State guide
Maine
Maine’s abandoned-vehicle process is centralized through the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles rather than a simple fixed roadside clock for every situation. The state provides a specific abandoned-vehicle notice form and instruction sheet, including a route for title, salvage, or a letter of ownership.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- When a vehicle counts as abandoned
- Maine does not use one simple public-road or private-property waiting period for all cases; under 29-A §1852, the vehicle becomes abandoned when the owner or lienholder fails to reclaim it within 14 days after Secretary of State notice or required publication.
- Removing one from private property
- A private property owner or agent who has a vehicle covered by 29-A §1851 must notify the Secretary of State on the official abandoned-vehicle form, and removal without the written consent of the person in charge or property owner is a traffic infraction under 29-A §1859.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- Maine BMV’s MVT-28A instructions say an eligible claimant submits MVT-28, VIN inspection form MVT-10, and either title application MVT-2, salvage application MVT-102, or a request for a letter of ownership for title-exempt vehicles.
- State agency
- Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Official resources in Maine
Official BMV forms index listing MVT-28, MVT-28A, MVT-24, and related title forms.
Defines when a vehicle becomes abandoned under Maine’s abandoned vehicle law.
Explains how the premises owner or agent notifies the Secretary of State and how owner/lienholder notice is sent.
Official BMV contact page listing the abandoned-vehicles unit contact information.
Key facts for Maine
- Maine treats a vehicle as abandoned if the owner or lienholder does not retrieve it within 14 days after Secretary of State notice or required publication. 29-A §1852.
- The abandoned-vehicle law applies to vehicles left on property without permission, including vehicles left on residential property. 29-A §1851.
- MVT-28A says a residential property owner may claim a vehicle left on the owner’s residential property for more than 6 months.
- 29-A §1854 requires the premises owner or agent to notify the Secretary of State on a form provided by the Secretary of State.
- MVT-28A requires MVT-28, a VIN inspection on MVT-10, and usually MVT-2 or MVT-102, depending on title or salvage status.
- The BMV contact page lists Abandoned Vehicles at 207-624-9239, extension 52138.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in Maine
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Department Penobscot | Bangor | 207-947-7382 | Official Bangor Police Department page with department contact information for non-emergency police matters. |
| Traffic and Vehicles Ordinance Androscoggin | Lewiston | Not published* | Official Lewiston ordinance document defining an abandoned vehicle in city code. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Use MVT-28A first; it tells you whether your situation fits Maine’s abandoned-vehicle law before you spend time on title paperwork.
- Gather the VIN, plate, date possession began, and written proof of why the vehicle is on your property before filing MVT-28.
- If the vehicle is on residential property, verify whether the 6-month residential rule applies; if it does not, use the other listed possession categories on MVT-28A.
Not seeing your city or county?
Not every city publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Maine's population center, for comparison only):
- Report a Concern / Submit a Request, New Hampshire · about 119 miles
- Manchester NH Connect, New Hampshire · about 127 miles
- Public Works Service Requests — SeeClickFix, New Hampshire · about 141 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Maine BMV Forms and Applications
Website →Phone: (207) 626-8400 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Maine page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.