How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in Maryland in 2026
Maryland does not offer an online system for cancelling vehicle registration. Registration cancellation is completed by physically returning license plates to the Motor Vehicle Administration through in-person delivery at branch offices, 24-hour drop boxes, mail submission, or authorized tag and title services.
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) within the Maryland Department of Transportation oversees vehicle registration matters statewide and processes all registration cancellations through license plate returns.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Discontinuing your vehicle registration becomes necessary in various situations:
- Selling your vehicle through a private transaction or a dealership
- Donating your vehicle to a charitable organization or individual
- Moving your permanent residence to a different state
- Disposing of your vehicle at a salvage facility or junkyard
- Your vehicle has been declared a total loss by your insurance provider
- The vehicle has been stolen and remains unrecovered
- Storing your vehicle long-term without active insurance
- Terminating insurance coverage with no plans to operate the vehicle
- Transferring ownership through estate administration
- Permanently removing the vehicle from road use
Processing Registration Cancellation
Maryland requires the physical return of license plates to cancel vehicle registration. The MVA provides multiple methods for returning plates, with registration cancellation processed automatically upon receipt.
Returning License Plates In-Person
Vehicle owners may return license plates directly to any of the 24 MVA branch offices during normal business hours without an appointment.
Items to Bring:
- License plates for the vehicle
- Registration card
- Valid identification
Visit the information counter at any MVA branch office to submit your license plates. Staff will issue a printed receipt immediately confirming the plate return. The MVA does not require appointments for returning license plates.
Using 24-Hour Drop Boxes
The MVA maintains 24-hour license plate return drop boxes at locations throughout Maryland for convenient after-hours returns.
Submission Requirements:
- Complete the Tag Return Form (VR-027)
- Attach the form, registration card, and registration stickers to your license plates using a rubber band
- Deposit the complete package into the designated drop box
Forms are available at dropbox locations if you cannot print one in advance. Allow 72 business hours after drop-off for your plate return receipt to become available in the MVA system.
Mailing License Plates
License plates may be submitted to MVA headquarters by mail for registration cancellation.
Mailing Address:
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
ATTN: CRTR
6601 Ritchie Highway N.E.
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Materials to Include:
- License plates
- Registration card
- Completed Tag Return Form (VR-027) if available
The MVA recommends sending license plates by certified mail with a return receipt requested to ensure delivery confirmation andtracking.
Through Authorized Tag and Title Services
License plates may be returned to any MVA-authorized tag and title service provider. These private businesses charge fees for processing plate returns on behalf of the MVA.
License Plate Return Receipt:
After submitting license plates through any method, retrieve your official plate return receipt through the MVA Customer Correspondence Manager. This online system allows downloading receipts from any device. Wait 72 business hours after submission before accessing your receipt.
Insurance Cancellation Requirement:
Maryland requires maintaining vehicle insurance until the license plates are returned to the MVA. Do not cancel insurance until you confirm that the MVA has received your plates. Canceling insurance while retaining plates may result in compulsory insurance violation fines.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
Maryland regulations provide for partial refunds of registration fees when license plates are returned before the expiration date. Refund eligibility and amounts depend on the remaining registration period.
Refund Qualification Requirements
The MVA evaluates refund requests based on plate condition and remaining validity period:
- Full refund for unused plates with registration sticker not affixed to the plate
- Fifty percent refund for plates with more than 12 months remaining until expiration
- No refund available for plates with less than 12 months remaining
- No refund available for plates returned after substitute plates or stickers were issued
Important Limitation: Maryland statute Transportation Article §13-938 limits registration fee refunds to the Maryland registration fee portion only, minus an administrative fee established by the MVA. County and municipal taxes, administrative fees, and other charges collected at registration are not refundable.
Refund Request Procedure
Step 1: Return License Plates
Complete license plate return using any of the methods described above. The MVA cannot process refund applications until the plate return appears in their system.
Step 2: Complete Refund Application
Download and complete the Application for Registration Plate Refund (Form VR-021) from the MVA website.
Step 3: Submit Application with Documentation
Include the following materials with your refund application:
- Completed Application for Registration Plate Refund form
- Copy of registration card
- Registration cancellation receipt (if available)
- Copy of unused registration sticker (if applicable)
- Written explanation of circumstances if requesting special consideration
Submit the complete application package when returning license plates or mail it separately to the address listed above.
Step 4: Comptroller Review and Payment
The MVA forwards approved refund applications to the Maryland Comptroller's Office in Annapolis for payment processing. Refund checks are mailed to the address on the application within six weeks of license plate return. Contact the MVA if you do not receive your refund within this timeframe.
Governing Law
Vehicle registration cancellation procedures in Maryland are established through state statute and administrative regulation:
- Transportation Article §13-938 governs return and refund for unused registration plates
Government Agencies
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
6601 Ritchie Highway N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Online Services Portal:
myMVA Online Services
MVA Branch Office Locations
The Motor Vehicle Administration operates branch offices throughout Maryland that accept license plate returns for registration cancellation. The following offices serve Maryland's major population centers:
MVA - Glen Burnie (Headquarters)
6601 Ritchie Highway N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Glen Burnie
MVA - Baltimore City
5425 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Baltimore City
MVA - Salisbury (Wicomico)
251 Tilghman Rd, Salisbury, MD 21804
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Salisbury
MVA - Gaithersburg (Montgomery)
15 Metropolitan Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Gaithersburg
MVA - Bel Air (Harford)
501 W MacPhail Rd, Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Bel Air
MVA - Waldorf (Charles)
11 Industrial Park Dr, Waldorf, MD 20602
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Waldorf
MVA - Frederick
1601 Bowmans Farm Rd, Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Frederick
MVA - Annapolis (Anne Arundel)
160 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Annapolis
MVA - Columbia (Howard)
6490 Dobbin Rd J, Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Columbia
MVA - Largo (Prince Georges)
10251 Central Ave, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: MVA Largo
