Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 29-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A, § 2104 (2026)

Improper plates

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  Attaching false plates.  A person commits a Class E crime if that person attaches to a vehicle a registration plate assigned to another vehicle or not currently assigned to that vehicle.  
[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §58 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
1-A.  Permitting attachment of false plates.  A person commits a Class E crime if that person permits to be attached to a vehicle a registration plate assigned to another vehicle or not currently assigned to that vehicle.  
[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §59 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
1-B.  Permitting display of false registration validation device.  A person commits a Class E crime if that person permits to be attached or displayed on a vehicle registration plate a registration validation device issued for another vehicle.  
[PL 2015, c. 176, §5 (NEW).]
2.  False identification.  A person commits a Class E crime if that person obscures identification numbers, identification letters, the state name, validation sticker or mark distinguishing the type of plate attached to a vehicle.  
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
3.  Manufacturing or reproduction of plates.  A person commits a Class D crime if that person manufactures or reproduces registration plates without the consent of the Secretary of State.  
[PL 1995, c. 65, Pt. A, §109 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 65, Pt. A, §153 (AFF); PL 1995, c. 65, Pt. C, §15 (AFF).]
4.  Alterations to registration plates.  Except when a greater penalty is applicable, a person commits a traffic infraction if that person adds or attaches to a registration plate a decal, symbol, slogan, mark, letter or number not authorized by law or by the Secretary of State.  
[PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. B, §6 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 645, Pt. B, §24 (AFF).]
5.  Strict liability.  Violation of subsection 1, 2 or 3 is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34, subsection 4‑A.  
[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §60 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 65, §A109 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 65, §§A153,C15 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 645, §B16 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 645, §B24 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 452, §§Q58-60 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2015, c. 176, §5 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1999–2024 · leading case: State v. Chittim, 775 A.2d 381 (Me. 2001).
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State v. Chittim, 775 A.2d 381 (Me. 2001). · cites it 7× “2 [¶3] The State does not dispute that Chittim put the stickers on the plates in 1993 or earlier, at least six years prior to the summons and three years prior to July 1, 1996, the effective date of 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104. Chittim subsequently transferred the plates to his wife…”
State v. Horr, 2003 ME 110 (Me. 2003). · cites it 2× “§ 360(1)(A) (1983), 4 and attaching false motor vehicle plates (Class E) in violation of 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(1) (1996). 5 Contending that his convictions should be set aside, Horr asserts that a particular exhibit, containing the totality of his driving record, was improperly…”
State of Maine v. Andrew B. Bean, 2018 ME 58 (Me. 2018). “§ 2411(1-A)(B)(2), attaching false plates (Class E), 29-A M.R.S. § 2104(1) (2017), and violating a condition of release (Class E), 15 M.”
State v. Cote, 1999 ME 123 (Me. 1999). “§ 2411; and for illegal attachment of plates (Class E), pursuant to 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104 (1996 & Supp.1998). At the time of his arrest, Cote’s license was revoked as a result of a prior habitual offender conviction and, on two prior occasions, his license had been suspended when…”
United States v. Steele, 195 F. Supp. 2d 202 (D. Me. 2002). “” Officer Wilson said that he did not tell Defendant that he was going to search him before doing so.”
State v. Maloney, 785 A.2d 699 (Me. 2001). “§ 2557; (2) illegal attachment of plates, Class E, in violation of 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104 (1996 & Supp.2000); and (3) possession of scheduled drugs, Class D, in violation of 17-A M.”
State of Maine v. Chittim (Me. Super. Ct 2000). · cites it 9× “The State argues that Chittim, pursuant to 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(2), can obscure anything on the license plate except the identification numbers and letters, the state name, validation stickers, and the type of plate.”
Mccurdy v. Cumberland Cnty. Me (D. Me. 2024). “See 29-A M.R.S. § 2104(1) (attaching false plates); id.”
Mccurdy v. Town of Brunswick (D. Me. 2024). “See 29-A M.R.S. § 2104 (improper plates). Regarding the second stop, McCurdy was operating a vehicle after having his license suspended and he failed to comply with his conditions of release.”
United States v. Adams, 225 F. Supp. 2d 86 (D. Me. 2002). “See 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(1) (“A person commits a Class E crime if that person attaches or permits to be attached to a vehicle a registration plate assigned to another vehicle or not currently assigned to that vehicle.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A, § 2104(1) — 5 cases
State v. Horr, 2003 ME 110 (Me. 2003). “§ 360(1)(A) (1983), 4 and attaching false motor vehicle plates (Class E) in violation of 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(1) (1996). 5 Contending that his convictions should be set aside, Horr asserts that a particular exhibit, containing the totality of his driving record, was improperly…”
State of Maine v. Andrew B. Bean, 2018 ME 58 (Me. 2018). “§ 2411(1-A)(B)(2), attaching false plates (Class E), 29-A M.R.S. § 2104(1) (2017), and violating a condition of release (Class E), 15 M.”
United States v. Steele, 195 F. Supp. 2d 202 (D. Me. 2002). “” Officer Wilson said that he did not tell Defendant that he was going to search him before doing so.”
Mccurdy v. Cumberland Cnty. Me (D. Me. 2024). “See 29-A M.R.S. § 2104(1) (attaching false plates); id.”
United States v. Adams, 225 F. Supp. 2d 86 (D. Me. 2002). “See 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(1) (“A person commits a Class E crime if that person attaches or permits to be attached to a vehicle a registration plate assigned to another vehicle or not currently assigned to that vehicle.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A, § 2104(2) — 1 case
State of Maine v. Chittim (Me. Super. Ct 2000). “The State argues that Chittim, pursuant to 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(2), can obscure anything on the license plate except the identification numbers and letters, the state name, validation stickers, and the type of plate.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A, § 2104(4) — 2 cases
State v. Chittim, 775 A.2d 381 (Me. 2001). “2 [¶3] The State does not dispute that Chittim put the stickers on the plates in 1993 or earlier, at least six years prior to the summons and three years prior to July 1, 1996, the effective date of 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104. Chittim subsequently transferred the plates to his wife…”
State of Maine v. Chittim (Me. Super. Ct 2000). “The State argues that Chittim, pursuant to 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2104(2), can obscure anything on the license plate except the identification numbers and letters, the state name, validation stickers, and the type of plate.”
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