The Bizarre Maine Law That Still Exists For No Clear Reason

Maine is famous for its rocky coastlines, delicious lobster rolls, and charming small towns. But did you know this beautiful state also has one of the strangest laws still on the books?

It’s illegal to sell, trade, or exchange cars on Sundays in Maine. Yes, you read that right.

While most people are enjoying their weekend, car dealerships across the state must keep their doors locked and their lots empty of salespeople. This quirky rule has puzzled tourists and locals alike for decades, and it’s still enforced today.

1. Welcome to Maine: Where the Laws Are as Quirky as the Lobster Rolls

Maine may be known for its rugged coastlines and charming lighthouses, but its legal code hides a treasure trove of oddities. From the forests of Aroostook to the shores of Bar Harbor, the Pine Tree State has some rules that make even lifelong Mainers do a double take.

These laws range from delightfully outdated to downright head-scratching, often leaving tourists wondering if they’ve stumbled into a sitcom. Some were born from long-forgotten local disputes, while others seem like relics of a more eccentric era.

You might not break any of them during your visit, but you’ll definitely laugh reading about them.

They add a layer of whimsy to a state already brimming with personality. Whether you’re sipping blueberry soda or dodging moose crossings, Maine’s legal quirks are part of the charm. It’s a place where even the rulebook has a sense of humor.

And one particular law, so strange it sounds made-up, has tourists doing double takes and asking locals, “Wait, is that actually real?”

2. The Law That Keeps Dealerships Closed on Sundays

Picture this: You’re visiting Maine on vacation and spot the perfect used car at a dealership. You pull in on Sunday morning, excited to make a deal, only to find the gates locked and a sign explaining they’re closed by law.

This isn’t just a business choice or a random day off.

Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Section 2063 makes it illegal for anyone to sell, trade, or exchange motor vehicles on Sundays. The law applies to dealerships, private sellers, and anyone else trying to make a car deal on the Sabbath.

Breaking this rule can result in fines and legal trouble.

Most visitors think it’s a joke at first. They assume the dealership just chose to close for the weekend. But nope, this is a real law that’s been around for generations.

It’s one of those head-scratching rules that makes Maine uniquely quirky and keeps travelers talking long after they leave the state.

3. Blue Laws and Their Religious Roots

So where did this strange law come from? The answer lies in something called blue laws. These were old-fashioned rules designed to enforce religious standards, especially keeping Sundays sacred for rest and worship.

Back in colonial times and into the 1800s, many states passed laws banning all kinds of activities on Sundays.

In Maine, the Sunday car sales ban is a leftover from this era. The idea was that conducting business on the Lord’s Day was disrespectful and distracted people from attending church. While most blue laws have been repealed or forgotten, this one stuck around in Maine’s legal code.

Today, the law has nothing to do with religion for most people. It’s simply a quirky part of Maine’s identity. Historians find it fascinating because it shows how old traditions can linger in modern society.

Whether you’re religious or not, the law remains a curious reminder of the past embedded in present-day life.

4. How Car Dealers Work Around the Rules

Maine car dealers have gotten creative over the years. Since they can’t sell cars on Sundays, many dealerships go all out on Saturdays instead.

You’ll see huge promotional events, special weekend pricing, and extended hours to make up for the lost day. Some even advertise their Saturday sales as the best time to buy.

Dealerships also use Sundays for other activities that don’t involve actual sales. They might host car shows, offer test drives without purchase pressure, or simply let people browse the lot.

Staff members can answer questions and provide information, but they absolutely cannot close a deal or exchange money.

This workaround keeps customers engaged while staying within the law. Smart dealerships turn the restriction into a marketing advantage, emphasizing their Saturday super sales. It’s a clever adaptation that shows how businesses can thrive even with unusual regulations.

The law might be old, but Maine’s car sellers have learned to make it work for them.

5. Is the Law Actually Enforced Today?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Does anyone actually get in trouble for breaking this law? The answer is yes, but it’s complicated.

While police aren’t patrolling dealerships every Sunday looking for violations, the law is still technically enforceable. If someone files a complaint or if a dealership openly defies the rule, authorities can issue citations and fines.

Most dealerships simply comply because it’s easier than fighting the law. There have been occasional cases over the years where businesses tried to challenge the statute, but it remains on the books.

The enforcement is more about maintaining tradition than active policing.

For private citizens trying to sell their personal vehicles, the law is rarely enforced. It’s mostly aimed at commercial operations.

Still, technically speaking, even a private sale on Sunday could violate the statute. Most people don’t realize this, and enforcement for individual transactions is virtually nonexistent. The law exists more as a symbol than an everyday concern for regular folks.

6. What Locals Really Think About the Law

Ask a Mainer about the Sunday car sales ban and you’ll get mixed reactions. Some residents love the tradition and think it gives everyone a guaranteed day off. They argue that car salespeople deserve a break and that having one day without commercial pressure is refreshing.

These folks see the law as part of Maine’s unique character.

Others find it ridiculous and outdated. They point out that nearly every other business operates on Sundays, so why single out car dealerships?

Critics say the law hurts the economy and inconveniences customers who only have weekends free to shop. They’d prefer to see it repealed.

Interestingly, many car dealers themselves support keeping the law. It guarantees them a day off without losing competitive advantage, since everyone must close. This creates an unusual situation where the regulated industry actually likes the regulation.

For tourists, the law is mostly just a funny quirk that makes for great conversation and social media posts about Maine’s oddities.

7. Similar Strange Laws Across America

Maine isn’t alone in having weird Sunday sales laws. Several other states have similar restrictions, though they’re becoming rarer.

For example, some states still ban alcohol sales on Sundays or restrict certain types of businesses from operating. These laws vary wildly from place to place.

Colorado had a similar car sales ban until recently, when it was finally repealed. Pennsylvania still has complex blue laws affecting various types of commerce. In some Southern states, hunting on Sundays is restricted or banned entirely.

These laws often reflect regional history and cultural values.

What makes Maine’s law particularly interesting is how strictly it’s maintained specifically for automobiles. While other restrictions have faded, this one persists. Comparing these laws across states reveals fascinating patterns about American legal history and regional identity.

Some communities cling to tradition, while others eagerly modernize. Maine’s Sunday car sales ban sits right in the middle, acknowledged as odd but somehow still defended by many who live there.

8. Other Quirky Maine Laws and Travel Tips

The Sunday car sales ban is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Maine’s unusual laws. Did you know it’s technically illegal to keep your Christmas decorations up after January 14th in some Maine towns?

There are also strange hunting regulations, like restrictions on what you can use to hunt certain animals. These laws add to Maine’s quirky charm.

Another odd rule prohibits advertising on tombstones in certain areas. Some municipalities have unusual parking regulations or restrictions on specific business activities.

While many of these laws aren’t actively enforced, they remain part of the official legal code and make for entertaining trivia.

If you’re planning to visit Maine, don’t worry too much about accidentally breaking obscure laws. Most are rarely enforced and mainly exist as historical curiosities.

However, if you’re planning to buy or rent a vehicle, remember that Sunday shopping is off the table. The best advice is to embrace Maine’s unique character, ask locals about their favorite legal oddities, and enjoy everything this beautiful state offers responsibly.