Janice R. Andrews
Maine unveiled its new state license plate design, known as the “Pine Tree Plate,” in an effort to allay safety concerns and strengthen the state’s identity. The news was revealed on Monday during a press conference, where a navy star and a dark green pine tree—inspired by the 1901 Maine flag—were displayed.
Concerns over the readability and deterioration of the current chickadee license plates—which have been in use since 1999—led to the decision to deploy the new design. The move was brought about by problems with plate recognition during law enforcement situations, decreased toll collection, limited visibility at night, and unfavorable weather.
Shenna Bellows, the secretary of state for Maine, expressed her pleasure about the new design idea and stressed the importance of license plates as a symbol of state pride.
Starting in May 2025, the Pine Tree Plate will take the place of chickadee plates as the normal issue. Two designs were approved by legislation in 2023: a basic plate with blue identification numbers and lettering, and another with a pine tree and north star theme.
Notably, the modification won’t have an impact on owners of specialty plates. Mary Catus of the Department of the Secretary of State supplied the design for the Pine Tree Plate, and Waldale Manufacturing, based in Nova Scotia, was hired to manufacture it.
Cathie Curtis, the Deputy Secretary of State for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, emphasized the logistical difficulty of replacing more than 900,000 Chickadee Plates by May 2025–May 2026.
Additionally, officials in Maine revealed plans for a reservation procedure that will let citizens keep their present license plates—vanity and low-digit plates, for example. Furthermore, Maine residents are urged to replace their aging license plates; the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will assist in this process.
BMV employees will retrieve returned Chickadee plates from municipal and BMV branch offices and recycle them.
In Maine’s endeavor to update its license plate program while maintaining its history and guaranteeing public safety, the introduction of the Pine Tree Plate represents a critical turning point.
