Maryland residents who register their cars in another state, like Virginia, will face stricter enforcement and fines under a new state law that takes effect Thursday.
Marylanders have registered their cars in Virginia for decades, seemingly as a way to exploit a loophole that allowed vehicle owners to legally register their car in the state without auto insurance as long as they paid a one-time fee. Virginia closed that loophole in 2024, but Maryland officials said all those Virginia license plates on Baltimore’s streets have cost the state millions of dollars.
While Maryland has long required vehicle owners to register their cars within 60 days of moving to the state, the new law allows localities to impose fines on — and even tow the vehicles of — drivers not in compliance.
Chrissy Nizer, the administrator of the Motor Vehicle Administration, said getting Maryland drivers to register in the state where they operate their vehicles is also important for road safety. The agency has said many of these vehicles aren’t insured or inspected properly, and that owners often don’t pay traffic fines.
“We want to make sure that when [a vehicle] goes on a Maryland road, it’s passed the safety inspection, that it has the same standards and requirements for insurance,” Nizer said.
Here are some things to know about the new rules.
How much time do Marylanders have to change their tags?
Any Maryland resident with license plates from another state will receive a written warning to register their vehicle here. If the car isn’t registered in Maryland after 60 days, the vehicle owner will face daily fines.
Violators will be fined $7 a day for up to 60 more days, totaling as much as $420. If the vehicle owner still hasn’t registered their car in Maryland, local jurisdictions can impound, boot or tow the car.
The MVA sent out letters in July warning vehicle owners of the coming change. That round of letters prompted 3,400 drivers to change their registrations, according to Nizer.
Those letters are separate from the “enforcement letter” that will trigger the 60-day clock to change the tags. The MVA will begin to systematically send those out Thursday, Nizer said.
How do I change my tags?
Schedule an appointment with the MVA to get your vehicle registered in person at one of its branches.
The agency requires that vehicles have passed a Maryland safety inspection at a location licensed by Maryland State Police.
You should bring a copy of your inspection certificate, driver’s license, previous title and insurance information to get Maryland plates. Costs to reregister range from $120.50 to $191.50 depending on the weight of your car. Other vehicles, such as trucks and motorcycles, are subject to unique fees. A full list is available on the MVA’s website.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. Some people with a car registered in another state who will be in Maryland for more than 30 days are eligible for a nonresident permit, the MVA said.
Common examples include college students from other states, temporary workers and visitors staying in Maryland for an extended period of time. Military personnel in the state also qualify for a free nonresident permit but aren’t required to get one.
Those who qualify for a nonresident permit can apply in person at an MVA office or by mail. Applications require a $27 fee.
Reporter Danny Zawodny contributed to this article.
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