Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A, § 1909 (2026)

Registration lamp

✓ current as of May 2026

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A vehicle must have a white light capable of illuminating the rear registration plate so that the characters on the plate are visible for a distance of at least 50 feet. This section does not apply to unregistered farm tractors or vehicles with valid temporary plates issued by licensed car dealers. [PL 2021, c. 216, §45 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 216, §45 (AMD).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 8 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1997–2024 · leading case: State v. Taylor, 1997 ME 81 (Me. 1997).

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State v. Taylor, 1997 ME 81 (Me. 1997). “” (repealed and replaced by 29-A M.R.S.A. § 1909 (1996) (effective Jan.”

State of Maine v. Nicholas P. Lovejoy, 2024 ME 42 (Me. 2024). · cites it 2× “See 29-A M.R.S. § 1909 (2018)5 (“A vehicle must have a white light capable of illuminating the rear registration plate so that the characters on the plate are visible for a distance of at least 50 feet.”

State of Maine v. Boutin (Me. Super. Ct 2019). · cites it 2× “§ 1909 when Officer Heath saw the Defendant driving without visible rear plate lights.”

State of Maine v. Lovejoy (Me. Super. Ct 2022). · cites it 2× “Title 29-A M.R.S. § 1909 provides: A vehicle must have a white light capable of illuminating the rear registration plate so that the characters on the plate are visible for a distance of at least 50 feet.”

State of Maine v. Cayford (Me. Super. Ct 2022). · cites it 2× “The stated reason for the stop was Officer Heath's observation that the right-sided license plate light on the Mustang was not illuminated, and therefore the vehicle had a defect and was in violation of 29-A M.R.S. § 1909. At hearing, Officer Heath confirmed that the left-sided…”

State of Maine v. McCracken (Me. Super. Ct 2010). · cites it 2× “29-A M.R.S.A. § 1909. 1 Failing to illuminate a registration plate is also a serious safety concern as evidenced by the law and the fact that it is an inspection violation.”

State of Maine v. Jusko (Me. Super. Ct 2021). “" 29-A M.R.S. § 1909 (in pertinent part). Further, Maine law states a violation of this section constitutes a traffic infraction.”

State of Maine v. Morris (Me. Super. Ct 2022). “Before exiting 1-295, Agent Warren noticed and reported that one of the rear registration lamps was out, in violation of29-A M.R.S. § 1909. After turning left on Westbrook Street, the vehicle made a right on Broadway Street, a main throughway in South Portland that offered…”

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