Maine passed its first law requiring the registration of motor vehicles in 1905, first issuing one-time registrations but in 1911 switching to annual renewals.

The number of cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, motor homes and other vehicles registered in Maine has risen steadily through the years. The figures from the Secretary of State’s Office give examples of the total number of vehicles registered in the last century:

1913: 10,676

1921: 67,591

1940: 161,018

1958: 253,752

1991: 1,052,185

2004: 1,486,969