police for more information on the inspection process in Maine.

Get online car insurance quotes for Maine here with us.