Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A. Motor Vehicles § 754. Examination and impoundment of vehicle

1. Examination of identification numbers. A State Police officer or a motor vehicle detective may examine the vehicle identification numbers of a vehicle or vehicle part. Failure to allow the examination is a Class E crime.

2. Impoundment. When a State Police officer or an investigator has reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle identification number is fictitious, removed or altered, or that a violation of law involving a vehicle or vehicle part has taken place, the police officer or investigator may impound the vehicle or vehicle part and hold the vehicle or part until the violation is cleared.

3. Vehicle identification numbers. A manufacturer or assembler of a vehicle shall provide that vehicle with a vehicle identification number and on request shall supply the Secretary of State and the Chief of the State Police with all available information concerning the location of vehicle identification numbers and other identifying numbers on that vehicle.

4. Vehicle or vehicle part disposal. Impounded vehicles and vehicle parts that are unclaimed, recovered after theft or unidentifiable become the property of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall dispose of those vehicles and vehicle parts in the following manner.