Maine will start rolling out its new “Pine Tree” license plate design on May 1.

The new plates will replace the current “Chickadee” design, which has been in circulation for nearly a quarter of a century.

In 2023, the law was amended requiring the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue a replacement to all Chickadee plates.

There are now the two new license plate designs: one with a Pine Tree and the North Star accompanying a blue identification number and letter combination, and one classic plain design that retains the blue identification number and letter combination but removes the Pine Tree and North Star.

“The new Pine Tree license plate is a symbol of Maine’s natural beauty and our heritage as the Pine Tree State,” said Deputy Secretary for the BMV Cathie Curtis. “At the BMV, we’re looking forward to the new plates, and we’re committed to making the process for the customer as easy and efficient as possible.”

Mainers renewing their registration will have to replace their plates and will have their choice of the Pine Tree” design and plain license plate. The plain, or “No Tree” plates are only available to the passenger car (PC) class license plates.

The new plates are free, but it’ll cost $25 to keep the same license plate number.

Conversion to the new license plates is expected to be completed by April of 2026.