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How To Register a Car in Maryland

Who Needs Vehicle Registration in Maryland

Vehicle registration is mandatory for all motor vehicles operated on public roads within Maryland. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) enforces these requirements under the Maryland Transportation Article of the State Code.

New Maryland residents must register their vehicles within 60 days of establishing residency. Residency is established when an individual obtains employment, enrolls children in school, registers to vote, or maintains a residence for more than 183 days per year. Military personnel stationed in Maryland retain their home state registration privileges, but Maryland residents entering military service must maintain Maryland registration unless they establish legal residency elsewhere.

Students attending Maryland colleges or universities may retain their home state registration if they maintain legal residency in another state and do not establish Maryland residency through employment or other activities. However, students who work in Maryland or establish permanent residence must register their vehicles within the 60-day requirement.

Temporary visitors and tourists may operate vehicles with valid out-of-state registration for the duration of their stay, provided the registration remains current. Business fleets and commercial operators must register all vehicles principally garaged in Maryland, regardless of where the business is incorporated.

Licensed dealers must register demonstration and service vehicles under Maryland's dealer registration provisions. Interstate commercial carriers may participate in the International Registration Plan (IRP) for vehicles traveling across multiple states, which allows proportional registration based on miles traveled in each jurisdiction.

What Types of Vehicles Need Registration in Maryland

Maryland requires registration for the following vehicle categories:

Passenger vehicles including cars, station wagons, and sport utility vehicles
Motorcycles and motor scooters with engines exceeding 50cc displacement
Commercial vehicles under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
Heavy commercial vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
Buses used for passenger transportation, including school buses and transit vehicles
Recreational vehicles including motor homes, travel trailers, and camping trailers
Boat trailers and utility trailers exceeding 1,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
Antique vehicles 25 years or older operated on public roads
Historic vehicles with special registration classifications
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) meeting federal safety standards

Maryland classifies passenger vehicles by weight for fee purposes, with distinctions at 3,700 pounds and other weight thresholds. Commercial vehicles face additional classifications based on gross vehicle weight ratings and intended use. Specialty vehicles may qualify for historic vehicle registration or other special programs with modified requirements.

Mopeds with engines 50cc or smaller require a moped permit but not full vehicle registration. Electric bicycles meeting specific power and speed limitations are exempt from registration requirements entirely.

Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Registration in Maryland

Several vehicle categories are exempt from Maryland registration requirements:

Farm implements and agricultural machinery operated exclusively on farms or between farm properties
Farm trailers used solely for agricultural purposes and not exceeding weight limitations
Federal government vehicles operated by federal agencies and departments
Military tactical vehicles owned by the Department of Defense
Off-highway recreational vehicles operated exclusively on private property or designated trails
Golf carts operated within planned communities or designated areas
Construction equipment and specialized machinery not designed for highway use
Antique tractors used exclusively for parades, exhibitions, or ceremonial purposes

Maryland operates an extensive Off Highway Vehicle program through the Department of Natural Resources for recreational vehicles used on designated trails and state lands. These vehicles require OHV registration rather than standard motor vehicle registration.

Vehicles stored on private property and not operated on public roads are exempt from registration requirements, but must be registered before returning to public road use. Emergency vehicles operated by authorized agencies may qualify for special registration exemptions under specific circumstances.

What Do You Need To Register a Car in Maryland

Maryland vehicle registration requires several mandatory documents and fees:

Required Documentation:

Completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form VR-005)
Proof of ownership through manufacturer's certificate of origin, previous title, or court order
Valid Maryland driver's license or identification card for primary applicant
Proof of insurance meeting Maryland's minimum coverage requirements
Odometer disclosure statement for vehicles under 10 years old
Lien documentation if applicable, including lender information and lien amount

VIN Inspection Requirements: Out-of-state vehicles require Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification conducted by MVA personnel or authorized inspectors. This applies to all vehicles previously titled in other states, regardless of age or condition.

Safety and Emissions Requirements: Maryland requires Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) testing for most vehicles in eligible counties. VEIP testing is mandatory in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties, plus Baltimore City. Vehicles must pass emissions testing before initial registration and every two years thereafter.

Fees and Taxes:

Excise tax at 6.5% of vehicle value for vehicles 7 years old or newer
Title fees starting at $100 for standard vehicles
Registration fees ranging from $110.50 to $120.50 annually for passenger vehicles based on weight
Lien notation fees of $20 when applicable
Local fees varying by jurisdiction, typically $10-25

Sales tax applies at the time of purchase through Maryland dealers. Private party transfers may require use tax payment based on vehicle value. Late registration penalties accrue at $25 per month after the 60-day deadline for new residents.

Where to Register Your Vehicle in Maryland

Maryland operates vehicle registration through MVA Customer Service Centers located in each county, plus additional full-service branches in high-population areas.

Major MVA Locations:

Anne Arundel County MVA
160 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
(410) 768-7000
Anne Arundel County MVA

Baltimore City MVA
5425 Reisterstown Rd, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
410-768-7000
Baltimore County MVA

Montgomery County MVA
1327 Lamberton Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902, USA
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
410-768-7000
Montgomery County MVA

Prince George's County MVA
11760 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
410-768-7000
Prince George's County MVA

Frederick County MVA
1601 Bowmans Farm Rd, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
410-768-7000
Frederick County MVA

A complete directory is available at the MVA locations page. Maryland also authorizes licensed vehicle dealers and tag and title services to process certain registration transactions, though initial out-of-state transfers typically require MVA office visits.

Can I Register a Vehicle Online in Maryland?

Maryland's myMVA online portal provides several vehicle registration services for eligible customers:

Available Online Services:

Registration renewals for currently registered Maryland vehicles
Address changes for existing registrations
Duplicate registration cards and sticker replacements
Temporary registration permits for specific qualifying situations
IRP registration services for interstate commercial carriers

Service Limitations: Initial vehicle registration from out-of-state requires in-person processing at MVA offices due to VIN verification, document review, and emissions testing requirements. Title transfers between private parties must be completed in person, as must transactions involving lien changes or registration corrections.

Eligibility Requirements: Online registration renewal requires current vehicle insurance meeting Maryland minimums, valid emissions certification where applicable, and no outstanding violations or administrative holds on the vehicle or owner's record. The system verifies insurance coverage electronically before processing renewal transactions.

Customers may access myMVA services using their driver's license number and date of birth or by creating an online account. Payment processing accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers with convenience fees applied to card transactions.

When Does Vehicle Registration Expire in Maryland

Maryland issues one-two-three-year vehicle registrations with staggered expiration dates based on the owner's birth month for most vehicles. Registration certificates and license plate stickers display both the expiration month and year.

Standard Expiration Schedule: Passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles expire on the last day of the owner's birth month in alternating years. For example, vehicles registered to owners born in March expire on March 31st of the assigned expiration year.

Commercial Vehicle Schedule: Heavy commercial vehicles and fleet registrations may operate on annual renewal cycles with expiration dates determined by the initial registration date or fleet management preferences. IRP-registered vehicles follow calendar year schedules ending December 31st.

Registration Validity Requirements: Valid registration requires current insurance coverage meeting Maryland's minimum liability limits: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 property damage. Vehicles subject to VEIP testing must maintain current emissions certifications, with testing required every two years in eligible counties.

Address Accuracy: Registration certificates must reflect the owner's current legal address where the vehicle is principally garaged. Address changes must be reported to MVA within 30 days of relocation to maintain registration validity.

Expired Registration Consequences: Operating vehicles with expired registration results in traffic citations carrying fines up to $500 for first offenses and potential vehicle impoundment for repeat violations. Registration renewal after expiration requires payment of standard fees plus late penalties calculated from the expiration date.

Special Category Schedules: Historic and antique vehicles may qualify for permanent registration with one-time fees, eliminating renewal requirements. Seasonal vehicles and certain recreational vehicles may operate under temporary registration permits for limited time periods during specific seasons.