AUGUSTA – Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is updating all Maine residents with the latest developments surrounding BMV transactions during the emergency closure period.

Sec. Dunlap closed all BMV offices Tuesday, March 17 to aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among staff and the public, and the closure will remain in effect until further notice.

• The Maine Legislature, in its actions last week, waived enforcement of all motorized vehicle, watercraft and trailer registration and inspection requirements. Motor vehicle and trailer registrations, including all temporary registrations and any fuel use decals that expire during the state of emergency, will be extended up to 30 days after the state of emergency is terminated. Inspections that expire during this period are also extended. 
• Secretary Dunlap is granting permission for trucks with a temporary registration plate to carry a load. This permission is for the duration of the declared state of emergency here in the State of Maine and an additional 30 days thereafter. This permission is granted as referenced in Title 29A Section 462(3).
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today granted a waiver applicable to interstate and intrastate commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders and to other interstate drivers operating commercial motor vehicle. FMCSA grants, until June 30, 2020, a waiver from renewal of medical certificates and licenses, for those whose CDL or CLP expires March 1, 2020 or later. The waiver is valid through June 30. It does not apply to those whose license or medical certificate expired before March 1, or those who are suspended or have had their license withdrawn.
• President Donald J. Trump announced Monday that he will be advising the Department of Homeland Security to extend the enforcement deadline for Real ID compliance, due to BMV closures and reduced services nationwide. Real ID requirements were set to go into effect on Oct. 1, 2020. The new deadline has yet to be announced.

Motorists do not need to take any action regarding these measures. Many BMV services are available via the BMV website, but not all transactions can be completed online, depending on individuals’ situations. During the emergency closure of BMV, residents will not be able to obtain Real ID credentials, first-time credentials, or new registrations.