Vehicle lifts in Maine: two plates, one lift and the law

Maine is a two-plate state. Most vehicles carry a registration plate on the front and on the rear, and both must stay plainly visible and legible. When a scooter or power chair rides on a hitch platform, the rear plate is the one at risk, and Maine's statute leaves little room for a plate hidden behind a load.

Snow, sand and salt add a second concern for anything carried outside the vehicle. Below are the statutes, what Maine's climate record means for a lift, four lifts that handle different vehicles, and the state's assistive technology program.

Maine's plate and plate-lamp rules

Display is covered in 29-A M.R.S. §452. Subsection 1 says "A registration plate must be displayed horizontally" and "must be attached to the front and the rear of each vehicle," with exceptions for trailers, motorcycles, dealer plates and truck tractors. Subsection 3 says "Registration plates must always be properly displayed," and subsection 4 adds: "Registration plates, including the numbers, letters and words, must always be plainly visible and legible."

Lighting is a single sentence in 29-A M.R.S. §1909: "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."

Put those together and a loaded hitch lift that covers the rear plate is a problem, even though the front plate is still showing. The usual answer is a bracket that moves the rear plate onto the lift or above it, with a lamp that still lights it at 50 feet. Note that subsection 1 also requires plates to be horizontal, which rules out a tilted plate hung on the side of a platform.

We found no Maine statute naming wheelchair carriers or scooter lifts specifically. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles can tell you what it accepts for a relocated rear plate.

We also looked for information on vehicle modification help through Maine's vocational rehabilitation program and could not confirm a published policy on lifts from the state's own pages. If a lift is needed for work, ask a Bureau of Rehabilitation Services counselor.

Snow, salt and a scooter on the hitch

NOAA's Maine climate summary reports average snowfall of 40 to 80 inches across the southern and northern interior, with up to 100 inches at the northern tip, and describes nor'easters as cold-season storms with snow, sleet or freezing rain and strong winds whose observed wind speeds "are commonly equal to or greater than those from hurricanes that have reached Maine." Since 2005, precipitation has averaged 6.6 inches more than during 1895-2004.

A device riding outside the vehicle collects all of that. An interior hoist keeps a scooter or chair inside, out of the weather, and is worth a hard look for Maine drivers who can spare the cargo space. If you choose a hitch lift, a cover and regular rinsing after salted roads help, and the plate lamp needs to stay clear of snow.

Lifts for Maine vehicles

• Inside the cargo area. The Harmar AL425 hoist lifts manual chairs, power chairs and scooters with power lifting and rotation, carries 400 lb, needs 30 in of headroom and can be fitted on either side.
• A lighter power chair on the hitch. Bruno's ASL-275L Out-Sider has a self-leveling platform that folds automatically when empty and fits Class II or Class III hitches with 6 to 24 in of height adjustment. A third-brake light is among its options.
• Crew cab pickups. Harmar designed the AL815CC for crew cabs, with an arm that adjusts from 49.25 to 67 in to reach in. It lifts 135 lb and includes an in-cab remote extension.
• Regular pickups. The Harmar AL825 Pickup Speed lifts 210 lb, uses a dual-strapped hook to keep the device from spinning, and runs from a dashboard-mounted switch.

A pickup hoist places the device in the bed, where it is exposed to weather, so a cover is worth budgeting for in Maine. The AL815CC and AL825 listings both note that a docking device is needed for securement and is not part of the package, so add one to your plan before the lift arrives.

Maine CITE

Maine's program in the AT3 Center directory is Maine CITE, at the University of Maine at Augusta. Maine CITE describes itself as "a statewide program helping people with disabilities increase their independence in all areas of life through assistive technology," offers device borrowing and demonstrations, and says no documentation of disability is required for Maine residents.

Ordering and delivery to Maine

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. Every order ships within the lower 48 states and DC; it ships free above $500 and for $15 below that, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days, though some brands differ. Read shipping to Maine and try the vehicle lift fit check.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Maine

Can my scooter lift cover the rear plate in Maine if the front plate shows?

No. 29-A M.R.S. §452 requires plates on the front and the rear of most vehicles and says plates, "including the numbers, letters and words, must always be plainly visible and legible." The rear plate needs to be readable even with the lift loaded, so plan for a relocation bracket.

Can I mount my Maine plate sideways on the lift?

§452(1) says "A registration plate must be displayed horizontally." A plate turned on its side to fit a platform would not meet that rule. Look for a lift bracket or riser that holds the plate level, and confirm with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles if you are unsure.

Does a relocated plate need its own light in Maine?

29-A M.R.S. §1909 requires "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." If the plate moves to the lift, the light must still reach it, so check the lighting after installation and after snowstorms.

Should I choose an inside hoist or a hitch lift in Maine?

It depends on cargo space and how much weather the device can tolerate. NOAA reports 40 to 80 inches of average snowfall across the interior. An inside hoist, such as the Harmar AL425, keeps the device out of the snow; a hitch lift keeps the cargo area free.

See the vehicle lift collection, check fit with the vehicle lift fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 29-A M.R.S. §452, manner of display of registration plates
• 29-A M.R.S. §1909, registration lamp
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Maine
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar AL425
• Faith Mobility product page: Bruno ASL-275L Out-Sider
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar AL815CC Crew Cab Hoist Lift
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar AL825 Pickup Speed Hoist Lift
• AT3 Center: State AT programs directory (Maine)
• Maine CITE